The sun., 1893-01-21
The General Assembly Must Decide.

Tho appeal from the decision OF the New
York Presbytery in the case Of DR.. BRIGGS
was inevitable. As men Of principle the
committee Of prosecution could not listen
to the timid and time-serving counsels Of
the Presbyterian Observer. that they should
accept the majority verdict OF single
presbytery as final settlement OF funda-
mental questions Of doctrine. which con-
cern all Presbyterianism and all orthodox
Professionalism. They would have stultified
themselves and forfeited all title to respect
il they had surrendered their convictions
at such demand Of mere expediency.
The question raised by DR.. BRIGGS as to
the infallibility and authority OF the Bible
must be determined by the Presbyterian
Church. and the time for the settlement
cannot be STAYED of. DIR. BRIGGS and his
supporters should be as anxious as his op-
ponents to have it removed from the field
OF denominational controversy by the a,,-
thoritative decision OF the General Assem-
bly,. AS it is. Princeton is teaching candi-
dates for the Presbyterian ministry that
tho Bible Is without error. wholly and abb
solutely inspired. Union Is teaching other
candidates that the Bible is marked by the
imperfectons inseparable from human
writings. and that. SO far as it is true, 1t
contains the Word OF GoD. rather than Is
the Word Of COP.
How can any religious denomination hold
together under such circumstances It's
unity Is false pretence. and its ministry.
subscribing to the same formal standa rd OF
doctrine with totally diverse interpreta-
tions, must suffer both moral and intel
lectual deterioration. Their disagreement
is absolute. yet they pretend to agree.
They are really as far apart as Unitariansm
Is from Presbyterianism. yet they go
through the farce OF feigninG doctrinal
accord. Each side is unyielding In its
opinions, and there is no possible chance OF
compromise between them: yet the Observer
declares that the cause OF difference Is re-
moved by mere vote OF n single presby-
terry. when shortly before it was cast the
majority OF another presbytery voted the
other way in case involving tho same
doctrinal questions.
Men OF honest convictions. whether they
are on the one side OF the controversy or the
other. are not content with such state OF
affairs. They want to have the questions at
issue decided for the whole Church, 80 that
they can regulate their course accordingly.
IL the General Assembly decides that the
Bible Is not perfect and inspired. but is a
collection OF documents OF varying authen-
ticty and truthfulness. believers In the
absolute perfection OF the Bible as the Word
OF GOD will DO out OF place in Its fold. II it
determines that belief in the Scriptures as
the completely and literally inspired mes
sage from Heaven Is requisite from Presby-
terians. the party OF DR.. BRIGGS and DR..
SMITH do not belong there.
This is not illiberal. 1t is the truest
liberality. No man ought to suffer his con-
victions to remain In bondage. He should
Insist on the freest expression Of them. II
he cannot get 1t In one Church. he should go
to another. II he cannot get 1t In any
Church. he should remain outside of all
Churches. Ho has the right also to en-
deavor to bring over to his side the Church
to which he belongs. for change OF religious
connection is q painful necessity. more es-
pecially for a minister whose attachment
to his particular denomination has been
long. 1t is even his duty to make the effort
II he has reason to think that he has a
chance OF succeeding. for 1t is an obligation
OF conscience with him TO seek to bring his
brethren into the path OF truth as he un-
derstands 1t.
DR.. BRIGGS. then. should rejoice that he
will now have an opportunity to argue his