The record-union., 1891-08-01

- 49, o1Ns k9Lh ~ ALkCA II -
emulate each other in theological activity.
Human nature, and theological human
nature IN particular, is the same over the
water as here, and it is not difficult to
see that 1t is responsible for good deal in
connection with this Briggs case. One
can almost admire the frankness with
wnlch this has been allowed to appear,
while sensible that an attempt to hide it
would have been a tribute to decency.
But the end is not yet We shall hear
more of this business. 1t may be serious
for DR.. Briggs, but it win probably be
more serious for the church. The fore
cast of well-informed journalists in
America is that, if the Assembly mega
tive DR.. Briggs transference to his pres
ent chair, the seminary will ignore its
action and resume its independence, and
receive influential backing i'll it's new
position. The main theological issue con-
Germs the Scriptures. The Princeton men
swear by the scholastic dogma of iner-
rancy. DR.. Briggs takes the other side.
with the critics and with influential sup
port from men like Professors Evans and
Smith OF Cincinnati, who have recently
published admirable statements ON the
question. OF the ultimate result one can
have no doubt. Truth will triumph,
though not without trouble and loss to
good men in the ensuing struggle"
DIR. James Stalker says on the same
question in the British VeeEI9
whether America has any valuable con-
trlbutlon to make to this difficult ques-
ton, which has perpIexed so many
churches, remains still to be seen. Of
course the subject is not disposed of yet.
It would be pity if it were, for the
American church has only begun to en-
tertain the problems. The next move
Will probably be the denial of the COM
potency of the assembly to exercise it's
veto, on the ground that Dr. Briggs was
not elected professor at this time, but
only transferred from one chair to an
other. And there is plenty of other
ground on which the fighting may be
continued. The discussion will do good
in the long run, and it might be greatly
dIvested OF asperity If the one side recog-
nlZed that the Overhauling of traditional
views about the Bible is one of the great
provldentlal tasks OF our age, and If the
other side remembered the honor and
consideration due to men who are Jealous
OF everything which threatens in any de-
gree to 1mperil the Gospel which they
know to befthe salvation of the world"
The Observer (Pres.) reprints the sub
stance of the articles in the 'Eoeninq
Post, which is remarkable for the ability.
cutes practical moral issues" on the dis
cusSion between the E,ran1jner and the
Christian Union as to the duty of min
ter who is out of harmony with leading
features of the faith of his denomination
The Observer says:
1--WE have presented this analysis of
the subject by the EUeniag Post, merely
as an illustration of the way the moral
issue presents itself even to those who
have no sympathy with the spiritual
truth that is conserved and exalted by
orthodox churches. Whatever men of
moral elevation may think of the theo-
logical issues involved in this contro-
yersy,, we are having daily testimony
that shows their moral recoil from the
unrighteous, compromising, untenable
position of men who remain in evangeli-
cal positions of responsibility for the
purpose of fighting the principles they
were ordained to teach and magnify
From the beginning of the modern war
fare within the churches, we have had
this battle for honesty raging in the same
field with the battle for the faith. In
genious sermons by the dozen, newspa-
per articles by the hundred, cannot con-
fuse the plain, moral issue SO that the
unsophisticated moral sense cannot come
to the right conclusion. Just so surely
and completely as Romanism has lost
its moral hold on civilization while il
religious instincts of millions, so will
Professionalism inevitably surrender the
scepter OF righteousness to nobler hands,
when its throne is planted on confessions
which it has not the faith, courage or
power to defend and glorify."
The Presbyterian Banner says: ''The
Rev. Philip Schaff, d. D., of Union Theo-
logical Seminary, is at at least an apollo
gist for DR.. Briggs, and is not looked
upon as very stanch advocate of the
Westminster Confession of Faith known
as Calvanistic. Indeed, in an article in
the Independent, April 23d. he said of the
Arminian idea of the plan of salvation
This idea has kindled all the philanthropic
movements and all the missionary opera
tons at home and abroad, and carries
them on with increasing energy and sue
cess.
but in a paper on The Calvinistic
System he declares: 1t is by the comg,i-
nation of a severe creed with severe self
discipline that Calvin became the father
of the heroic race of French Huguenots.
Dutch Burghers, English Puritans,
Scotch Covenanters and New England
Pilgrims, who sacrificed the world for the
liberty of conscience
Most people will agree with the Can
os0 Presbyterian that "a system that can
produce such results clearly vindicates it
self 1t meets the test designed by the
Lord Jesus Christ Himself: 'Ye shall
know them by their fruits.'i'