Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-05-24

/ the basis of exaggerated and misleading
| newspaper reports. The brethren on both
| sides Of the controversy, together with the
| members OF your committee, expressed their
strong conviction that this continued agita-
ton was bringing reproach upon the Church
was hindering the cause OF Christ-and
that something must be done enectually TO
put stop to Il.
ut was proposed that these brethren
| themselves should confer as to the best
remedy for the whole trouble. Having done
so in most earnest, prayerful and forbear-
ing spirit they presented a paper which
to their minds embodies all that the
exigencies of the situation demand and
which gave them great hope for the future
peace and harmony Of the Church, Your
committee gave this paper due consdera-
tion and were grateful to God for the
manifest leading Of the Holy Spirit which
had brought the aggrieved parties together
and which we felt led us your committee, to
the unanimous approval of said paper as
the basis Of suitable action on the part of
tn, Assembly
I'VE, therefore. recommend the adoption
of this paper In the earnest hope that 1t will
allay all misunderstanding, prevent in the
future any hasty or illadvised Judgment in
public print of brethren in good and regular
standing In the ministry. and serve as
warning to all presbyteries against receiv-
ing and licensing any candidates for the
ministry who cannot give their assent to
all the fundamental doctrines of the
Church.
We recommend the adoption of the fol-
lowing paper.
Whereas, the records of the Presbytery
OF New York show that on April 10, 1916,
that Presbytery licensed three candidates
for the ministry who neither affirmed nor
denied the doctrine of the Virgin Birth.
the following recommendation, Noting that
these candidates recognize critical difficult
I.
Virgin Birth, bu. at the same time state
that their faith in this doctrine Is of a
growing character and that they unqual-
ledly declare their faith i'm the pre-eXist-
ence and dety of our Lord and all the re-
demptive truth that is embodied in His life,
teaching and His sacrlflcal death"
Whereas, it is admitted that by the con-
of the church each Presbytery is
the Judge of qualifications of candidates for
the ministry. but such Presbytery in
licensing these candidates should strictly
observe the declarations of the confession
of faith in doctrinal matters.
THE General Assembly calls the atten-
ton of the Presbyteries to the deliverance
Of the General Assembly of 1910, which Is
as follows:
First II is an essential doctrine Of
the word of God and our standards
that the Holy Spirit did so inspire.
guide and move the writer's of Holy
Scripture as to keep them from error.
Second-It is an essential doctrine of
the word of God and of our standards
that our Lord Jesus Christ was born of
the Virgin Mary.
Third-1t is an essential doctrine of
the word of God and our standards
that Christ offered up Himself sac
rifice to satisfy divine justice and to
reconcile us to God"
Fourth-It is an essential doctrine of
the word of God and of our standards
concerning our Lord Jesus Christ that
on the third day He arose from the
dead with the same body with which He
suffered, with which also He ascended
into heaven and there sitteth at the
right hand of His Father, making
intercession.
Fifth-It is an essential doctrine of
the word of God as the supreme stand
ard of our faith that our Lord Jesus
showed His power and love by working
mighty miracles. This working was
not contrary to nature, but superior to
Il.
'Presbyteries are hereby enjoined not to
license or ordain any candidate for the
whose views are not in accord
lnce with this deliverance of 1910.
"'This General Assembly renews it's posi-
i've mandate with full expectation of loyal
compliance by all our Presbyteries and
iirects that when a candidate appears who
S found to be not clear and positive on
my one of the fundamentals of our faith
lis lcensure be deferred until such time
is in the judgment of the Presbytery he has
,ecome So >" "