The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-05-21
STATEMENT of BELIEF.
A doptcd by Southern Assembly by Vote
of 10 to "a.
by MAMIE HAYs

Atlanta. Ga, May 20.-It was left to
the hf;y-third General Assembly of the
southern Presbyterian Church TO adopt
and send out to the world the first
hrief statement of the belief of this
church as drawn from its standards
That this general assembly made his
cory for the church In this action to-
day that Will be read witt eager in
tcrest by all Prcsbyterianlsm. South
North, East. West in the foreign and
home mission fields and by other de-
nominations also, Is not to De doubted.
The "hGht' on the question of the
adoption of the statement vas spirited
and long, and ii those who opposed
the adoption may be termed "Conserva-
tiHes' and those in favor Of adoption
may be termed "Progress.ves." then
the victory was won by tie Progress
siVes In vote that was surprising
even TO them, in view OF the fact thst
this liz the first brief statement of be-
iier the Southern Presbyterian Church
has considered. The vote stood lI9 in
iaVor OF and "a against the adoption
OF the statement.
The discussion OF the question began
immediately after the reading o. the
report OF the standing committee rn
Drief statement of beIier, TO which The
report of the ad interim committee had
heen referred after II had been rad to
me assembly on Friday last Few J.
NJ. Wells. ID. d., of Wilmington. n. c.,
read the report which consisted of the
brief statement OF the ad interim COM
mittee, amended by the standing com
mittee.
When he had concluded the reading
Dr. Wells made motion chat this
statement OF belief as AMENDED be re-
celved by the assembly as matter Of
information and thai ever effort be
made 10 circulate the same thoroughly
among the membership OF the church
by publishing in tract firm and dis
tributing it. DR.. Wells made careful
explanation that he would be opposed
10 any statement of belief that would
De suggestion OF alte'ing the stand
ardS or the church, and that this state
nent is not standa>d itself. but is
drawn from the standards; that il is
not 10 be construed rs a standard, but
SIMPLY as an expression in brief form
OF the belief Of the church. He stated
further that the ad interim committee
mad agreed to accept this amended
statement as its nport. and that Rev.
X. c. Reed q number of the ad in
term committee who did not sign the
report as preserved by the ad interim
committee. had signrfied his willing
ness TO sign tn. report as amended by
the standing committee.
The full ten OF the amended report.
and which rport was adopted, is as
follows:
Frief Statement.
"A brief statemens OF belief drawn
from the standards OF the Presbyte-
rian Church in the United States:
1-God.
God is spirit. infinite. eternal and
interchangeable. all-powerful. holy. wise,
good. true apd just hating all sin He
is meriful and gracious. long suffer
ing aid abundant In goodness and
truth not willing that any should per-
ish, out that all should come to re-
Dennnce; is summed up in the Bible
staement. God is love" He exists
I'm three persons, Father. Son and Holy
Spirit who are one God, the same in
substance. equal in power and glory.
1.-The Bible.
The Word Of God. written by men
inspired by the Holy Spirit, as con-
tanned in the scriptures of the Old and
New Testament are the will of God.
1t Is the revelation of Gods will for
man and of mans duty TO God and Is
the only infallible and authoritative
rule of faith and life.
Goods Purpose.
The eternal purpose Of God includes
all events; 1T is holy and wise, and