The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1890-05-11
Whittier II is Tending.

: University of the City OF New York have
been brought into closer relations by II
new agreement, and each has been strength
encd by an endowment of 100000 from Mr.
CHARLES BUTLER.
Tho seminary will thus be in some sense
the theological school of the university
Though it has also taken measures to bring
about closer relations with Columbia Col
lego, that union cannot DO so close
and intimate, for the university Is
under Presbyterian direction more par
ticularly, while Episcopalian influences
IRE dominant at Columbia, it being obliga-
tory that its President shall bo of that faith.
Such new affiliations will doubtless assist in
the development Of the seminary, material
ly aided also by the generous endowment Of
Mr.. BUTLER, which increases the already
large fund that places the institution ut the
head OF all our Presbyterian divinity schools
In respect Of financial foundation.
The Union Theological Seminary is now
the foremost Of Presbyterian schools Of
theology in this country in influence, ag-
gressive power, and popularity with students
for the ministry. Its faculty are OF much
strength intellectually, and In sentiment
and the drift OF their theological thought
| dlu lNSSlIkuGlOh LLty alO Ill IupuIllJ Will
present Presbyterian tendencies, and prob
ably have had more to do in shaping them
and giving them their impulse than any other
theological teachers OF that denomination.
This New York institution Is really found
ing what may be called a new school Of
Presbyterianism much further removed from
theold-fashioned theology of Princeton In the
days its dominant power, of MILLER ALEX
AMBER, HODGE, and GREEN, than the spirit
and teachings OF CLAIMING were removed
| from the stern doctrines Of LYMAN BEECHER
and JONATHAN EDWARDS. The separation
is by an impossible gulf; for the division is
not concerning any mere detail Of eccleslas-
ticism, any non-essentiai form Of words, but
| concerning the very foundation Of all theol-
ogy. 1t is radical and complete. 1t relates
to the conception Of the Godhead, GODS
sovereignty, eternal retribution, and tho
everlasting judgment.
The chief eXpositor OF the new theology
its embodiment, is Prof BRIGGS Of this New
York seminary. He Is a man OF strong
and clear intellect, logical, faithful to his
convictions and courageous in their asser-
ton and defence. a learn ed student Of the
modern literature of Biblical criticism, es-
pecially Of the German. and as a teacher
he is powerful In his hold on the
minds and hearts Of his pupils. They
look up to him as the prophet of
the new theology to DO built up on
the ruins Of the Westminster Confession;
and any attempt to dislodge him from his
post OF vantage or from the school would be
resented by force which would accelerate
the rending asunder OF the Presbyterian
communion. For it cannot be doubted that
the Presbyterians are approaching such
catastrophe. The introduction OF the con-
troversy over their ancient creed presaged
disruption. AS a venerable minister OF the
denomination expresses It, 1.-The time Is
coming when the Presbyterian Church will
be split In two"
The division In sentiment is already radi-
cal. On tho one side is rationalism. agnosti-
cism and on the other, denial of the right or
the power of human reason to comprehend
the Supreme Will and bring 1t within the
limits of mans understanding. Prof
BRIGGS Is forced to tho logical conclusion
Of abandoning the theory OF the personality
Of GOD, or denying the theory OF the fall of
man and its consequences as laid down
in the Bible and In orthodox theology.
Granting personal, omnlscient, omnipo-
tent and omnipresent COP. in Whose reck-
oning there is neither past nor present, to
Whom a thousand years are as a day; and
accepting the doctrine OF eternal punish
ment, there Is no escape from tho doctrine
OF election. Either all men are to be saved,
or those to be saved and those to be damned
were known to the Divine Intelligence from
all eternity, and particularly known and
designated. Otherwise there Is no GOD sep
arabic from impersonal cosmic force and law.
Prof. BRIGGS accordingly looks forward
hopefully to the theory of future probation
as means of escaping from this dilemma.
Tosave the personality OF COP and to bring
GODS justice within the comprehension Of
human reason, he would have no men
damned, but would give to all men the bene-
lit OF heavenly instruction and salvation.
But this view subverts Christian theology
ana paves the way that leads straight to ag-
Mysticism, or refusal TO repose faith In anysu-
pernaturalism as incomprehensible by rea-
son, ana contrary to human experience 1t Is
to uproot the old conceptions Of GOD, Of in
SEPARATION, and of accountability, and to sub |
stltute u rationalistic view Of Divine Power |
from which all personality must vanish. |
Faith Will be replaced by philosophy, prayer
VIII become senseless exercise. and hard |
ana cruel Law will work out Its results with
out Difference to the desire of men to stay
Its operation. You might as well pray that
the waters OF Niagara should not fall. or that
cyclone should stop when it had reached
the threshold OF your dwelling.
or course doctrine SO fundamental as
GODS sovereignty cannot be removed nor
even shaken without topping over the whole
Westminster Confession. Yet it is now
manifest that the great majority OF tho
General Assembly to meet at Saratoga this
month are anxious TO get rid of that teach
ing, or. at least so to amend 1t that It's sup
porting power will be lost. They do not be-
lleve in it, or they do not want TO believe in
1t; and to save their consolences or crafty
their DESIRES without pulling down the pill
lars upon which theology rests, they may
change 1t into meaningless form OF words.
In Dt her WOrda thav ara MT unlikplV IN