New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-01-01
DIR. BRIGGS'S ACQUITTAL.
THE VERDICT is A PERSONAL lRlI NIX H.
cpuncu PEOPLE SAY THAT IT SHOWS A MORE

CHURCH PEOPLE SAY THAT IT SHOWS MORE
ADVANCED SPIRIT OF ToLERATioN.
The acouttsl OF Professor Charles A. Briggs on tue
charge OF hcresy by the New York PresbyterE' "Ss
the subject of interested discussion among '"'''"
people generally yesterday. II Is undouo'coH ""'
that Dr. Briggs has won his case on Il strol-'' WV
In his favor than was regarded az Pos>i"ic '"
oeo To tins extent, therefore. the vcfclct -
personal triumph More than this the result i iooNeu
uno, ny MANY as evidence of the growth ln"aI"Ie
OF a more advanced spirit Of liberation Wi'hh I've
Presbyterian Church. Representatives OF liie mor'
progressive element say that the greatest u"hscr ~
Tint communion Is its inGispositior to depart lro the
ieaten paths of Cavinistic teaching as lao DOWN
primarily in the Westminster Confession whereas
scholastic research and the growth of )lberality WITHIN
the last century demand u wider horizon ior "ose
who as generation succeeds generation enter ilo '"c
faith or receive 1t heritage IN the Va! Oh ehS""S
Guidance II is apparent that many believe the out
come of the trial will tend 10 encourage younger
preachers and teachers to Increased freedom o
thoneht and expression thus perpetuating controversy
on nrly scholastic points whereas the interests OF the
Church demand that irritating Influences Oh TINS nature
should be promptly subdued.
Another element contends that there Is already
rift In the Church caused by the constantly increasing
admiration on the part Of many commandments, Tor inc
s,ateiness OF the forms of worship OF the Protestant
Fnscopal Church These, IL Is held, would De READY
10 avail themselves Of any favorable opportunity LOT
an exodus, from the folds OF the Presbyterian Churc
into the Episcopal communion The pi0Verolai
nberay OF the latter church is Just now Regarded as
a dangerous bait In paths of Presbyterians Under
their own government they see every now ana then
the curb applied to teacher or preacher who at
tempts to lead to a more comprehensive view OF
Christian principles and a broader horizon for the
application of those principles. Then they point 70
the Episcopal communion with its extremely low
church practices and inclinatons, extending all oiohs
only OF dn0r
of the Vatican but always continuing within ltseh ii
consistent as well az invincibie Protestant deDominar
on encircng by its capacious embrace the extremes
Of rituaism Us well as It's anthesis. but still main
tanning freedom from internal friction anc the con
paucnt exposure OF organic diSintegration
Those who take this view believe that the convic-
don OF Dr. Briggs would have been seized upon as
,he occasion Of grand exodus from the Presbyterian
10 the Episcopal communion. fcw have been even
bold enough u declare that DIR. Briggs was the SEX
con scious leader of such movement but TINS Idea
II is needless to add, docs not prevail beyond INC
limits OF a few VI DR.. Bliggss most persistent anu
most bitter antagonists.
from conversations with representatives oil the
most enlightened OF the conservative anti Briggs
element the fact Is made appaien. that uley are
ready to acquesce In the Judgment OF the New ORR
Iresbytcry provided DIR. Briggs should come forward
la IL spirit Of magnanimty and meet his opponents at
a halfway point for adjustment. Under the in,crpic'
ing the trial tho prosecuting committee represent tho
lresyterinn Church OF the United States Of America,
md not alone the New York Presby terry, and 1t Is
held mat In the interest of the Church, which ~
practically defending herself against the poisoning
Influences Of alleged heresy the right OF appeal is with
the prosecution a like this as well as with Dr.
Enccs the defendant. 1t is maintained therefore.
that the prosecuting committee have no option III tho
case but that they appeal the case to higher
court for ultimate decision. Presbyterian ministers
of high standing In NewYor City deprcCate The step.
first because they dread the effects of the proonsao
Of the controversy, and secondly because they lore
see the probability OF the reversal Of the action Oi
the New York Prcsbytery Oh marrow margin, thus
exranding the field OF controversy extending the 1ft
deeper and deeper into the church and engenderng
degree OF bitterness which in the final results may
proyc disastrous TO the communion.
Just what Dr. Briggs in view OF his acquitta could
well do is not made apparent. An appeal from the
decision OF the Newiork Presbytery by the prescott
Ing committee will DC suggestive OF persecution ana of
n determination to practically exc1mmunlcatc Dr.
Briggs. Therefore. by their next move, me prooc-
nus appear In the character Of Prosecutors iaiher
than prosecutors, and tide OF s. inpahy Viii naturally
set in favor Of the object OF their paIsuit.
IL does not at all Likely in the jGdsmen, Of
his friends, rs expressed yesterday, that d. Briggs
SSrS appe S the ' Voe IN his vo Vas not large
Ws adherents are rejdced at the result, winch they
asslsss than was at am time during the TRIAL antcl
lated His friend. are highly sratihed ,, On ,he
Ssssg a any senses Of Gisspponmenl but in some
stances, express admiration for the manner in which
,ns with him in his personal triumph fher
10 the Church, however Is In their minds tnn,'enuc,.
,h lines Of that duty only From this time for I'd
moderation OF action is sought by The cooler Minds
G re- pise hishest Interests Of the Church.
no steps in the nature Of an apPai can be ,aHn
anneinted al Friday nights session has sutm tcd Us