New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-06-08
DIR. BRIGGSS "CALL TO ARMS.
AN OPEN LETTER TO HIS FRIENDS.
URGING LOYAL PRESBYTERIANS NOT TO LEAVE
THE CHURCH. BUT TO RALLY ABOUT


THE CONSTITUTION.
Dr. C. A. Briggs who was suspended from the Pres
byteran ministry last week by the General Assembly
will have letter In The Evangelist today Gaining
upon liberal Presbyerians to rally about the cons'i'u
ton. lie says. In his opening paragraph:
The reaconary theologians OF the school OF Breck
ridge are In the saddle ana thsy may nave sner.l As
sembly which has Just closed ITS SESSIONS: nn ,
are not the Presbyterian Church Ihey are ony %,
has been once more worked up into q temporary
majority They the descendants OF the men ne xno
and who cut of four synods from the General As
semby In 1897 This year. 1893 they nave ia't, , en
hausted their power I'm suspendng one man from w.
ministry and In making definitions OF dogma ana
new precedents OF law
The duty Of those who approve the action OF the
Assembly Is thus outlined
cre M%a. There should be but one answer
a minority OF the Church has violated the Constitution on
precedent. The majority should rally ana use every very
lawful method to undo the damage "mIn "" let no
mann m"" ic d.conraged Let no one finch from the
struggle. Let one leave the ranss. Le, thr Ixs,
call resonnd from ocean TO s o"s" Of eVe,y man who
loves III. Presbyterian Church and VINO WISHES nS e
nr ",ur emile t. w hs nfs s there be
Presbyiery Of all who will stand by the
h"ras" from our fathers The lines q battle should
BE-: 1D Legal and ls) DocTna the legal 'i ,,,s
those for when the apprn'e oou'e Ns. 80
there should be no appeal by public ProSec,pr
against verdict OF acqultial 'b) thai frespy.rry
cannot appoint Committee Of PROSECUTION Wncn
will he independent OF ths Presbytery, ana r) tia
the Jurisdiction OF the Synod cannot be taken rom u
at the pleasure OF the General Assembly. The Doc
trnnl lines are a> that Holy scripture Is inc OBJ!
infniible rule Of faith and practice tbl that MIN,
ispr Is hound only 10 the system OF doctrine c0ntained
In the Westminster COnesson cl that the Eencrai Az
semblv cannot make new definitions OF dogma, either
liz deIyerancp or by Gnsl Judgment In heresy
TRIAL.
Dr. Briggs calls upor his friends not to consider MN
or his interests but 10 devote their attention to Inc
cause which he represents and says that no minister
or atman shond feel under arg obligation to retire
from the Presbyterian Church on account oil ne
Illegal Gets Of the late General Assembly, The
ariicl" closes as follows:
4 General Assembly lives for few days, and
then passes away forever. sometimes Ieavrg me
fragrance Of a good name and good deeds. at o'her
times gaining n bad reputation for Itself ana ior
those who shared In It's proceedings. The bad hecns
81 ono General Assembly may he overcome by me
good decds OF another General Assembly. The Pres
by, cries are permanent. They alone make law ana
docri;~e for the Presbyterian Church. Nothing can
bc permanent In Presby teranism which twothlrds OF
tte Piesbvtprips do not indOfse. Therefore one Two
or three General Assemblies In succession may DO on
the down grade but the Tresbytcrcs ana the synoos'
~ long n, they maintain their rights ana nper'te>,
will save the Church nom arT permanent injury:
The acts Of the assemblies Mt Detroit, Portland and
Washington may all be bot'Pd out by inc sweetness
and grace OF the General Assembly at Saratoga
Let all LOYAL Pre~byterans rally aboul Professor
Hcrry p. smith In his battle for NTH ana right ana
n victory at saratoga will gain for PRESBYTERIAN
liberty what once won for our naive lahd III the
same place by stout hearts and brave hands.