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4 THE PRESBYTERIAI
A NEW CATECHISM PROPOSED.
The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Chuch,
North, has a committee which is preparing a new
catechism to take the place of the the Shorter Catechism
in the instruction of the young. Professor SchafF,
of the Western Theological Seminary, Allegheny, has
contributed to the Presbyterian Banner a discussion of
the reasons for the existence of this committee and the
purpose of its work. The reasons why the Shorter
Catechism does not today meet our needs, and for composing
a new catechism, Professor SchafF sums up under
four heads?"The answers of the Shorter Catechism are
unnecessarily difficult to be committed to memory?its
style is unnecessarily difficult to he understood?it does
not present Christian truth in the form Christian thinking
now runs?there are additions which might profitably
be made to its present questions and answers."
Some things he thinks are wanting which should he included
in the summary of divine truth which the Church
is under serious obligation to give to its children and
youth, of which he mentions the missionary duty of the
Church, "Go ye into all the worldand the love we
owe to our fellowmen, which is the second great commendment
of Christ. He urges also that the Westminster
Catechism does not contain any direct and sufficient
teaching on the Church, the kingdom on earth, its mis
sion and authority.
We confess to a deep-seated aversion to any substitute
that can be prepared for the Shorter Catechism of
the Westminster Assembly. It has had so great history,
has had such a large acceptance and use by the
strongest bodies of believers and has borne such splendid
fruits in the intelligence, character and steadfastness
of such a multitude of the followers of our Lord,
that it seems an unholy thing to amend its teachings,
Or to Inv it rm +! >.?? fUoif ~~ - r '*
o..tn .is a rcnc or tne past, freely
( acknowledging that it is a human statement of truth
and can not be perfect, and admitting that it was written
many years ago, reflecting the theological views and
controversies of its day. it has yet continued to receive
the endorsement of a great company of the ablest Bible
. scholars and most learned and devout religious teachers
since the Westminster Assembly.
It has taught and trained a great company of the
best Christian men and women the world has ever seen.
It has protected from error, and quickened the mind and
led upward the thinking, and shaped the lives of the
most intelligent and devout of the people of God. It
has sanctified the home am! Knnnd -
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Word and to the Church of God. It has gone with the
immigrant and his children to new homes in America,
in Canada and in the South Seas, and with the Bible has
been his library, his school and his church.
Other catechisms have been written, but they have
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??.. ao unci ly nunl ana are lorgptten. No one of
them has been found to bear comparison with the
Shorter Catechism in its exactness of statement of
Scriptural truth, in its sense and masterly diction and
in its comprehension and completeness. A few years
ago a Methodist divine in Virginia, announced that he
I had read the far-famed Shorter Catechism and found it
' a poor thing, and that he could make a better one himself.
But we have looked in vain for his catechism.
Hi miff -
* OF THE SOUTH. May 5, 1909.
With the present day tides of laxity and the advanced
theology, of depreciation of the will of God as
revealed in his Word, of the pretensions of authority by
human reason, of naturalism and worldly wisdom, one
is fearful of amendments, or substitutes or new devices.
The Shorter Catechism may be difficult to commit to
memory, but not more difficult than are the words of
Scripture, or the rules of grammar or arithmetic or any
of the studies necessary for the instruction of the young.
It may be sometimes difficult to understand, but so are
the verses of Scripture, and so are the principles of any
department of learning. It has proved a valuable mental
exercise to an uncounted number, and it has fixed in
the memory for future unfolding and personal faith and
duty, the great essential teaching's of divine truth.
Taught by intelligent parents 'and teachers, it is not
wanting in the great message of God's word of love
to God and to our fellow-men, for it fully unfolds the
duties required both by the first and the second tables
of God's law. It is not wanting in teaching the mission
of the Gospel to all the world for it teaches what we
pray for in "Thy will be done on earth." "Thy kingdom
come."
As to the doctrine of the Church, it may be questioned
whether the truth as to organic Christianity, the
Church, its constitution and polity and mission is not
truth which should come after the thorough instruction
in |ici3uiidi iaun ana auty. uur own Southern Presbyterian
Church has a brief and excellent Catechism on
the Church prepared by our pastor and professor,
and admirably adapted for instruction after the great
personal foundation of personal religion has been laid
in the Shorter Catechism.
You have given the child an inestimable boon when
you have written on his thought and memory and
heart, "The chief end of man is to glorify God and to
enjoy him forever."
"FT? A TVPMTTV
Everybody admires the evidence and expression of
fraternity among those professing the Christian faith.
Indeed, our merely human instincts prompt us to approve
and cultivate generous sympathies, hearty good
will and unselfish friendship. In the more refined and
nobler realm of spiritual life, we are entitled to expect
clear and constant evidence of that life in mutual approbation,
confidence and enjoyment among brethren,
even though differing in name and in organic affiliation
and possibly in serious conviction.
Happily, we live in an age when this spirit is receiving
emphasis. It is cultivated by the church, is commended
by the world, and even approved by scoffers.
Tha-facilities for giving expression to fraternal sentiments
have been multiplied. Complete organization has
i i?;? -i - ...
ijvrc11 tuuuuavc iu mis end. uaoser contact in business
and social life lends its aid. More intimate acquaintance
brings relief from narrow and one-sided judgments. A
commendable mutual interest in business life, or in
benevolent enterprises, or in church extension at home
and abroad, has stimulated the fraternal spirit, and all
who are affected thereby are better and happier for it.
We can but rejoice in the advancement that has been