The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-01-19
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It is noteworthy, but not surprising. thai
at this time OF Presbyterian dissension the
most prosperous of the divinity schoolseoi
the Church OF the Westminster Confession
is the Theological Seminary at Princeton
the home Of the strictcst Calvinism and the
exponent OF the straightest and most un'
compromising Presbyterian orthodoxy.
During the last year four now professors
were added to the faculty OF the Princeton
Seminary. Ono chair is yet vacant. 1t is
the professorship OF Biblical Theology. and
Is the department which In the Union Theo-
logical seminary Is intrustcd to DIR. BRIGGS.
As the Bible Is the soles source and fountain
Of Protestant theology. and every depart
ment must go back to the Bible for tho
authority on which 1t rests Its teachings. n
distinct professorship like DR.. BRrGGs's
does not seem to be necessary In such a
divinity school. unless. as at Union. 1t be
established for the purpose OF discrediting
that authority and negativing the whole
theological system built upon 1t.
The number OF students for tho ministry
In the Princeton Seminary is 200, n great
number for a theological seminary. and
greater than in 1891 by 81. For their ac-
~commodation a now dormitory is in process
OF erection. its cost to be paid by a be-
quest from ROBERT l.. STUART, n stanch
Presbyterian who died in the faith. The
period Of Presbyterian turmoil has been a
time Of extraordinary material prosperity
for the seminary. the sum Of the gifts
to IL having been unusually large since tho
beginning OF tho effort OF DIR. BRIGGS to
steer the Presbyterian craft on the break
orc NJ nrn0cfi,.icn, 90 fnr no naonpior,, rn-
sources go. 1t is manifest that Princeton
will be able to keep up a vigorous contest
to hold the Office Of pilot against all such
disputants. Meantime the rich endowment
Of the Union Seminary has been increased
by wealthy lay friends and supporters Of
DIR. BRIGGS. and there is no question about
both Its ability and determination to sus-
tain its side in the controversy.
At present Union is in n very anomalous
situation. The General Assembly has dis
countenanced the teachings Of DIR. BRIGGS
by refusing to confirm his appointment as
Professor OF Biblical Theology. and hence
It has discredited the institution as a Pres
byterian school. Instead Of putting Union
In line with Presbyterian sentiment as thus
expressed. the trustees have retained DIR.
BRIGGS and dissolved the contract under
which the General Assembly received
the power to interfere in its internal
affairs. Finally. the New York P~resbytery
has voted that DR.. BRIGas's views Of the
Bible are sound enough to be taught to
candidates for the Presbyterian ministry.
Here Is a snarl which tho coming General
Assembly must dlsentangle or get rid Of by
boldly severing the already attenuated bond
between Briggsism and Presbyterianism.
The connection with Princeton Is as firm
rs ever. for it is a school which does
rot go into the higher Biblical critl-
cism. as it is called, unless to drag it
forth for condemnation. Princeton stands
by the Bible as the wholly and abso-
lutely true and perfect and inspired Word
OF GOD. II n rupture occurs In the Presby-
terrain Church it will be at the head of the
vast conservative majority, and Union will
head the agnostic minority. Both have
well-filled campaign chests and both have
ample supplies OF ammunition and stores
for n long and bitter contest.
1t Is significant that Princeton College
was last week the scene Of one OF the most
enthusiastic religious r~evivals it has ever
experienced in its long history. We have
not heard OF any religious revival stirred
up by the Union Seminary here in New York.