The Durham daily globe. (Durham, N.C.) 1889-1894, 1892-11-19
NAV be undisturbed in its theological

it NAV be undisturbed in its theological
teaching.
All of these gentlemen are Presbyteri-
ans of such distinction that they are
known to their own communion and TO
the public generally throughout the
United States. They are Presbyterians
by Inheritance, and a few years ago if We
had been called upon to select four lay
men in New York more especially repre-
sentative of the conservative character
of that denomination, 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 Presby-
terrain church, and their loyalty to its
faith and doctrine has never been ques-
toned until recently. Coming from
| strict Presbyterian families, it is probable
that all Of them were carefully instructed
in the Westminster catechism in their
youth, and all of them have remained de-
vout and influential members Of leading
PRESBYTERIAN churches Of the city since
that time.
When such Presbyterians announce
thus emphatically that they sustain the
teachings of DR.. BRIGGS as to the scrip
lures and desire that his doctrine shall
prevail in TIE theological instruction of
candidates for the Presbyterian ministry,
the signs of an approaching rupture ID
that church seem to be u~nmistakable. 1t
is apparent that the party Of which he is
the leader will not be scattered by his
conviction of heresy, even If the judg-
ment is passed by the general assembly
itself. SO bold an attitude on the part of
laymeu of their wealth and distinction
will give courage to the large number of
PRESBYTERIAN pastors whose sympathies
and convictions are with BRIGGS, but who
have hesitated to put themselves in OPP
position to an un~questionable majority of
the ministry and laity Of their denomina-
ton by giving them open expression.
The assurance of such substantial support
will also tend to cOunteraCt the timidity
of many young candidates for the minis
try who are of a like way Of thinking,
but who fear to declare their views lest
they be an obstacle to their professional
advancement. AS the theological stu,
dents usually are dependent on bounty
for their maintenance, the attitude OF
rich and distinguished Presbyterians to-
ward DR.. BRIGGS and the Union semi
nary is naturally of great importance tc
them.
The prospects of a new division O
Presbyterianism into new school anC
old school seem, therefore, to be more
threatening now than at any other time
since the controversy over the teaching
of DIR. BRIGGS was provoked by his ia
nous inaugural address. The only hope
Of avoiding the rupture, apparently, is il
the improbable surrender Of the majority
to the minority. If the break occurs, i
will be far wider and more radical thar
the former separation, for the difference
between the two parties will not b.
whether their respective doctrines are il
agreement with the bible as the infallibl
and absolutely perfect word of Con, bu
whether the bible itself is Of human o
divine production.