The sun., 1892-04-13
Tho Case Of DR.. Briggs.

The election by the New York Presbytery
OF delegation to the Forthcoming General
Assembly distinctly and decidedly hostile
to DR.. BRIGGS. Is On indication that the
Judgment Of tho Presbyterian court Of last
resort will be against him. and hence
against the Union Theological Seminary.
his supporter and champion.
II DR.. BRIGGS Is condemned by his own
Presbytery, he cannot expect to be sus-
tanned outside Of New York. Here he Is
stronger than anywhere else In the Union
80 far as his own Church is concerned. He
has back Of him the richly endowed semi
nary. in which lie holds . chair. and
he counts among his stout friends some Of
the most prominent and influential Of the
Presbyterian ministry Of this city and
neighborhood. Many Of the laity most
relied upon for contributions for the ma
terlal assistance OF the denomination arc
also on his side. When he lectured last win
ter in defence Of his methods Of Biblical
criticism his audiences were large
and remarkable for their high quality both
intellectually and socially.
II. then. he Is unable to carry the New
York Prcsbytery with him. but rather dem
onstrates that he is almost powerless there
against the flood OF opposition to him. his
fate at Portland next month seems to be
sealed. He has shown himself to be weak
where. II anywhere. he should have been
strong. The sentiment OF the last
General Assembly was overwhelmingly
against him. and during tho past year moth
ing has occurred which suggests any turn
ing of the tide in any part OF the Union.
O. 90 ttor nf 1y,o L.,
the New York Presbytery is an indication
Of the drift Of Presbyterian opinion. 1t is
moro strongly and decidedly against him
than 1t was year ago
A final judgment against DR.. BRIGGS at
Portland will compel the Union Theologi-
cal Seminary to decide whether it shall re-
main Presbyterian institution approved
by the denomination. or shall cut itself
aloof from the General Assembly altogether
and become an independent school Of divin-
ity representative Of Presbyterian bolt.
According to tho opinion and resolution
OF tho last General Assembly. that body has
the veto power over tho appointment of
Dr. BRIGGS to his new chair Of Biblical
Theology in tho seminary. According to
the trustees OF the seminary. the Professor
having been merely transferred from one
chair to another. 1t has no such power.
They contend that as the privilege OF Veto
ing appointments was granted by them
voluntarily and without consideration.
the contract comforting the privilege must
be construed strictly. Moreover. the trus-
tees can withdraw from the contract and
annul it at any time within their option.
At any rate and at all hazards. they have
insisted on retaining Dr. BRIGGS and con-
tinuIng to teach In harmony with his views
Consistently. therefore. the seminary
will be obliged to stand or fall with Dr.
| BRIGGS. so far as the General Assembly ia
concerned. Its trustees and Its faculty
have sided with him against the General
Assembly. not merely as to the interpreta-
| ton OF the contract granting the privilege
OF veto upon his appointment. but also ms
to the soundness OF his views and teachings
as to the Scriptures. Tho seminary Is
committed to his opinions. More than
any other and more than all the others OF
the faculty he gives the institution Its
stamp. II cannot 60 back on him without
surrendering completely and abjectly: and
such capitulatlon would force the rest ol
tho faculty In self-respect to retire with
him beyond the Presbyterian lines.
Hence the sending OF an antl-BRIGds dele
| cation from the New York Presbytery IL
rather an indication Of serious rupture IL