New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-05-15
DIR. BRIGGss ACCUsERs.
THE rsELEssNEss OF RAISING ANOTHER EcCLE-
s1AsTIcAL sMUDGE-soME BIBLE ADVICE.

THE UsELESsNEss OF RAISING ANOTHER ECCLE-
srAsr1cAL sMUDGE-soME BIBLE ADVICE.
To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: The pcayure tactics and offensive sensitive
ness for "the faith once delivered to the saints"
as displayed by the opponents OF Dr. Brggs's ordi-
nation promise well to result In more OF trial
10 the cause of Christ than trial of DR.. Briggs.
To use an expressiveIbit OF slang 1t makes one
tired Pray what can be accomplished by attempt
Ing to raise another ecclesiastical smudge? Where,
ever, the cause Of pure religion and indebted
promoted by such strlfes?
II Jesus were the Bishop OF New-York would He
not probably repeat His old correction to the SIN
cerely exclusive FORBID him not for he that Is
not against us r. for u.s.? And to those whose
motives won't bear the test Of sincerity would He
not probably repeat, Woe unto you, hypocrites!
FOR We shut up the kingdom OF heaven against
men, for we neither 90 in yourselves neither suffer
we them that are entering to go In? Far be
1t from me- however, to intimate that our Lord
would ever mistake our Episcopal Church exclu-
sively for the kingdom OF heaven!
I suppose. matter Of fact. even the best or
US with time. grow rusty on our ordination vows
We think We remember In general their spirit But
they will bear "A frequent renewal Of acquaintance
with the result that nothing will suffer but our
prcjudccs ard self-conceit
The aim Of these Jealous presbyters In their op-
pcsition 20 Dr. BriSgs's ordination, would seem TO
be to forget the last OF their ordination promises
do much
judgments OF their bishop. as, rather, TO insist
unon his submitting to what obviously they them
selves rate as Judgments but few could agree TO
rate very godly.
Even rusty memory will recall that your cure
and charge" Is phrase that occurs In the priest
ordination vows In one form or another 1t occurs
frequently For instance the province or the priest
in the exercise OF the obligations to drive away al
erroneous and strange doctrines contrary to Goa
word and to use both public and private monitions
and exhortatlons is within your cures Faithful
diligence always so to administer the doctrine and
sacraments and the discipline OF Christ as the
Lord hath commanded, and this Church hath
received the same according 20 the commandments
OF God is so that you may teach the people COM
raitted TO your and charge
There is another priestly pledge to be dligent 70
make yourselves as much as in you heth. whole
some examples and patterns to the mock OF christ
And another quite suggestive pledge. printed in
no different type from the rest Of our promises,
vows to maintain and set forward as much as
lieth in YOU quetness peace and love among AL
Christian people, and especially among them that
are or shall be committed TO your charge.
DR.. Briggs's exemplary mastery OF the art OF
silence throughout all this brothery zeal for the
cause OF truth would lead one 10 suspect that lie
possessed eminent fitness to exercise the once ana
work OF a priest IN the Church OF God. IL woulo
seem that. while yet he has not been ;echnl-
callv ordained by the imposition OF hands" upon
]
cepuonally ordained by an imposition OF fingers
unon his lips How golden. indeed, is silence
] What wonder that the Heavenly Jerusalem is said
/ 10 be paved in gold! What wonder that silence IN
/ heaven for the space OF half an hour called Tor
| notice on the part OF the inspired John! Would
TO God our ministry could apply TO ltselI more OF
When the Bishop is convinced IN his own mind,
degpite the unsought advice rendered him, that
DR. Briggs thinks in his heart that he Is truly
7 called According to the will OF our Lord Jesus
/ christ and according 10 the canons OF this
/ Church TO the order and ministry OF priesthood,
we may well trust that tne VII OF tne 70 Lo be
+ hoped that presbyter OF our Church VIII stahu
up at the time OF Dr. Briggss ordination ana de-
clare In the face Of a brother christians solemn
/ convic;ion that there is "impediment and notable
crime OF which such presbyter ''knoweth. De
fence Of the faith is very nice when Is delehce
/ our guns look 80 much like blunderousses and the
/ thing defended smacks so OF the uncharitabie ana
ali knowing II might be well to practise the belief
/ OF an earlier blindness VINO saw enough 10 kho"
! that They also who only stand and wait
/ would plead with my brethren In the Episcopal
! ministry who are so afraid Of DR. Briggs ordina.
/ defenders of the faith then known Pharisees.
refer of course. 10 the familiar passage In Acts
once more we Defenders OF the Faith. take heed
to yourselves as touching this man , What ye are
him and let him alone; for II his counsel or hi.
IL OF God We will not be able 20 overthrow him;
lest haply ye be found even to be hshting against
like hts ancient hearers. let us agree to him.
Rut unlike them let US forbear further TO call DR..
Briggs the Bishop ITO beat them or 10 charge
HEN or In any wise 10 seek reap ill-gotten
deed. and prove II possible for US not merely TO
agree TO" camaliel but to be GamallelS on. or a
Christian scale r. O. Doubtless.