New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-04-17
1.-THE HIGHER CRITICISM.n
PROFESSOR BRIGGS'S ADDRESS REVIEWED
BY THE REV. DR. DURYEA.
T the Editor OF The Tribunc

TO mo Just as had finished review of my studies IN
the history OF the books of the Bible and OF the origin
Of the Canon in the Christian Church. In the course
OF this review had occasion to follow the ronalistic
critics the ground they traverse. l passed d.
rccuy from their writings to the address. Instantly
found myself in contact with writer OF a totally
different spirit, and as / finished reading, 1 said TO
myself:
"Ths temper OF this is conservative, and work done
IN this temper will be constructive. This man will
prove TO be a safe guide, and his service will be
salutary."
All this I expected before 1 the text Of the
address, since have studied the published works Of tho
anthor' confess, however that have been dis
eurbed by the sharp criticism OF the inaugural in sew
eral UNCONVENTIONAL Journals. with these could have
no sympathy after had read the address think
find occasion for misunderstanding in some Of Pro
essor Brggss forms OF expression and also in the fact
that he employs technical terms and phrases which
not ineligible to those who not familiar with tho
department OF investigation TO which he is devoted
II to me that nasnluch the address sure
to be read by other classes of persons than those to
whom il spoken, he might we'll have given some
simple and even elementary description Of the pro-
cesseS OF what IS called Biblical criticism" 1t ap
pears that some who have undertaken TO Judge him
adversely, and have crushed into print" do not
the meaning OF the phrase. In journal read from
che pen OF sincere and earnest the ejaculation,
think OF criticislng the word OF God!" Professor
Is
because nettled by the censure Of those who do not
much conceive the nature OF the problems with
which he is honestly and faithfully laborlng, little
tart In his candor and eanestness he has not been
sufficiently careful to conclliae those who are preju
diced. OF course would not wish him to conceal
his real convictions but to present them in form less
startling TO the uninformed.
He has been criticised for combining In the basis of
Christian belief the testimony of reason the Church.
ana the Scriptures 1t seems to the censure not
just and fair. He has defined these grounds Of belief
and given to each its proper emphasis Surely belief
must be rational. We must accept and interpret the
Scriptures in rational And the common
Judgment Of the Church concerning the central, es
sen and vital truths revealed In the Scriptures must
count Tor something in exercise of the right of
private judgment" Al any rate we are doing con.
stantly what he says we ought TO do. We say we
believe truth because we find it in the Scriptures
But why do we accept the Scriptures Most of us
reply and must reply, because the Church gives them
20 and tells receive them as the writings of
men divncy directed to write them and inspired to
make them true" How did the Church decide that
the writings in her hands and these only sacred
Scriptures History informs us that many years
passed before these writings were accepted by tho
primitive Church. that they were selected from mass
the greater part OF which left aside that they were
not received by the local and national Churches at
one and the time that at least 100 years were
gone and probably 200 before the whole collection
was investigation, at least discrimination this
is surely tho work OF the mental faculties under the
guidance Of reason.
When we have the Scriptures and are ready to con-
ceive and feel the truths realities they teach and
reveal, We must use power Of understanding in a
rational manner. And humility moves us To guard
against our narowness OF view and Onesidedness Of
judgment by the exercise o., due Difference to the
mnd of the Spirit" it finds expression in the COM
mon faith of the Church Catholic. Otherwise to what
intent was the promise Of our Lord, "When he, the
Spirit Of truth is come, he will guide you into all the
truth'f This cannot be limited in its fulllment TO
the special inspiration Of the Apostles If they could
not have insight and vital contact with the realities
their Master had taught them in words exhibited
to them in His person and llfe neither can We
Spiritual things" the Apostle tells us, ARE spirit
ualy dscerned." Has the Spirit been abiding in the
true Church, the living body of Christ the blessed
company OF all faithful souls" 10 these eighteen
hundred years, without making clear and certain the
essential verities2 The phrase Christian conscious
ness" is convenient; it need not be misunderstood.
1t stands for reality to which ought to give the
moro earnest heed, especially are None TO pay
too much regard to the individual consciousness Of
John Calvin, Armnius and other venerable doctors.
But il makes a great deal of difference to us in our
judgment Of mans use of terms when he is an
object of suspicion My revered and beloved teacher,
Dr. Charles Hodge, used to teach us to respect the
intuitlons and judgments of reason and to heed the
voice Of the Church. Let one read his treatment
Of agnoscism and perceive how positively he asserts
the claims of reason. And throughout his exposition
o. theology note how frequently he susains his in
terpretations Of Scripture by appeal to the con-
sensus of Christian belief
1t may be said that DR.. Briggs should have defined
the limits which ought to place about the exercise
OF reason and the Of the testimony of the Church
think he has done this both explicitly and implicitly
1t certainly should be sufficient for generous to
consider that Immediately before the delivery Of his
address he soemnly engaged to respect the confession
8. faith Of the Chnrch he serves, according to the
spirit and form Of the present mode Of consent lie
surely has motive TO deceive us. He is not de-
pendent on the favor Of any Of for position and
daily bredd. These assured to him somewhere at
any time. Indeed, he seems to be quite careless Of
his meat and drink. He is rather the kind Of man
who could eat ocuss and wild honey gor the liberty
o, prophesying. Until he has taught something clearly
inconsistent with the confession all high-mlnded men
should give him their confidence.
More than this, wise men will be careful how they
impair confidence in a man whose gifts attachments,
industry and enthusiasm fit him to do the service most
needed at this moment for thoughtful and inquirng
young men. They have access to vast body OF
literature In which they find the history of the books
Of our Bible presented in such wise that puts to
tense strain their faith in Its authority Not few
Of them are familiar with the teatses of the critics OF
the Tubingen school, Most Of them arc likely to read
Matthew Arnold and Renan they can hardly help
seeing Supernatural Religions" and The Creeds OF
Christendom.' They will likely open the Encyclo-
paeda Britannica at the articles The Canon and
@The Gospels" by. Davidson Shd Abbot. They are
not competent TO deny the statements of these writer's
and they are not able evade the differences drawn
from them They must have help. DR.. Briggs Is
one Of the few in this country Cycu may count
them all on your Angers who are qualified 10 dca
with these critics And among the few he Is especaiy
equipped. Yet 1t seems there are men VINO wouru
drive him outside the camp IL he belonged 70 the
enemy such suicidal policy is eminenty character
lsc of mira conservatives who eminently useu
while they hold fast that which Is good but ate
~ nm when honestly tIy. as