Omaha Daily Bee Newspaper, February 9, 1890, Page 3

PRESBYTERIANISM'S PIONEER - Record of the Barly Labors of Rev. Thomas McCague. REVISION OF THE CONFESSION. Opintons of Varous Pastora on the Question~Trouble Anticipated— Regun'ations for Observing Lent ~News of Pulpit and United Presbyterian Ministers Rev. Thomas McCague is one of the pio- neer preschers who resido in Omoha, and whom the church people and citizens have the pleasure of personally honoring for past labors. Mr. McCague was the father of the United Presbyterian churches of Omaha, and his life has been throughout a 7 somewhat eventful one. He s a man of classical education, being graduated from Jefferson college in 1 There were fifty young men who took their degree from the nstitution at the same time, and Mr, Me- Cague proudly bore the honors of tho class, He had decidea before this to devote his life 10 the saving of souls, and after taking his bachelor's degree he entered Oxford theolog- ical semirary, where he dovoted himself as- siduously to studics preparatory to entering the Christian ministery, He had the good fortune of being under the immediate in- struction of Dr. Claybaugh, and gained much of the iuspiration of that noble and good man, 1n 1854 Mr. McCague found himself fully equipped for his professional labors and real- 1zing that it was not good for man be alone be united himself in marriage with Miss Henri- etta M. Lowes, u most estinable and modest lady Who has proved a help-meet iu the full- st sense. Shortly afterwards Mr. MoCague was de- tailed by the bourd of foreizn missions to go to Cairo, Epypt, a8 a missionary, and full of the enthusinsm and vicor of youth the youug minister and his bride set sail across the At- lanti¢ for the land of Pharoahs to set of the standard of the cross. Mr, McCague entered with great zeal into his new work. He found himself the only United Presbyterian minister in Cairo and he immediately set to work to organize a mission. He impressed all be met with his earnestness and sincerity and in a short time he had the pleasure of be ing at the head of a flourishing church. Today that society is regarded by the United Pres- byterian church as its strongest foreign mis- sion and its marvelous prosperity is attribut- able to the untiring eftorts of Mr. McCague. ‘hree children were born to the young cous ple in that strange land and all three are to- day amonyg the leading young men in the financial circles of Omaha, After remaiming in Egypt for six years and a half, Mr. McCague found his health failing and he 1eturned to Awmerica, makin g his home for awhile in a village in Powe- shiek county. Towa, and later enjoyed the recuperatiog benetits of farm life, Recover- ing his shattered health ho was again cuger to resume his work in_the pulbit and com- menced preaching at Des Moines, and was afterward appointed by the board of home missions to start u mission in Nebraska City. ‘Ihe board next transferred him to Omaha and when he came herein July, 1507, the outlook was not very promismg. ‘There were but few ehurch-going people here, and none were adherents to the United Presby- teriau church. Mr. McCagie commenced preaching in the D. Beall schoolhouse that stood on the der of Fifteenth and Capitol avenue, just across the street from the present site of the exposition building. By the end of the year a United Presbyterian ~ society was or- wanized. A place of worship was built at Tenth und Pacific, near the spot where the Pacific scnool house now stands, and was put up without any aid from the board, A very flourishing Sunday school was also es- tablished. Mr. McCague has always been characterized as a man of great energy and perseverance. He was by nature eminently fitted for the work of & missionary, possess- ing great persuasive powers and bewg a good impromptu talker. In 1872 Mr, Me- Cague was transferred to other flolds and left the church berein a most prosperous condition, Rev. James Duncan was appointed by the board of missions to succeed him, but re- mained only nine months. Although a very pleasant man, Mr. Duncan was more of & preacher than a pastor, and was considered an able man in the pulpit. Dur- ing his pastorate the socicty bought from the Baptists the church property hteenth near Webstor which is still used by the congrogation of the first churcn, Shortly after this the board transferred Mr. Duncan to another fie At preseat his home is i Cedar Rapids, Ta, Mr. McCague was then reappointed pastor and resumed his old position in July, 1873, and remained until July, 1 Siuce that time he hus been a nome missionary and has done evan- gelistic and mission work in Vermort, Kan- 8as, Ohio, Iilinois, Pennsyluania, Michigau, Wisconsin, Iowa, Missouri, Colorado and Wyoming. At present he is in lowa, but still makes his home in Omuha, In July, 1575, Rev. Joseph McCartney was sent by the board to look aiter the interests of the mission at Omaha, He came here from Freeport, Tll. Mr. McCurtuey was & man of good education and great heart and ‘was highly esteemed by his flock. He spoke without notes and was a superior pulpit orator. Unfortunately, he was in delicate health, and although warned by his phy cians that he must cease from his labors, he died in the harness in 1577 and was mourned by @ host of friends. Mr. D. R. Miller was appointed to fill the vacancy and entered upon his ministerial du- ties in 1877, He was a young man who had just graduated from the Alleghaney theolog- ical semioary and had received his classical training at Monmouth college. He was a very