The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-03-04
TIE BRIGGS CONTROVERSY.

Rev. DR.. Sinclair on the "PleA for
Peace" and Secret Circular.
The probable action of the coming general -.
sembiy OF the Presbyterian church on the
heresy cases Of d. Charles Briggs and Dr. H.
Preserved Smith is attracting is arousing deep
interest among the ministers aud laymen of
that denomination. Rev. Dr.. Brevard D. Sim
clair. of the Calvary Presbyterian church, yes.
terday said 10 did not doubt but that both men
would be condemned. lie said:
However, We must be fair toward them. II IL
not the men who are on trial SO much a. their
theories, and the church can not shirk Q decis-
Ion upon them 1t 10 their privilege to try to
impress their views upon the church pending
decision. and not only the Briggs men but their
opponent are engaged in the work of firing
ing on In other parts of the country, feel sure
that there 10 little or no campaigning in this
section for the selection of commissioners to the
assembly. In fact, think that with possibly
two exceptions all ministers on the Pacific
coast are opponents of Dr. Briggs, and there is
not the slightest doubt but that whoever 10 sent
from this pre- sbytery will vote for his condem.
nation ! myself am opposed to Briggs
theor es, and voted against him in the Detroit
general assembly, but there 10 nothing IN this
Plea for Peace" to which do not subscribe.
to authority. and DR.. Briggs has
only himself to blame for the disturbance
He has forced the church to take notice
OF his viewa His cratic notions have been
know for the last fifteen years, during which
time he has been posing as . reiormer and a.
possessing moro light than the majority Of his
brethren. But his ambition led him too far
and now IL 10 not Briggs who is trial. il is the
church I,seli anu Christianity. As to the i'm
pusatiou that The general assembly nigh. be
swed 1y any demonstration Of policy in deaf
ing with Questions OF dogma. l think il 10 an
uuwarranIed reflection upon 4 body of men
noted for their fearless intelligence The threat
of q schism in the church is ridiculous Outside
Of a very few personal friends. neither Brig.
nor smith have any following This heresy
does not come from the people, but from theo-
logical chairs posing rs reiorrners and ambitions
for fame. As matter OF fact, these heresies
are, popularity speaking, chestnuts They were
disposed of twenty years ago in Germany. and
shortly afterward in scotland. But even If the
church were unwilling TO take up the questions
in the interees of peace a. any price. IL could
not avoid them. The cases of Dra Briggs AMI
Smith are the same, and ye. the presbyteries of
New York and Ohio have decided differently
one OF the most interesting things connected
priest, under tina pseudonym Of sixius. about a
wear ago published a pamphie, issued by
Charles !. Webster & Co.. which is q comnle,e
metaphysical annihi.Hiion Of DR. Briggs cee-
brated inaugural address. through the media OF
bis logic.
Dr. Sinclair IL himself a conference.-the Of no
mean order. for which field his libera. training
as a lawyer, journalist and divine has well
qualified hira. His recently published work on
the "CfowninE sin of the Age has won him a
wide fame among the leading thinkers OF the
ior