The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-07-10
CHURCH. AND BIBLE.
A vital Conflict just Ahead in tho Protes-
tant Episcopal Communion.
From Tie southern Churchmdr.

From Tie southern Churchmdr.
Protestant Episcopal forces are mnssing for
an ecclesiastical fight which they admit may
cover period Of several years and may prove
the most exciting in American Church annals
Prof Briggs let loose the dogs OF war. but nl-
ready the contest has so far outRrown the ques-
ton OF the Union professors ordination that he
is practically LOOT sight Of. The aims sought are
the ylndication Of the faith once delivered to
the saints" and the humiliation OF the Broad
Church party In the communion. Active
sympathizcrs with the contest are conservative
men in almost all religious bodies. 80 that inc
contest extends far beyond Protestant Episco-
pal Church lines. While no names OF leaders
can be quoted at this time, the foregoing state-
mcnts are made upon the very highest au-
thorlty.
The original protest against Prof. Briggs
came as everybody knows, from one OF the
leaders OF the so-cnlled Catholic party in the
Episcopal Church. but subsequent events have
widcned the controversy until 1t Is not
catholic" fight at all 1t Is true that that
party will flock to the assistance OF those who
oppose tho Union professor. and their doing 80
clouded for time others who had entered into
the contest Sufficient time has now elapsed
found o5 nd tina thmt "Cathohcs" Evangeiicais" and
that large b2dy Of jTI, c%mm%n A. trn OK
are uniting on common grounds. Just outside
this communion but thoroughlv in sympath%
with the standards, are conservative men IN all
religious bodies. who decla are that Protestant
Episcopal leaders are fighting the battle ola
TT It is understood that the forces are not yet
perfectly organized Until they ere 95e The leader
nGs HssS to hs Ss a?o
lit has been informally agreed" said this
leader that there shall be no secret confer 5e
| Whatever il done will be done openly. and as
understand the ease preliminary ann ,Sn
Interested enough to want them. concerning
| our plans and purposes SINCE you ask do not
elements who feel. that we have Scriptures
worth preserving that we have: as Gh hs
ff""ss needed no flaming m for Without anybody
designing It n movement OF these elements has
% q~SE S i'm ready 70
| their leaders when the timc comes. The pur-
snf to nsM err Sr with truth q plant
| to put to confusion the apoogists Of our day,
| who taking UP and repeating as their own the
| Church by claiming themselves to stand for It.
| Without mentioning the prominent men in
the elements in the Protestant Episcopal
fence Of tEe old fo, h. The ritunl!sts, as
Evangelical yirglnlnns and the churchmanship
represented by the Atlantic States arc with us.
|
| New York. all of the dioccses in Pennsylvania
| Ohio and practically the entire West The
strength OF the Broad partyi is in Massachu-
great cathedras. like Potter OF New York Sat
! terlce OF Washington. Doane OF Albany. though
| the latter is so involved in other questions that
he finds i difficult toreman il the Broad party
| the Broad element cuts little figure. That has
been proven in the General Convention over
something. and not for anything anybody hap
| pens to teach.
II do not expect to SEQ the Bishops at tho
| ton. To expect them to do so might lead them
| to inquire how often they werc required to af-
| Arm adherence TO the Bible. Nothing could he
ances Of the American House of Bishops. The
| Broad party can find no comfort there but. on
| the contrary. that narty has. on one occasion at
suppose anything important will be done this
| summer. But in the autumn you may look for
| definite action. The contest may be long one.
| five or eight years. PERHAPS but have no fear
| for the result. Our predecessors have fought
for the truth and we ought to be willing to do so.
Prof. Briggs is not the issue. and where he
lict is far greater than he. fhe whole Church
| IL involved; but the Church is lighting for hui
mgpity and for the right 1t is fighting for the
| larger incident. which that one opened. Is not
| closed. and 1t will not be until modern error.
the echo OF many ancient ones. and not known
years. No matter u It does 1t is worth the
doing"
1t IS understood that early in the autumn
definite action will be taken. hut that ACTION
| does not involve or contemplate q trial OF Bish-
| op Potter or of yhody else. Nothing sensa-
| tional is promised and the victory. will be won
| ing from tho House of BiShons deal with the
matter conservatively. and the Broad party
| lose ground and disappear. 1t is q war Of ex-
| termination. SO conservative leaders declare.