Omaha daily bee., 1902-05-17
HOLD ALL INFANTS ELECT
Presbyterian Revision Committee Presents
0vertures to the General Assembly.
STATEMENT OF REFORMED FAITH
John De witt, One of Revision Com
mittee, Dissents to Amendments
on Infants salvation and
Holy Spirit.

then the business program was begun, the
new moderator. 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 COM
mittee on the revision Of the confession of
faith.
The report OF the Presbyterian General
assemblys special committee on revision
OF the confession of faith covers two d.
visions. the work assigned to the commit
tee having been so outlined by the assem-
bly,. In the first place, the committee says
1t was to prepare "a brief statement of the
reformed faith" to be submitted to this as
sembly "for such disposition as may be
judged to be wise" The other part of the
work was the preparation and submission
to this assembly Of certain rsvlsions Of the
confessions of faith, in certain specified
parts OF 1t, and concerning certain specified
subjects, by the method or textual modlfica-
tion, or by declaratory statement, or Of ad-
ditional statements, undoubtedly with the
view to their subsequent adoption by the
presbyteries and by the general assembly.
Additional statements are recommended
concerning the love OF God for all men,
missions and Holy Spirit, in the form of
Also certain textual notifications.
Salvation of Infants.
The committee proposes the following:
overture No. 3-Shall the following
declaratory statement be adopted as to
Faith?
second-with reference to chapter 10, sec
tlon Iii Of the Confession. of Faith. that 1t Is
not to be regarded as teaching that any
who die in infancy are lost. We believe
that all dying in Infancy are included in
and saved by Christ through the Spirit,
who works when, and where, and how He
pleases.
The committee says concerning the brief
statement of the reformed faith that it was
to be prepared with the view of its being
employed to give information and a better
understanding of our doctrinal beliefs, and
not with view to it's becoming a substi-
tute for, or an alternative of our confession
Of faith"
Statement of Reformed Faith.
The committee then presents for such
disposition as may be judged WISE" the
following as brief statement OF the re-
formed faith
Article 1-Of God.
We believe In the everything God. who is
a Spirit, and the Father Of our spirits;
being and perfections; the Lord Almighty,
most just in all His ways, most glorious
In holiness, unsearchable in wisdom and
passion, and abundant in goodness and
truth. We worship Him, Father, Son and
Holy Spirit, three persons in one Godhead,
one in substance and equal in power and
glory.
Article II-of Revelation.
We believe that God is revealed in ma
ture, in history and in the heart of man;
made
revelations of Himself to men of God who
spoke as they were moved by the Holy
made flesh, is the brightness of the Faith
er's glory and the express image of His
person. We gratefully receive the holy
faithful record of Gods gracious revela-
tions, and the sure witness to Christ as
OF faith and life.
Man a Free Moral Agent.
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 ava away nor Is God the author Of Of
things work together in the fultllment of
His sovereign design and the manifesto
knowledging the mystery Of this truth. we
trust in His protecting care and set our
hearts to do His Will
Article IV-Of the 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 that He made man in His own image,
meet for fellowship with Him, free and
able to choose between good and evil, and
forever responsible to HIS maker and Lord.
Article V-0f the Sin OF Man.
We believe that our first parents. being
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, by reason OF this disobedience
We born
nature, that we have broken Gods law, and
that no man can be saved but by His
grace.
Article VI-of the Grace of God.
We believe that God, out of His great
love for the world, has given His only
begotten Son to be the savior ir. OF ;l sinners,
sufficient salvation 20 all men. And we
praise Him for the unspeakable grace
wherein He has provided a way OF eternal
life for all mankind.
Can BE Saved by Grace.
Article VII-of Election.
We believe that God, from the beginning,
is His own good pleasure, gave to His Son
a people, an innumerable multitude chosen
in Christ unto holiness, service and saliva
ton; we believe that all who come TO years
of discretion can receive this salvation only
through faith and repentance. and we be;
others given by the Father 10 the Son who
are beyond the reach of the outward means
OF grace are regenerated and saved by
and where and how He pleases.
Article VIII-Of Our Lord Jesus Christ
We believe In and confess the Lord Jesus 8
Christ the only Mediator between God and
man, who, being the Eternal Son OF God,
for us men and for our salvation became
truly man, being conceived by the Holy
Ghost and born OF the Virgin Mary, with
out sin; unto us He has reeValed the
| Father by His Word and Spirit making
| known the perfect will OF God; for us He
| fulfilled ali righteousness and satisfied
eternal justice offering Himself a perfect
| sacrifice upon the cross to take away the
sin OF the world; for us He rose from The
| dead and assembled into heaven. where He
| ever intercedes for u.s. in our hearts, Joined
| to Him by faith. He abides forever as the
| indwelling Christ; over us and over all for
/ us He rules; wherefore, unto Him we rem
| der love, obedience and alteration as our
| Prophet Priest and King forever.
Article IX-Of Faith and Repentance
| We believe that God pardons our sins
/ and accepts us as righteous, solely on the
/ ground OF the perfect obedience and sacri.
/ nee of Christ received by faith alone, and
/ that this saving faith is always accompa.
MED by repentance. wherein we confess and
| forsake our sins with full purpose OF and
| endeavor after a new obedience 10 God.
Mission OF the Savior.
Article X-of the Holy Spirit.
We believe In the Holy Spirit, the Lord
and Giver OF Life. who moves everyWhere
| upon the hearts OF men, to restrain then