The sun., 1891-06-18

Mr.. HENRY DAY makes the point that
the most liberal givcrs among the Presby-
terians arc also the men who are most lib.
eral In their theology. and that therefore a
narrow policy on the part Of the denomiua.
tion will tend to cripple its missionary and
benevolent agencies.
The directors Of the Union Theological
Seminary who are standing behind DR..
BRIGGS, include some Of the richest mon in
the Presbyterian Church. men who are dis
tinguished also for the muniflcence OF their
contributions for the building up of all its
enterprises. Since 1870 they have given the
vast sum Of 100000 to that school itself,
making it probably the most richly en-
dowed institution of the sort in this coun-
try The venerable Mr.. CHARLES BUTLER
has only recently endowed the chair occu-
pied by DR.. BRIGGS with 100000; and it Is
remarkable that as the theology OF tho SEM
mary has grown more liberal and further
away from Protestant orthodoxy, the
stronger has been its support by Presbyte-
rian wealth.
Tho period during which It's endowment
has increased most rapidly is the very period
Of DR.. BR1Gas's growing influence in the
institution. His methods OF Biblical criti-
cism are not new departure with him.
His students for at least ten years past
have been familiar with them. His views
were well understood by all his asso-
ciates OF the faculty. They We're
known to Mr.. BUTLER when he en-
dowed the chair of Biblical theology ex-
pressly for the benefit Of DR.. BRIGGS and in
order that he might give his undivided at
tention to the subject OF Biblical interprata-
tion. The theologians among the directors
must have been informed us to them. for the
opinions are not at all novel, but are the
conclusions reached by whole school OF
Biblical critics, representatives OF which
are in many orthodox theological SEM
inaries. The laymen among the d.
rectors were not frightened by them.
They prided themselves in DR.. BRIGGS
as foremost Presbyterian scholar,
who gave distinction to the institution.
These laymen, too. belong to families long
known In New York as stanch in their Pres
byterlanism, conservative prudent and
sagacious. II JOHN CROSBY BROWN and
HENRY DAY. for instance, ara not sound
Presbyterians. where can you look for
such Presbyteriaps Mr.. BRowN's son,
RAdHuoou VI Cuo lulo LII. WILLIAM
ADAMS, was a pupil OF DR.. BRIGGS in
the seminary, and 1t Is understood that he
holds the same opinions So also. appar-
entity, do the great majority OF the alumni of
the institution who have been pupils OF Dr.
BRIGGS They think that the chief dlstinc-
tion and the highest value OF the seminary
are due to his connection with It,
This Is very remarkable situation. Dr.
BRIGGS practically gives up the old theory OF
tho inspiration Of tho Bible. scouts 1t, ridi-
cules it, and is doing his utmost to explode
1t utterly. and yet the greatest wealth and
very much OF the highest intelligence and So
cial influence Of New York Presbyterianism
are ranged on his side! So powerful is this
backing that Mr.. DAY warns the Presbyterl-
ans. who are attacking Dr. BRIGGS as here
tic, and trying to drive him from tho seminary
and the Church, that they are endangering
the religious enterprises OF the denomina-
ton. III this illiberal spirit is pursued
toward the Union Seminary and its pro.cs-
sors and those who sympathize with them,
I dare to prophesy" declares Mr.. DAY,
that the first marked result will BIO that all
the great Boards OF the Church will be Grip.
pied in their means!'
Those are extraordinary words. Does Mr..
DAY mean that the rich New York Presby-
terians will not give substantial support to
unless it allows DR.. BRIGGS
to teach that the Bible is fallible?