The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-02-17
POINTS OF ATTACK
Handled at Last Session Of Pres
byterian Revision Committee.
CT. THOMPSON EXPLAINS WORK
Both PredestinatiOn and ssE1ect In
fants' Questions Are
Disposed OF.

Charles T. Thompson has returned from
Philadelphia, where he attended the meet
ing of the committee appointed to revise
the Presbyterian confession of faith. He
reports that this meeting, like all the pre-
vious ones, was characterized by the
greatest harmony and good feeling. Every
member of the committee seemed to be
DESTROYS only of carrying out the instruc-
tions of the general assembly in perfect
good faith and in such manner as to adj
vance the highest interests Of the church.
Continuing, Mr.. Thompson says:
The time of the committee at the last ses-
sion was devoted almost entirely to the work
of revising the confession of faith itself. The
chapter on what is known as "predestination"
was found to be incapable of proper re-
vision by any change in the text. The diff
culties there were met by the adoption OF
declaratory statement to the effect that the
church believes that any such doctrine is to
be held in harmony and connection with the
doctrine that God. through the sacrifice of
Christ, has provided a salvation sufficient for
all, adapted to all and freely offered to- all
men; and that no man is condemned by God
except ON the ground of his own sin.
- The section in which the words ''elect in
fants" occur, was also found to be best
revised by the adoption Of a Geclaratory state
ment. ~
The assertion that the Presbyterian church
The whole charge is based upon an inference
from the use OF the word ''elect.", There may
have been some in past ages, who believed
such a doctrine, but they were very few. To
quiet forever any such charges the committee
says in the declaratory statement not only
that the confession of faith does not teach
such a doctrine, but also that the church be-
lieve that all those dying in infancy are saved
through the application Of the redeeming work
of Christ s.4
The chapter about the pope Of Rome Is
stricken out entirely. In its place is in
serted short, concise and dignifed state
ment Of the belief Of the Protestant churches
on that subject; that is, that we believe that
Jesus Christ is the only head OF the church
and that we do not believe that he has any
yiceregent on earth or has appointed any one
to the head Of the church earth. Neither
the Roman Catholic church nor the pope is
mentioned. -.. .s.
The other articles to the revised, none OF
which have excited much attention or are OF
| much Importance, are to be revised by COR
| rections in the text. ....
| In addition to this work the committee also
adopted two new chapters to be added to the
| confession, one treating Of the person and
work of the Holy Spirit the other treating OF
the gospel and the work of missions. Some
| work was also done In perfecting the new
| condensed statement of faith for popular use,
q tentative form Of which had been adopteo
| at Washington. -Four articles were prepared
| and finally adopted. ..
| The work was very exhausting. The COM
mittee adjourned because its members were
tired out. The next meeting will be held IN
Washington April 8. At Philadelphia, as at
| WASHINGTON, the members of the committee
| were overwhelmed with social attentions OF
| the most delightful character. Every mem
Der of the committee was in attendance, ex-
| cept Justice Harlem, who was detained ID
! Washinston by i'll health. -.