The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-05-24
DEBATE PROCEEDS.
Presbyterians s i'll Wrestling
With Revision Question.

Fnliadeipnlas May 24--The debate on
creed revision was continued by the
Presbyterian general assembly today
and as was the case yesterday the
church was unable TO contain the
throngs who came to hear the discus
sion Previous to the devotional exer-
cises Rev. DR.. John Dewitt Of Princeton
Theological seminary announced that
arrangements had been completed for
the reception to the commissioners al
Princeton tomorrow
After the disposition of a few minor
matters Moderator Adinton called for the
unfinished business of yesterday. The
moderator said he had found the senti-
ment of the assembly in favor of a full.
free and fair presentation of the ques-
ton, but suggested that the commits
sioners endeavor as far as possible to
adhere to the rule of breVity, especially
as the great ground had been staked
out by the able speakers Of yesterday.
Rev. DR.. Davis S. Kennedy of Allie
ghany, Pa, yielded the floor to Judge f.
w. c. Humphrey of Louisville, who
signed the minority report with DR.. Nc
J<ibben
Judge Humphrey urged the elimination
from the committees report of the
clause commencing a brief summary Of
the reformed faith bearing the same re-
lation to the confession which the short
er catechism bears to the larger cate
chism and formed on the general mOdei
of the consensus creed. He claimed it
meant practically a new creed and
should not be concurred in as the pres
byteries did not desire a new confess
ion.
DR. Kennedy followed with a forceful
argument against revision. The way to
break down the confession. finally. he
said, is to go on making holes in it.
I'VE stand united on the confession
continued DIR. Kennedy. 1T is construct
ed from beginning to end to be used for
scientific purposes It is the constitu-
ton of our character. We are not con
sidering a popular creed, but the funda-
mental principle of our organization
The confession has been charged with
failing to truthfully present the belief
of the church. No one forces US to sign
that confession. We did not sign it in
ignorance and I am sure not one of us
signed it dishonesty.
Il repudiate the statement that the
confession does not set forth the main
side and personality of the holy spir-
it,
This brought Rev. DR.. Herricl to his
feet.
I beg your pardon he said. but if
you refer TO me, did not say that"
DR. Kennedy replied that while he
might have misunderstood DR.. Johnson's
words he had received that impression.
In conclusion DR.. Kennedy said:
our plea is that now is not the time
fire We are not living in a constitu-
ton making age. After a fair deliber-
ate and free discussion we find ourselves
all divided up Let US wait until God
in his providence brings US to the time
when we can agree on the questions at
issue
Rev. Dr. J. E. Mofrat of Cumberland.
Nd, was eloquent in his appeal to the
assembly for a change in the confession
that would give a more even balance Of
fr1Ifh he accfr, 1,1
man made constitution. but is not the
word of God And we are not discussing
the word of God. If this question is
voted down by this assembly it will
come to the front again until we give
the church what it demands I want to
see side by side two great truths: First
the sovereignty of God and above all
His election of men. and secondly the
freedom Of man to choose I believe
that God has elected all infants to sal
vatio1."
DR.. John Dewitt Of Princeton uni
versity was next recognized by the mod
orator. There was a disposition by some
Of the commissioners to close the debate.
As DR.. Dewitt took the platform there
were cries Of question" The Princeton
professor paid a tribute to the high
character Of the debate which has thus
far been. entirely free from acrimony
and sarcasm. He said there was no
danger Of a division in the church and
he wanted it to go out to the world that
no matter how they may differ on the
Westminster confession they stand
united on the Word of God.
He spoke Of the consistency of the be-
lief Of the church which has stuck closer
to the doctrines Of the reformation than
any other church
Unity" he said s.is the fundamental
principle of the church which stands as
a pyramid pointing to the sky without
a fissure, without a crack"
DIR. Dewitt said he belonged to what is
known as the fourth party. The first
party, he said. emphasizes a new sum-
mary of the confession; the second en-
phasizes amendments to certain specific
sections; the third wants q declarat tory
or explanatory statement; the fourth
emphasizes our noble declaratOry
statement which is now in our possess
sion and which viii solve the entire
question:
The three elements. orthodoxy, liberty
and unity of action. DR. Dewitt said
were never held in better balance than
al present In the new school This was
done by throwing emphasis on the pres
ent liberal terms Of subscription. DR..
Dewitt said he was not an obstruction
ist. His proposition was that the as
sembly stand on its rights and assert
the great noble. liberal term of sub
scriptiOn The speaker in referring to
the proposed creedal statements said he
hoped some one would be given carte
blanche to tell us what we are to do
without further instruction from the
church He regarded it as the most
mOnstrOus proposition ever propounded
to a reformed church.
President ] J. Moffatt Of Washing
ton and Jefferson university said he be-
longed, like DIR Dewitt to the fourth
party. vet he was opposed to dismissing
the entire matter while DR. Dewitt was
in favor OF such action He did not
know whether he was a reViSionist or
not because there was no specific pro-
position before the assembly He advO-
Gated the acceptance of recommendation
B and until the committee makes its re
port in accordance to that reeommen-
daticn. he did not know where he stood. /