New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-06-01
THE VERDICT AGAINST DIR. BRIGGS

---
THE Verdict AGAINST DIR. BRIGGS.
| It is hardly possible that even Professor
Briggs was much surprised at the emphatic
condemnation of his views by the General As
sembly. In addition to the widespread feeling
in the Church. that these views are contrary
to the Presbyterian Standards, was the dis
like of Professor Briggs himself, which has
been constantly growing in intensity. He has
on many occasions taken little pains to conceal
his poor opinion of many men whom the Church
reveres and has generally promulgated his
views in such an aggressive way aS 10 rcpcl
rather than attract those who were in doubt.
But back of the personal aspect of the qucS
ton lies the fact that the issues raised by DIR.
Briggs had produced 50 much doubt and
aroused so much controversy that the Church
was obliged II take cognzance Of them. IL
was hoped that the trial and acquittal Of the
Professor by the New Yoll, PresbyteIy would
satisfy the Church. But it failed 10 do So, be-
cause the theological SoundncSS Of many lead
ing members of the New-Yorli prc>byteiy is
seriously doubted by average conservative
Presbyterians What was wanted was Il de-
liverance by body representing the whole
Church on the questions al issue.
Such 4 deliveancc has now been made, and
it is no longer possible for ministers in the
PRESBYTERIAN Church to hold or teach the views
for which Professor Briggs has been tried and
condemned. In brief, these views are a> fol-
lows That there are historically three great
fountains OF divine anthority-the Bible, the
Church, and tho reason that some. like Car
dna Newman. may find divine authority
through the Church that others. like DR..
Martineau may find it through the reason that
temperament and environment determine by
WHICH OF these three WAYS men may find cod
that Moses j. not the author Of the lcntI;
teuch, and that Isaiah is not the author Of the
latter half Of the book which bears his name
that there are errors in the Bible which do
not affect its character aS the infallbe rule
Of faith and practice that If literal fulfil
ment is insisted on, protective prophecy has
been reversed by history. and much Of il has
not been and never can be. fulfilled and that
there is a progressive >anciiiicIton after death
That a large number Of ministers and laymcn
in the Presbyterian Churh either hold these
views or believe that they may be lawfully
held without DENYING the teaching of the
Church has been made very evident IN the
course of the discussion over Professor Briggs
The liberals in the Church have regarded these
views as open questions Oh which the Church
had pronounced II, opinion and for that rea-
son they refused 10 leave the Church because
certain persons condemned their attitude ~
heretica
But the vote yesterday Of the General As
sembly. the highest judicial bod, Of the Church.
has changed the whole aspect OF the ease. The
views of Professor Briggs are declared 10 be
herctical and infcreniay it is held 10 be the
duty Of all who hold them to withdraw from the
membership Of the Church. VIII they do 50?
Doubtless many Of them will but others will
see in the action of the General Assembly
divine disapprova of their views; and will
hasten to rcadjust their attitude on the qucS-
tons involved in way to satisfy at once their
reason and their conscience And therefore the
general split in the Church. which scmc have
been expecting as result OF Dr.. Briggs con
domination, may not occur.
Nevertheless the Church will suffer seriously
FROM this condemnation Of Professor Briggs.
1t has anaycd itself in opposition 10 the Chris
tian scholarship Of the day. II has made it
impossible for any young man who accept, the
modern methods Of Biblical study 10 enter its
ministry Ii has made itself, thcOlOgicaly, one
OF the narrowed, If not the nalrOWcst Of all |
the larger Protestant srds. and il has com
mitted itself to 4 view Of the Bible which no,
only cannot be proved, but which Christian
scholars who are listened TO by intellgcn,
people everywhere say can be di>proyed by the !
Bible itself. a sect which decides to stand or
fall on the assertion that Moses wrote the whole |
OF the Pentatench may be respected for it, |
sincerity and honesty. But no intelligent man
who believes that such a question must be de-
cided by the evidence Of men who have in
vestigated the subject will find himself able !
TO Join it.