New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-28
DIR. BRIGGS MADE DEACON.
ORDAINED BY BISHOP POTTER IN GRACE
CHURCH

The Rev. DR.. Charles Augustus Briggs. OF he
faculty Of Union Theological Seminary Prssby-
terian). this city. was yesterday ordained a.
deacon in the Protestant Episcopal Church. The
ceremony Of ordination performed by Bishop
Potter in Grace Church. Only small number OF
clergymen and the family OF Dr. Briggs were pres
ent at the service.
II shortly before Easter that Dr. Briggs was
received into tho Episcopal communion, having de-
termined to leave the Presbyterian denomination to
which he had hitherto belonged and In the ministry
OF which he had been prominent figure. His teach
ings had been distastefu to the NewYork Pree-
bytery and to the highest ecclesiastical body In that
Church, and he suspended from exercising tho
functions OF the ministry in that denomination some
time ago. his trial on the charges against him hav-
ing been one OF the most remarkable In the history
OF the Church In this country.
Soon after his confirmation he sent In an appnca-
ton for admission candidate for holy orders to
the authorities OF the diocese OF New-York and was
recommended last month for ordination. having
successfully passed through the preliminary sx-
animation.
An almost invarable rule OF canon law has It
that q candidate for holy orders shall not be
ordained to the order OF deacon. the lowest order
IN the Church, within three years OF his admission
3 q candidate. There Is. however. a canonical
provision which, II all the requirements are met.
permits candidate 10 escape that long period OF
probation and preparation and become q deacon
with little delay.
special meeting Of the Standing Committee OF
this diocese held Thursday. at which the sp-
pncaton OF DR.. Briggs taken up for considers
ton. II unanimously found by the members
Of the committee that the applicant met fully all OF
the conditions required. and they recommended him
to tho Bishop for immediate ordination.
At Dr. Briggs's request that no time should b
lost Bishop Potter agreed have the Ceremony
take place in Grace Church. the Rev. Dr. William
r. Huntington rector. yesterday morning. Thero
present at the church Or. Huntington. Dr..
George F. Nelson and the Revs. Bishop. Perry, Van
Rensselaer, Bailey and Johnson OF Grace Church
STAFF, and the Rev. DR.. Perkins
Mrs. Briggs and the other members OF the pro-
fessors family, including his daughter who has for
q number Of years been deaconess In tho Epis.
oopal Church, were present also.
DR.. Briggs not the only candidate for ordinA-
ton He was Joined by the Rev, Charles II.
6nedeker, formerly minister In the Methodtsf
Episcopal Church, who. ike DR. Briggs. had secured
dspensaton from the Standing Committee at the
same time for early ordination. Both candidates
presented by DR.. huntington and tho Bishop
performed the usual ceremony OF ordination with.
out preaching sermon.
It Is understood that tho relations Of ProfessoP
Briggs to Union Theological Seminary will NOS
be disrupted by his becoming an Episcopal clergy
man. He has already received many invitations 70
preach In Episcopal pulpits. and these engagements
Increased his desire 10 be ordained at the earliest
day possible Mr. Snedeker will assist DR.. Cree
AT ST. Bartholomew Church.