talented young man and good speaker. He remained pastor of the church until 157 when he was transferred to Martin, Mich, At that place ho was married, Mr. Miller has developed into a splendid miister and has met with greut success in other fleld: ‘When he left, the church here decided to be- come self-supporting and devend no longer for ministers or means on the board of mis- ons. Mr, E. P. Graham was the first minister called under the new regime and the church developed greatly duriug his administration. The date of his first sermon preached in Omaba was April 1, 1880, and tho members of the churck felt greatly elated that at last they had & regular pastor, Mr. Graham 18 a man of great tenacity of purpose and does not know from his own experience what fail- ure means, He 18 genial in disposition and shrewd reader of humun nature. Mr. Graham was born in Oquawka, IlI,, in 1851, but lnulud his boynood days i Morning Sun, In 1806 he entered Monmouth college and after pursuing studies to the close of his sophomore year found himselt out of money and had to teach for a while to re plete depleted exchequer. He first pre- sided over u district school at Fairville, la., and after teaching a full term resigned to teach drawing and painting at Washington, Ia, In IS70 he wus called to the principal- ship of the schools at Graod View, wnere he was highly successful. ;The following year he taught Latin and Greek in the Kast lowa Normal institute. In the fall of 1872 he n entered Monmouth college and pursued his studies for two years, flnishing his eourse and winning the highest honors of his class He also distinguished himself by winning the first prize in a contest in English compo- sition, thereby giviog promise of future lau- rels 1o be woa by his pen. After graauatirg he studied theology under private instruc- tion fer & year and then entered the theolog- ical semiuary at Allegheney, l'm‘ taking a two years' course in one year, The follow- ing ~year he gradusted from the theological school at a, O. His first call was to Birmingham, where he remalned four years. He wi thea sent to Omahba, The churcn here wi in a tottering condition aoad the presbytery 'was seriously discussing the feasibility of discontinuing it. The society had but thirty members; the church was delapidated aud surrounded with a wilderness of weeds and u was no personage. The outlook was not encouraging, but Mr. Grabam announced in b cburacteristic mauner that be bad come to stay and he managed o infuse new life into the lethargic sociely—a work some- times more aifficult thau starting a new or- nization, First he caused the church and &rouuds to be put in a presentable condition gud next succeedod in geltiog @ parsonage ulit. Under his pastorate the courch pros- pered sud woreased iu numbers uatil ia the . fall of 1586 tho oy sufficient number of its other church on Park & H. Henaerson as _its pastor. In the follow- ing spring another swarm loft the hive and started the Central Presbyterian churoh on Seventeenth street, near Capitol avenue with Rev. John Williamson as pastor, The same yoar the mother church raised the minister's salary $100, coased receiving £250 aid per annum from the board of missions, and put repairs on the church amounting 'to #%00. About this time The Midlasd, the official journal of the United Prosbyterian church, was moved from St Louis to Omaha and Mr. Graham became its editor, in which capacity he is still serving. 1t able to spare a fbors to start an- uo with Rev. as pastor, ‘and was succecded French, the present minister, in addition to his other labors, has written two books— “Conscious Existence of the Soul After Death' and “In the 7oils," the latter book having had a larger circulation among the members of his sect than any other book ever written, except, of cour the bible, Mr, Graham has been an agare sive prolibitionists, and on that ticket has been consecutively u candidate for the posi- tions of regent of the university, lieutenant KOVErnor and congressman. by R Mr. Regulations for Lent, The regulations for the Catholic church during the period of Lent s onunciated by Rishop O'Connor, are as follows: 1. The fast of Lent oblizes all who have attained twenty-one years of age. Children over seven years are bound by the law of abstinence, 2. Every day in Lent, oxcept Sunday, 1s a fast day, on which it is forbidden to cat more than one meal and to eat flesh meat. A slight collation is, however, permitted in the ovening, at which the usual kinds of food way be used, but no flesh meat; and a cup of tea or coffee in the morning. 4. Flesh meat is permitted at every meal on Sundays, and by dispensation once a day on Mondays, Tuesdays, 7Tharsdays and Saturdays except the second and last Saturs nays of Lent. 4. The following persons aro dispensed from both fast and abstinence, the sick, the convalescent, delicate women who are preg- naft or nursing, persons engaged in hard manual or bodily labor of an exhausting na- ture; persons of delicate constitution, and all those who are over sixty years of age. And, by dispensation granted August 3, 1887,thoss exempted from fasting on dayvs when meat, cegs and lacticinia are allowed to all, ¢ partake of them as on Sundays. 5. The use of lard or dripping is permitted in cooking every day. 6. For particular dispensation, recourse must be had to_the pastor of the congregas tion or hisassistant, 7. The time of performing the Easter duty of confession and holy communion, com- mences on the first Sunday in Lent and ends on Trinity Sunda; Obs.