New-York tribune., 1901-05-24
CREED REVISION DEBATED.
INTENSE INTEREST IN PRESBYTERlAN
GENERAL ASSEMBLY-MANY COMMlo-
SIONERS OPPOSE MODIFICATION.
[Br rELEGRApH TO THE rR1BUNE.I ]

/ Calvary Church could scarcely have held announcer
person unless all the in the aisles had beeh
occupied. In addition to the commissioners, scores
of ministers from New-York City and its SUBURBS
and other cities and towns were in the galleries Vi
in the yard. literally in the place to receive the
droppings of the sanctuary. Through the open
windows of them heard much of what was
/ said and they had better air than their brethren
who seemed more fortunate. The pulpit and plat
J form steps jammed; the choir loft, mace "
seat eight persons, held twenty or more mos'lE
women.
/ Six speeches were made in of the day
three by members of the committee on revision
supporting their recommendations of revision anu
a new creed. one by member of the committee
favoring revision but not new creed, and TWO oS
other members of the assembly opposing any
change in the present standards New-York Phiia-
delphia. Cincinnati. Chicago and, st. Louis We're
/ represented in the discussion. The New-Hork man
opposed the report, men from Philadelphia
spoke. either side of the question; the man
from Cincinnati partial revisionst, whlle tle
men further West wanted a moderate revision ana
brief summary. the new creed is called.
The speeches were able showing careful prepara-
ton. and delivered with dignity and force A
wrangle. chiefly points of order marred the
morning somewhat. but owing to the firm and
judicious rulings of the moderator the motion caus-
ing the dscord withdrawn, irritation was al
layed and a fine spirit prevailed. incidentally II
was announced the floor of the assembly that
$50 commissioners out of the $40 in the assembly
had come prepared to vote against any change in
O'444N
the Westminster standards by revision. amend
ment declaratory statement or a new creed. Inc
speaking will be resumed tomorrow morning. with
DR.. David s Kennedy. of Allegheny, Penn. an
anti-revisonist the first speaker. 1t is possible
but hardly probable that will he reached to-
morrow
CALVARY CHURCH THRONGED EARLY
The day da wned clear and warm. Before many
of the committees had risen this morning stream
of ministers entitled TO wear the blue button
which admits the floor of the church, ana
many women vending their way toward that
edfce. Shortly after o'clock the doors were
opened. and earnest. orderly movement began
toward the gallery Withia ten minutes every seat
every window sill and nearly every foot Of stand
ing room was occupied, but the crowd had scarcely
diminished in size.
In the company We're many aged clerGymen who
for than half century had defended the
doctrines of Calvinism to which in their early
manhood they had given their unreserved oath or
allegiance There were also venerable women. ap-
parently the mothers and wives OF clergymen. who
seemed anxious did the men to get a place
from which they might and hear those who
were in their opinion. friends Of the confession as
well those who, in their opinion were opposed
to the standards of the Church. the aged persons
seemed he in the majority. or at least a larger
number OF those standing about the doors pleading
for a chance TO get near the platform were well
advanced in years But all their petitions and the
mute appeals which age and gray hairs carry made
no impression upon the doorkeepers. Keep the
aises clear for the commissioners" was the order
There were also a vast multitude OF younger per
sons ministers and lawyers Tile prayer meeting
this morning was the largest In the history OF the
General Assembly. Bishop Foss, Of the Methodist
Episcopal Church. the platform by in
vitation. and offered one OF the prayers. but no
one could have told from It whether he fol-
lower OF Wesley Calvin Most Of the prayers
brief reminding Of the sentence prayers
used In the Christian Endeavor Society. At $50
o'clock the assembly opened by the moderator.
A few minutes occupied In the approval of
the minutes Of yesterday. statement or two
from the committee bills. and overtures and
expression of congratuatIon to President McKin-
ley and a note Of Thanksgiving to God for the
health of his wife. the reading and adoption 10
two three brief reports. including declaring
that change should be made in the salaries
the terms of Office of the stated and permanent
clerks. and the first religious debate the
century opened I'm atmosphere which Judge
Wilson said would soon be like the black hole Of
Calcutta" unless the windows kept open.
That statement had its desired effect and every
window thrown open wide possible
WHAT COMMITTEE RECOMMENDED.
Or. Charles A. Dickey, chairman Of the commit
tee on revision. read the report. which recommend
ed that "A revision committee be appointed 10 pre-
pare a brief summary of the reformed faith and
prepare amendments in FIVE chapters of the West
Minister Confession of Faith. The committee
commended further that neither the summary
the revision should in any sense impair what is
known as the CaIvinstic system Of doctrine.
A tribute to BENJAMIN Harrison. member of the
revision committee, then read. and after a
prayer by Dr. Samuel p. Sprecher, of Cleveland
also a member OF the committee. the tribute
adopted by rising vote.
DR.. William McKibbn. Of Cincinnati, read the
minority report which favored the proposed
vision, but opposed the new statement. which the
majority had recommended. The majority report
signed by thirteen members and the minority
by two. DR. S j Niccollsi Of St. Louis; a member
of the committee, moved that the first recon-
mendation read by DIR. Dickey the appointment of
a committee 70 revise the Confession, should be
adopted, all the members of the committee
pressed the belief that it would not lead to clear
ness and precision to take up the recommended tons
bsgce to make statement Dr. Niccos inested
upon his motion The moderator endeavored to
keep the issue clear and finally DR. NiccOlls with
Washington and Jefferson College, in the interest
Of orderly procedure. moved the adoption of the
beriand Md moved to substitute the minority
report for the read by DR.. Dckey.
MOTION TO DISMISS WHOLE SUBJECT.
Dr. George d. Baker of Philadelphia. pastor Of
the church once served by Albert Barnes moved
deems it inexpedient to proceed further in the
matter OF creedal revision at this time and hereby
dsmisses the whole subject"
Dr. Dickey was greatly disturbed this
in the affairs of the debate and plainly showed the
irritation which he felt. He said that he had a
speech prepared the adoption of the report
which he had presented, and he did not wish to
discuss a motion which entirely foreign
that which his committee recommended and. fur
ther. that he wished to be calm when he entered
upon the discussion. DIR. Minton assured him. and
the applause from all parts reiterated that assur-
report was as wide as the wide world" He then
spoke forty minutes, telling what the committee
recommended and why ii made the recommenda-
tions that 1t did. In his remarks he said that the
least possible revision would satisfy him. and that
declaratory statement would please him most
of all.