The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-04-06
BRIGGS AN EPISCOPALIAN.
Union Seminary Theologian Leaves
the Presbytery.

the ETtSDgttEl
The Rev. DR.. Charles A. Briggs, profess
sor of Biblical theology at Union Theolo-
gical Seminary, Park avenue n Sixty
ninth street, has intimated TO Bishop Pot
ter of the Protestant Episcopal Do
ccse of New York his desire to be or
dained deacon in the priesthood OF that
communion. and II is said that such or
daininR will be made at the Trinity or
dlnations I'm June. Professor Briggs has
also GENT his resignation TO the stated
clerk of the New York Presbytery, OF
which body he Is now a member in reg
ular standing, although formally suspend
ed from exercising the functions OF a
PRESBYTERIAN minister. Dr. Briggs salu
last night 10 "a reporter OF The sun;
II have conferred at some length with
the authorities OF the Protestant Episco-
nal CHURCH. | have been confirmed IN
the communion OF that church. was
confirmed in Grace Church by Bishop
Potter within a short time. l do not
care 10 he more exact as to the time. l
have applied for holy orders. No action
has as vet been taken on that apphca-
ton. so far as l know. l do not care 10
discuss at the present time my te"son
for taking this step.
o,ce ordained as q Presbyterian VIII not
no taken account Of by the Episcopal
church which will require him 10 begin
os ~ a lavman. namely, TO be ordaine q
doacon and remain such for a PERIOD OF
- vear before being advanced 10 the
g~t..hood Where the Trinity ordina-
lions take place this year has not YET
been fixed. pr,oos
The present exact status of Prot. Briggs
I'm the Presbyterian Church shouiu p0
explained. He is a member IN soOu s'"
ItgrNr ~ Now 60Ek. NUl
tbe roIi NJ the P~resbytery names or men,
bers appear according 10 GATE Vi nf
ton Inst before the name or Prot.
Rriges on this roll appears that OF the
rev Ira s. Dodd. OF Riverdale, and Just
oftar a. that of the Rev. DIR. john X. PAX
60, ~ the New York Presbyterian
Cbnrch Harlem. But i'm italics. just I'M
dor tho long list OF DIR. Briggs literary
titles appears I'm brackets the word 'sus-
pended" -
This ,s due 10 the act OF the Presby-
terian General Assembly OF lS9J' when
met I'm Washington. 1t VIII be remehl-
bered that the P~resbytery OF New iotk
tried Prof. Briggs and acquitted him. An
appeal was taken to the General Assem-
bly. overlapping the Synod Of New YORK.
the Intermediary body. an act whlch many
P-resbvterians condemned. Under date Of
lime l.. me Kew III Il 81 - AAEN
man of the Assembly Committee, made a
report I'm which the action OF the Presby-
terry of New York was overrule0. and
which stated that Charles A. Briggs had
uttered. taught and propagated views
doctrines and teachings contrary 10
Scripture. to the Westminster Confession
and his own ordination vows. Where-
upon the General Assembly, sitting az
iudicatory. suspended Prof. Briggs I'M
III such time as he shall give Satisfactory
evidence of repentance.
This suspension means. not that he Is
no longer an ordained person, but tnat
he IS not permitted TO exercise mnisterlai
functions. Efforts have been made 10 get
this suspension removed, the leader III
the effort being the Rev. Ut. hiram "
Haydn. OF the First Church CleEeiaIu.
prominent member OF the Presoytery
Of New York. speaking OF the ihciue"'
yesterday. sad:
'sThere has been q movement 10 secure
the removal Of the suspension or FRO
lessor Briggs. and had ne not taken the
stem now announced II Is probable that
euch an act would have been pressed
mon the approaching General Assembly.
Professor Briggs withdrawal from the
Church | regard as proof that the spirit
Of one hundred years ago, or nfty years
ago az best. is controlling p~resent-day
Presbyterianism Under such condition.
n will not be strange If others follow
Inc lead Of Professor Briggs. indeed /
have heard that Professor Shields OK
Princeton. and possibly Professor McGil-
fert. OF Union. would take similar steps.
nv our old-timc conservatism we are
driving out some Of our very best men.
Regarding Professor Shields n Pro-
lessor McGinert. DR.. Briggs said last
night: 81 am not Informed as 10 their
intentions. DR.. Shields is a very good
friend OF mine, but certainly there Is no
preconcerted action between usi
Concerning Professor Briggs future re-
lations to the Union Seminary. a member
Of the Presbytery said:
IAN Episcopallan in the faculty OF
Union would be. as understand the la"
Illegal. FOR | am sure that the charter re-
oufres all members 10 be members OF the
PRESBYTERIAN Church / know that this
question has been debated by the trus-
tees and is certain 70 AFFORD matter for
future action."-New York sun.