Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-05-16
REVISION POSTPONED.
Outline of the Work Before the Pres
byterian General Assembly.
MANY FEATURES OF INTEREST.
The Briggs Case Only One Of o Number of
Important Questions.
A MAJORITY AGAINST THE PROFESSOR

ing meeting of the Presbyterian General
Assembly excites by far the greatest inter
est. This body will assemble next Thurs
day in Detroit, and its proceedings will be
watched with deep concern by all other re-
ligious denominations and by the public in
general. This widespread interest is owing
to the agitation over the inaugural address
of DR.. Charles A. Briggs, delivered upon
the occasion of his induction into the Chail
of Biblical Theology in Union Theological
Seminary. Although his views are not new
lar time both are likely to bring about q
period of controversy.
Almost 100 Presbyteries, including many
of the largest in the church, have overturned
the General Assembly to withhold its ap-
proyal of the election of DR.. Briggs to the
chair he now occupies. This is all the ac-
tion that can be taken bearing directly on
the case The decision of the New York
Presbytery, to give DR.. Briggs a judicial
trial, will rule everything in this line out
of the Assembly. But the veto power will
be exercised. A few years ago this institu-
tion fell into line with the other seminaries
of the church and gave the Assembly the
veto power over the election of professors.
Elder Henry Day, an eminent lawyer OF
New York and a member of the Assembly,
will contend that this concession was illegal
Other friends of Dr. Briggs will hold that
his induction into the new chair was simply
a transfer from the one he previously occu-
pied.
An Apparent Majority Against Him.
But the Assembly will have its own way,
as the majority of the commissioners come
from the Presbyteries which have already
pronounced judgment in the case. The
point will be raised that the court is preju-
diced, but the law as to the selection Of a
civil jury does not apply in ecclesiastical
bodies. There will be much debate, but
there need be no fear of hasty or unwise
action. While the overture in the case of
DIR. Briggs would ordinarily go to the Com
mittee on Bills and Overtures, in this in
stance large and carefully selected special
committee will probably be appointed.
All agree the issue must be met. DR..
Briggs desires it; courts trial. The New
York Independent of this week well says:
''The question in issue is whether the most
deliberate utterances of his inaugural ad-
dress are such as may be properly tolerated
in theological professor and teacher in the
Presbyterian Church. We do not imagine
that Prof Briggs critics will be in the least
intimidated by his threat 'to make cata-
logue of errors in the Bible They have no
fears for the Book. 1t has stood the test of
centuries, and they are quite willing that,
following in the line of Kuenan and Well
hausen and Cart and Hooykas, men should
do their worst in this direction, provided
they do not insist on doing it within the
lines of the Presbyterian Church. In the
end they are persuaded that it will be Just
as it always has been when strong men have
to overthrow the Bible-the
anvil remains, but the hammer has been
broken to pieces"
The Doctrine of Inspiration.
The Assembly will also pass a strong
paper defining the position of the church
on the doctrines of inspiration and the in
errancy of the sacred Scriptures.
The theological seminaries generally will
receive attention, and the professors will be
given needed instruction in the line of that
adopted by previous Assemblies introduced
by DR. Howard Crosby, who, with the fore
sight Characteristic of the man, saw these
Assembly will be man of unquestioned
and DR.. William Henry Green,
of Princeton, is prominently named for
this high Office. His trumpet gives forth
no uncertain sound. If he is not elected
Moderator it will be because the Assembly
feels his services are needed on the floor of
the house
The subject of the revision of the Confes-
sion of Faith, which so agitated the church
last year, has been retired to the background
by the greater excitement over Dr. Briggs.
1t is now felt to be more revision of men
than of books. Dr. Briggs declares himself
to be in full accord with the Confession of
Faith. But the report of the Committee on
will come before the Assembly.
There will, however, be little or no discus
sion upon it, as, according to the desire of
the committee, its recommendations and
amendments will be sent down to
the Presbyteries for their consideration, ac-
ton and report to the next Assembly. There
is no probability that there will be any re-
vision of the Confession of Faith before the
meeting of the Worlds Fair
LIN an Embarrassing Position.
The movement has received backset.
The church is in most embarrassing posi-
lion. If DIR. Briggs is to be tried, why not
wait and see whether the confession is to be
revised to accord with his views? If the con-
ession is to be first revised, why not post
oone the trial Of Dr.. Briggs until it be seen
what shall be the form of the new confess
lion? 1t looks like theological problem |
If six of one and half dozen of the other. |
There is reason to believe that immediate
with the trial of Dr. Briggs would |
,ring about great revival of orthodoxy, |
which would make the church impatient of |
my revision. DR.. Briggs himself prophe-. |
led that the prevalence of his views would |
,ring about the greatest revival since the |
lays of the Reformation.
In addition to these subjects of the re- |
-ision of men and of books, the Assembly |
will take up many other questions of great |
Importance Sixteen special committees |
re to report. The Assembly will consider
be curious question of its exhibit at the /
Worlds Fair. Many will take a .senti-
mental satisfaction in making the display
Inder the old confession. The management |
4 the Church at home and abroad, which has
,ot yet been marked success, will be
losely reviewed. This revision of the
roof texts of the Confession of Faith, by 4
he committee of which DIR. Riddle, ofAlle- |
heny, is member, will come up.
A report will be made on the matter of
cooperation with other churches, and the
ubJect OF the relation to episcopacy will be
iseussed. The lengthy and complicated
Ian for bureau of ministerial and ecclesi-
stical adjustment between UNEMPLOYED
minister's and vacant and unemployed
hurches will be considered, as also the
uestion of an increase in the ministry.
he ministerial bureau project, begotten by
)r. Herrick johnson, has been disapproved
y large number of Presbyteries, although
ne general idea is indorsed by some. The
eaconess overture will go by, the board.
Matters Sure to Be Discussed.
There will be vigorous discussion over
ne report on publishing outfit for the
oard OF Publication at Philadelphia, and