—United States soldiers, in field or in Rarrison, are exempt from the law of absti- nence, by a special disponsation of his holi- s, Pope Pius IX., every day in the year, oht Ash Wednesday, the three last days of holy week, the vigil of the Assumption of the Hlessed Virgin Mary and the vigil of Christmas t Jades O'CoxzoR, Bishop of Omatia, of Faith, Probably the most absorbing topic in re- ligious circlos just now is the discussion in the Presbyterian church regarding the re- vision of the confession of faith, ‘the ques- tion has been considered for the past two weeks by the New York presbytery in special session, and on Tuesday by a decisive vote, it was resolved to favor revision. As this agitation may lead to a rupture in the church, and to ascertain the feeling of the Owalia pastors on the subject, Tur BEe nas obtained the following statements from the leading Presbyterian divines of the city: Rev. John Gordon, D. D., pastor of West- minster Chursh—I am opposed to revision of the confession of faith as ill-timed, divisive, and not properly within the purview of the gencral assembly, 1. Tt is ili-imed, because of these closing days of the nicteenth century people are ittle interested in theological speculations, The burning questions of today are not creeds and confessions, but salvation for the souls ana bodies of men; not Calviniswm, but divorce, temperance, honesty, clean liv- ing, decent houses for workingmen, educn- tion, righteousness, churches for the masses the 'gospel for the poor. People care very little now whether a churcn follows Calvin or Wesley, but they care a greal deal whether it Is doing anything for the weary, sad-eyed multitudes, If it makes this life a little more endurable, aud heaven a good deal surer, they will not ask whether it has a revised or unrevised confession. We are all igterested more in revised deeds thun in revised creeds, It is divisive in 1ts tendency. On the basis of certain historic documents five at Presbyterian churches in Great Britain, about the same humber in the United States, and more than as many more in Canada, Australia and other parts of the world have a certain foliowship. Let these documents bo revised by one or more, or all of these churches independently, and in place of growing together as we should, we establish differences whose tendency is 'to perpetuate schisms and divisions. A confession revised by the northern church will make union with tiie southern church, not to mention others simpl hopeless, The tendency of the times is towards union of churches, The tendency of revision 18 toward the perpetu- ation, if not the formation, of schisms. 3, Ttis not properly within the purview of the general assembly. If any change is made i a document which is the common heritage and property of fifteen or twenty great churches it should be done by a body in which all these churches are represented. Such a body exists in the Pan-Presbyterian coun: That council alone is competent to revise the confession to the satisfaction of all concerned, Rev, E. B. Graham, editor of The Midland —There is not as much in the question of re- vision as many are trying to get outof it. Those who obpose a change ought not 1o think that the ~hanging of a few articles, or o few sentences, is the destruction of their creed. Outsiders need neither to worry or to rejoico over the prospect of achange as it will amount to but hittie when it comes, Of those who favor revision, some do indeed wish a slight change in doctrine; but many more wish to modify merely the statement of some doctrines and to emphasize others; and the most of them wish a chunge of language merely, Very few indeed wish the coufession, when it is changed, tosay anything differeot from thut which u vast majority of the church have long believed, It makes but little airect difference to a vast majority of the members of the church what is in the confession, as At is not very popular literature anyhow. 1t makes & world or eternity of differ.nce what a man believes; but very fow get their doc- trines outof the eonfession. To ministers 1t makes but litule difference about the change, for, as is easily seen, they preach what they believe anyhow. It makes but very little difference to the students of the- ology, for the professors do not teach the ex- act doctrines of the confession,but their own opivions and the general beliet of the church, The csnfession of faith is the creed generally accepted, or a profession of doctrines gen- erally believed already, rather®than a stan- dard to which all must'attain and then sub- scribe and adhere. What man has done man can do. Good men made that good confes- sion; good men can make another good con- fession today. Men make written creeds; written creeds do not make men, There will probably be a revision of the creed or a di- vigion of the church, Rev, David R. Kerr, president of Bellevue college—The confession of faith needs re vision, because it does not express Calvins ism either wisely, fairly or biblically. Not wisely because its form of expresison at several points suguests misinterpretation of Calvinism. For instance, Calvinism be- lieves that ail children, dying beiore years of discretion, are saved because in the wmercy and love of God they are elect. ‘L'he confes- sion of fuith, by saying, “‘elect infants, dying iu infancy are saved"’ suggests that some cnildren who die in infancy may not be saved because they are not elect. A wiser expreg- sion would be “elect persons, dying in in- fancy are saved.” Better stil, “among the elect are children dying in