The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-04-27
PREsBYTERIANS AGREE.
Report Adopted For Submission to
the General Assembly.

the General Assembly.
PittSburg, Pa, April 27.-Harm onious
action was taken by the committee on
revision of the creed of the Presbyterian
church at it's sessions at the Monon-
gahela house and a unanimous report
formulated for submission to the gen
eral assembly which will meet at Phiia-
dclphia. May Is Rev. DR.. Henry Van
handing the report to the Associated
Press representative said:
1.-THE action can not be emphasized too
strongly for it will endure comment and
criticism in every Presbyterian home
and community in the United States.
Ten members signed it and we are as
sured that every one of the other four
viii attach his signature 1t was the full
committee that met and not a subcom-
mittee Prof. William Crabbe. of Pitts
burg, was prevented by Illness from be-
ing present. Benjamin Harrison is dead,
and that leaves Rev DR.. Samuel J. Mic
col of ST Louis, and Elders John NJ.
Harlan, associate justice of the United
States supreme court; John E. Parsons
and Daniel r. Noyes, of St Paul TO
sign.
This report was unanimously adopt
ed with the exception of recommended
ton 3 against which Rev. DR.. William
McKibbin and Judge E w. c. Humph-
rey voted"
The report is a compromise to satisfy
the two great classes of opinion among
the Presbyterians. A large number wish
the reinstatement of the creed and the
others wish a revision Of the whole. The
question of Decentralization and predesti-
nation is treated of in chapter three and
the committee recommends that these
subjects be amended by a committee to
be appointed by the general assembly.
The report which the committee will
make to the general assembly is as fol-
lows:
Your committee find on examination
on the returns from the Presbyteries the
following facts:
''Ffrst-That the returns Indicate that
the church desires some change in its
credaI statement.
'Second-That the returns indicate
that no change is desired which would
in any way impair the integrity of the
system of doctrine contained in the con-
fessiOn of faith.
'sThird-yThese returns indicate that it
is the mind Of the church that the con-
fession should be interpreted throughout
in harmony with the teaching Of scrip
ture that God is not willing that anyone
should perish, nor is 1t the decree of
God, but the wickedness of their own
hearts which shuts some men out from
the salvation freely and lovingly offered
in Christ Jesus to all sinners.
"F'ourth-These returns Indicate that
a plurality of the Presbyteries desired
that changes should be made by some
new statement Of present doctrines.
desire upon the part of many Presby-
teries for some revision of the present
confession, especially in chapter iii;
chapter x, section g. chapter xvi, Sec
ton 4; chapter xxi, section 8; chapter
XIV, section s; with additional state
ment concerning the love of God for all
men. missions and the holy spirit.
"(A)-In view of these factsw recon-
mend that a committee, as provided by
the form of government, chapter xiii,
section 3. be appointed by the assem-
bly,.
'B)-We recommend that this con-
mittee be instructed to prepare a brief
summary of the reformed faith, being
the same relation to the confession
which the shorter catechism bears to
the larger catechism and formed upon the
prepared for the assembly in 1892. or
the articles of faith" of the Presby-
terrain church Of England. both Of which
documents are appended to the commit
tees report and submitted to the as
sembly, to be referred to the commit
tee that may be appointed
This summary is not to be a substi-
tute for the confession and is not to af-
feet the terms of subscription, but to
vindicate and clear the doctrines Of the
church from all false aspersions and
misconceptions to give a better I'M
Outstanding of what is most surely be-
lieved among US, and is in no sense to
impair, but rather to manifest and
maintain the integrity of the reformed
faith.
"(C-)-We further recommend that
this committee be instructed to prepare
amendments Of chapter iii. chapter X,
section 3; chapter xvi section z: chap
ter xxi, section 3, and chapter Xxx. sec
ton s. of our confession of faith, either
by modification of the text or by decla-
ratory statement, so as more clearly to
express the mind Of the church with ad-
ditional statements concerning the love
of God for AL n en-. missions and the
holy spirit Tt being understood that the
revision shall in no way impair the in
tegrity of the system of doctrines set
forth in our confession and taught in
the holy scripture"