Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-05-23

assembly, after devotional exercises,
the reports of the special committees
were presented. The report of the re-
vision committee follows:
Report.
The committee upon the revision of the
credal statements of the church submitted
their, report. After giving the results of
the votes on the questions submitted to
THE votes show that 63 presbyteries ia.
yor some revision of the confession of
faith and 6s presbyteries favor some form
trines most surely believed among us.
After patient consideration is given to
this important subject and after. protract-
ed but harmonious discussions of the sub
ject in all its hearings and in it's possible
Issues, 1t was determined to submit to the
general assembly the following findings and
recommendations; viz:
1. That the returns indicate that the
church desires some change in its credal
statement.
2. That the returns indicate that no
change Is desired which would In any way
impair the integrity of the system of doc
trfne contained in the Confession Of Faith.
3. These returns indicate that 1t is the
mind of the church that the confession
chall be Interpreted throughout in har-
mony with the teaching of scripture that
GSd m not Wiling that T. ys one Sn, tb
ednsss of their own hearts which shuts
some men out from the salvation freely
and lovingly offered in Christ Jesus to all
4. These returns indicate that plural
ity OF the presbyteries desire that changes
should be made. by some new statements
g. The returns also indicate desire on
the part Of many presbyteries for some re-
vision OF the present confession. with ad,
ditional statements concerning the love Of
God for all men, missions and the Holy
Spirit.
tr,c% py,i1 oH fpr nv
form Of government be appointed by the
We recommend that this committee be
the Reformed Faith. bearing the same re-
lation to the confession which the Shorter
Catechism bears to the Larger Catechisrn
concensus crees prepared for the assembly
- Of 1892, for the ARTICLES of Faith" Of the
Presbyterian church Of England
for the confession and is not to AFFECT the
terms of subscription, buH Ito vindicatt
and clear the doctrines of the
coneeptions,'' to to give give better understand
: ing OF what is most surely believed among
us, and is in no sense to impair, but rather
70 manifest and maintain the integrity Of
We further Recommend that the commit
tee be instructed to prepare amendments OF
chapter s. chapter To- et sssn ehapte
chapter 25, section Of our Confession Of
Faith, either by notifications of the tex
or by declaratory, statements SO as NOR,
clearly to express the mind of the church
with additional statement concerning tn,
love Of God for all men, missions and thu
Holy Spirit. It being understood that thu
revision shall In no way impair the integ
rity Of the system of doctrine set forth Il
our confession and taught In the Holy
Scriptures.
we feel Justified in the statement and W,
think it fitting to state, that our lamentet
member, Gen BENJAMIN Harrison, CAV,
clear expression to views before the com
mitee which assure US that he would hay,
Joined us In the findings and reeommenda
tions OF this report.
Loyal to our standards, believing that
constitutional majority of our beloved
church favOrs come action, and that gu
recommendations, if executed, would pre-
serve intact our system Of doctrine AM
promote the peace and prosperity of thi
The results of our inquiries and delibera
lions to this venerable assembly.