The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-04-08
THE BRIGGS CASE.
A Nut for the Presbyterian General Assem-
bly, To Crack.
" r

N. Y. SUM-
At the forthcoming general assembly OF
presbyterians, too, the case OF Prof.
Briggs must be brought up, and division
reached as to whether he is to be treated
as a heretic or suffered TO remain as a
teacher OF theology in the most prominent
OF the presbyterian schools of divinity.
The general assembly has the power TO
confirm or reject his appointment TO his
new chair in that seminary, for the argu-
ment that as a mere transfer from one
chair to another it is beyond such inter-
ference can not Regarded as more than a
bubble. The authority over such ap-
pointments is vested in the SUI
preme legislative body of the
church for the very purpose OF enabling
it to deal with case like that OF Prof
Briggs. The instruction of candidates
for the ministry is OF vital concern to the
general assembly, for naturally, they will
be the doctrines taught from presby-
terrain pulpits. II it did not have any,
thing TO say in the matter, and each theo-
logical seminary could teach what the
profe sors wished, there would be no I'M
uniformity of presbyterian doctrines, es-
pecially at this time, when the West
minister confession is under revision and
therefore practically displaced as doc
trinal standard, leaving the presbyterians
without any precise statement of relief.
Accordingly, 1t becomes the more i'm
portsnt for the general assembly 10 say
whether the new teachings of Prof. Briggs
have the stamp of its approval as sound
presbyterian doctrine or are contrary to its
conception of biblical truth.
OF course. they are radically opposed to
the old belief OF presbyterianism. That
rests on the theory that the scriptures are
a divine revelation, and that what is con
tanned in the bible is true and binding
upon men, not because il is demonstrable
to the reason, or sustained by any tradi-
tional authority, but simply because it is
in the bible. When, therefore, Prof
Briggs instructs his pupils that the bible
cOntaines error no less than truth, and
that reason has the right to discriminate
between the two, he shakes the very
foundations of presbyterian and orthodox
belief. He makes the reason and not the
bible the Judge and authority. Proceed
ing on his theory, his pupils may 90 even
further than Mr.. MacQueary, each one of
them taking only such part OF the bible
as suits mis- understanding or even reject
ing The whole. He can believe what he
pleases and reject what he pleases, and
yet he can remain i'll the presbyterian
ministry as Prof. Briggs remains, unless
the general assembly steps in with it's
interference.
Hence it would seem to be obligatory on
the general assembly to declare itself in
the premises. The question as to what
shall be the precise revisions of the West
minister confession will be referred back
to the presbyteries, and therefore decision
as TO what the new creed is to be will be
delayed, perhaps for several years. Mean
time all sorts of teachings might be pro-
mulgated as presbyterian under the sane
ton of the liberty of biblical criticism in
culcated by Prof. Briggs. MIR. MacQueary
himself might be put in chair oil the
Union theological seminary, unless the
assembly exercised its authority TO forbid.
The school might become school for the
teaching OF the out-and-out agnosticism 10
to which the doctrines of Prof. Briggs so
inevitably tend
1t seems probable, therefore, that the
general assembly will have on its hands
what will be practically another great
heresy trial, and if Prof Briggs is con-
victed, where else can he go conscientious
ly and consistently unless to the liberty
which Mr.. MacQueary will find in uni
tarianism? A congregational church
might afford him place of refuge, but it
would be a congregational church in
name only. In reality il would bethe
unitarian, or nearer TO that form OF reiig-
ious philosophy than any other.
When once the hunt for heresy is begun
1t must be pursued TO the end.