Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-01-03
THE BRIGGS CASE.
OPINIONS OF SOME OF THE LOCAL PRESBY-
TERRAIN PASTORS.
A Situation Where Little Can be Said at Present
Pending Action Before the General As
ssmbly-SOmO Local Views

The interest in the Prof. Briggs case
has beea widespread, and here in
Wheeling among the church people
there has been no little attention paid
to the proceedings of the New York
Presbytery, which sat as court on the
trial of Prof. Briggs. The various ses-
sions as published in the REGISTER from
day to day have been closely scanned,
and one would be surprised at the
amount Of interest taken in the case,
even by those outside the church. The
action of the Presbytery in refusing to
sustain any of the six specifications has
created no little comment, especially
among the clergy.
A REGISTER reporter called upon Rev.
w. III. Cooke, d. D., at the Mcclure and
had a short talk relative to the case.
DR.. Cooke said he did not feel at liberty
to say much about the case until 1t was
adiudicated by the General Assembly
which meets in Washington, ID. C., next
| Nav. ] read the editorial comments on
the Briggs case in the REGISTER, and
must say that it we'll sizes up the situa-
ton. 1t is concisely and plainly put.
This is not the case with the majority OF
the secular newspapers, as many editors
seem to have very far-fetched idea OF
religious theories. Editor Dana, as you
know, of the New York Sun, prides
himself upon his knowledge Of religious
theories, and writes very learnedly at
times, but occasionally his deduc-
tions are certainly amusing
to those who know the true state OF
affairs. There is perhaps wrong in
terpretation OF some of the proceedings
enacted. one OF which was that the
Presbytery failed to sustain the charge
! that Prof. Briggs taught that Moses
was not the author Of the Pentateuch,
and also that Isaiah did not write many
of the chapters in the book bearing his
name. This did not mean that the
| Presbytery decided that he had not
taught these things, for it is well
known that he has, but that they were
opinions of Prof. Briggs, allowable
within the confessions OF Presbyterian
ism. As to my own personal views on
the questions upon which Prof. Briggs
was examined, l should prefer to re-
main Quiet at present. as it would be
fore-installing the works of the General
Assembly. While 1 may not be dele
gate to the Assembly myself l shall
probably have to vote for some one to
be sent there, and any opinion now
would be premature"
The reporter next called upon Rev.
d. A. Cunningham, d. D., pastor OF the
First Presbyterian Church. The Doctor
is not altogether pleased with the course
pursued by Prof. Briggs, and thinks In
the main 1t is wrong.
Had Prof. Briggs desired to air his
! opinions so contrary to the spirit OF the
confession" said DR.. Cunningham, 1.-THE
proper thing for him to have done
would have been to resign, and to dis
ally himself with the Presbyterian
faith. He has certainly been preaching
for some time to the detriment OF the
church, inasmuch as he has beer ex-
pounding almost contrary to the articles
of the church which he he so solemniy
approved at one time. 1t was perhaps
natural that the charges were not sus-
tanned In. his own New York Presby-
terry where sympathy doubtless had
| much to do in determining the result.
There are a number of young theolo-
CLANS in New York that have been
brought up under his guidance, and
they naturally labored in his behalf.
The secular press continually talks
about Prof. Briggs being prosecuted.
| 1t is far from that, for the churcn
gives man wider field and oppor-
tunities to clear himself than the courts
OF law. In the first place, il the pastor
of church is believed to have COM
mitted an offence he is first tried before
the Board of that chuch. II found
guilty he can apply to the Presbytery,
and then an appeal to the Synod
which is composed OF number OF Pres
byteries and finally to the General AS
sembly. which is the ultimatum. The
Assembly is composed of delegates from
Presbyteries all over the country.
There will be some 500 delegates in the
General Assembly and the case will then
be adjudged impartially, and will be re-
moved from all local sentiment"
Rev. C. M. Afford, pastor OF the Thlrd
| Presbyterian church. was seen, and
talked freely about the matter. "The
verdict OF the Presbytery," he said,
s'certainly does not meet my approval.
1t was the verdict of lower court,
however. and am certain it will be
| reversed By the General Assembly, at
the next session. In my opinion the
Presbytery attempted to cover TOO
| much ground. Prof. Briggs, in his
! writings, said there were many mis-
takes in the Bible, and discredited It's
authenticity, even going so far as
saw II was not inspired. he taI
that the Bible contained the
| God. but was not truth itself
contrary to Presbyterla1 DO
byterians recognize the
| infallible guide.
"Prof. Briggs =
theological .