The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-06-18
Bishop Potter and the Ordination of DIR.
Briggs.

Briggs.
To THE EDITOR OF THE SUN-Sir: The re-
marks Of Bishop Huntington Of Central New
York, published In THE SUN. give additional
interest to the case OF DR.. Briggs. especially as
Bishop Huntington. like DR.. Briggs, came into
the Episcopal Church from another religious
body. Undoubtedly the responsibility OF DR..
Briggs's ordination rests absolutely with
Bishop Potter. and Bishop Huntington sus-
tains this view.
Bishop Potter. in the only communication
which he has published on the subject. casts
the responsibility on the Standing Committee.
But according to the canon OF the Protestant
Episcopal Church In America the Standing
Committee OF the diocese is merely "a council
OF advice to the Bishop" and when DR.. Briggs
sent his application to the Standing Commit
tee. he must also have sent q letter from Bishop
Potter recommending him for priest's orders.
Then. as Bishop Huntington remarks. in the
whole Church Catholic the Bishop alone 10 held
responsible for the ordination Of any man.
This is embodied In the Ember Collect. to be
said for those to be admitted into holy orders,
when we pray Govern the minds OF Thy SER
wants. the Bishops and pastors Of Thy flock.
that they may lay hands suddenly on no man.
hut faithfully and wisely make choice OF fit
persons to serve in the sacred ministry OF Thy
Church."
The fact that Bishop Potter has appointed
DR.. Briggs one OF his assistants In his catho-
dral mission In Stanton street clearly indicates
that he Is In sympathy with DR.. BrigRs's views.
There can be no objection to this. But why
does Bishop Potter cast the responsibility else
whereof
He might easily have replied that while he
alone was responsible for the ordination. 1t had
been Endorsed by the Standing Committee.
who must have examined DR.. Briggs. and It
consisted OF three High Church men Of reputa-
tion-Dr. Dix. the rector Of Trinity parish; DR..
Apologize OF Newburg. and DR.. Harris. the Sec
rotary Of the Diocese Convention. The fourth
clerical member. DR.. shipman. is an avowed
Broad Church man. and won Id probably be In
sympathy with men OF his own school OF
thought
The discussion has not ended. At the meet
ing Of the Diocesan Convention in September
next the clergy OF the diocese will be called
upon to elect the Standing Committee OF their
diocese The whole question may then be dis
cussed by tho clergy. and censure. either ex-
pressed or implied. may be voted on Bishop
Potter as well as on the Standing Committee.
perfectly capable Of nshting his own batties.
But IN Justice TO the feelings Of his people he
m 81 he he
ting Or. Briggs to the priesthood. The iaity
A., as well IS the clergy have right to demand
s,''o' 49, "otte NeASe WV SOhoSiOhSSp VI u
Personally. 1shoy%ld say It was q nists Ike to
well-deined stan dards Of Doctrine. DR.. B Si
LECTURER on Biblical theology in q Presbyterian
s sGfFe q1d him tire goal the
what and write what he ii liked sG@ rsea ray
ing the H9y script,ur nas as literature But 9
shackes upon himself and he 10 now responsi-
bic to his Episcopal brethren for his views, ''
ali brassSss the "e chu5eS estho Ras mo-
standard OF inspiration. It has merely a eats.
SfHs o% hs h SSsh
and no others. ip which alone the doctrine Of
dsFst9od Dr. Brses reeaate S The Second
mittee Il not the Bishop, on this point or he |
the 5pb fesE H0 9 TSs
660eS not really eeSt The 9spra9n e those
sary follow that He quoted them as sYs stere
book q JOB beeome tonip dd"'d esper 81 whe es
II ~ Is REGARDED as divine alegory, The most |
o dste not asr eSok 10 aT tbo the
R RT 6sP %,s Tsmr.fs sass Ss
epithets." And can the Episcopal Church
ahord to involve its good name in every part Of |
the land In order that DR.. Briggs may get even
with his Pros byterian brethren?
o mt In the e. DIOCESE OF New York there have been
from other religious bodies. At least two Of
these have been deposed. And when promi-
nent ministers have been ordained to the
been found that they bring their people with
them, On the contrary. they give the impress
lam for the discontentcd
1t Is not likely that Dr. Briggs will be tried
controversy will be increased carefuiness on
ne part OF some Bishops not to lay hands sud
nen'y on ministers OF other, denominations.
The Protestant Episcopal Church OF America
has pastors and teachers within her fold who
ath and practice which have come To- IA
through an apostolic ministry
JUNE II. AN episcopal CLERGYMAN |
Mr.. Goodwin Smith md NFatanhw.,o