Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-05-26

ing that II would be better to wait four months
longer, bring the case to this assembly, and OBJ
tain a decision which would be more potential
In allaying the unrest and disquiet Of our peo-
pie than that OF the presbytery Of New York
could possibly be.
But we agree with them to the necessity
OF dlsposing OF this matter finally and authori
tatiyely as soon as possible, and since the as
sembly alone can render a final and authorize
tive decision on questions of this kind We ask it
TO render that decision here and at this time
Consistency is not the distinctive quality Of
those brethren who less than four months ago
insisted with intense earnestness that for the
sake OF peace, work and liberty, the discussion
should cease at once. They now insist with
zeal no less earnest that. to guard the interests
Of our beloved church. the case should be de-
layed another year. and first be sent to the
synod Of New York II their judgment Of four
months ago was correct, then their present
Judgment cannot be. for no evident change Of
sentiment in either church or defendant has
taken place since that time.
But why this determined purpose to keep
this case from coming before the general assem-
bly, and to send it to the synod? There would
be reason in this were it a case respecting
morality. for then the synod would have the
constitutional right to make final decision.
1t cannot do so in this case. since 1t involves
the doctrines Of the church. which the assembly
only can finally decide. This shows that there
is no desire on the part of those Just referred to
to secure settlement of the matter at issue
bv the only body which constitutionally can
settle it for the church. The prerogatives and
privileges of our judicstories have been men,
toned; but the court, whose prerogatives,
privileges and dignity have been attacked in
connection with this case, is not the synod Of
New York, but the general assembly itself.
$50 earnest is the ATTEMPT to keep this case
from coming before the assembly for decision
that the disruption Of the church is threatened
il the assembly should entertain and issue it.
But this threat argues on the one hand con-
scious weakness on the part Of those who make
il. and on the other deliberate intention to
unduly influence the assembly so as to prevent
it from giving an honest expression Of opinion.
Even were the church to divide as the result
Of the assembly's action, which is wholly i'm
probable, the result would not be wholly loss
there are some things vastly more important
than mere outward church union, without union
Of spirit and sentiment; among these are truth.
doctrinal purity and denominational honor and
honesty.
"A wise and manly settlement Of this case by
the assembly will purify and strengthen
church. and be the beginning Of long period
OF peace and prosperity.
WHAT Is INVOLVED.
''This case involves the legal construction of
the ordinary VOW Of every minister. elder and
deacon in our church; it involves what they
may believe and teach the faith Of the church
under the terms Of that vow. The presbytery
of New York has decidel in the case Of Dr.
Briggs that Presby terrain minister. elder or
deacon may believe and teach, in harmony with
that vow, certain doctrines. The presbyt terry Of
Cincinnati has held in the case Of DIR. Smith
that certain OF these views cannot be taught
without violation Of the ordination vow.
What the faith of the church as to the funda-
mental doctrines involved in this is, and
what is embraced within the terms Of the
iDn tiOD nd fha nv in Il
lowed by the church can only be determined by
the general assembly. The importance of an
immediate decision of these matters will be
recognized at once when We consider that dur
ing the coming year at least two hundred and
fifty ministers viii be received into our chur ch
and from three 20 i've thousand elders and
deacons elected and ordained.
Those minister's elders and deacons who
take the ordination vow, according to the de-
cIsion of the New York presbytery in this case,
reversed, that they can hold the views of DIR.
Briggs and teach them without transgressing
the limits of liberty allowed under our consti-
tuition to scholarship and opinion.
rs it fair or just to leave the terms of the or
dinasion and the doctrines involved in this
case unsettled for another year. which would
be the result of not entertaining the appeal, Or
after il has been entertained. sending 1t to the
synod? Would it be right or honest to permit
ministers, elders and deacons to enter the church
during the next year believing. they would
have a right to believe. with the judgment Of
the New York presbytery unreversed. that they
can. under the terms of their ordination VOW
hold, believe and teach the views held by DR..
Briggs? Then. in case the assembly OF 1894
should reverse the judgment of the New York
presbytery. as it might. and place those who
have become ministers, elders and deacons in
the position of being compelled either to re-
nounce their views or to retire from the church,
or subject themselves to discipline to expel them
from the church
The church. in all its agencies, must 70 on; it
must license more ministers. elect and ordain
more elders and deacons. If no other consid-
Grafton existed than this it would be of para
mount Importance. Fairness and justice to
those whom the church invites into official sta
ton would seem to require this judicatory to
entertain this appeal and determine what the
church holds upon the fundamental questions
at issue.
THE DANGER OF DELAY.
'As a final reason why the assembly should
entertain this appeal now, We urge that great
and Widespread injury is certain to come from
protracted delay. 1t will tend to unsettlo faith,
especially among our young people; it will in
juriously affect the training of our young men
for tn ministry, and will result in the spread Of
false doctrines.
1.-The presby:ery OF New York SAYS: There
are truths and forms with regard to which men
of good character may differ No one disputes
that. But the statement necessarily implies
that there also truths and forms in regard
TO which good men, especially ministers of the
Presby terrain Church. should not differ. and
the question is whether or not the truths and
forms contained in this case are of that kind.
The great majority OF resbyterians believe
that they are. The verdict Of the presbytery
OF New York confirms that belief rather than
otherwise. for. while they acquit him. they dis
tinctly disapprove the critical and theological