The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-05-19

Presbyterians will take up the gauge OF
popular interest which American Meth
odism is preparing to relinquish az
Cleveland. In other words, the atten-
ton of the religious world will be trans
ferred eastward to the Presbyterian
general assembly, where it is now
expected that the public will witness
repetition of the animated debates
which have characterized preceding as
semblies, during the past five years.
The irrepressible Briggs issue is due
for another leap into public promin-
ence, and the news columns may be
expected soon to bristle again with the
bright points of theologians in battle.
For the purpose of refreshing the
memory of laymen it may be noted in
way of brief review that the Briggs
issue first reached the general assem-
bly, at Detroit, in 1891 when the election
of Dr. Briggs as professor of biblical
theology in Union Theological seminary
was disapproved. The basis of this dis
approval was the address which Dr.
Briggs had delivered on Jan. 20 of that
year. upon assuming the duties of his
professorship. In that address he held
substantially that reason Is q fountain
of divine authority which may and does
savingly enlighten men, even such men
as reject the scriptures as the authori-
tative proclamation of the will of God;
that the church can save. apart from
the scriptures; that the original text
of the Holy Scripture contains errors;
that Moses did not write the Penta-
teuch: that Isaiah dN not write
Isaiah; and that sanctification is not
complete at death. Among the utter
ances of DR.. Briggs in this address to
which special exception was taken were
the following:
Divine, authority has been so encased
intheauthority IN OF popes and councils, prel-
ates and priests ecclesiastics and theolo-
CLANS, that multitudes have been unable
TO discern ii. Men of deep spirl-
tual insight may be able TO force their
way through these distinctions and lind
God a. spite of them. But to men of the
temperament anu environment of the ay-
erage educated Protestant such an en-
perience is difficult if not Impossible.
The vast multitude of men are
eulueu Dy tOu through tne forms OF the
reason, without their having any con-
seriousness of His presence or guidance.
me Blble.haS no magical virtue in
II, and there Is no halo enclosing it. 1t will
not stop Il bullet any better than u mass
book. 1t will not keep off evil spirits bet
ter than cross. 1t will no: guard Il home
from fire half 80 well as holy water If
you desire to know when ana how yol
shail take Journey. you Will find a safer
guide In AN almanac or Il daily newspaper.
The Bible Is no better than hydromancy
or Witchcraft, II we seek for divine guild
ance by the chance opening of the book
The Bible as IA book, is paper. print ana
binding-nothing more"
The later stages Of the Briggs "heresy
hunt as the secular press irrevereni-
ly dubbed 1t. are mentionablc in the
Following chronological order: In 1892.
az Portland. Oregon. Union seminary
took steps leading to the breathing of
the compact which had been in force
between it and the assembly for moro
than twenty years. At Washington. in
1893. DR.. Briggs was suspended from
the ministry and the assembly disa-
vowed responsibility for the teaching
OF Union seminary. In 1894. at Sara
toga, an effort was made to bring all
of the seminaries of the church under
direct control of the general assembly,
and making it impossible for an in
stitutiOn to break loose from the as
sembly without forfeiting it's property.
At Pittsburg. last year. the Presby-
terry Of New York was enjoined not to
receive. under its care young mon study
ing in Union seminary or proposing
to study there. The assembly went
farther than that. and requested it's
committee on conference with the the
illogical seminares to inquire into and
report to the coming general assembly
as to the rights OF the Presbyterian
church in the United States of America
in the property now held by the Union
Theological seminary in the city of
New York, and to report what meas
ures should be taken to enforce those
rights.
1t is this phase of the question which
Ia expected to make the Forthcoming
general assembly interesting. There
is pretty general belief that the SEM
mary did not act altogether honestly
when 1t broke loose from the assembly
and carried with 1t more than a mil
lion of the endowment which had come
to It by reason Of it's unquestioned fit
ness during prior years as a Presbyter-
ian institution. Legally it's right to
this endowment may be impregnable,
although there is considerable talk of
carrying the case into the courts. But
morally the impression is widespread
that the seminary's course was scarce
ly honorable. The friends of the semf