The Monticellonian., 1901-05-31
Sudden Ending of the Creed Revis- ion Debate in the Presbyterian
 General Assembly.
THE MAJORITY REPORT WAS ADOPTED.
Recommendations E Changed to Make ii Less Ambiguous, and Then the Commissioners Fell In- to Line and Adopted the Report with One Great Ronr of ''Aye."

confession of faith-was reached. in the Presbyterian general assembly, the moderator made few remarks advising against any hastY action. He said there was tendency to rush the mattery so that the assembly could adjourn, and he hoped the commis- sioners would not get into a panicky condition and do something which they might regret. He suggested, however. that all speeches be limited, and a motion to limit them to ten minutes was unanimously carried.
 James D. Moffatt, D. D., president of Washington and Jefferson univer- sity, who, on Saturday. gave notice that he would offer an amendment to the majority report, was then recog- nized by the moderator.
 Dr. Moffatt explained that he was moved to offer the amendment to Recommendation B because of the small majority which, on Saturday, voted to retain the recommendation in the revision committees report. Objection had been made, he said, 10
 
 revision committees report, because of ambiguity in certain portions, and his object in amending was to render the vote of the assembly unanimous on whatever action might be taken.
 'I hoped to amend Recemmenda. tioR B. continued Dr. Moffatt, "to meet all objections and to give it new wording Many good men who oP- posed the original form were alarmed by the word summary l have made simple change, striking out the word summary and substituting statement which expresses just what we have in view. Again there is nothing in the original report as to what shall be done with the summary. wish to remove all ambiguity and have it stated plainly that the com mittee to be appointed will be re- quired to report to the next assembly, and that q recommendation be made to the next assembly to submit the entire subject to the presbyteries."
 Dr. Moffatt's amendment is as fol- lows: We recommend that this com mittee be instructed to prepare and submit to the next general assembly for such disposition as may be judged to be wise, brief statement of the reformed faith, expressed, as far IS possible, in untechnical terms. The said statement is to be prepared with a view to it's being employed to give information and better understand ing of our doctrinal beliefs, and not with a view to its becoming a substi- tute for, or an alternative of our con fession of faith"
 Dr. Niocols, of St. Louis, leader of the minority party, in brief speech heartily seconded the amend ment, which action drew forth consid- erable applause. Other seconding speeches were made by Dr. Herrek Johnson, of Chicago; former Modern tor Charles A. Diekey, Philadelphia; Dr. William Mckibben. Cincinnati; Dr. George n. Baker, Philadelphia; Dr. William C. Roberts, Pennsylvania, Ky; Dr. ". II. W. Boyle, Pue bio, Col. Dr. D. J. Saunders, president of Riddle Charlotte, \. C.; Dr. David A. Cunningham, Washington, Pa, and Dr. David $. Kennedy, Allegheny, Pa
 As eacE of the above commission CTS, who represented all shades of opinion in the assembly. rose to speak for the amendment, wave of ap- plause swept over the vast assem- blaze.
 The amendment was adapted by viva voce vote, not one voice being raised in opposition to it.
 The question was then on the adop- tion of the majority report, and Dr. Johnson moved that the three rec concentrations contained in the re port be taken up seratim, and the motion Was carried.
 Recommendation A, which calls for the appointment for a revision com mittee, was adopted with only few voices against if.
 Recommendation B, as amended. went through without sign of op- position.
 Recommendation c, or motion of Dr. Baker, of Philadelphia, was so that the amendments to be prepared by the committee for several chapters of the confession of faith shall be made "either by modi- fication of the text or by declaratory statement. but so far as possible by deelaratory statement This recom- mendation was also adopted with but little opposition.
 The question then recurred to the adoption of the report as a whole. The moderator put the question, and then there was one great roar of aye" Instantly the assembly rose en masse and sang the Doxology The moderator then led in prayer. The end to the great discussion which has continued into the fourth day came so quickly that it took everyone by surprise. Dr. Motfatt, who introduced the harmonizing amendment to Rec ommendation B, was surrounded by crowd which congratulated him on his success in bringing the matter to such satisfactory issue.
 After the assembly had again set tied down, Dr. Baker offered reso-