New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-01-10
DIR. CLARK WITH DIR. BRIGGS.
MUST HE LEAVE THE PRESBYTERY?
"A COMMITTEE TO CONFER WITH InM-rHE JUDO


view. In brici busiress session the Presbytery
listened to statement from the Rev. Or. Edward
l.. Clark, Of the Church Of the Purtans, in
which he asked for advice. lie said that he
could not consent to certain doctrines considered
essential by the great majority Of tho PresDy-
terrain Church. When he entered the Prcsbytery
he was assured that the interpretations of the
Standards, as laid down by the last General As
Bcmbly, the religious press and the prosecuting
committees of recent hcresy trials, were not re-
quired of its ministers. Finding his mistake no
wished to know in what way he should be per-
mitted TO withdraw.
Dr. Clark is O director of the Union Theolog-
ical Seminary brother-in-law Of Dr. c. A. Briggs,
and the elder representing his church dur
ing the trial this winter. lie is an extremely
sensitive man, ard is not willing to remain IN tho
Presbyterian Church in view Of the action Of
the last Assembly. A committee consisting Of
DR.. Henry van Dyke Dr. John c. Bliss, tho
Moderator of the Iresbytery, and DR.. F. H.
Marl.ng WIS appointed TO confer with Dr. Clark.
The following f. DIR. Clarks statement:
Mr. Moderator and Brethren Of the Prcsbytcry Of New
York: desire know whether II is your wish that my
be dropped from the rolls or the usual letter OF dis
mission given cannot consent 70 certain doc
considered essential by the great majority OF tho
Presbyterian Church, viz:
l. The inspired word as II came from God Is without
error.
o The Scriptures are false and Christ untruthf un
less Moses wrote all the Pentateuch ana Isaiah the en're
book which bears his name
g. The omnscience and undergraduates OF God de-
pend upon funlment Of every detail and figure OF
predictive prophecy.
T. A knowledge Of the historic Christ and Of written
Scripture necessary In the sense that all oher heho
which God NAV be pleased 70 give insufficient for sal
walton.
When came into this Presbytery 1 assured by
what thought unques'ionab,e authority thai tnese 'er
pretaons Standards were not required o. iS' MN
Istes 1t Is possible that In the reuno they were Tor
time lost sight After twenty years OF
and as thought consistent teaching the deNera"oes "
General Assembly the rgious press the prosecuting 'o
ttees Of the late hcresy trials have convinced me tha
] mistaken.
It does not concern my influence or peace Of mnu
whether these socalled essential views" have oeeh
formally approved not. so long as am maae 70 e
before the community outside the clearly mafKcn cs
presbyter,an orthodoxy. l occupy false pos.uoo DC
cause / have not changed my belief am comle"eu !"
accept the deiverance OF General Assemoy-see Hi'n
1902 p 1;o-ond in christian honor. withdraw rom
our ministry" ~
recall with gratitude the kindness OF those VINO nave
made IL possible one Puritan Church TO sdd more tna
500 persons membership. and develop IN is shois
history a benevoleace OF over Sooo'ooo ss .o"e 49,
Il I'm perfect harmony prosperous and loyal TO their pasto
u have no plans for the future But "a Coz gives nc
responsibility with the ability TO see the ruin j. IVY
autv though in full sympathy with the erea, pfhcpa
Of our standards. 70 seek larger hoe's """ ~ S''
ecran Church permit
Therefore 1 dcsle to be Informed in what way 'h'"
be permitted to withdraw.
DR. Clarl, did not wish 70 add anything TO his
public statement He did not say that there were
errors in the original autographs OF scripture
no refused 10 say there were none George u
Iav the elder from the Puritan Church, said III
speaking of the request of Dr. Clark
Al meeting OF eld,rs snd trustees Of The Church Of
ffa.f ha III
the Pur,ans Tuesday last called TO eonsdef 'ne suo
Get OF Dr. Clarks relations the Presbvtory woe Oh
confidence was passed unanimously ana the pss'of was
requested 70 defer until the February meeting OF
TIE PresLvtety. lie loft entirely free however 10
do Is his conscience ana honor demanded. Dr. 'a'A
has been rm.or Of this church for twenty years Ahe
ou-eh IA a solueIy free debt the people ase har-
monous end church IS growing In strength ana N.
Guence The session. trustees and eonctcsatoi oecpN
regret the necessity Of the step "hch 50 ''' 'o.'
c,rns the prosperity o. church Thev fully aDpreci'
etc Of their pastor but deporc the cohd0h
Of affairs which such action possible
The Moderator read in open session the judg-
was adopted in private session by malority
vote. Inc taper, which had been supinit.eu oS
Dr. George Alexander DR. Henry van Dyke anu
Robert JaiIray, was rs follows:
The case OF tac Presbyterian Church In the Cneo
States Of Amcrlco against the Rev. Charles A. Briggs
D. D., having been dismissed by the Prcsbyteiy OF
Ncw.York November 4. 1891. was remanded by ne
General Assembly 1892 the Presbytery, with
The merits thereof speedily as possible"
In Obedience this mandate the Picsbytery OF New
tried the II has listened to the evidence
and argument Committee OF Prosecution acting In
fidelity 10 the duty committed TO them. IL has heard the
defence and evidence OF the Rev Charles A. Briggs d.
d. presented in accordance with The rights secured 70
every minister OF the Church.
The Presbytery has kept In mind these established
principles Of our poy that rightly be con.
ycted Of herey by inference Implication that In the
Interpretation OF ambiguous expressions candor requires
that should favor the accused by putting upon his
words favorable rather than me less aoFooio
coptruc ton" there truths ana forms with
respect to which Of good character may differ"
diving due consideration 10 the Defendants explanations
~ the language used his Inaugural address, accepting
his frank and full disclaimer Of the Interpretation which
ms been nut upon Of its phrases ard iustratohs
credtng his anaons Of loyalty to the stadards OF inc
Church and to the Holy Scriptures rs the only ihiaoe
rule Of faith and practice the Presbytcry ooes no. INV
that he has transgresed the limits oil liberty ao"eu uu
our Constitution. to scholarship and opinion
Therefore, without expressing approval OF the cr'c'i
or theological embodied In the inaugural aooess or
the moaner in which they have been expressed ana us
trascd,, the Ircsbytery pronoccs the Rev Charts A.
pr,yo. D. d. fIliy acqGttcd OF the oGcnses alleged
sesir.t hifnthe several charges and specifications ac
eepted for probation having mot sustained oy inc
following vote c-,
Here follows the tabulated by the stao |erA
ana published In The Tribune December 3D.
Accordingly the Presbytery. making full RECOGNITION
AZ tho ability sincerity and patience with which inc
Committee OF Prescott have performed the ohc'ols
duty assigned To them. does now TO the extent OF its
constitutional power relieve said committee IRON iarte
rc.popsfbnity in connection with this case
In so doing die Presbytery is not undertaking I" aecloc
. Ia, that committee Is subject authority OF the
body appointing H. but intends by this action 10 express
IN earnest conviction that the grave issues involved I'D
this cac will be wisely and justly dcoefnlncd oy
calm invest CATION and fraernal discussion Nnah oy
judicial ar alignment and process.
In view OF the present dsqustude In the Presbyterian
Church and Of the obi cation resting upon all Christians
n have tender the consccnccs OF their BRETHREN
the Presbytery earnestly counses II members 70 AVOID
~, the one hand hasty over-conndent statement q
opinion points concerning which profound ana
students Gods word not yet agreed ana
an the other suspicious and charges Of false teaching
which are not clearly carsb: OF proof
Moreover the Prcsbytcy advises and exhorts all SUBJ