Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1901-06-01
REVISED CONFESSION
Still Being Discussed in the Pres
byterian General Assembly.
THE REPORT OF THE MAJORITY.
Which Provides For the Appointment
Of Committee on Revision, VIII
Probably Be Adopted Before the As.
sen1hly kdjourns This Evening.

Probably Be Adopted Before the As.
sembly kdiourns This Evening.
Philadelphia, May 27,-Commission-
ers to the general assembly yesterday
supplied nearly all of the Presbyterian
pulpits and those of several other de
nominations in this city and vicinity
Many took advantage of the oppor
tunity to hear the men whose eio
euence during the past week held the
attention of thousands in Calvary
church Iii the discussion upon the
question of the revision Of the comics
sion of faith The leaders of the sew
eral parties that have battled for SUI
premacy were heard in the prominent
churches. Moderator Minton deliver
ed two sermons. one in the morning in
Northminster church, and the other in
the evening at Olivet church.
The debate on revision, which took
up the whole of three days last week,
was resumed this morning, and 1t is
believed some definite action will have
been taken before the assembly ad-
journs for the day Much comment
has been made by the commissioners
over the high character of the debate
as far as it has gone. There has been
total absence of harsh feeling
The question now before the assem-.
bly, is: shall the majority report be
adopted in it's entirety?" This report,
briefly stated. recommends the ap.
pointment of a committee to prepare
brief summary of the reformed faith,
bearing the same relation to the con-
fession which the shorter catechism
bears to the larger catechism, and
formed on the general model of the
concensus creed prepared for the as
sembly in 1892 or the articles OF
faith" of the Presbyterian church of
England.
The report also recommends that
| this committee prepare amendments to
several chapters of the confession,
either by modification of the text or
| by declaratory statement so as more
clearly to express the mind of the
| church The motions to dismiss the
| WuOlC U1dlltI anu W SlilhS Out thC
recommendation in the majority report
| for a brief summary having been de.
| feated the contest has narrowed down
to struggle between the advocates OF
a new creed and those who desire only
a moderate revision of the confession,
1t Is predicted with considerable
show of confidence that the moderate
reyisionists will win against the new
creedists, and that it will then resolve
| itself into contest over the nature of
| the changes. The two votes already
taken would indicate that the report of
the majority will be adopted without
amendment, but if that comes about 1t
will not be without struggle. The
moderate revisionists who voted with
the more extreme members of the
church against dismissal will ally
themselves with the dismissalists
against any radical amendments to the
report The sentiment for declara-
tory statement as against brief sum-
mary is growing. and it is believed
that the final vote may come on these
two issues.
1t is not likely that the assembly will
adjourn before Thursday. Rev DR.. w.
H Roberts, tho stated clerk. gave out
the information that there is still two
days work before the assembly after
the revision question is out OF the way.
After the present matter is disposed of
the proposition of the establishment OF
a judicial commission will hold the at
tention of the assembly. Lines are
sharply drawn on this matter, and it
may delay somewhat the final adjourn
ment, Quite a number of commission.
ers have returned to their homes.