The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1894-11-19
BRIGGS LATEST.
he Conception Of Christ he holds
Was Not 8 Miracle.
|yT HIS DIVINITY NOT DENIED.
,od Brought About che Birth
through Thoopbanio Presence.
Tho Doctor Also Deals With the
second Advent of Christ aud ES.
pres.es Strong opIaions Thereon.

Nrw YoHx, Nor. is.-Proi. Charles
Briggs has issued his latest book,
,,rbe Messiah Of the Gospel" 1t has
been ready for publication since 1887,
bal he delayed giving it to the public,
oviug 70 the heresy trials through
witch he has passed in the past few
years.
Tho book will attract greater atten-
lion than any he has written, and for q
time will set all orthodox Christians
almost wild. He attacks the accepted
theories concerning the conception OF
Christ, denying that miracle was per-
formed, aud claiming that all the laws
II nature were fulfilled. His belief Is
That the conception was brought about
by God Himself present in thee phany.
TO HENRY PRESERVED SMITH.
The work is dedicated TO Henry Pre-
,.ryed Smith. true scholar, faithful
friend and bravo companion in holy
warfare, this book is dedicated in sym
pathy and love-"
synopsis Of the book ha, been pub
lIshed. Extracts are here given. which
will show the startling nature Of tho
professors assertions.
HThe Blessed Virgin was residing in
Nazareth OF Galilee, betrothed to Joseph
ofthe royal line OF David, tho heir OF
The Messianlc promises OF the Old Tesla
meut The time for marriage had not
vet come. God had higher appoint
ment for her to fulfill as the Virgin
Mother OF the Messiah.
"The Virgin Conception OF Jesus as
announced by the Archangel Is not to
be interpreted as II it were a miracle
in violation Of the laws Of nature, but
rather as brought about by God him
self present in theophany. The words
Of the angel imply theophaning pres-
euce, though It might be urged that the
comingof the spirit upon her was an in
visible coming after the analogy OF
many passages OF tho Old Testament,
vet the parallel statement that the d.
vine power overshadowed her cannot
be so interpreted.
This annunciation represents the
conception OF Jesus as duo to q theo-
phany. It does not rotate the doctrine
Of his pre.existence; although that doc
trine is a legitimate inference. 1t rep.
resents an early stage OF New Testament
Christology. It does not go a step be.
yond the epistle to the Corinthians. 1t
implies nothing more than the sending
in birth taught by the epistle to the
Galatians aud 10 the Romans. 1t Is
really more primitive aud more sim.
pie Genealogical conception"
SECOND ADVENT OF CHRIST.
DR.. Briggs makes special study Of
the second advent OF Christ. He says:
"The hour Of the resurrection is COM
Ing 1t cannot be said OF 1t that 1t now
a. or that it Is at hand. We have, how
ever, prediction Of three resurrections,
the first, spiritual, the last universal;
the intermediate one distinct from the
first and the last, and impending, being
connected with the resurrection OF the
Messiah himself.
"Christ first predicts the importation
Of everlasting life to all who hear the
word Of the Messiah and believe in God.
All such have passed out OF death into
life. They will no more die. They will
not come into Judgment. This Is
spiritual instruction impaired by the
word OF the Messiah 20 all believers dur.
Ing the physical life in this world.
at is also predicted that the hour is
coming and now Is when the dead will
hear the quickening voice of the Son OF
God and live. The hour coming points
to the future, and therefore, indicates o
different resurrection from tho spiritual
resurrection Of tho previous section,
which was already enjoyed by all those
who heard the Messiah's word and be.
lieved. Christ also predicts universal
resurrection OF the dead at the ultimate
judgment, in which some will rise to
life and others to condemnation"