Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1903-05-29
Presbyterian General Assembly
by Unanimous Vote Accepts
the Creed Changes
AelrATED FOR FIFTEEN YEARS
The Campaign for Revision Began
Years Ago and Many Warm Discus
sions Have Taken Place on the Cues
tion-The Dedicatory Statement and
Changes Made Given.

Los Angeles, CAL, May 29.-Revision
of the confession of faith-a subject
which has agitated the Presbyterian
church for fifteen years and has been
discussed by three preceding general
assemblies-was adopted Thursday by
a unanimous vote by the present gen
eral assembly. This revision is the
one recommended by the assembly
which met in 1901. The action yester-
day was followed by twenty minutes of
rejoicing in song and prayer.
Next in Importance was the stand
taken against divorce and the remar-
riage of divorced persons. There was
no discussion of the report of this ques-
ton. as this had been forestalled by
the passage of the resolution enjoining
Presbyterian ministers. from perform
ing the marriage ceremony in cases of
divorced persons, at last Mondays ses-
sion. The report was unanimously
adopted.
The fact that creed revision was to
crowd that has attended any meeting
since the opening. Moderator Coyle
announced that the ReY. Dyke of
Princeton, N. j., chairman of the COM
mittee on bills and overtures. would
submit the report of the committee on
revision.
A declaratory statement which pre-
cedes the changes in the confession of
faith was read and adopted by the as
sembly, after which DIR. Van Dyke read
his report, as follows:
The Presbyterian church in the
United States does authoritatively de-
clare:
by the adoption of eleven overtures,
important additions, amplifications, and
amendments are made to the articles
OF the confession of faith. OF these one
OF the most vital is the erection into
the church doctrine of the belief that
all who die in infancy are saved. which
is embodied in the declaratory state
ments regarding chapter III. of the
Confession Of Faith, and chapter Y,
section 3.
That concerning 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 to his son to be the Precipitation
for the sins of the whole world. and
grace on all iwho seek it, that con-
corning those who perish, the doctrine
Of Gods eternal decree is held in har-
mony with the doctrine that God de-
sires not the death of any sinner, but
has provided In Christ a salvation suf-
ficient for all, adapted for all, and
freely offered in the gospel to all; that
men are fully responsible for their
treatment OF Gods gracious offer; that
his decree binders no man from ac-
cepting that offer, and that no man
is condemned except on the ground of
his sin.
Also, 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 the election of
grace and are regenerated and saved
by Christ, thru the spirit. who works
where and how He pleases."
For section 6. chapter XIV, of the
Confession of Faith. the following is
1.-THE Lord Jesus Christ is the only
head of the church, and the claim of
any man to be the vicar of Christ and
the head of the church is unscriptural
without warrant in fact. and is an
dishonoring to the Lord
Jesus Christ"
AT the conclusion of the reading of
the report, DR.. Van Dyke spoke briefly
upon the changes incorporated therein.
This speech was one of the most inn.
pressive that has been delivered before
the assembly, and was said by some
Of the commissioners to be one of the
most notable ever made upon faith re-
vision.
Or. Van Dyke, who was frequently
by applause from the COM
said he wished to make it
clear to the assembly and especially
did he wish to say to the brethren OF
the press, that this revision does not
mean that the Presbyterian church has
her base one inch; but it does
mean that she has broadened and
strengthened her foundations Her di
vine sovereignty shall never be inter-
preted so as to mean fatalism."
Upon the motion of Moderator Coyle.
the report of the revision committee
was adopted by unanimous vote, and
the next twenty minutes were spent in
song and prayer.