Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-05-11
Is DIR. BRIGGS A HERETIC9
The New York Presbytery to Act Today o
His Address.

~-.S ~SS" avn = AcsOytchy W 0CS AOu1y VI
His Address.
Important as is the revision of the West
minister confession Of faith, there is another
question TO come before the general assembly
at its meeting in Detroit which, in a sense, sur
passes that in interest. For number of years
Professor Charles A. Briggs Of the Union Theo-
logical Seminary Of New York has been recog-
nized as brilliant scholar, although his ten
dency toward the theology Of Germany. where
he studied under Dorner and Rodiger, and his
views on biblical theology have been pretty
generally known in his own presbytery and
wherever his books. '.Biblical Study" ''Messi-
anic Prophecy" and Whittier have been read.
whittier" especially attracted widespread
attention, but no general objection has been
made to his views until the present winter.
when he delivered his now famous inaugural
address at the seminary in taking the new chair
OF biblical theology established by Charles But
Ter Of New York. In this address, while ex-
pressing. as his friends say, no new views, he
has announced his position more fully, per-
haps. than in any previous publication.
Following the publication of this address pro-
tests from various parts OF the country have
been made until nearly a third Of the presEy-
teries have pentioned the assembly to take
some action regarding the orthodoxy Of the
professor. The New York presbytery, to which
DR.. Briggs is personally responsible, took up
the matter at its April meeting, when a COM
mlttee OF seven was appointed to consider the
address In question and to report in May.
TWO REPORTS.
The committee will present two reports at the
meeting of the presbytery today, the majority
report recommending that judicial action be
begun at once and the minority deciding that
no such action should be taken. The commit
tee are four against DR.. Briggs and two in his
fova he bly0 ;,-
dependent OF any action by the New York pres
bytery.
DIR. HAMLIN's POSITION.
A few days ago q circular letter was sent to
hundreds of the alumni Of the seminary, signed
by Rev. DR.. Hamlin of this city, DIR. John Hall
in Chicago and others. protesting against any
action which would seek to undermine the con-
fidence of the church in DR.. Briggs or to re-
move him from his present position. The pro-
test concludes as follows:
1--WE earnestly protest, for the sake Of the
peace and the prosperity Of the great Presby-
terrain church, against any action which seeks
to undermine the confidence of the church in
DR.. Briggs. or to remove him from his position
of valued influence. While we differ among
ourselves as to the acceptance Of some of his
views. over which the present issue has been
raised, we concur in the belief that unity and
harmony within the church, together with an
unimpeded inquiry after truth and the broad
tst Eesults OF cOusecrateQ scholarship. are OF
the utmost Importance. Hasty and unjust
action against one SO widely recognized as a
leader of thought within the church would be
the precursor Of discord and Of detriment to
the whole Presbyterian church"
DIR. BRIaos' DEFENSE.
Dr.. Briggs has just completed the prepare
ton Of defense.
II should have begun my answer, which is
simply revised edition Of the pamphlet con-
tanning my inaugural address four weeks ago."
said he last night, but was prevented by sick
ness. Now it is completed, however. and will
be published next week. There is O preface,
explanations and ampEfcations Of the address,
but the address itself is not touched. 1t is not
an apology nor a denial, but simply a clearing
up OF the points on which have been misun-
derstood.
"For instance, do not say in nv address
that the three sources of Divine authority, the
church, the Bible and reason, are coordinate
or that either one is subordinate, although my
critics insist that do. do not contradict the
pledge, either, which I took when l assumed the
chair Of biblical theology in Union Seminary,
| for that pledge says that the Bible is the only
infallible rule Of faith and practice while nv
address is about the Bible as O source of Divine
authority, not the rule Of faith and practice
Moreoverrthe address about which there is so
much worrlment Ii simply gathering Of the
points of matters which have discussed long
before in other works at great length and is not
a treatise on a new subject 1t was not deliv-
cred to thrust my views upon the public, but
delivered ut the instance OF the founder of the
chair fill in the seminary to announce to the
students the views l expected to teach in my
future work a. their professor.
''1his is not q personal fight II 1t was I
should resign at once. But have been made
the target Of the opposition to the new faith
which may divide the church. They have be-
gun the fight and We shall carry it on through
the presbytery, the synod and the assembly il
necessary"