infavey, who are saved ete.” Not fairly, because it suggests to the ordi- pary miud thay God is unreasonable, unjust and & monster of selfishness, and that Cul- vinists believe these things of God. The coufession does not mean 1o suggest such things. Calviaists do not believe them. It is not a fair expression which leaves the least room for such suggestions. Not biblically, because first, it makes very prominent what the bible keevs in the back- ground; for instauce, that & certain number of the human race are counted out wn. ordaiued t everlasting death," * OMAHA DAILY KELLEY STIGER&COMPANY CORNER DODGE AND FIFTEENTH STREETS. NIGHT ROBES. Eine muslin, tucked yoke, eambric ruffie, b Fine musiin, tucked yok Fine musiin, tuck k kine muslin, tucked Fine muslin, fine n with Hamburg inrerting and ed e, in yoke of tucks and lace fusarting, Ince edgee 815, raflie of Hamburg edging, 8¢, with Hamburg 1n; ting and elge, standing collar, Ko, e, 1100, Fine muslin, V shape, yoke of solid embroidery, Hambirg edge, bX yoke neck and sleevas, & Fine muslin, yoks of Solid tucks, with Hamburg edge, $1 e muslin, yoke ruffie hemstitched .. Tine musin and cambric Night Valenciennes and Torchon lace, at $1 LADIES’ )t solid tucks, herring-bone stitched, finished with Hamburg Tamburg, Medicl, 4.0, $1.50, 8,00, KIRTS. Muslin, deep hem, with cluster of four wide tucks, fe, Muslin, deep hem, three yards wide, 7 Musiin, tucked cambric rufi Cambric, two cambric ruffis Muslin, cambric rufiie, Muslin; cambric rufflé, with in; Muslin, ¢ stitched, clustor of large tucks above Cambric and Mushin Skirts, tri chon lace, at #1.25, $1.85, $1.50, $1.65, §1. med in Hamburg, hemstite 1.0, §2.00, £2.15, ¥ cluster of tucks above, e, with elust Nuslin, With deep ruflle of Hamburg clu of tucks above, $1,00, ter of tucks, § dged With deep Torehon lace, $1.30, rting of Hambury mbric rufile, with deep rufffe of Hambu Muslin, deop rufile of Hamburg, With inserting nemstitehed, $1.05 hemstitched, £1. %0 10 cluster of three tucks, heme dici and Tor- ¥ $2.65, §1.2, § ¥5.00, CORSET COVERS. A large line of Cambric and Muslin Corset Covers. in sizes from 32 to 44 inches, trimmed in newest designs of Ha mburg Embroideries, Medicl, Valenciennes and Inces. at 15 Jic, Gc, Boc, £2.00, 83,00, by, We, 11,00, §1.15, §1,25, ), 1. , 81,8, 81,10, 82,0, LADIES’ DRAWERS. Musiin, three tucks and hem, good quality, Fine muslin, cluster of fine tuc) Muslin, tucked cambric rufile, wi Muslin, with Hamburg ruffle, Camby at &5 burg, nemstitched em broideries at #1.00, e and {5, \ cluster of tucl luster of tucks abov cluster of tucks, rufile of Torchon lace, at Muslin, with ruffle of fine Hamburg, hemstitched, clu; Cambric, cluster of tucks and rufiie of fine Hamiure, 8c, inemuslin, with deep hem, hemstitched, inserting wnd. cluster of fine tucks above, Muslin and Cambric Drawers, trimmed in Medicl, Valenclenn: s above, f0c. at 50c and 6be, or of tucks above, The, Torchon and Ham- $1.50. 81,60, $1.75, £20, e LADIES CHEMISE. Fine muslin. plain, at 25, edge, Fin Fine muslin, yoke of Hamburg inserting, band and sleeves trimmed with nurrow cambric band, sleeves and center plece corded, 6c, LONG CHEMISE. Cambric, trimmed Lawn, tu deep lace, 81,7 Lawn, V shape yol ¥iue cdmbric, trimmn vith fine Hambu ked yoke, edge with Vale square back, trimmed with Valencienn d with fine Mediel on yoke and skirt, £.7 irt, deep hem with cluster of fine tucks, $1.25 enncs luce, SKirt with cluster of tucks and lace, §1.90, ¥ine cambric, trimmed with flue Valencieniies yoke and skirt, $1.00, LADIES’ UNDERSKIRTS. Muslin 8kirt, with deep hem and cluster of six tucks, Muslin § Muslin 8k Cambri Cambr irt, with cluster of tucks, with cambric rufiie, fic, with cluster of tucks, wijh ruffie of Hambu: Skirt, cluster of tucks, ruifie of tine Hamburg, $1.1 kirt, cluster of tucks, rutfe of fine Medici, CHILDREN'S DRAWERS, Good muslin, plain, with cluster of fine tucks, size from 0 to%, ranging in price from 18¢ to 4ic, from 2c to e, Good muslin, trimmed with cluster of fine tucks, size from 0 to 9, ranging in price Also a fuil line of Children's Night Dresses and Long and Short Slips, ranging in price from Hc to #0.00, SPRING INTRODUCTIONS. French and Scotch Importations in Silks, Dress Goods, Sate teens and Ginghams, of the latest production, CASHMERE OMBRE CHINA SILK. CHINA SILK. Exquisite in colorings, new and perfect lu style $1.00 NOTE~These desijzus are exclusively confined to ns CHINA SILKS. OHINA SILKS, CHINA SILKS, Allthe latest shades in plain, 24 inches wide, $1.00 DRESS GOODS. DRESS GOODS All the new shados, 42 Inches wide, handsome and durable cloth, 75 Cents, BERGE. Nothing but new shades, 40 tnches wide, Franch and all wool goo 13, the best val in the markot 55 Cents. Wo have one of the largest lines of these goods § They are all wool, portutions, all new shades, 40 inches wide at, 50 Cents. e Challis, The designs of thess are exclusi re someof the richest importations from Fr 55 Cents. BRILLIANTINES. BRILLIANTINES, BRILLIANTINES. Auy color, all the Iatest shades, 40 fnchies wide, worth i 50 Cents. BRILLIANTINE, New Colors, Broche Effect Ete., Bto. SUMMER OCLOTH. alking dresses, all shados, steam shrank, 48 inches wide, $1.00. BLACK GOODS. BLACK GOODS. We still retain the veputation of earrying oneof the most complete stock relinble Black Goods. New weaves, large line of Silk Warp Hon- rietta, Brilhantine, Brocaded Mohairs, Ete., Ete. SATEEN, SATEEN, SATEEN. Just opened* the choicest styles in French Figured and Plain S 35 Cents. 