New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-05-13
THE CASE OF PROFESSOR BRIGGS.

II has been evident for q considerable time
that the bold and uncompromising utteranoes
of Professor Briggs in regard to the Bible would
sooner or later compel the attention OF the Pres
byterian Church. And the action OF the
New-lork Presbytery yesterday in adopting
the report of the committee appointed 10
consider those utterances fairly brings the dis
tinguished Professors case before the Church'
Undoubtedly heroic efforts will be made 10
bring about a compromise by those on both sides
of the question who believe that the Church IS
not prepared to meet such vital issues at the
present time, and that any decision which VIII
be reached will for that reason do grave ana
serious injury to the Church. Many OF those
who 50 think admit the necessity OF some such
modification OF the Cburch's traditional views
of the Bible as will recognize the weil-estao-
Ished conclusions of Biblical criticism. lney
do not believe that these conclusions Will I'M
pair in any way the authority OF the Blole as
the revelation of Gods will to man. But they
feel that it is most unwise for the Church to
enter upon the consideration of such questions
when under fire, and when both parties IN the
controversy are intlamed by passion and pre]u-
dice Moreover, while they recognize the pre-
eminent ability of Professor Briggs as theo-
logian and Biblical scholar, they regard nm as
singularly untitled by temperament for the post
of a religious leader. They say that though he
appears as the foe Of dogmatism, he Is himself
s;renuously dogmatic, and withal has raSplng
way of presenting his views that at once arouSes
antaconism. 1t is, indeed, an open secret that
many Of his most influential followers sincerely
regret what they regard as his needessly az
eressive course. They acknowledge his honesty
and courage, but they feel that he is lamen-
tably wanting in tact; and they are therefore
convinced that under his leadership the cause
which he has so much at heart is inevitably
doomed to defeat.
But it does not seem that any compromise
can now be effected. Professor Briggs certain
" is not the man to do anything that might
oven remotely resemble retreat. He is in the
war to fight to the end, and he may be trusted
70 use all the offensive and defensive weapons
at his command And, on the other hand the
Church can no longer ignore the challenge ne
has so boldly flung down. 1t needs no intimate
knowledge Of Presbyterianism to decide that the
views of the Bible and its authority prOmul-
gated by DR.. Briggs are not the views currently
held and taught in the Presby terrain Chufch.
r. NAV be that these views have the sanction
Of the best Christian scholarship Of the age.
Ii nav be that in the main, they are ntrln-
scally true. 1t may therefore be that the Pres
byterian Church ought to adopt them, or that
it will some day adopt them. But all these
considerations are aside from the fact that to-
day the attitude of the Presbyterian Church
toward the Bible is not that of the Professor OF
Biblical Theology in the Union Theological
! Seminary.
Having thus plainly stated this fact, we may
perhaps be permitted to say that the Church Is
not in position where it can afford to discipline
Professor Briggs. Much is said by conserva-
tiyes in the Church about the duty of honest
men to get out Of the Church when they can
no longer believe its doctrines. That duty
should never be obscured or ignored. But hon
esty is just as much a duty for the Church as
for its members. And honesty demands that it
should freely and frankly recognize the we'll
as6ertained facts about the Bible which Chris
tan scholars have gathered. For the Church
To force all its members TO accept as divinely
true certain human opinions and traditions about
the Bible when they have been conclusyely
moved 10 be erroneous is neither honest nor
wise. 1t sla species of fetichism which instead
of exating really degrades the Bible. Expel
those who deny the Greed of the Church? Yes
hut first see to it that the Greed in no respect
affirms what the dcvout, reverent and thorough
" Ioyal Christian consciousness OF the age re-
iects on good evidence as untrue