Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1901-05-19

change is desired which would in any
way impair the integrity of the system
OF doctrine contained in the confession
OF faith.
These returns indicate that it is the
mind of the church that the confession
shall be interpreted throughout in har-
mony with the teaching of Scripture
that God is not willing that any one
should perish, nor is it the decree of
God. but the wickednesss of their own
hearts, which shuts some men from the
salvation freely and lovingly offered in
Christ Jesus to all sinners.
These returns indicate that a plur-
atty of the presbyteries desire that
changes should be made by some new
statement OF present doctrines.
THE returns also indicate desire on
the part of many prebyteries for some
revision of the present confession, es
peccially in chapter iii; chapter x, sec
zion 8; chapter xvi, section z; chap
ter xii, section 3; chapter XIV, section
6. with additional statements concern
ing the love of God for all men, mis-
sions and the Holy Spirit.
In view OF these facts We recommend
that a committee, as provided for by
the form of government chapter xiii,
section 3, be appointed by the assem-
bly,.
We recommend that this committee
be instructed to prepare brief sum-
mary of the Reformed faith bearing
the same relation to the confession
which the shorter cathechism bears to
the larger catechism, and formed on the
general model of the consensus creed
prepared for the assembly of 1892, or
the articles of faith" of the PresDy-
terrain church of England, both of which
documents are appended to the COM
mittees report and submitted to the as
sembly. to be referred to the commit
tee that may be appointed.
This summary is not to be substitute
for the confession, and is not to affect
the terms of subscription, but ito vindl-
cate and clear the doctrines of the
rhurch from all false aspersons and
misconceptions" to give better un-
Ierstanding of what is most surely be-
fieved among us, and is in no sense TO
impair, but rather to manifest ana
maintain the integrity of the Reformed
faith.
We further recommend that this
committee be instructed to prepare
amendments to chapter III; chapter X,
section 3; chapter XVI, section Z; ana
CHAPTER XIV. section of our confess
sion Of faith, either by modification OF
the text or by declatory statement, SO
as more clearly to express the nina OF
the church. with additional statements
concerning the love of God for all men,
missions and the Holy Spirit 1t being
understood that the revision shall In
no way impair the integrity of the sys-
TEN of doctrine set forth in our con-
fession and taught in the Holy Struc-
dure.
The members of the committee ap-
pointed by the last assembly unanl-
mously agreed to all the findings and
recommendations of this report, with
the exception that the Rev. DR.. William
McKibbon and Z. w. C. Humphrey
could not approve of the recommends
ton to the assembly to instruct the
committee that might be appointed to
prepare a summary of the reformed
faith to be submitted to the prebyter-
les, in connection with such other
amendments and statements as might
be prepared. These members gave no.
tice that they would submit to the as
sembly report, emitting the recon-
mendations to instruct a committee
that might be appointed to prepare such
summary of the reformed faith.
In conclusion. we feel justified in the
statement, and we think it fitting to
state, that our lamented member Gen.
Benjamin Harrison, gave clear express
sion to views before the committee
which assure us that he would have
Joined us in the findings and recon-
mendations of this report.
Loyal to our standards, believing that
a constitutional majority Of our below
ed church fayors some action, and that
our recommendations, if executed,
would preserve intact our system of
doctrine. and promote the peace and
prosperity Of the church. We humbly
and reverently sumbit the results of
our inquiries and deliberations to this
venerable assembly.
Charles A. Dickey, Herrick Johnson
Samuel J. Niccolls, Daniel w. Fisher
George B. Stewart Stephen w Dana
Samuel p. Sprecher, Henry Van Dyke
John M. Harlan, Daniel r. Noyes, Will
diam R. Crabbe. John Z. Parsons, Eli
sha A. Fraser.
Rev. DR.. Erskine, of MELVILLE. moved
that discussion on revision be con-
tinued uninterrupted by other matters
until conclusion had been reached by
the assembly. On motion of Rev. DR..
John G. Reading, of Williamsport, of
the committee on judicial commissions,
was made the first order after the set
Element of the revision question
The assembly fixed next THURSDAY at
O'Clock for the hearing and consd-
Grafton Of the report of the special
committee on lie revision of the con-