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DODGE AND FIFTEENTH STREETS. manifestation of His (God's) glory,” “neither are any (of these) redeemed by Christ, effectually called, justified, adopted, sanctified and saved;” sec- ond, it keeps in the bpack-ground what the bible keeps in the very fore front; for instance, that *God so loved the world that He gave His ounly begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him shsuld not per- 1sh, but have everlasting life,”’ and *‘Whoso- ever will, let him take the water of life freely.” The latter (2) can scarcely be de- tected on the sutface of the confession; the former (1) are very prominent. Both are there, but in the very reverse of bible pro- portion. For these reasons the confession needs revision. Other reasons for revision are: The preaching of the Presbyterian church isa hundred-fold more biblical than her confes- sion. The consensus of belief in the Pres- byterian church is more biblical than the consession, and is a safer guide than a confession written 300 years ago. Preachers of Presbyterian denominations do not preach some expressions of the con- fession--they dare not; they would have the favor neither of God nor man, Dr. Harsha, in s grand ministry of thirteen years in the First church of Omaha, has never said to any of his people: *‘It may be that God has counted some of you among the dehnite number of the non-elect, which ‘cannot be either increased or diminished;’ if so, God ‘has foreordained you to everlasting death,’ *Neither are any (of you) redeemed by Christ, effectually called, justified, adopted, sanctified and saved (because) the elect only’ have hope of these gospel bless- ings.” If Dr. Harsha should now preach fivo sermons within three montls, 1 which he should empha- 8izo these points as tho confession emphasizes them, his ministry in that church would not continue another year. He knows t00 well how to say the right thing at the right time and place to ever say these things, Neither has Drs, Gordon and Henderson nor any other Presbyterian pastor of Omaha or elsewhere preached these things. They never will, These are negative and supplementary truths of the bible, which only God in His infinite love is capable of speaking of. A summary of bible truths, in creed form, would better emphasize the positive truths, and may with great wisdom omit the neca- tive ones. True, we all proach, “No man can come to me except the Father draw him,” but we always end with great stress on vhe fact that the atber 1s drawing all men, and *Ye will not come to me that ye might bave life.” This 18 biblical. Let the expression of the coufession pluce the emphasis correspond- ingly. Hut should revision be pressed now! Tt is very doubtful; first, becausoe those who op- Poso revision are scared, nud are largely en- gaged in trying to scare the whole Freshy- terian church ; second, because of the utter unwisdom of some who are atltempting to be leaders for revision; third, because some, not mauny, who aspire to be leaders for re- vision are neither Calvinists unor Presby- terians, Republicans do not like to have democrats write their platform for them, It is a time to be patient. I velieve that re- visionists have imbibed more of thesvirit of the bible and the Christ. They can afford to be pationt and kindly. The rulers were afraid of change, but Jesus was patient—how lu¥! he system of doctrine contained in the confess on needs no revision. It is biblical. The verbal expression of this system in the confession needs revision, This revision is & necessity to the coutinued power of the vre-u{;wrx-n churches of every name. Any other kind of revision, or to avy greater ex- tent is death, It is more godlike o have tue purpose and to work and guide toward it then it is to be o hass» Revision is foreor~ dained, yet man is frec. Rav. W. J. Hursha, First Presbyterian Churen—I am not taking as much interest in the revision controversy as some of my brethren. Iwould far rather the watchword of the year were “Kevival” instead of “'Re- vision.” Unfortunately the love of debate has not been eutirely eradjcated from.the minds of wen. Weare likely to seg in the few years just before us a melancholy squab- ble of opinion among wen who might better be at work preaching the everlasting gospel to the sinful and the poor. Every one who wocepts the bible as the word of God believes in the universal love of the Father, Th ougit to be proclaimed. It ought to be wrought out practically 10 Life and conduct, Cold logic is not what we need iu the present crisis of affairs. We noed love and generos- ity and practical religion. Pure reason up- bolds the Presbyterian confession of liilgh ‘That theological symbol can never be dis- proved frow the bible. Its statement in re- gard to “elect infants” was weant as a de nial of the Roman Catholic doctrive that ouly baptised infants are saved. As opposed to thus, the confession teaches that all infants dying in infancy, are saved because they come withiu the scope of God’s loving grace, and not because they are baptised. flec. tion and preterition are tapght in the bible; but wo have nothing to do. with them. We dwell inasphere where they ought nover to be mentioned. The moon.is a reality, though it is & cold crystal withont atmosphore float- g in spuce. We live in -the warm earth, and thewr are sad hearts around us, Why should we waste time discussing what the moon is made of? Rev. W. R. Henderson, editor of Central West—The movement to revise our confes- sion of faith was inaugurated by the presby- tery of Nassau on Long Island. Itsent sn