The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-06-10
DIDN'T DOUBLE DEAL WITH BRIGGS
DIR. Clcndenin and DR.. do Costa Rsfute n
Sensational story.

sensational story.
That the Rev. DR. Frank NJ. Clendcnin OF st.
Peters Church. West Chester. whose open letter
TO Bishop Potter protesting aga inst the ordna-
ton OF DR.. Briggs carried the Briggs contro-
versy into the Protestant Episcopal Church,
wrote to DR.. Briggs year ago. saying that the
Church was honored by the admission OF a
man OF his piety and scholarships that the
Rev. Dr. Benjamin +. Dc Costa. the most bitter
OF the open opponents Of DR.. BriRgss ordina-
ton. also wrote to DR. Briggs when he became
an Episcopnl!an, expressing sympathy with
him in the unhappy experiences he had had
In the PRESBYTERIAN Church, and that DR..
Briggs asked Bishop Potter to ordain him to
the priesthood in st, Peters because Of the
kindly regard no believed the West Chester
rector had for him-these are statements
made. on evidently good broad church
authority. by the usually well-informed
New York correspondent OF Phila-
delphia newspaper. The article seeks to
make II appear that the leaders OF the fight
against the admission Of the Union Theological
Seminary professor to the priesthood were
friendly to DR.. Briggs until the time he most
needed friends to stand by him. and that they
suddenly changed front" for some unknown
reason
Nothing. It seems. could be further from the
truth. Dr. Clendenin has always been High
Church man OF the most pronounced type.
and he has been firm opponent
of the higher criticism OF the BIZ
BILE Whom, year ago. he heard that
DR.. Briggs had been received into tho Episco-
pal Church, he took it for granted that tho
former Pres hyterian scholar had recoded from
his radical views Of the truthtuness Of Holy
ScriptnrE: and had con cone into the Church.
PrSGbytcrinnism and found what he needed in
short note to Dr., Briggs, whom he had
RnG to hear nn, he H haa ca h to he accSp
communion. lie exrressSd the hope that the
moro DR. Briggs came to know the, Church the
and in concluding. he said that the Catholic
faith. and that alone. ever satisfied the heart
Not until several months after DR., Briggs's
learn that tho former Presbyterian had not
Briggs was the guest Of the Churchmen's Asso-
There he read a paper in which he made light
OF the authority OF the Church. saying that
R hH st the Peter s ct 6 n ,S Ssh he nobsT
that the Church had one ~, Paul, the
BibI" @nothGr Among 1hGse who took part in
CIendenin.. He showed at once that he was
quite put of harmony with the seminarian. The
Of Holy Writ and the Church. not the scholar.
alone could interpret the Scriptures. Had DR.,
Hrisgs not been guest At the mSeti2S the
have contented himself with SO mild a criti-
Gs s p Of pr BSrigss,s paper Dr. Briggs and
wrote TO Dr. CIcndenin. asking if it would be
at S. 9 h Paers a M
Dr. Clendenin at once wrote the Bishop that
service on that dav. The Bishop did not tell
him that DIR. Briggs was to be the candidate
nouncement was made, and letters Of protest
from High Church men began to pour in on Or.
v 5ne 6S 0 che Tss rom T bs
secretary an early notice Of the time and place
Of DR.; Briggss .ordinatIon. pr De Costa asked
book, and Sugg 81 ed that Dr. Clendenin might
l.,ok t.r formal protest from him if the
ps Goi s0B De- on cory I
q Dir. Briggs ,,Introduction, to, the Study OF
Holy P saa ss 6 9th brRs
teachings we're heretical, and that such man
must not be advanced to the priesthood; DIR.
CIcndenin sent copy OF Dr. Dc Costas letter
Dr.. Ciendrnin had never seen any, OF DR.;
the f book Dr. De costa had!sent him He was
professor, Without waiting to consult VIII
Of 2} Dr. f Brsss from ST. Feters Church and
any church Of the Anglican communion.
He was at a loss to explain why the Bishop
chose his church for the ordination. as the
Bishop had reason to know TINT not only was
tho West Chester, rector pronounced High
Church man. but that he was man who would
fight for his faith. DIR. Cendentn does; not be;
lieve that Or. Briggs could have so misludged
him as to have asked the Bishop to have the
ordination in St. Peters
As for DR.. De Costa. he has been hereto
hunter for years He has consistently opposed
the higher critics. and at times his opposition
opposed Dr. Briggs and always will.
DIR. De Costa says that he never wrote to DIR.
Briggs but once. and that was nearly twelve
years ago He was sorry to hear year ago
that Pr, Briggs had become an Episcopnliap: :,
said DR.. De Costa last night. when asked II he
Epscoralisn.- II wrote to DR.. Briggs in
October. 1897, whom no was editor OF tho
Presbyterian Herald I haeen't written to him
since. Everybody knew that was opposed to
DR.. Briggs. The Bishop knew it, and that was
one reason. I'm told. why the Bishop So
lectcd country church for the ordination. He
wanted to keep me away. He was afraid OF
ma