New-York tribune., 1902-05-17

Uzzah will not need to steady the ark The
oxen have not stumbled. The cart is in no
danger. The doctrines of election and infant
salvation. which good enough for the
Presbyterian fathers, satisfy their children.
Non-elect infants did not die in the seventeenth
century; if they had a great deal of trouble
would have been spared the theoIogians ard
the makers and executors of civil and criminal
laws for two hundred and fifty years. Pres
byterians have never been fatalists on the one
hand nor believers in the proverb that the
place Of departed spirits was paved with any,
thing else than good intentions. All children
dying before moral responsibility is reached are
saved-this Is to be the twentieth century mes
sage. Footnotes are to be added to the Con-
fession Of Faith in language simple chat any
wayfaring man-PreSbyterian. Episcopalian
Unitarian unbeever-mad read as he runs
a positive statement concerning The Presby-
teran doctrines Of election and infant saliva
ton. The Westminster divines and the revision
committee reported yesterday not at vari-
ance. There is note, and not two, in the
symbols of 1850 and 1902
The disturbing doctrines in the Westminster
Greed which have called forth the revision
movement Of recent years are not to be
changed. if the report OF the committee pre-
sented to the General Assembly yesterday is
adopted. Two or three sections are to be
softened somewhat; the Pope of Rome for
instance, will not be termed ''anti-Christ,' but
but instead his claim to be the vicar Of Christ
and the head Of the Church, will be declared to
be 'unscrptural, without warrant and fact, and
a usurpation dishonoring the Lord Jesus
Christ" The term is changed somewhat. but
the meaning does not vary greatly The same is
true in regard to the section dealing with works
done by unregenerate men. They are no longer
called ''displeasing to God" but il is affirmed
of them that they come short of what God re-
quires and do not make any man meet to receive
the grace of Cod
DOCTRINE OF ELECTION REMAINS.
But the doctrine of election, the statement
that God ordains whatsoever comes to pass"
is not to be softened, but instead the footnote
will declare that the high doctrines of the de-
crees of the Almighty are held in harmony with
other doctrines maintained by the Church-that
God loves all mankind, that He sent His Son to
save the world and that He is ready to bestow
His saving grace on all who seek it. If men
are lost it is not due 10 the desire of the
Almighty but the responsibility for their loss
rests wholly upon themselves So important is
the footnote regarding the section containing
the elect infant clause that It is reproduced
herewith:
Chapter Y, Section III, is not TO be regarded
as teaching that any who die in infancy are lost
We believe that an who die in infancy are in
cIuded in the election of grace, and regen-
Grated and saved by Christ through the Spirit,
Who works when and where and how He
pleaseth."
The Confession is made complete, or,
rather, special doctrines emphasized more
fully in the proposed chapters on the Holy Spirit
and the love Of God and missions It seems.
from conversations with the commissioners, as
though the overtures on the Confession would
la I'D rO he SbTyter
their approval. 1t s the opinion of the revision
people that a great deal has been gained by the
new chapters, the footnotes and the verbal
changes in two or three sections. 1t is the
opinion Of the conservatives, as those opposed
10 revision are termed, that so little has been
suggested by the committee that no harm can
be done in adopting the suggestions made. Re-
lief Will be given to some people, and the doc
trines which have made the Presbyterian
Church power on every continent where its
doctrines have been proclaimed will be pre-
served and this without sacrificing the cardinal
doctrines of Calvinsm.
ARTICLES OF THE BRIEF STATEMENT.
The Brief Statement of the Reformed Faith
has sixteen articles, each beginning with the
words I'VE believe" and while the document is
called a Statement" it might justly be termed
a short creed. 1t treats of God, Revelation,
the Eternal Purpose Of the Almighty, the Gre
alton, the Sin of Man, the Grace OF God, Elec-
ton, Jesus Christ. Faith and Repentance, the
Holy Spirit, the New Birth and the New Life,
the Resurrection and the Life to Come, the
Law Of God, the Church and the Sacraments,
the Last Judgment, and Christian Service and
the Final Triumph.
The report of the committee shows that the
members felt that the Brief Statement should
be made with the view to inform and enlighten
the people in regard to the significance and re-
ligious meaning Of the Reformed Faith, and not
with the view of becoming test of orthodoxy
for ministers elders and deacons." When the
statement is discussed, next Thursday, 1t is
probable that some Of the speakers will call
attention to this feature of the report A brief
statement, to be used pastors manual, and
"a new creed which may be substituted for the
present Confession, have wholly different pur-
poses, and some steps may be taken to prevent
the manual from becoming test Of orthodoxy
for Office bearers
GREETING FROM UNION SEMINARY.
Union Seminary sent very cordial invitation
TO the members Of the General Assembly to
visit its building in Park-ave. and to make such
use of the library and other rooms might be
convenient for the commissioners. The invita-