The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-11-12
the pHEsBYTKaIAs LIBERALS.

The Presbyterian Liberals have Issued
proclamation calling upon Presbyserians
everywhere ''to stand together in defense
Of reasonable liberty Of opinion in the
church. and Of the constitutional rights OF
individual members" The members Of
this conference of liberal Presbyterians
include those clergymen who were con-
splcuous defenders Of DR.. Briggs before
the last Presbyterian general Assembly.
II Is not easy 70 see what they expect 20
accomplish by their protest The church
Is Overwhelmingly against them; the
wissss thing that these liberal Presby-
terrain clergymen can do II TO take them
selves and their quarrel clear out Of
the church and tiock by themselves as
''I3riggsites. They cannot expect TO have
their cake and eat IL too; they cannot ex-
pect TO hberaiize so conservative body as
the orthodox Presby terrain with the leayen
Of DIR. Briggs. Dr. Briggs Is declared
hereto and 80 is Prof Smith, OF Lane
theological seminary.
These liberal Presbyterians evidently
deem the Presbyterian general assembly
composed Of very iilibsral Presbyterians.
But granting, If you please. that they are
right, what possible practical good can they
do by staying inside the church and throw
ing mp their caps for DR.. Briggs, who has
been declared hereto. The logical theory
would be for eli the Brlggsites in the
church 10 follow Briggs out Of the church
and flock with him forever II they do
49,
instead Of esaseless church quarrel
on their hands. DR.. Swing was once
Presbyterian; when he was pronounced
hereto be did not pretend that the YER
diet was unjust; he continued to preach
10 those who cared to hear him; he was
more anxious to preach what seemed to
him the truth than he was to quarrel and
dispute In an ecclesiastical court over the
question whether there was not a good
legal. technical defense for his heresy.
The "Brlggsiies" like the shelter and in
aaenoe and dignity OF the Presbyterian
church, and they do not like to see DR..
Briggs pronounced a hereiic, nevertheless
they are not disposed to follow DR. Briggs
aud help build up Cor him the tabernacle
Of a new church.
These disciples OF DIR. Briggs are very
much Ike their master. they are hrayer in
blowing the horn than they are in accent
ing the consequences OF battle which
they Invited and deaed. Dr.. Briggs in
the FoTyms marvgls shat the denomins-
tiens retain 80 large proportion Of
scholars in their communions," consider
Ing that the teachings Of the church 'sfor.
felt the respect aud confidence Of eli those
Nho pursue the paths Of scholarly investi-
CATION" The teachings 10 q hich he refers
specifically are the doctrine OF creation
and the theories of miracles and
prophecy" ''the crude philosophy that
underlies the dognas Of the systems Of
theology which are regarded as the stand.
ards OF orthodoxy" "ihe battle over the
doctrine Of original sin, or the DISCUSSION
Of the freedom OF the WILL" che IN.
ethical dogma Of immediate sAnctiGeation
| whether ia this life or In any other life -
''she traditional denominssional history.
wish so many spurious claims that will
net bear the strain Of historical crit
cism," and 'sheir hostility to the literary
| criticism Of the Scriptures /"
The trouble With Dr. Briggs and HI.
followers is that they have thrown over.
board the old theology. and nevertheless
expect 10 Claim the shelter Of the PrsShv.
teriaa church. which has officially refused
% ihros overheard the old theology AN.
! prefer, by a very large majority. 10 thraw
overheard Dr.. Briggs. TO be consistent
the briggites, who talk about .'the divine
authority Of tie church aud the reason =,
ought % Re either agnosties OF Roman
| Catholics. They cannot lie both. for :,
the catholic church she authority Of the
church a. 10 religious truth is accepted a.
hna4 aud absolute. But II the Bible il 70
BE tested ~ The reason OF DE-. Briggs. ana
Is Inspired and !nialli5ls only 80 far asit
eau - Feeonoi.ed with human reason
saea Dr.. Briggs Is logically an avnos,,e
I ----
Wst'erson N the Loulsvills C,,.vs---
-'oarnsl Feosntiy said Of impending tariff
/ reioysa:
the more thorough aud swaepinr the
/ reform ne sareT and sreeGier tha retinF
4 EEaFE evil presF~sr.~,