overture to the general assembly which met in Philadelphia in May, 188, asking for re- vision, but the request was not heeded. Early in the spring of 1880 that presbytery renewed its attempt, and 8 way which 1t thought would command attention. It sent printed copies of its overtura to all the pres- byteries throughout the country, asking them to join it in the request for revision. Out of over two hundred presbyteries only fifteen responded afMrmatively to this re- quest, These overturcs came before the generai assembly which met in New York in May, 1859, and the assembly decided by a majority vote to send the following overture to the presbyteries: ‘Do you desire a re- vision of the confession of faith? If so, in what respect, and to what extent?” This is the overture which the presbyteries now bave under consideration, The fact that such an inconsiderable num- ber of presbyteries responded to tho appeal of the Nassau presbytery shows how little interest was really felt in the question. The church was prosecuting her work at home and abroad with tireless and enthusiastle energy, never thinking, and having no reason to think, of any doctrinal or confes- sional difficulties which hindered her pro- gress or fettered tho employment of her en- ergies. ‘The interest in this subject was manufactured, A few men de- termined to enthrone a certain type of theology in cne doctrinal sym- bols, and as soon as thoe assembly sent down its overture, they bogan their work through the press. The result is that every press bytery in the lund is stirred up on the sub- ject, and the agitation 1s fast reaching the stage of white heat. The proposition at first was to make only a few verbal changes in the confession—to re- move certain so-calied stumbling blocks in the phraseology of that document, But re- vision has passed boyond that stage, and now threatens to seriously impair *‘the system of doctrine” contained in the confession. Dr. Philip Schaff of New York says the present revision movement ‘‘cuts to the core of the Calyinistic system,” and declarations of equivalent import have been made by other leaders of the movement. Verbal revision will not satisfy mauy of these men, Their demand s theological raconstruction, Itis this fact which makes the furure so threatening to the peace and unity of our church., There are those who, while favor- ing merely verbal revision, will never con- sont to the slightest impairment of the Cal- Vi ystem, There are many others who are resolutely oniwlod to all revision. The first and second classes will in all probability part company just @8 s00n as tho former fully and definitely disclose their 1deas and purposes. Tnose who belong to the third class maintain determined opposition to re- vision, believing it tobe not only inexpedient and unnecessary, but that it will have an emasculating effect upon the confession, con verting it into 4 semi-Arminian, semi-Uni- versalistic document. This class will never forego its allogiance to the Calvinistic sys- tem, as_expounded by Drs, Chatles Hodge and Willlam G, T, Shedd, Bishop Newman Banquetted. Bishop John P, Newman was tendered an elaborate banquet at the Windsor hotel, Lin- coln, Tuesday evening, by the Methodists of thecity. Several huadred of the most prom inent persons of the city were in attendance and the affair proved both brilliant_and ens joyable. The venerablé bishop was delighted with the honor accorded him and was in his most genial mood. Pulpit and Pew. Bishop O'Conuor is reported to be re- coveriug from his recent illness, The members of the @ugregational church have Just issued & Somplots churob directory containiug a full list of the members and reg ular attendants. The work is complete in every way and contains three classifications, first’ alphabetically, then by streets, aud lastly the names of the business men by the blocks in which are their oftices. The next entertaiument of the Young Men's Curistain association is to be & lecture ou travel and art by Mrs, Kate Crary, The ing. Mrs. Kimball and Mrs. Wallace re | ported as follows: Mr, H, Kouutze, §100; Mr, Holcombn, $50§ Mr. E. M. Nash, £50; Yates.§ Mr. J. N. H. Patrick, & . Millard, i Mr. J. J. Brow Mr. Ben Wood, i Mr. Markel, £10 Miltou Barlow, Mr. Joe Barker, #; Mr. George Barker, Mr. Adolph Meye: Clothing and provisions were contributed by Mr. T. W. Smith, Mrs. Bennett, Mr. neau, Mrs. Barrows, Mr. Wagner, Mra. Millard, Mrs. Morse, Mrs. niorrell, Mrs, Holdridge, Mrs. Woolworth, Mrs. Millard, Mus. W, 8, Cunris. Assist nt§Secretary. e District Cour Alice O'Donobioe has commenced sud against William Colfax et al. to recover $133.33 on a note secured by mortwagi Henry I, Cady has sued John Tidemann for $150 due on a note secured by mortgag: Charles R. Beaty has appliea for a divorce from his wife, Jlia, on the ground of de- sertion. Stillman S. Flagg has brought suit against Everett S, Flagg et al. to recover on a note d by morigage and on a judg- 7 obtained 1o & justice c Gillett has brought suit azainst S. M. Waite et al. to secure possession of o check for 71 to partially satisfy a juag- ment of $1,670.19 obtained in the distriot court. George H. Payne and William A. Goddard have commenced suit against Sheriff Boya and Dell R. Edwards to restrain the former from levying a writ of execution upon the propoerty of the plaintiffs to satitfy a judg- ment for aa alleged deficiency in the settle- ment of a former judgment. They claim o have had no knowledge of the second pro- ceeding, and set up the claim that the firet Judgment was satisfied 1o