The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-12-18
Tho Great Presbyterian Problem.

It is announced that the Rev. DR.. SMITH
will continue to teach as professor In the
Lane Theological Seminary, in spite OF his
conviction for heresy. large majority OF
the trustees Of that school Of Presbyterian
divinity favoring his retention.
Whatever the result OF the trial Of DR..
BRraas by the New York Presbytery. it is
not doubtful that he will continue to occupy
his chair as Professor Of Biblical Theology
IN the Union Theological Seminary. II he
does not insist on withdrawing of his own
motion. The trustees. without exception.
are now his stout partisans. and the whole
corps Of professors are In agreement with
his teachings. On his account the seminary
has cut loose from tho control Of the Cen
eral Assembly. and it has received large
additions to its endowment from rich and
distinguished Presbyterian laymen OF New
York in order to enable it the better to
support Its independence.
It is true that the decision Of the Presby-
terry Is not final. The case OF DR.. SMITH
will be carried up on appeal to the Ohio
Synod and thence to the General Assembly.
the court OF last resort. The acute and
adroit defence Of DR.. BRIGGS indicates that
he Is making ready for a like appeal.
Neither OF the accused professors will
suffer himself to be drummed out Of the
Presbyterian Church until he has exhausted
every means OF continuing and extending
the theological turmoil he has stirred
up. They are fighting to propagate their
heresy rather than to save themselves
from conviction of it. They are not In the
position of ministers and teachers strug-
Cling to escape from ruin. They are repre-
sentatives OF a party to which their trial
affords the welcome opportunity ofSpread-
ing Its principles. Both OF them are argu-
ing for the benefit OF the whole Presby-
terrain Church and the whole public. not
merely to secure judgment In their favor
from the immediate ecclesiastical tribunals
trying them.
Hence DR.. SMITH received his sentence Of
suspension from tho Cincinnati Presbytery
with great composure. and DR.. BRIGGS Is
presenting his defence before the New York
Presbytery without emotional excitement.
unless 1t be the delight no takes In picking
Jaws In tho clumsy indictment which his
accusers have brought against him. What
ever may be the result In the lower or the
higher tribunals. both Of them feel and
know that no harm will come to them. DR..
BRIGGS. more especially. regards himself rs
the hero OF a theological revolution. the
MARTIN LUTHER OF q new Reformation. and
he enjoys the distinction with which he
datters himself perhaps not unreasonably.
This Ia what makes the Presbyterian
Churchs present pursuit OF heresy so pecu-
liarly serious business for 1t. 1t can utter
no condemnation and impose no penalties
which will Brighten the heretics and drive
them from their teachings. Their arraign.
ment before its tribunals simply gives them
. more conspicuous position from which to
gain adherents for their doctrines. II they
are convicted by the General Assembly it.
self. as now seems to be inevitable, their
standing as leaders Of strong and
aggressive party OF rebellion In the
Church 10 likely to be improved rather
than weakened. The narrow majority
by which DR.. SIXTH WAS convicted indicates
that In the Cincinnati Presbytery he has
many sympathizers. or at least that 1t con-
tains many members who are not unwilling
TO have candidates for the Presbyterian
ministry taught that the Bible is a very
imperfect book. Tho trustees OF tho Lane
Theological Seminary show that they are OF
the same sentiment by continuing him In
his professors chair. The Union Theologl-
cal Seminary has determined to stand or
fall with DIR. BRIGGS as a source OF the
same teachings. II he is convicted at all
In the New York Presbytery. it will
DO by q small majority. and from present
snbtOatians u viii DO only by the help Of lay