The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-11-20
DIR. BRIGGS HERESIES.
FULL STATEMENT by A DISTIN-
aUrsUED pREsBYTERTAN Divine.
His Trial for Teaching That the Bible, tho
Church and Reason are the Foun-
tains of Divine Authority.

cessive ecclesiastical courts Of the Pres
byterian Church-Presbytery Synod and
General Assembly.
The learning and talent Of the accused,
his high position as Professor In a
Theological Seminary, and the impor-
lance of the questions involved have
awakened en unusual interest In reil-
gious circles in this country and have
excited much comment abroad.
That the readers Of The Times may
have a clearer idea OF this controversy
we have requested an eminent divine
who IS familiar with it In all It's bearings
20 give such an account OF II as VIII
make II ineligible TO all who wish 10
learn the precise points at issue MS
response is as follows:
II Is my purpose TO make a succinct
and vet sufficiently comprehensive state
ment of the case Of Rev. Charles a.
Briggs, d. D., now pending In the Pres
bytery Of New York. both as respects
the history of the same and It's IN
trinsic merits.
Some personal reference TO the dis
tinguished divine may properly preface
the narrative. DR.. Briggs. native OF
New York city, is now about ffty-two
years OF age He is a graduate OF the
University OF Virginia, pursued his
theological course in the Union Seminary
OF New York and the University OF
Berlin. He was a pastor for four years
IN Roselle, a village In New Jersey, ana
was called to the ProfessOrship OF He
brew and Cognate languages in Union
Seminary Of New York city, from which
chair in November 1890. he was trans
ferred 10 the ProfessOrship Of Biblical
Theology I'm the same institution. For
eighteen years he has held conspicu-
GUS place in this school Of divinity,
exerting a moulding influence on the
theological opinions and spiritual lie
of the students under his care. DR..
Briggs possesses social qualities Of
high order and personal magnetism,
which attracts and attaches many to
him. especially those who accord with
his opinions. He has been a diligent
student. On some themes, more part-
cularly the history of the Church, in
Guiding doctrines and polity, he is one or
the best Informed scholars in this coun-
try. whilst in his acquaintance with the
Hebrew Scriptures he has few super
Tors.
When d.. Briggs was transferred from
the Professorship Of Hebrew to that Of
Biblical Theology, he was inaugurated
i'm the latter position without waiting
for the action of the General Assembly,
the approval of which body in the
judgment of many, was required, even
I'm the case of a transfer by the com
pact of 1870 whereby the Seminary came
under the care of the Presbyterian
Church Of the North. The Assembly
vetoed his transfer, but he continued to
teach. On the occasion Of his inau-
euration Professor Briggs delivered a
lengthy, n asterly and highly rhetorical
address on the Authority of Holy
Scripture" which address contained
certain views generally believed to be In
conflict with the teachings of the Bible
and with the confession of faith. to
which he had pledged himself TO con-
form his teachings
The inaugural was widely circulated
and through it his Objectionable views be-
came more generally known. Special sig
nificance was attached to this address
because Of its direct relation to his pro-
fessorial chair, and his influence on the
ministry Of the future. Soon after It's
delivery, the presbytery of New YORK
appointed committee to examine the
inaugural and report thereon at an early
day. The report. which was adverse to
many sentiments contained in the in
augural. was carefully considered, and
the presbytery determined to enter upon
D judicial process, appointing com
mittee consisting of three ministers and
two elders. representing the Presbyterian
Church Of the United States of America,
with power. under the provisions of the
Book of Discipline, to conduct the prose- |
cution in all it's stages in whatever jul
dietary until the final issue should be
reached. At a subsequent meeting the |
committee presented n series of charges, !
with specifications, and citations from |
scripture and the confessions Of faith, |
which were found in order and placed |
In the hands of DIR. Briggs. Presbytery !
reassembled in November 1891, with the |
view of entering on a formal trial. DIR. |
Briggs, awaiting himself Of a cOnstitu- !
tional right, presented certain objec- |
lions to the sufiiciency Of the charges |
and specifications, in form and legal |
effect In his statement of these objec- |
tions, his unusually quiet and concilia- |
tory manner and an expression of re-
greet that he had grieVed any Of his |
brethren, gave to many an impression |
that he had modified his views, as eX- !
pressed in his inaugural, or that he would |
at least desist from teaching them in the |
future, and the presbytery dismissed the |
case. From this action the committee of |
prosecution appealed, as they We're per-
mitted TO do, TO the highest judiciary of |
the Church. and the general assembly |
IN session at Portland, Ore, May 2S |
1892, sustained the appeal by vote of /
presbytery of New York for a new trial
In compliance with the instructions of
the general assembly presbytery again as
sembled November 8, 1892, with the view
of trying the case on its merits. Dr.
Briggs Immediately interposed a series
OF objections to the status of the commit
tee of prosecution denying their power to
act In the premises which objections,
in view of the late action Of the general
assembly, the moderator decided to be
out of order. An appeal being taken from
this judgment OF the moderator his de-
cision was sustained by a vote OF 70
10 5S. The committee then presented
amended charges and specifications sub
stantially the same as those Of the pre-
ceding year and adjourned to meet No
venber. 18th instant, when, IL may be.
DR.. Briggs Will again object TO the suffi-
cheney OF the charges and specifications
In form and legal effect, and in the event
Of objections being sustained by the pres
bytery, another appeal will probably be
taken and the matter carried TO the
Synod OF New York or the general as
sembly, thus deferrlng the final adjudi-
cation or the case at least another year
Or. Briggs and his friends had often ex-
pressed wish for a judicial investiga-
ton. claiming that 1t would result in
4 complete vindication of his teachings.
but their recent action has been incon-
slstent with the wish thus expressed
This is a brief history OF the Briggs
ease. so far as the judicial steps are
The merits OF the case now
claim attention.
.hree fountains of divine authority. the
ChlfrQh nj h. |