The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-11-17
The Presbyterian Situation.

Four of the members OF the Board Of d.
rectors of the Union Theological Seminary
have made an unconditional gift of $4,000
to the general fund OF the institution.
They are Mr.. d. MILLS JAMES. Mr.. Will
LIAM L. DODGE. Mr.. JOHN CROSBY Brown.
and Mr.. NORRIS X. JEsUp. and the pur-
pose OF their benefaction is to ex-
press emphatically and practically their
sympathy with the course OF the seminary
in separating itself from the Presbyterian
General Assembly. In order that it may he
undisturbed in its theological teaching.
All OF these four gentlemen are Presby-
terians OF such distinction that they are
known to their own communion and to the
public generally Throughout the United
States. They are Presbyterians by inheri-
lance. and a few years ago II we had been
called upon to select four laymen in New
York moro especially representative Of the
conservative character Of that denomina-
ton. theirs are the names which would
have occurred to us first. All OF them.
too are men OF great wealth and OF high
standing in business and financial circles
and in the society OF New York. For many
years they have been liberal promoters OF
the religious and charitable activities Of
the Presbyterian Church. and their
loyalty to its faith and doctrine has never
been questioned until recently. Coming
from strict Presbyterian families. it is
probable that all Of them were carefully in
structed in the Westminster Catechism in
their youth. and all OF them have remained
devout and influential members OF leading
Presbyterian churches OF the city since
that time.
When such Presbyterians announce thus
emphatically that they sustain the teach
ings OF DIR. BRIGGS as to the Scriptures and
desire that his doctrine shall prevail in the
theological instruction of candidates for tho
Presbyterian ministry. the signs OF an np-
preaching rupture in that Church seem to
be unmistakable. 1t is apparent that the
party Of which he is the leader will not be
| scattered by his conviction OF heresy, even
| If the judgment is passed by the General As
| sembly itself. So bold an attitude on the part
| oflaymen OF their wealth and distinction will
| give courage to the large number OF Pres
| byterian pastors whose sympa thies and
| convictions are with BRIGGS, but who have
| hesitated to put themselves in opposition
to an unquestionablo majority OF the min
| istry and laity OF their denomination by
| giving them open expression. The assur-
nnce OF such substantial support will also
| tend to countcract the timidity OF many
young candidates for the ministry who are
| of like way OF thinking, but who fear to
| declare their views lest they be an obstacle
| to their professional advancement. As the
theological students usually arc dependent
on bounty for their maintenance. tho atti-
tude of rich and distinguished Presbyterians
toward Dr. BRIGGS and the Union Seminary
is naturally OF great importance to them.
Tho determination OF that seminary tc
annul the contract under which the Gen
cral Assembly had the power of regulating
its teachings by regulating its appointments
of teachers. was simply II first step TOWARD
| cutting adrift from the official authority oil
| PresbyteriaHism altogether. After it was
| taken. three of the directors. Dr.. BOOTH. DR.
| HALL. and Dr. DIcKEY, resigned from tho
Board on substantially that ground
| They hold that it is no longer
a Presbyterian institution. and tina,
their former colleagues have been
| guilty Of an immoral violation OF their OBJ.
| legations to its founders by persisting in
teaching doctrines offensive to Presbyteri-
anism as defined by unquestionable author
| ity and indisputable standards OF faith
The remainder OF the Board, acting under
| legal counsel. contend. on the other hand
that the charter Of the seminary gives them
no right to transfer the control OF its inter-
nal management to any other body whatso.
ever. even though it DO the General Assem-
| bly, itself. That means, Of course that they
| intend to decide for themselves finally who
shall he the professors in the school. and
consequently. what shall be the character
of its teaching.
This presents n square issue between the
seminary and the General Assembly: and
| the great addition TO the endowment OF the
institution which has been made by these
four gentlemen shows that 1t 10 gathering
material with which to stand out In the