The weekly tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1891-1894, 1893-06-16
STILL DISCUSSING BRIGGS.

When it is remembered that the Pres.
byterian church is already badly split
up the outlook seems poor for a new di.
vision under the leadership Of DR.. Briggs,
and yet there is a movement on foot
looking to such an arrangement.
The Pioneer Press makes this shrewd
comment:
\ good many people appear to think
that when Briggs is thrown out of the
window he will not merely wear the sash
as a necktie, but that he will take about
half the house with him. 1t is not safe
to be too sure about a matter of this
kind, however. Sometimes a man does
not make half the impression with his
views that his friends predict. Martyrs
are not worth 81 a dozen on the average
these days.
No well informed person will make the
mistake of supposing that DIR. Briggs is
bigger than the Presbyterian church or
that his detection will tear that ancient
organization up by the roots. But there
are already at least three distinct
branches of the church-the North, the
South, and the Reformed-and the de-
mand for IA reform in the old confession
of faith is "a general and powerful one,
and is more fully represented by DR..
Briggs than 10y any other minister of the
church.
One Of the great liberal preachers in
New York, DIR. Edwin c. Bolles, discuss
ing the case on Sunday said referring to
DR.. Briggs:
He can regard his condemnation. as
every mar who has been ahead of his
time could, as IL compliment, though
perhaps an embarrassing one. In the
first place, the whole matter may be re
gardcd as a great waste of time, energy,
ard enthusiasm. There is something
better for the church t. do than trying
to settle points which will not be- settled.
and entering on a debate which is only
wcarying and endless. The only rca
son for the existence of Il church. bible.
or creed at all is 10 make men better.
and ii hcresy trial makes them forget the
spirit Of God and neglect the golden
rule about their duty to their fellow
men, 1t seems to me that such Il hcresy
trial is d manufacturer Of iniide!s.
IL adds to the scandals which makes
a great many intelligent men and women
dcpise the church which has more dan
gor to fear from the conclusions of the
world that she preserves only the letter
and not the spirit Of her masters gospel
than from any attacks which can be
made upon her from the outside.
The tone Of the great thermometer
Of public opinion, the press, indicates
this feeling, and no one could have read
the many sharp and able editorials Of
the last week without feeling that the
Presby terian church has done much to
ALLEVIATE public sentiment from its re-
spect towards Christianity. This heresy
trial may be looked upon hope
fully as indicating the power of
the evolution of the world toward
liberal ideas in religion. DR.. Briggs
has tried to make the Westminster CON
fession elastic, as if made of rub
Der. the assembly has decided that it
is rigid, of cast iron. But the expansive
force of reason and common sense is
cracking, since it cannot stretch, its an
cient she'll The assembly has drawn
the lines. but it has not got the power to
put the butterfly back into the chry-
sails. or the singing bird into its old
shell.
One thing is certain. 1t seems that
there is more need than ever Of a clear.
vigorous and devOut statement Of the
principles Of the liberal church. 1t must
bn malp clear that man may cpp that re