The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-05-17
IN SIXTEEN ARTICLES
All Who Die in Infancy Are Saved
by Christ.
MANS FREEDOM IS NOT TAKEN AWAY
Gods All Sufficient Salvation is Freely Offered
10 All Men. The Doctrine of Elec.
ton and The Final Triumph
Dof the Saints.
(By the Associated Press

~hSooSietttN
New York, May 16.-The re-
port of the Presbyterian General
Assembly's special Committee on Revs-
ion of the confession of faith covers two
divisions, the work assigned to the COM
mittee having been so outlined by the
Assembly. In the first place, the COM
nittee says IT was to prepare "a brief
statement of the reformed faith to be
Submitted to this Assembly "for such
disposition as may be judged to be wise."
The other part of the work was the
preparation and submission to this as
sembly of certain revisions of the con-
fessiOns of faith, in certain specified
parts of it, and concerning certain speci-
fled subjects, by the method of textual
modification or by declaratory statement.
o. of additional statements, undoubtedly
with th2 view to their subsequent adop-
lion by the Presbyteries and by the Cen
cral Assembly.
Additional statements are recommend
ed concerning the love of God for all
men, missions and holy spirit, in the
form Of new chapters to be added to the
confession. Also certain textuaI modi-
tcations. The committee proposes the
following:
Overture No. 3.-Shall the following
declaratory statement be adopted as to
Chapter X. Section 3, of the Confession
OF Faith?
Second.-With reference 10 Chapter X
Section 3, of the Confession of Faith
that it is not to be regarded as teaching
that any who die in infancy are lost. We
believe that all dying in infancy are in
eluded n the election of grace, and are
rcgencrated and saved by Christ through
tho Spirit, who works when and where
and how He pleases
rbe committee says concerning the
brief statement of the Reformed Faith
that it was to be prepared with the
view ~ its being employed to give in
formation and a better understanding of
our doctrinal beliefs, and not with a
view to its becoming a substitute for or
an alternative of our Confession of
Faith" The committee then presents "for
such disposition as may be judged WISE
the following as Brief Statement of
the Reformed Faith.
Article 1.-Of God.
We believe in the everything God. who
IS Spirit, an1 the Father of our spirits:
infinite. eternal and Interchangeable in His
being and projections; the Lord AL
mighty, most just in all His ways, most
glorious in holiness, unsearchable ir wis
dom ana plenteOus in mercy, full OF love
and compassion, and abundant n good
ness AMI truth. We worship Him. Faith
er Son, and Holy Spirit, three persons in
one Godhead, one in substance and equal
il, power and glory
Article H.--Of Revelation.
We believe that God is revealed in ma
ture, in history, and in the hearts of
man; that He has made gracious and
clearer revelations of Himself to men
of God who spoke as thuey were moved
by the Holy Spirit; and that Jesus Christ.
the Word made flesh, is the brightness of
the Father s glory and the express image
OF His person. We gratefully receive
the Holy Scriptures, given by inspiration,
to be the faithful record of Gods gra-
cious revelations and the sure witness to
Christ, as the Word of God. the only in
failible rule of faith and life.
Article III.-Of The Eternal Purpose
We believe that the eternal, wise, holy
and loving purpose of God embraces all
events, so that while the freedom of man
IS not taken away nor is God the au-
thor of sin, yet in His providence He
makes all things work together in the
fullillment of His sovereign design and
the manifestation of His glory; where
fore. humbly acknowledging the mystery
of this truth. We trust in His protecting
care ard set our hearts to do His Will.
Article IV.-Of Ae Creation.
We believe that God is the creator up
holder, and governor of all things: that
He is above all His works and in them
all. and thai He made man in His own
image, meet for fellow ship with him. free
and able to choose between good and
evil, and forever responsible to his Ma
Ter AMI Lord.
Article V.-Of the Sin of Man.
We believe that our first parents, be-
ing tempted, chose evil. and so fell away
from God and came under the power of
sin, the penalty of which is eternal death:
and We confess that, bv reason of this
we and all men arc born
with a sinffff>n nature, that we have bro
ken Gods law. and that no man can be
saved but bv Hisi grace.
Article VI.--Of the Grace of God
We believe that\ God. out of His great |
love for the world, has given His only |
begottpn Son to lie she .SaniGa of sin :