full, lady has been an extensive traveler in parts of the globe. The members of the First Congregational church are making preparations to 1ssue a monthly paper with news of interest to tho patrons of that cburch. Dr. Duryea will act as editor. At the First Presbyterian church the pas tor, Rev. W. J. Harsha, will preach in the morning. There will be no evening service Church of the Good Shepherd, corner of Nineteenth and Lake streots—Rev. J. P. D. Liloyd, rector. Holy communion Sunday, § a.m.; services and sermon at 11 a.n. and 7:30 p,m., and on Friday at7:30 p.m, un- day school at 10 a.m. and bible instruction for older scholars at same hour. Lectures preparatory to confirmation on Wednesday evening of each week. You are cordially invited to these services. Seats free av all times, At the Southwest Presbyterian church, Twentioth and Leavenworth—Services will be conducted at 1L o'clock by Rev. J. W. Jones. ‘The Southwest church, temporarily without & pastor, has fortunately sccured the services of this sloquent young man until June. Mr. Jones entered the ministry in Philadelphia, where he at onze grew into favor and built up a strong church, the re- sult of one year's work. He comes to the west a strong and brilliant man, warmly welcomed by the people with whom he is to labor. At the Southwesteran Lutheran church, ‘'wenty-sixth street between Poppleton ana Woolworth uvenues, Rev. Luther M. Kuhns, will preach at 11 a. m.. on “Saving Faith," and uv 7:30 p. m. on “The Righteous Man.” Rev. A. Martin will preach in the First Coristian” church morning and evening. Morning subject, “The Gospel;” evening, “Who are God's Elect and When and How are They Elected (" “What a Timid Christian D1d” will be the morning theme, and **Appetite and Passion’ the evening theme at the First United Pres- byterian church tomorrow. At Kountze Memorial Evangelical Luth- eran the morning sermon will be on “*Be hold the Lamb of God.” Eveniug sormon: *Will Ye Also Go Away.” At All Saints’ church, Twenty-sixth and Howard streets, the music at the 11 o'clock ervice will be: “Te Deum’ and **Jubilate” in G, Smart. Anthem, “The Pillurs of the Larth are the Lord's,” by Tours. At the 4 o'clock service ‘‘Magnificat” and ‘*Nunc Dimitus,”” in G, by Florio. Anthem for tenor solo and chorus, “Our Soul on God With Patience Waits."” At Immanuel — Baptist church, North Tweunty-fourth and Binney streets, Rev. K. W. Ioster pastor. Regular services Sunday morning. Theme: “Thou Shalv Die and Not Live.” Evening thom: *‘Wait a Bit.” Sunday school at 12 m. The public cordially invited and heartily, Peoples’ church—Service at Boyd's opera house. Preaching morning and evening by the pastor, Rev. Charles W. Savidge. Sub- ject in the morning: “*Tomorrow.” Sub- ject in the evening: *(Great Opportunities.” Seats free, All are welcome, I'rank Smith will lead the singing. At Trinity Methodist Episcopal church, the morning subject will be “The Christian' Heritage.” Evening & union temperance meeting addressed by Mrs. Woodward, state organizer of the Woman's Christian Tem- perance union, At Immanual Baptist church, North Twenty-fourth and Binney streets, Augusto Saares will preach both morning and evening, Mr, Saares s from the Evangelization society of Lonaon, and labors gratuitousiy us an evangelist. He is well koown as an earnest and eloquent speaker. A traat is in store for all who will hear him tomorrow. The public will be cordially wel- comed. At the Central United Presbyterian church on beventeenth street between Capitol avenue and Dodge, there will be preaching by the pastor, Rev. Joun Williamson, D, D,, tomorrow at 10:30 a. m. subjest: *“‘Have Faith in God,” and at 7:30 p. w., subject, “That Stick.” Services at the Omaha Mission on Tenth street, morning and eyening, Sunday school dean. Holy communion 8 a. m.; morning prayer, litany and sormon 11 a. m.; Sunday school p. m.; children’s servic . m.; evening prayer and sormon 7:30n. m. The dean will preach morning and evening, Gospel Temperauce union meeting at Boyd's opera house at § p. m. Sunday. | &: vangelist Cullis will lecture on *‘Belshaz- | $10 zar’s Feast,” All are invited. & RELIGIOUS, The number of Lutheran comu.unicauts in the United States und Canada is given by the Ssa:remrius of the general council as 1,955~ The collections for the board of education of the Methoaist Episcopal church during the past year wi per cent in advance of those taken in 1888, The Gospel Standard, an Eunglish Baptist newspaper of very strict tendeucies, adver- tises that “No charge is made for nserting the death of godly persons.”” The late J. S, Ambrose of Boston among other bequests gave £10,000 to the American board, $10,000 to the American missionary association, and §10,000 to the New Hamjp- shiro home missionary society. Nineteen missionaries have been commis sioned and sent into the field by the Ameri- can board since the last meeting in New York, The contributions this year bid fair 1o largeiy exceed those of any previous one in the history of the board, The Briush and Foreign bible society has, during the eighty-one years of its existonce, 1ssued from 1ts i.ondon house alon , 000,000 of complete bibles, nearly 32,000,000 of new testaments and 11,845,000 portions of the bible. This makes a total of 72,500,000 books 18sued from the London headquarters. All the money given by all the churches in Eugland in one year for the cause of foreign sions scarcely would equal the cost of two won-clads. The people at largo pay freely and liberally for the messengers and en ginery of war, while part