New-York tribune., 1901-05-25
SOME CHANGES IN CREED.
PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY VOTES DOWN
MOTION TO DISMISS SUBJECT
HOW NOTIFICATIONS WILL BE MADE TO
BE DECIDED TO-DAY-NCARLY A SCORE
OF SPEECHES YESTERDAY.
Tnr rEDEGRApn no THE TRIBUNE. ]

OF SPEECHES YESTERDAY.
IBT TELEGRAPH TIE TRIErNE.l
PHILADELPHIA Nav 24-Presbyterians believe in
the language Of their Confession OF Faith. that
God Ordans whatsoever comes TO pass For TWO
days there has been contention on the part
OF the commissioners TO the General Assembly IN
reference TO the creedal revision. Nineteen speak
occupied six hours to-day n presenting reasons
for against the proposed revision ana ihe de-
cree Of the Almighty, registered by vote OF the
representatives is that something must De d'-
tempted in the way Of changes in the standards OF
the PRESBYTERIAN Church. Opinions vary as 10 the
strength of the majority this afternoon as no
taken there being no need Of count
The motion to dismiss the whole question was
voted down by such overwhelming majority that
it was idle 10 waste the time of the six hundred
men to know how great the majority was. Dr.
Charles A. Dickey. OF Philadelphia, chairman OF
the revision committee thought that the proper
ton was TO !; others said that il was and some
to l. Everybody said that it complete vic
tory for Dr. Dic5ey and his committee, but the
end is not yet. Tomorrow viii another step
in the movement for revision new creed. for
there are two reports before the house which
not disturbed by the vote to-day Both agree that
there should be a revision of the Westminster Con-
fession and one says that there should be
summary of doctrine, additional TO the changes
which may be made in the standard prepared by
the Westminster divines.
DECLARATORY ACT PROPOSED.
An entirely element introduced in the
discussion in the last half hour when the stated
clerk of the assembly, DR.. Roberts rising
commissioner. proposed decIaratory act and out
lined its nature a part of his speech. This
paper voted on, but there are not few
in the assembly who would prefer statement
OF this kind a creed even to revision.
One thing Is settled by to-day's vote-something
must be done or rather, begun. for . IS the pres
byteries. and assembly which change
the constitution Of the Church; the assembly sug-
gests the changes and the p-esbyteries approve
them, If they think them wise.
The second day of the debate, like the first. was
calculated TO draw a crowd 10 the scene of the
debate. and the crowd was present After the ex-
periences Of Thursday the number of women
seeking admission the galleries was perhaps not
as great the first day, but their places were
taken bv clergymen who came for the purpose
primarily of hearing the leaders Of the Church
cross swords upon the great creedsl question. Nor
has the experience been a disappointing one. Col
lege presidents, professors in theological semi
naries pastors of important churches and leaders
in the legal profession speak their thoughts upon
the great confession without fear or favor. 1t is
q determined company of men, every one of whom
ayoWs his LOYALTY TO the "consummate flower OF
the reformed symbols, whether his appearance
on the floor is 10 urge the dismissal OF the report
recommending its revision or whether he is de-
srous simply Of having few slight changes made
or of placing alongside il statement which the
common people may read and understand, or
whether he wishes to replace 1t by another stand
ard equally Calvinistic. wishes TO write new
creed without reference TO the CalVinistic system
OF doctrine.
EVERY SPEAKER STANCH CALVINIST.
II should be said. however. that, while the lat
ter proposition is contained in or more OF the
reports submitted by the presbyteries, 1t has not
been advocated by any speaker on the floor Of the
assembly. Every of them is Calyinist The
body of doctrine held by the Presbyterian Church
IS satisfactory them all; the mos that any one
here wants far public utterances CO. Is that
that doctrine should be expressed in terms which
the people of the twentieth century may under
stand as clearly as the people of the seventeenth
from the hands Of the Westminster dvines. This
fact, for fact it is should do much ana dopbteas @
the ark the ark is seemingly safe.
morning and special invocatons made that
the proceedings Of the day might be carried on
with the absence OF anything that verged upon
and that peace raight prevail in the Church what
ever be the issue. and that prosperity and union
The prayer Of the moderator calling the assem-
repeated these sentiments. A note of thanks rang
through his prayer for the blessing vouchsafed the
The hours Immediately before them:
Before me 1t & 5pesker & rsf o o r oo STn Ieea d aG
cd: Il think may venture 10 congratulate the
assembly that We have been able TO carry on this
very important business in most seemly and
Christianlie manner Our prayer IN has be been and Is
TO lead in all these deliberations. The great
Sdd4 sddTesses nn made yesterday On both Sides am
conversations with the members Of the assembly,
that there is every desire either side for the
fullest fairest and cearest discussions. Neverthe-
less ] do think transgress when ask that
we adhere the rule of brevity. far possible
inasmuch the great ground has been staked out
already. Those that have ideas to contribute will
be gladly heard"
NEW CREED CONDEMNED.
Judge r W. c. Humphrey. of Louisville. KY.
began the discussion of the day, speaking in favor
of the minority report, which. he said. he signed
with DR.. McKibbin He condemned bitterly the
creed idea. Referring 10 the proposed
mary he said, Look at the hair that dog and
you viii find creed written all it" He
compared the revision which he recommended TO a
sound horse and the proposed new creed to a weak
horse, which his horse expected carry
across the stream. Cut the harness and let the
weak horse go 10 the bottom. without bubble 10
show where IL went down"
DR.. d. s. Kennedy, Of Allegheny, Penn, who had
held the floor through the night and yielded IL to
Judge Humphrey, spoke next upon the dismissal of
land. Nd, followed with plea for rc.!sion Pro-
fessor John De Witt. Of Princeton Seminary, spoke
for forty-five minutes urging the assembly jis-
miss the question as all the relief sought for now
was at hand in the liberal terms of subscription
under the Confession.
DR. De Witt especially happy as ne referred
70 the different speakers who had preceded him.