The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-04-21

4 BREAK AT PRINCETON.
Recent events within the Presby-
terrain church have assumed such por-
tentous dimensions az to become . mat
ter Of national interest. II not OF solicit
tude. What makes Il the more general
~ Interesting Il that Il does not seem
10 be 30 much . matter Of creed ~ Of
personal liberty. The Presbyterian
body has been one Of the most exact
ing at all times In carrying church dis
cipline into non-essential matters. Its
profound respect for all things connect
ed with its creed has sometimes led Il
10 impose restraints which communities
have fretted under. The objection to
Whaling on the Sabbath II an iiluatra-
ton Of this. There II nothing inner
entity wrong In the whistling. but 1t at
frontsd the pious Presbyterian as ex-
hibiting want OF decorOus respect for
q day which had been sanctified by an
especial divine recognition. The rock
upon which the church In now resting.
with 4 doubt whether Il win get OK
safely or be split In two. u the recent
act OF Prof. Charles Shields. OF the
Princeton theological seminary. In be-
Ing one Of q number Of property-owners
who signed petition that . liquor IL
censs Be granted to the Princeton Inn.
This has become one Of the burning
auestions Of Presbyterianism Elk.
President Grover Cleveland and many
Of his nsishbora had signed the petit
ton. and among others u was passed
TO Prof. Shields. who holds the chair
for the promotion Of harmony between
science ana revealed religion. Whether
the professor was fully conscious or not
OF the import OF his act. does not ap-
pear; but In . short time ne found HIM
self the unexpected central figure In q
blase Of indignation which was focused
upon him. The New York Synod Of the
United Presbyterian church broke out
into an explosion around the head Of
the surprised professor with q resolu-
ton: Words fall w 70 express our
sorrow and ama1ement. We enter en-
phasic protest against the appearance
Of this nonster'-sneaning liQuor--''un-
der the sanction Of American Protes-
tant institutions Of education" The
professor was no less amased, but he
very promptly ana vigorously retorted
that he regarded this - unjust. un-
constitutional and defamatory." and
said he would leave the Presbyterian
body. It 10 now reported that he has
been confirmed o. an Eriscopalian.
But q much more serious schism has
arisen between the church authority
and the nursery OF Presbyterianism.
President Patton. Prof. Duffield and
Prof. Cameron have all refused to go
a. delegates 10 the Presbyterian general
assembly. They do this because they
expect that the faculty OF the college
Princeton Inn trouble. They anticipate
that no explanation which they might
offer would be accepted by the assem-
bly,. although the act was that Of Prof.
Shields only. and they do not propose
10 be members Of body which should
pass such scathing resolutions upon
themselves as these adopted by some
OF the state Presbyterian gatherings.
DIR. Briggs, the distinguished Preshy-
terrain who was tried few years ago
for heresy. was suspended from the min
istry. hat allowed to remain In member
ship with the understanding tha, he
vas TO wressle with himself and de-
velop a spirit ef repentance" The
wressle resulted In his being formally
admitted to the Episcopal church. and
Fros- McIi.ffert. OF the Union theclogi-
Nal viuary. has shown indications OF
similar tendency
This is undoubtedly a serious mat
ter. ard ore which should be very
thaughtfufiy considered by body
which has always been notable for its
earnessness ard zeal II Ii worth con-
ssdesing whether the doctrinai differ.
eaces are IN the heart Of this move
mens. or whether II Is not that greater
latitude Is allowed by the Episcopal
church in personal conduct. The Pres