The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-05-07
NO REST FOR DR.. BRIGGS
THE "HERETIC. HAS NO PLACE TO
lay HIS CHRISTIAN HEAD.
EpiscopaIians Don't Want h Out
east Presbyterian Made "a Priest
Union Seminary Suffering.
Special to the indianapolis Journal.

ENeCldl 10 t0c iuuidndpollS ~
NEW YORK. May 6.-The Briggs affair.
broken out In a different communion. but in
the old form. is hurting Union Theological
Seminary students. While almost every
graduate of Princeon. Auburn and other
Presbyterian seminaries this year has re-
ceived a call from Presbyterian or allied
churches, only two Union men out of a
class OF twenty-eight have been able TO find
Presbyterian churches in want of their serv-
ices. Negotiations between students and
churches that were under way when the
latest Briggs controversy arose were sud
denly broken off. Last year eighteen of the
members Of the middle class. who would
have been graduates this year. left for
other seminaries in order not 10 be Union
alumni, This year seven have 80 far an
nounced their intention of leaving. Five
members Of the present class have applied
I'm other -communions than Presbyterian.
only to find the same prejudice. The proof
seems TO be overwhelming that members of
church boards of control the country over
do not take kindly TO so-called higher crit
icism- There are known 20 re many pulpit
committees, and those not confined to Pres
byterian churches. who will not consider a
Union graduate In connection will a call,
no matter how long such graduate may
have been out of the seminary, and the
number Of such men. finding Themselves
without employment. who have gene into
Reformed. Congregational and even Epis-
copal communions in order to get something
10 do Is not small. Some MEMBERS of this
years Union class have been turned down
by as many as three presbyteries, and some
have been accepted by a preshytery as far
away as Cleveland. because that rresbvtery
a - - nonfofn "a ay..o raosGpu.of Of
liberal men. "
New gossip concerning the present Briggs
affair Is interesting. II Is said that when he
goes abroad next week he will be absent at
least a year and a half. and so Will not be
at Union next year. He is known 10 have a
large amount OF literary work on hand. his
plans contemplating two new books. Hence.
IL Episcopalians have trouble with him as
a deacon they may. II Bishop Potter ad-
vances HIM TO the priesthood at this time,
nave new trouble with him as a priest.
Bishop Potter and Prof. Briggs are warm
personal friends. and in so far as he can go
on the line OF friendship the bishop OF New
York may be expected TO so. A canvass
has been made among about one hundred
leading Episcopal priests. resident West and
East. and that without regard 10 hlgh ana
low church predictions. The result Is
found TO be "A 3-to-l preponderance In favor
OF the rejection OF Prof. Briggs and a con-
Nlction that ne ought not 10 De dUNduceu 70
the priesthood I'm the Episcopal church.
Some OF the expressions here referred TO
have been secured In confidence. and hence
names cannot be given. but IL may be said
that the West. which Is on the whole rather
stiner in its churchmanship than the East.
Is more largely against Prof. Briggs than
the East.
There is a large element OF personality in
the opposition. The conviction obtains that
Professor Briggs made trouble among Pres
byterians: he will make trouble among Epis-
copaIians. Precisely the same line OF argu-
ment obtains in both communions.s That
argument Is well stated by a leading member
OF the Presbyterian Church. perhaps the
foremost man IN the former Briggs prosecu-
ton. tn whole dihiculty." says he. is
the lack OF honesty on the part OF these
higher critics. and especially on the part of
Professor Briggs. In the Presbyterian
Church the feeling was that Professor
Briggs ought II be had changed his Views.