The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1913-06-03
Presbyterians of All Branches,
Gathered in Atlanta. Resist
Theological Laxity
Y. N. c. A. FOR OLD CREED
Southern Baptists Even With
draw From International S,
S. Association-But Clear
Gains for Uniont
,By THE RELIGIOUS RAMBLER.

tBy THE RELIGIOUS RAMBLER-)
The May meetings" as the great
UNCONVENTIONAL gatherings are called
IN England, have this year registered
a notable development in the religious
life OF America. They mark this as
~orthodOxy's year. In the face Of an
apparent widespread tendency toward
theological laxity, three representative
meetings have revealed a resolution to
stand fast by the fundamentals of the
evangelical faith.
The pan-Presbyterian gatherings in
Atlanta took first rank in public in
terest. The Northern, Southern and
United Presbyterian Churches met at
the same time and in the same place.
That these circumstances should beget
much talk Of union was but natural.
Even more conspicuous in the de-
hberations Of these paradoxical Pres
~byterians was theid stedfast Ortho-
doxy. THE most orthodox assembly
for a generation" is the way one man
characterized the gathering Of the
Northern Church.
No HerecieS Here.
OF course, nobody expected heresies
i'm the Southern and United Presby-
terrain assemblies: their conservatism
in things doctrina1 is the strongest of
IN AA$S VIC MINI SAA AA&b
gamation. Scepticism prevailed, p
cially in the South, concerning the
Northern assembly. "Heresy-hunters"
have long been busy in this denomi-
nation-although it is one of the
ironies of fate that Prof. c. A. Briggs,
Of Union Seminary, who was expelled
for heresy a few years ago., is now
deemed one Of the bulwarks in the
realm Of scholarship Of the orthodox
position.
Union Seminary was made an issue
at Atlanta. A proposition was pending
and the Presbyterian Church. The de-
t waxed hot, but from the first ten
minutes 1t was clear that the delegates
were ultra conservative in their think
Ing. The question got into a parlia-
mentary snarl that made a clear-cut
to go over for a year; but had a ballot
been taken the result would manifest
ly AVE shown an overwhelming senti
ment against anything that seemed
like compromise with a liberal posi-.
ton.
In other matters the same rigil
spirit OF orthodoxy cropped out. Thus
in discussing the proposed world con
ference on faith and order the assem-
bly, stipulated that only churches sub
scribing to the diety OF Jesus Chris
could be admitted.
SOulc Now NTCcOSs
P~aradoxically, both the Northern
and Southern Presbyterian Genera
Assemblies, ultra-conservative thougl
they were, adopted new and modern
lied expressions Of their faith. TIL
larger body adopted what it called a
intermediate ~Catechism," more popu
lar in expression than the "ShOrte
Catechism." and covering the phase
OF religion that are stressed at tn
present time. This is avowedly a NOV
TO restore the practice Of studying tn
catechism.
liberal step for years was taken whe
n Brief Statement" of belief We
adopted. This was radical action.
meant the shelving of the Yves
minister Confession, SO far as the pull
lie is concerned. For that matter it
public has the remotest idea of VIII;
the Westminster Confession of Fait
looks like or contains. The "Bri
Statement Is but a restatement,
compact, p~resent-day form. of the O
creed-but the divines Of the We
minister Assembly would have hal
work recognizing it.
Although the Southern Presbyteris
Church sent her most conservati'
leaders to the Atlanta assembly, y
h assembly voted to remain in Il
Federal Council of Churches. despi
the charges Of heresy against t
latter.
The Y. NJ. G. A. For Old Faith.
Next in importance to the striki,
fidelity Of the Presbyterian ASSEMBLE
10 the old beliefs, or even exceedi
IL, was the action OF the Y. NJ. c.
leaders in Cincinnati, reaffrming
associations loyalty to the evangelit
standards. h was done, too,
overriding a majority committee
port, so hat In fullest. most unequi>
col action the aSSOCiatiOn has docla r