The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-05-05

| States, under which the central power and
| the local Governments are financially inde-
| pendent Of each other.
Orthodox and Hctcrodox Theology.
The forty.four young men graduated from
the Princeton Theological Seminary on
Tuesday. 60 out into the Presbyterian
Church with the stamp Of unQuestionable
orthodoxy. They have not been ihdoc-
trinated with the pantheism OF the so-called
higher Biblical criticism. They are sound
on election and preterition. the inspiration
Of the Scriptures and the fall OF man.
Hence no Presbyterian church and no
presbytery need be afraid to receive any
one OF these young men on tho score OF his
theology. They are all safe in that respect
after having been graduated from Prince
ton. They may not be brilliant. but they
are not erratic. They believe as the Vest
minister Confession requires. and, though
young. they are conservative. When they
come up for presbyterial examination they
will not be under suspicion Of heresy or any
theological vagary. All the assumptions will
be in their favor. and consequently the way
will be smooth before them. They will be
on the side Of the majority. and even the
minority will find 1t more comfortable to
take them as pastors than II they were likely
to provoke outside criticism by their theo-
logical independence. They will keep the
peace and not disturb Zion with doctrinal
eccentricities.
This explains why the orthodox Prince
ton is so prosperous at this time. and it
indicates the fate which awaits the panthe-
istic Union Seminary. now 80 fully and
irrevocably committed to the doctrines Of
DR.. BRIGGS. As matter Of course. the
General Assembly must stand by Prince
ton and disown Union. The New York
theological school Of the Presbyterians
will be cut adrift to sail an independent
course. and Its graduates accordingly will
not be sure Of the ecclesiastical port to
which they will be brought. They will be
theological pirates. with no recognized flag
over them. unless by reason Of a Presbyte-
rian split there shall be presbyteries ready
to accept their credentials as valid.
The Union Theological Seminary Is richly
endowed. and among its trustees are some
Of tho wealthiest members Of the Presby-
terrain Church. Financially 1t can get along
without the countenance of the General
Assembly and without the support OF the
churches and presbyteries. Even II the
number OF its students is reduced to dozen.
1t can hold out indefinitely: and doubtless
there would always be few young men to
pursue theology as postgraduate course.
without special and immediate reference to
getting pastorships. under teachers so dis
as DR.. BRIGGS. DR.. SCHAFF, and
DR.. VINCENT. Such students would be
likely. also. to prefer a completely indie
pendent seminary. But Union would drag
along spiritless existence IL it had no
other support than that.
At the best, students for theological
seminary have to be drummed up with
great effort. The brightest young men OF
the colleges are not now tending toward
tho ministry. Very few Of the sons of rich
and well-to-do Presbyterians have liking
for that career. and their fathers do not
urge them to 1t. They prefer the worldly
AS o consequence. candi-
dates for the ministry are usually young
men who are poor and who are willing
to become dependents on churches and
presbyteries. Such youth. OF course, are
not courageous about taking risks. They
want to get salaries as pastors as soon as
possible after their graduation from q
theological seminary. Hence they are anx-
ous. first OF all. to be on the safe side; and
that side Is conservatism. not radicalism.
The radical must fight his way. The con-
sentative Is taken care OF.
Union might increase its number OF stu
dents by taking In Congregationalists,
whose belief In these days is as I'M
certain as It's own; but Andover and Yale
and the other Congregational divinity
schools would resent tho competition very
earnestly. They have no students to
spare. OF course. the other denomlna-
lions. tho Baptists. the Mcthodists. and the
do not want a ministerial
supply from such source as Union. They
want to train their own ministers and do
not desire to introduce into their churches
any moro pantheistlc skepticism than they
have already.
Therefore the future existence Of Union
rs strong school Of theology depends on
The disruption OF the Presbyterian Church
and the formation Of Presbyterian party |
of which 1t will BIO tho head and representa-
tive. Princeton as the exponent OF Calvin. |
stic orthodoxy will have tho support OF
The regular presbyteries. but Union must
rely for Its backing on declaration OF In |
dependence by the heterodox presbyteries.
Perhaps. II they are sure OF being token |
,are Of. there will be moro heterodox than |
orthodox candidates for the ministry. since
youth inclines to liberalism: but before de- |
,laring themselves they will require that
and only the definite establish
ment OF strong heterodox or pantheistic |
party of the Presbyterians will give It,
The position OF the Union Seminary In
by DR.. BRIGGS presages Presby-
terian disunion.
The North Magnetic Pole.
The whole scientific world will be inter- |