The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-05-13
THE ORDINATION
OF DR.. BRIGGS.
II viii Be Performed by Bishop Pot
ter Tomorrow.
A QUESTION OF IMPEACHMENT.
Criticism of the Proposed Action of the
Bishop-Bishop white Declines
to Discuss the Mattcr-Dr,
Briggs Views.

Dr. Charles y. BrlgSs, WHO - "e@"'NN
Of heresy. is TO be ordained tomorrow
by Bishop Potter, of New York. Tho
opinions held by DIR. Briggs have been
the occasion of much discussion in the
religious world and now the idea is
advanced that steps may be taken look
ing TO the impeachment of Bishop Potter,
should he ordain Or. Briggs.
An effort was made last night by
Times reporter TO ascertain the views Of
Bishop #. VI. white on the subject, but
the Bishop firmly refused 10 discuss the
matter.
DIR BRIGGS VIEWS.
The New York sun has taken the pains
10 analyze the latest volume of Or.
Charles A. Briggs, THE Study Of the
Holy Scriptures and catalogue the
myths. legends. hctons and narratives
Of Imagination which the professor has
discovered IN It's pages says Ehe Chicago
Tribune. Generally speaking. Or. Briggs
finds that many OF the books OF the Bible
are anonymous. others are pseudonymous'
while still others, like the Pentateuch, are
but compilations OF historical and ira
ditional legends.
Coming 10 particulars. Or. Briggs de-
ciares that tho intermarriage OF the
daughters Of men with the angels, and
the adventures OF Samson, are pure
myths. The stories Of Ruth. Jonah,
Esther and Daniel are works OF the i'm
aelnation The reported repentance Of
Nineveh he says is incredible. ana the
whole book Of Daniel was written as
historic fiction OF les-l65 b. c., with the
use of various earlier documents The
deluge. he says. is IAN ancient legend de-
scribing a prehistoric event. for there
! is no indication that since men appeared
unOn the earth any universal and stimuli
taue0us inuudation Of 50 extraordinary a
! character as to 0verwhelm the highest
mountain peaks has ever occurred, ana
So vast am accumulation Of, water over
| an the terrestrial globe would be 10 itseli
a physical impossibility.' Or. Briggs, III
| sact. looking upon Biblical history as a
whole. describes IT'S primitive sources az
"mvtholoeies. legends poems laws. and
/ historical documents. and the use Of his
/ torlcal Imagination" The danger line 10
which such n Characterization logically
leads him is clearly defined IN the follow
/ ing extract.
BIRTH OF CHRIST
"The virgin birth Of our Lord. and the
story Of the incarnation as cited in the
| gospel Of the infancy I'm Matthew and
| Luke. arc more exposed 10 the mythical
hypothesis than any others in tho gos-
] pes To is represented that Tho virgin
/ birth is unknown 10 the primitive gospels
/ NJ ST. Mark and the l0g.a of S. Matthew.
or tO the opistlos. even when they urge
] tho doctrine Of the incarnation. or 10 me
! gospel Of john that The sources used by
| our Matthew and Luke are poetic in form
! and in content and of unknown origin.
/ that the description OF the virgin birth
as given by them conflicts with physical
| science and psychology. and that their
| story resembles The myths % other am
cient religions
! NOT REMARKABLE.
That the Presbyterian Church should
! have forced out ~ its communion man
| holding and uttering publicly such views
| as these ia not remarkable. II is remark
able. however. that he should have SCI
| cured ordination 20 the deaconate Of the
| Episcopal Church and that be should be-
now applying for ordination 10 the priest
] hood ~ the same church. with the APP
| proval OF It's most prominent bishops. How
| can p-ofesseily orthodox church. whose
creed Is based upon the Scriptures. eie-
| vate man 20 its priesthood who DELHI
| tfdlflN ifdNHlulil3 llc'i'Es lAt' "is 'ioi"-
! gy and makes tho foundation OF an
| churches the work ~ human bands? The
! Tribune being lfymnn solely engaged
| with sublunary affairs would not pre-
sumo to affirm or deny the higher and
quite distinctive criticism as set forth by
the learned professor lie may be right
but. whether right or wrong. hts place
would appear 10 bo outside OF the church.
I 4 man with such a sailing chart might
| be q dangerous pilot.