of them give very sparingly to the spread of the wospel of peace, says the Interior. Of the Presbyterian papers, four, the Evangelist, the Interior, the Herald and Presbyter and the Northwestern Presby- terian, are in favor of revisio Seven are agalnst revision, as follows: The Observer, the Presbyterian, the Presbyterian Journal, the Presbyterian Bauner, the Central West, the Occident and the Mid Continent, Kvery minister of tho gospel ought to feel honored by his calling, and to realize that he has the best possible opportunity to do good to man. If Wellington had been a preacher instead of & soldier he might not have con- quered Napoleon, but be might have driven vack [rench infldelity, that has exerted a more baleful influsnce on the worla than all the victories Napoleon ever gaiued, suys the Cumberland Presbyterian, » Talk about questions of the day, there s but one question, and that 18 the gospel, says Gladstone. It can and will correct every- thing thai needs correction. All men at the head of greal movements are Christian men. During the mauy years I was in the cabinet 1 was brought into association with sixty master minds, and all but five of them were Christians, My only nopa for the world 15 inbringing the human mind into contact with divine revelation. Four weeks ago Dr. R, C, Cave, pastor of the Central Christian churen, created a sen- sation by delivering a sermon i which he denied the divinity of Christand the inspira tion of the bible, says a St, Louis dispatch, The congregation was divided in opinion upon the sermon and Dr. Cave resigned, Half the congregation whici supported him refused to wccept the resignation and pledged £50,000 to build a new church, They withdrew from the Central Christian church and held meetings at Mahler's hall, Mean- while the religious papers aud Christian ministers attacked Dr. Cave,and today he an- nounced from the pulpit thathe bad been read out of the chureh. He said that he was not & Christian, but believed in a God, not the God of the bible. With these words he sgain tendered his resignation, The congre gation, many of whom were hLeretofore @mong the best known Christians in St Louis, thea adopted a resolution setting ment for § Frank k County Co irt. William C. Paxton was appointed admin- 1strator of the estate of Charies McCormick, deceased. Frank Brown was appointed administrator of the estato of Minnie Brown Hill Matilda Norlander was appointed adminis. tratrix of the estate of William Norlander, The Bank of Commerce has brought two suits acainst Alfred C. Griffio to recover $1,000 on Lwo notes. Congregational Oalendar, The first issue of the Congregational Calendar, the monthly folio journal of the First Congregational church, has made its app earance and contains considerable in- formation concerning the church, It Is cdited by Dr. Duryea, the pastor, it con= tains an editorial department and columus devoted to the churen, the Sunday school, the Y, . S, C. K., and clhurch society notes. Notes are made concorning the following as- sociations: The Wuling Workers, the Ladies’ socioty, the Ladies' Missionary so- ciety aud the Young Ladies' Missionary 80~ ciety. o Now Engiand Excursioniste, ‘The California excursion train provided by the New England Grocer, containing a party of New Kogland jobbers, manufac- turers, business men and capitalists, is due in Omiha on March 4. The party will take in the prineipal southorn points, thence to California, sod return east via Oeden, Dene ver and Omabia. The object of tho exeur- sisn is L0 obtain botter knowlodge of the west and its resources. Dr. O'Caliahan Reslgns, Dr. O'Caliaian has resigued his position as pastor of St. Ceciliw's chureh at Walout Hill, and preaches his farowell sermon to- day. He goesto the Pacific coast to accept # more important position. His successor, Rev. I, Smith, formerly of Cheyenne, will prech at St Cecilia's and eatablish & mis- sion in North Omabha. B Mid-Winter Festival. The Holy Family parochial schools will give their annual mid-winter festival at Ex= atdp m. Allare cordially invited. Rev. A. M, Mann will preach at Trinity church this morniug, Supject: *The True " Lecture at 8 p. m, subject: Minutes and Seconas.” Teachers and students especially lnvited. Plymouth Cougregational church, corner of Twentieth and Spencer streets, D. A, R. Thain, paster. Preaching 10:30 a. m. and 7:80 p. m, Y. P, ., 6:80, unday choolat 12. Prayer meeting Wednesday at Tidb p. m. Trinity cathedral, Capitol avenue and Eighteenth street, Very Itev, C, H, Garduer, forth that their belief was iu line with that of Dr. Cave's, and that they no longer waunted to be known as Christians. An inde- penaent church was orgavized wih Dr. Cave us pastor. ——— Contributions for the Orache, At the board meeting at the Creche, the following contributions were acknowledged : Mrs. Byron Iteed, #5.00; Mrs. J. D. Creighton, .00; Mrs. J. Stephenson, $2.00; Mrs, W, V. Morse, & ton of coal. On contributions towards payment of the debt on the buila- position ball Tuesday evening, Februury 11, A vo minal adwission fee will be charged, “The hall wili be open from 6 till 10, and the proceeds are W be devoted to educational purposes, Jacob H. Schiff of New York has made Harvard universivy a gifv of $10,000 for the purchase of a Semitic collection. There is 0o museum of this kind in the world, Har- vard has given considerable attention to Semitic studies, and has courses of instruc- tion iu all the luwm.{ Sewitic languages, and bistorical courses In connection with the Assyrian, Hevrew sud the Arabie