The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-06-09
The Briggs Rebellion Apparently Sub
dued.

Before the meeting Of the General Assem-
to influence Its course with reference to
him by forecasting dangerous division. II
not positive rupture. in the Presbyterian
Church In the event Of his condemnation.
One minister. the Rev. Mr.. HALL Of Chi
cago. actually threatened to leave the
Church II he was convicted.
His conviction and condemnation have
now occurred. and the highest Presbyterian
authority has declared doctrine as to the
infallibility of the Scriptures which is rad
ically opposed to the views Of DR.. BRIGGS and
his party: but the rupture does not come.
Mr.. HALL does not carry out his threat. and
DR.. BRroas himself issues q manifesto to
his followers. bidding them to remain.
LET no one leave the ranks" he COM
mands: and. 80 far as reported. the only
minister who has announced his purpose Of
leaving is the Rev. DR.. EooB of Albany.
II leave the Presbyterian Church." de-
clared DR.. EcoB from his pulpit last Sun
day. because 1t has taken on o garment
that has lain buried In the grave for more
than two centuries. It smells Of the earth
and OF death. I brush 1t of forever" The
pertinency Of this illustration We cannot
discover. for the General Assembly has
resurrected no dead doctrine of the Bible
The Biblical criticism represented by DR..
BRIGGS Is modern and recent In both spirit
and method. 1t Is simply the application
OF contemporary scientific principles to the
study and test OF the Bible. and hence 1t Is
new. The method Of the General Assembly
Is the old dogmatio method. but 1t has
never been buried. 1t has prevailed con-
tnuously In the Presbyterian Church
and In all orthodox Professionalism
until very recent period. Formerly the
materials used In the tests OF Scripture by
DR.. BRIGas either were not obtainable or
their employment for the purpose was not
thought Of. They were not applied by the
Councils Of Christendom or by the West
minister divines. Even twenty-five years
ago Presbyterian theological professor,
who had pursued the method Of DR.. BRIGGS
openly. would have been driven from the
Church In short order and he would have
had only avowed intidels to sympathize with
him. The dogmatic method, instead of
smelling OF the grave. Is full Of life yet, as
the decision OF the General Assembly proves.
and as 10 demonstrated by the prevailing
Presbyterian sentiment provocative OF that
Judgment. Even at the risk OF threatened
rupture. the vast majority OF the repre-
sentatives OF Presbyterianism have persist
cd In enforcing that method on their minis
tiers and theological teachers. and In de-
nouncing tho new scientific method "a
heretical.
The event has shown the wisdom of the
majority in thus taking the bull by the
horns. The minority do not carry out
their threat Of rebellion. They submit to
the decision OF the Assembly. contenting
themselves with a technical protest against
1t. They have shown no disposition to
leave the Presbyterian Church. though 1t
has 80 fatty denounced and condemned
them and their doctrine.
The majority. accordingly. are the only
party deserving of respect. They have
had the courage OF their convictions. Their
positive faith has proved stronger than the
wavering skeptlcism Of tho BRIoos party.
They remain because they hold the fort
The others remain. though they have bssa