New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-09-08
NEITHER "CATHOLIC" NOR CHRISTIAN.

The brotherhood Of st. Andrew, an influential
society Of Episcopal laymen, is to hold National
convention in Louisville Ky, on the 10Th or the
nresent month Among the topics announced
for discussion Is that Of Christian unity, ana
ono Of the sneakers on that topic announced in
the provisional programme Is Professor Charles
A Briggs In itself the selection OF non
Eniscopal sneaker would not have been severely
criticised even by strong churchmen; for the
Episcopal Church Of to-day is far less exclusive
than It used to be-. But 1t was at once felt by
MANY Episcopalians that the choice Of the dis
tingnished Union Seminary professor to speak on
Christian unity was unfortunate. For some years
the Episcopal and the Presbyterian churches
have been comforting together with view TO
uniting on the basis Of the well-known "quadri-
lateral nut forth by the Episcopal Church. And
while there are perhaps, few In either Church
who believe that such union Is al present
feasible II was felt that the choice or Sis
pended Presbyterian minister TO speak on that
question in q Church gathering was, TO say 'he
least. scarcely courteous to the PresDyterlans'
This view of the case has been courteousy pre-
scented in THE Churchman' and The Living
Church." and it Is likely that the appointment
Of Dr. Briggs may be cancelled. solely on the
ground Of comfy to a sister Church His per-
sonal fitness to speak in the convention, and the
right of the Brotherhood to invite him, Will be
strongly maintained.
one protest however, against the suggested
appointment Of DR.. Briggs Is so coarsely vlrl-
lent-not to say unchristian-in its tone that
It will be surprising If Episcopallans OF every
school of thought do not unite In condemnng IT,
II appears as an editorial article in Journal pub
lished I'm this city called Catholic Champion,
and edited by a clergyman Of the Protestant
Eniscopal Church. 1t begins by declaring DR..
Rrigcs's appointment an outrage to the Chlrch,
meaning probably the Episcopal Church, an in
s,lt 10 the Presby terrain Church. an indignity
70 the Bible. and treason against Almighty
Cod" This Is pretty strong language; but In
tho soctarian disputes Of Christians such strong
Language Is unfortunately only too common,
owing TO the fact that every sectary Is firmly
convinced that he Is right while all others are
fatally wrong 1t Is however, in its personal
references to DR.. Briggs that this article Of
fends against decency and Christian courtesy.
II calls him "a disgraced Presbyterian minis
"ter. convicted, after due trial. Of heresy and
"blasphemy against the Holy Scriptures a
"heretical outcast of such low morals as TO con-
tiuuc sucking lne money oI VIM"
no oncnly denies Il "traducer Of the Bible and
"an outcast from every Church and deDomna-
tion Of Christendom.' Now. DR.. Briggs Is an
eminent Christian scholar, as to whose personal
honor and integrity there has never been any
dispute He has been the foremost figure in IA
great controversy over doctrna interpretations
in his own Church, and though his views nave
been condemned, large proportion OF the most
loyal and Intelligent clcrgymcn and laymen In
tho PRESBYTERIAN Church believe his views to be
nropcrly within the tolerated limits Of opinion
in the Church. Moreover, the Presbyterian
clergymen and laymen who compose the Gov
erninc Board OF Union Seminary uphold Dr.
Rrirrs without "A dissenting voice. 1t Is not
merely DR. Briggs. therefore, whom this Protcs-
tont Episcopal journal-if indeed, 1t can be
called such-vilitcs. but the loyal and high
minded gentlemen in his Church who stand by
him because they believe him to be In all essen
falls A true Presbyterian. In impugnlng his
honor and attacking his motives 1t impugns the
honor and attacks the motives of every Presby
terian who has spoken or voted for him. Such
a method of conducting ecclesiastical warfare
may be acceptable TO the so-caed Catholic
party in the Episcopal Church. though we very
much doubt It, But we are confident that It will
be strongly condemned by every one else, in that
Church and out of 1t, who has within him the
instincts Of gentleman. 1t is one thing to dis
approve Of mans views, and quite another
TO call him a rascal.