Telegram-herald., 1891-05-29
DR.. BRIGGS UNDER FIRE
His Clerical Colleagues Discussing
His Orthodoxy.
he HIS RESIGNED Ills CHiIRSRIP.
Ia Uaasa Theological Seminary And viii
stasa the oates1as OF His Hearing
spssehes are Made Ia ais
Behalf by frisnds-

pxTRorr. Mich. Nay ss-Dr. Pat
tons committee reported 70 the Presby-
terrain sensral assembly Wednesday
against the cor fr.nation Of DR.. Briggs
"a professor OK theology Ia Union
Theological seminary II the assem-
bly, adopts the report. Of which
there seems little doubt. Or. Briggs
viii not BE the Edward Robinson pro-
fessor Of biblical theology IN the semi
nary. and # it falls % veto the transfer
Of Or. Brown. who succeeds DR., Briggs
"a the Hebrew chair. DR.. Briggs will
rot be . professor AZ all
IN the afternoon, during the presenta-
ton OF committee reports 10 the Pres
byteElan general assembly, the floor
was Welded 20 DR.. Patton, who asked
leave 70 read so much OF the report on
theological seminaries al bears on
the case II Or. Briggs, In order that
Il may Be printed and distributed to
the assembly.
Our daty % Delicate era especially - ths
rresoytery 81 New York - tryiag him on the
ca2fss Of heresy-as we must not PREJUDICE q
cass which az sons time must come before us
on appeal The question before IS Is not that
OF ais dectginsi souRiness 5gt that a the ap-
kr0gal Of MIA election By The assembly. We
have examined tae oonsiitutioGal requirements
80 - tae duty and power Of the assembly In
ssseatirg 70 Or toroicsins such appointment or
sransler'
DR. Patton quoted from the records
as well "a from the appointments of
professors that have convinced his
committee tha. the assembly has
power 10 forbid the transfer. lie con-
tinued:
H. accordance VITA tnsss views the com.
rnisfee Recommend that the assembly dis
approve Of the appointment OF DR.
Caariss Briggs sto Edward Robinson
chair OF biblical tseology OF Union Theological
seminary. and that committee OF conference
with n, trustees OF TIA. Institution be ap-
yoiated ~ the assembly 70 repor, 10 the next"
At the morning session of the assem-
bly, DR. Patton opened the discussion Of
the Briggs case. lie felt that all were
willing 70 credit the committee with
the desire 10 do what was best In
the fullest recognition of the pos
sibility of mistakes the committee
had been actuatcd By one desire, to
do what was demanded by the ex-
licences OF the occasion. and TO do it in
kindness and with recognition of the
rights OF all concerned. Different
action was not taken because the COM
mittee was clear that this was best. 1t
was the least the assembly could do
and the most the assembly was called
upon TO do.
Prof. Henry P. Smith, of Lane semi
nary, rose TO the defense of DIR.
Briggs the moment President Pat
ton had concluded. He denounced
the report as proposition 10 put an
end 20 the usefulness of minister In
good standing. The adoption OF the re-
port would put stain on a minister.
harm the church and cripple school al
ready hurt by death. DR. Briggs had
been professor of Union for seventeen
years He had ability. Those who
knew him Endorsed him. Should
his usefulness be lost To the church?
IL had been said that he had been mis-
understood and was not sound in his
doctrine. Would he be condemned on
these grounds before he was heard?
A man must be proved unsound
after careful trial, If need be in all the
church courts. But in eases like this
man is. il charged with unsound-
ness, considered unsound from
the first Il don't.see that his ideas of
errancy % the Bible, the redemption Of
the race, and progressive sanctiacation
after death are not according to
the standards. On strict con-
struction of the confession, OF course.
he is wrong. but wiz you who mean TO
make such radical change OF our
confession as 10 say that all infants are
saved not leave little margin for DR..
Briggs? Prejudice is easily raised, but
30 alayed"
IL Is not generally known, but Il Is n
fact nevertheless. that Prof. Briggs
resignation Is In the hands of the trus-
tees OF Union seminary and that
he has urged them 20 take what
ever course they consider best for the
seminary. They decided to stand by
him. but the veto which the assembly
win doubtless place upon his appoint
mcnt NAV. i is thought. make them
consider i. best % accept the resigna-
ton and SD relieve the semi
nary from coming in direct con-
fict with the highest body known
20 Presbyterianism. IL is believed
that Prot. Briggs has now under advise
ment an invitation 20 join the faculty
Of the Cambridge divinity school con
neeted with Harvard university. This
school Is now Independent OF all denom-
nations, and it, faculty and students
come from the various sects