Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-12-17


itatfons 1t must be within the definitions
of the system 1t is evident that the teach
fngs of his announced views In Presby-
terrain pulpit would be disloyalty. l cannot
understand any wish to remain and do
that, unless it be to make trouble. He
should go where he belongs.
Will Hinder Church Union.
''rhe action of the presbytery will prove
a very effective hindrance in the movement
toward union with the Cumberland church.
now being seriously considered by the pres
byteries. And 1t is in itself preposterous.
The question is not as to what the Presby-
terrain Church may possibly in some future
day tolerate, but what is the present stand
ard. Every member of that presbytery,
Dr. Carter included. has upon him today
certain ordination VOW, and his business is
to be faithful to that vow today and every
day till the superior authority releases
him And 1t will be long day before the
Presbyterian Church grasses its doctrines
Of Christ, the Trinity and the atonement.
HAS the brief statement anything to do
with it?' he was asked
ooh no. The brief statement has Moth
ing to do with the question. That was not
written as creed 1t would not have been
authorized in view of any such use OF IL.
1t was not adopted by the church. Ii was
only issued by the general assembly as
tract for general distribution. l think
know the whole Presbyterian Church well
enough to say that If it ever does adopt
new creed it will not be the brief state
ment
Il speak freely because the action of the
presbytery of Nassau does not affect chief
ly local interests; Ii Is revolutionary and
affects the whole church In other days
whole presbyteries have been rescnded for
less. In the regular order of things TINS
action will be reviewed by the synod OF
New York which does not meet till October,
1905 and the synod's action will be subject
to review by the general assembly of May,
1906. So there is plenty of time for recon-
sideration and the things that make for
peace"
Views of Dr. Bittinger.
Rev DR.. Benjamin F. Bittinger, the vet
eran Presbyterian minister of Washington,
who has been for many years the stated
clerk of the local prebytery and Is regard
ed as authority on questions of doctrina
and church government, having represented
his fellow churchnen in the general as
sembly, has decided views on the Westmin-
ster confession and its place in the beliefs
Of the church.
"Regarding the confession of faith as con-
tanning the system of doctrine taught in
the Scriptures of the Old and New Testa-
ment," said DR.. Bittinger to Star reporter
this week. II stand firmly and without
equivocation upon It as the expression of
my belief. In my judgment the brief
statement, so-caled. was never designed ia
serve as a substitute for the confession OF
faith"
Dr. Bittinger also said that there are
many persons who do not want to believe
anything in prescribed form IKE the
Westminster confession, and that the Pres
byterian Church was, therefore, not the
place for them.
st believe In person going where he
belongs" said this minister also.
Among the conservative element or the
church which favors the present doctrine,
Is also counted Rev. DR.. j. p. E. Kumler of
this city, who was formerly pastor OF the
East Liberty Presbyterian Church OF Pitts
burg, Pa, and who is now retired and look
ed upon as one of the most authoritative
men Of the denomination.
DR.. Hamlin More Lenient.
The position taken by Rev. DR.. Teunis S.
Hamlin, pastor of the Church of the Cove
nant. and one of the most prominent cler-
gymen of the church at large, is not so
strongly adverse to DR.. Carriers action as
that of the other local clergymen interview
ed by The Star reporter. DR.. Hamlin re-
CARDS DR.. Carriers overtures as only ''un-
wise" and "untimely' and therefore de
plorable" He furthermore hopes for and
believes in a greater future for the brief
statement" as the shorter and more liberal
confession of faith.
Viewing the matter made known by
the press said DR.. Hamln last evening at
his home 1T seems to me that Dr. Carter
has made a serious mistake in reopening at
this time issues WHICH nave DStI pIdClitdi-
ly settled. The brief statement. which he
desires adopted in place of the Westminster
Confession of faith and catechisms, was
sanctioned by or general assembly as eN-
planatory of the doctrinal system of the
church and is what pastors no doubt gen.
orally use as explaining that system to any
who while in doubt desire TO enter the
Presbyterian Church.
I'm common with many~otherS | hope and
believe that this statement will eventually
become the test for ministers and other or
dained officers of the church. The time is
not now ripe, however, for such action and
the overture of the presbytery of Nassau
to this effect seems to me to stand no
chance of present adoption. / therefore be-
Heve DR.. Carters advocacy of it to be I'M
timely and unwise.
This overture is reported to have been
unanimously approved by the presbytery of
Nassau. 1t would be competent for the
synod of New York, or the general assem-
bly,, to require the presbytery of Nassau to
put Dr. Carter on trial for heresy, thing
which the presbytery has unanimously re-
fused to do after full investigation. and
would doubtless continue to refuse to do.
In the present irenic spirit of the church II
seems to me very improbable that further
trials for heresy will take place. Any move
ment in this direction that must begin with
the presbytery would involve the whole
church, would greatly check its prosperity
and spiritual growth and all accounts
would be most deplorable. The truth can
be established not by ecclesiastical process
or judgment. but only by free and fraternal
discussion"