West Virginia daily oil review. [volume] (Sistersville, W. Va.) 1894-1902, 1902-05-17
Both Sessions Yesterday Opened by
Devotional Exercises - Reports
Made on Different suh3ects-Daniei
F. Noyes Appointed Vice Moderator

Ross Stevenson, pastor of the Fifth
Avenue church, then in brief ad
dress welcomed the assembly to the
church and to the city. TIE business
program was begun, the new moder-
ator, the Rev. DR.. Henry Van Dyke;
presiding. The morning session was
consumed in the presenting of reports
of special committees, among them
being that Of the special committee
on the revision of the confession Of
faith
The revision committee, after pre-
liminary remarks explaining the man
ner in which their conclusions were
arrived at, recommends that the gen.
eral assembly transmit to the presby
teries for their action" overtures, II
in number, in the minds of the COM
mittee satisfying the many questions
at issue.
Overtures on REORGANIZATION.
The ones regarding the doctrine of
foreOrdination read:
With reference to Chapter III of
the Confession of Faith, that con-
corning those who are saved in
Christ, the doctrine of Gods eternal
decree is held in harmony with the
doctrine Of His love to all mankind,
His gift of His Son to be in propitia-
ton for the sins Of the whole world
and His readiness to bestoW His saw
ing grace on all who seek it. That
concerning those who perish, the doc
trine of Gods eternal decree is held
in harmony with the doctrine that
God desires not the death of any sim
ner, but has provided in Christ sal
walton sufficient for all, adapted to
all; that men are responsible for their
treatment of Gods gracious offer and
that His decree binders no man from
accepting that offer; and that no man
is condemned except on the ground
of SIM"
The second overture on foreordina
ton dealing with the salvation of
infants reads:
with reference to Chapter X, Sec
ton 8, Of the Confession of Faith,
that it is not to be regarded as teach
ing that any who die in infancy are
included in the election of grace, and
are regenerated and saved by Christ,
through the spirit, who works when
and where and how He pleases."
The other overtures deal with the
subjects of the merit of good works,
the lawfulness of taking an oath, the
headship of Christ in the church, and
fuller expression of the doctrine of
the church concerning the Holy Spirit,
missions and the love of God for all
men,
At the conclusion of the reading
Of the report on creed revision there
was wave of applause, but it was no
ticed that many of the commission
erS remained silent.
Day For Debate to Start.
John NJ Converse, an elder from
the Philadelphia presbytery, moved
that the report be accepted. This
motion was adopted. The Rev. DR..
David Wylie, pastor of the Scotch
Presbyterian church, of this city,
moved that the report be adopted.
This motion was laid on the table,
and on motion OF DR.. Minton the dis
cussion of the report was set for next
Thursday at 10 a. M, and on further
motion Of DR.. Minton it was resolved
that at that time the discussion Of
the report will be continued until the
subject is exhausted and the vote is
taken.
The reports on ministerial relief
and the Assembly Herald were read
and adopted.
An invitation from the Union
Theological seminary to the members
Of the assembly to visit the building
and make use of its facilities was
read and accepted.
Brief reports of the committees on
the digest, editions of the. constitu-
! ton, and reprinting of minutes were
read and adopted.
The report of the committee on va
cancy and supply was made the fourth
, order for next Friday. Daniel r.
Moves, of st. Paul, Mimi, was ap-
pointed vice moderator and made an
address. The morning session was
closed with prayer by Elder jeremiah
Baker, of the Morris and Orange
presbytery.
The report of the special commit
tee on churen statistics was read by
the chairman Of the committee, Will
liam H. Roberts, and adopted for this
assembly. It was agreed that it
should he condensed for the next gen
eral assembly.
The report of the special commit
tee on the Omaha Theological sem
mary was presented and read. The
old committee was re-appointed to
make further reports at the next gen
eral assembly.
Sabbath Observance Report Made.
The report Of the committee on
Sabbath observance was presented