V.

Reply from Rev. W. M. M'Pheeters, D.D.,

Professor in the Theological Seminary of the Presbyterian Church in the United States (Southern).

Dear Sir and Brother,—You ask me for a "criticism" of the changes which it is proposed to make in the "Articles of the Presbyterian Church of England," as these changes are set forth in an excerpt from the 'Otago Daily Times,' Saturday, December 12th, 1903." As one matter is one in which I cannot be supposed to have any partizan interest, I presume that I may, without impropriety, state how the proposed changes strike me as a Presbyterian and a lover of the Presbyterian Curch in all its branches. Briefly, then, I may say:

1. In general, that both the omissions and the substitutions strike me as equally significant and unfortunate, not to say ominous. There is not one of them that does not touch some capital head of doctrine, and with are single exception of the addition to the Article on "Sonship in Christ," either annihilate the doctrine altogether or sadly mutilate it.

2. The proposed changes may be grouped under two heads, viz.: First, such as affect "the common salvation"; and second, such as affect the integrity of the Presbyterian system.

Under the first head, or those affecting the common faith of Evangelical Christendom, I would include the changes proposed to be made in the Articles "Of the Fall," "Of the Justification by Faith," "Of the Last Judgment." Further, the change proposed in the Article on "The Work of Christ" is open to criticism as not only unhappily evasive, but as furnishing a cover for the most fatal error.

The changes proposed to be made in the Article "Of Election and Regeneration" and "Of Christian Perseverance" fall too manifestly under the second head to require any comment.

It seems to me that only those prepared to break not only with the Presbyterian system, but with the common faith of Christendom, and with the clear teachings of the Word of God, can with clear understanding of what they involve vote for so radical changes as those proposed.

Hoping that God may be pleased to avert so sad a calamity from your beloved Church,