New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-05-15

the courage Of my convictions you are ap-
rarently under the impression that my action in
the matter is wholly within my own discretion.
Such is not the case. A Bishops powecs are
constitutional. not absolute. In the matter OF
ordination he can only at when certain prelim-
mary action by others has been had. but when
this is the case and a candidate for orders
stands at the threshold of the ministry. the
Canons Of Ordination declare that the Bishop
shall mot rnayO then proceed to take order for
the ordination of the person who has met the
preliminary tests In the premises.
IAN these tests have been applied ir the case
OF the person to whom your letter refers. and
have received a certificate to that effect from
the Standing Committee OF the Diocese, which Is
as follows:
Bishop OF New-York
We whose names IRE hsreTnder WRITER beng ef 2
Diocese OF New-York. the said committee having
Of New-York do testify that the Rev Charles A.
Briggs, d. D., candidate for priests orders hath
space OF three years last past (or since the 9th
day of May, in the year 1898. that being the date
pioIsly soberly and honestly, and hath not writ
ten taught or held anything contrary to the doc
recommend him for admission TO the Sacred Order
OF Priests 0he advice and consent required by the
OF the term Of candida teship and service in the
Diaconate, after May Is. 1899, being expressed by
the signatures OF three-fourths OF the members OF
In witness whereof We have hereunso Sc. our
Lord 1899 MORGAN DIX;
OCTAVIUs .APPLDGATE
j. S sHIPMAN.
S. NICHOLsON KANE.
II {. Won POST.
THOMAS r. HARRIS.
Under these circumstances. and unless some
+ba oh Or
Rev. DR.. Briggs which was not covered by the
foregoing testimonial had been presented to me-
should not consider myself as having d'scre-
ton TO disregard the plain imperative or the
canon.
But nothing OF the sort has been adduced.
The book the teachings Of which have lately
been CHALLENGED has been for some time before
the public and the Standing Committee OF the
Diocese has been convened since recent anu
particular attention has been called TO IL. Ii
was in my Judgment competent to that body II
II had seen fit to do so, to recall the certificate
originally forwarded TO me- on the ground that
Il had been signed under misapprehension or
with insufficient knowledge; but this it has not
seen fit 10 do l must therefore accept that GER
tifcate as final, and l shall do so.
IT beg however, that you will not suppose
that am seeking to escape from any personal
responsibility In the matter Of the ordination OF
Dr. Briggs by retiring behind the action OF my
constitutional advisers. l have not the slightest
desire to do so. The outcry against the author
Of The Introduction 10 the study of Holy Script
ure is chiefly TO be deplored because II betrsys
such a Iamentable ignorance OF the progress OF
sound learning and the judgment Of the best
Christian scholars. one OF these. Bishop.
writes:
You may be Interested to that the old staid
Christian Knowledge Society repubshed my little
pamphlet on the Bible. which contains the same
am Indignant the misrepresentation. or. We VIII
hope the Misunderstanding. OF some OF your
the Interpretation OF the speaking with tongues
which harmonizes that book with the Epstle 70 the
res article on the subject In Smiths Dictionary
OF the Bible?
In a word. the author Of The Introduction to
the Study Of Holy Scripture has simply stated
conclusions which the best learning ana tne mos
devout minds have accepted before him DO
not myself accept all Of them but that any OF
them denies or impugns any fundamentals goo
trne Of the faith can only be shown oy mu.,ia 'd
tions or perversions OF what the author mas saiu
which are as malignant they are unscrupu-
louS
Il note the prediction with which you con
clude-that DR.. Briggss advancement 10 the
higher ministry for which he has been recon-
mended will precipitate departures 10 inc
Church OF Rome This would indeed be un- |
fortunote for the author OF The Introduction to |
the Study OF the Holy Scripture holds letters
from eminent Roman Catholic scholars OF tore-
most rank in institutions OF learning OF fore-
most dignity expressing the warInest apprecla-
zion of his contribution to the study OF the Bible
and lntimatlng their purpose 10 make use or IL |
in their classrooms. Here again II would seem /
that a somewhat larger knowledge would be the |
safest guide to wise action.
II need hardly add. after what have written,
that It is my intention to proceed at the time
anpointed TO Or. Briggss ordination.
II am. dear sir sincerely yours.
H C. POTTER"
GIVE BENsoLYPTUs TOOTH POWDER