New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-04-28
GRACE CHURCH OFFERED.
DIR. HUNTINGTON WOULD HAVE DR..
BRIGGS ORDAINED THERE.
A REPLY TO DR.. CLENDENIN-GENERAL BE-
MITTED TO THE PRIESTHOOD,
BUT NOT IN ST. PETERS.
uyEcT ftrrcrED

WEST CHESTER.
The Rev Dr. F. NJ. Clendenin's letter TO Bishop
Potter. which was published in yesterdays Trib-
une, protesting against the proposed ordination
to the Episcopal priesthood OF the Rev. Dr.
Charles A. Briggs in st. Peters Church, West
Chester. of which Dr. Clendenin Is rector seems
likely TO precpitate similar controversy
though perhaps not so marked. in the Protestant
Episcopal Church. as did DR.. Rriggs's teachings
in the Presbyterian Church. DR.. Clendenns
letter was read with the liveliest interest by
clergymen and laymen Of the Protestant Episco-
pal Church. and, although none of the several
ministers who we're seen yesterday had appar-
emily read the book referred to. and for that
reason declined to commit themselves to any ex-
preston Of opinion, 1t clear, although II
not conveyed in many words to the
reporter, that their feeling was that DR.. Br1gss
should not be admitted TO the priesthood IL IL
should be shown that this last book, to which
attention is drawn, was published after he had
been made deacon, following his examination
by the Bishops chaplains and by the Standing
Committee Of the diocese Of New-York.
DIR. HUNTINGTON's VIEWS
The Rev Dr. William Reed Huntington, rector
of Grace Church, and one of the most influential
clergymen IN the diocese Of New-York. yester-
day sent to The Tribune the following letter:
ITO the Editor OF The Tribune.
"sir: l have read with surprise and pain the
column in this mornings Tribune relating to the
ordination OF DR.. Briggs. l desire no controversy
with the rector Of ST. Peters Church, West Ches-
ter. who may be well within his rights when
protesting against the use of his parish church
for a purpose Of which he, personally dsap-
proves; but when he charscterizes the teachings
~ i,f tkplV IN g
lead the casual reader a word of counter pro-
test may not be out of place. The best general
reply to Dr. Clendenin's bitter denunciation Of
DR.. Briggs as a depraver of the Word Of God
will be to quote the opening paragraph of the
first chapter of the learned work which has pro-
voked this assault 1t reads follows:
biblical study is the most important of all studies
for il is the study Of the Word OF God, which con-
talns divine revelation of redemption to the
'1iI world. Nowhere else can such a redemption be
found, save where II has Deen derived rom 'iils
stitutions and events presented 10 us II the Bible
The Bible Is the chief source OF ue ChIistidu
other secondary and subsidiary sources may be
used to advantage in connection with this principal
contains the revelation OF redemption: the Messiah
and His kingdom are the central theme; us VAR
ing contents lead by myrads of paths In corYerging
lines to the throne Of the God OF Grace The Bible
rSes tse sure ~ay Study ID s Of Ho %sdS pare pa
that the whole contents of Or. Brigsss Study
of Holy Scripture should be interpreted. Dr.
Clendenin is described in your columns as "a
stanch and moderate High Church man.. mar
vel that in that capacity he should censure SO
severely divine who is tha veiucd friend, the
recognized peer and the trusted colaborer OK
such distinguished Angcans as the Rev Dr.
Driver regius professor of Hebrew at Oxford;
the Rev DR. kirkpatrick. regius professor OF
Hebrew at Cambridge and the Rev. DR.. Sunday,
LADY Margaret professor of divinity at OK
fo,d These men represent the very best schol-
arship of the Church OF England to-day, ana
are recognized as leaders in religion as well as
in theology Doubtless Dr. Clendenln hinsell
is a diligent and admirng reader OF their WORKS
1T is no part of my purpose to apologize TOT
Dr. Briggs He is a scholar whom any coiii-
munion in Christendom might be proud to num-
ber among it's clergy Among oisuhsusneu
Americans there is probably not one more "'oeiS
misunderstood Detraction has followed hirn so
relentlessly that in some parts OF the country
he stands in the popular mind. as sort vi
ordained Ingersoll Injustice could no further 60
.It is an interesting fact that the doctrine set
forth by DR.. Briggs in his now famous ihau-
eural address with reference 10 the tnreefoid
basis Of authority in religion. doctrine Which
brought him into disfavor with powerful sec
ton of the Presbyterian clergy, Is substantially
identical with what the standard divines OF the
Church Of England have been teachng ever
since the Reformation. one rnlght nave eA-
pected that 'stanch High Church man "ouiu
recognize and appreciate this point
"T need only add that Immediately upon read
ing the protest of the rector Of st. Peters, west
Chester, whose motives. let me say again
To iff1AtI I
Potter Offering him the use of Grace Church for
the ordination. II my offer is accepted and
acted upon. shall feel that our parish church
has been indeed honored by the event.
civilian r. HUNTINGTON,
"Rector OF Grace Church"
One clergyman who was seen yesterday, ana
who desired that his name should not be MADE
use OF. said TO Tribune reporter:
"One Of the questions which the Bishop must
nut 10 n candidate for ordination is whether ne
believes that the Holy Scriptures contain all
the doctrine necessary for salvation through
faitb in Jesus Christ, and whether having that
belief he will teach nothing but what may
be approved by the Holy Scriptures The cahol-
date is required to say that he Is so determined
but II one can form an opinion upon the eA-
tracts contained in DR.. Clendenln's letter IL
seems to me that the doubts when Dr' brlsss
possesses would not permit him TO answer III
firmatively the canon Of the Church nave JUST
alluded to- Our Church bases its bellei on e'ei-
nal salvation upon the Scriptures and It's tai1h
In the one is dependent upon It's faith IN the III
fallibnity of the Other That being so, II Dr
Clendenn has correctly interpreted the spirit OF
DR.. Briggss views canno; quite see how he
can consistently become a disciple OF our fath.
However. that is a merely hypothe;ica. opinion,
I could form no definite Judgment until have
carefully studied Or. Briggs's writings"
THE BISHOP THE ARBITEk-
7, WAS not possible to ascertain yesterday II
any action on the part OF the authorities Of the
Church is likely to follow DR.. Ciendsr'n's pro-
test. or whether heed will be taken OF his ob1ec-
tion to having DR.. Briggs ordained In the West
Chester church. The Rev. DR.. Morgan DIX:
.lAa,ar tnr mill fiaa