New-York tribune., 1891-05-09
DIR. BRIGGSS FRIENDS PROTEST.
ALUMNI OF UNION SEMINARY LOYAL TO
HIM.
DIscoRD AND DErRIMENT TO THE PREsBE-
TERRAIN CHURCH FEARED-DR. sHEDD AND

TERRAIN CHURCH FEARED-DR. sIIEDD AND
Mr.. DAY ON THE QUESTIONS AT ISSUE.
The rcview Of DIR. Briggss Inaugural Address by
Professor shedd referred 10 in The Tribune on Ihurs
day. filed nearly six columns OF The Observer this
week. OF Its author DR.. Field of The Evangchst
sald DR.. Shedd Is one Of the sweetest men py
grace and nature that have ever met The state
ments made by DR.. Briggs taken up one Dy one
and compared with the corresponding statements IN
the Confession OF Faith The conclusion is we
are certain that the author Of this Biblical Iheoogy
s i'm error and Is teaching error we are of anything
This theology and that OF the Standards are as con-
Trajectory as the Polemaic and Coperniean asronomes
There Is middle position possible respecting suFH
views They must either be approved and adopted by
the Presbyterian Church or they must be condemned
and rejected
"The Evangelist contains an article two columns
and half long. by Henry Day, entitled: Leu Us
Proceed Orderly II at ALL Mr.. Day THINKS that
the only constitutional and fair method OF testing
Dr. Brggss orthodoxy is that taken by the New-forK
Presbytery, which appointed committee last month
TO consider the address and report upon it at the meet
ing of the Presbytery next Monday.
one OF the strongest arguments presented in favor OF
the inaugural address Of DR.. Briggs is that recently
made by DIR. Herrick Johnson of the Mccormick Iheo
logical Seminary of Chicago After admitting that DE-
Briggs is exasperatiDgy sefasserH'e' ana thS loe
of his discussion needlessly raspng, ana tiat INC
dopmatsm that he so vigorously denounces nowhere
shines more conspleuously than in his own paper the
objections to the address taken up one by one ana
thoroughly anayzed and answered. d. Johnson oios0e
HE review with these words Fellow Presbyterians OF
the Reformed and Evangelical Faith, this man Is hot
"a disguised nationalist nor "a promulGator oi the
views of Kuenen, "a deliberate sower OF t7 see "a
doubt and scepticism respecting the Word OF Goa''
There is nothing in lis inaugural address that Is not
in his published books, which have been before the
Church for years. Strike, but hear?
In the meantime the friends Of Professor Briggs
are not idle. Besides those on the Presbytery COM
mittee and the Seminary faculty and directors
movement having its origin among the seminary
alumni has sprung up in the last few days, resulting
in circular letter which has been sent to hundreds OF
alumni who have had the advantage OF Dr. BrisSss
instruction, and whose testimony In his behan WOud
therefore DO most valuable The letter continues
COPIES with condensed resume OF the answers re-
cved will then be submitted TO the whole relgious
press The number and the influence OF the ministry
thus represented fail to command the respect and
the consideration OF the Church. This Is not 10 be in
terpreted as an Endorsement of DR.. Biggs's inaugural
address other writings IL is merely defence Of the
best interests of the seminary, and plea for freedom
of devout scholarly research into Gods Word. An
expression OF opinion, favorable or otherwise, Is so
licited from every aumnus who has known Dr. Briggs
as teacher. larger preliminary list, representing
various sections of the country would gladly have
been secured but for the imprOmpu character of the
and the lack Of time for any extended cor
IespOndence. Your and influence are desired
TO speed the here indicated Kindly send reply
Immediately upon the enclosed card to the Rev.
Daniel E. Lorenz, No. 271 West End-aye, New-Iork
City,
PROTEST.
We, the undersigned Alumni of the Union Theological
Seminary, New-l0rk, desire u express TO our non
ored professor and friend, Dr. Charles a. Brggs our
deep regard and confidence. We regret most pro-
foundly that his inaugural address, upon assuming
the duties of the Chair Of Biblical Iheoiosy to whcn
he was transferred, should have proved the occasion
Of much misconception and apprehension which IN
nuncation We herewith request in DIR. Briggs's be
half the fullest and most respectful consideration with
estimate Of him safe and an evangelical teacher
We regard him as man possessed not only OF eX-
ton. Instead Of bringing reproach upon the Bible,
has been asserted he has we think, special power
inspired Word Of God and with comprehensive in
sight into It's profoundest truth thus training them for
Hence we earnestly protest for the sake Of the
peace and the prosperity of the great Presbyterian
the confidence Of the Church in DR.. Briggs, or to
remove him from his position OF valued lniluence.
of some Of his views which the present issue has
been raised, we concur in the belief that unity and
peded inquiry after truth and the brOadest results of
consecratcd scholarship, are of the utmost importance
nized a leader OF thought within The Church would
be the precursor OF discOd and Of derlment to the
whole Presbyterian Church.
Rev. s. b. Rossiter, D. D., North Presbyterian Church.
New-York City.
Rev Roderlck Terry, D. D., South Reformed Church,
New-York City.
Rev. L. S. Hamlln, D. D., Church of the Covenant
(Presbyterian), Washington, D. c.
Rev. Thomas A. Nelson, D. d. Memorial Presbyterian
Church, Brooklyn, y. Y.
Rev. j. II. Hoadley Faith Presbyterian Church, New
York City.
Rev. Thomas C. Hall, Forty-hrst Street Presbyterian
Church, Chicago, III.
Rev. II. T. McEwen, Fourteenth Street Presbyterian
Church, New-YOrk City.
Rev. A. p. Aterbury, Park Presbyterian Church, New
York City.
Rev. q. S. Webster associate pastor Church Of the
Covenant Presbyterian), NewYoTk City.
Rev j. B. Shaw, West End Presbyterian Church,
NewYork.
NewYork City.