The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-11-10

minster Confession and the appearance OF
DIR. BRtgos's criticism Of the Bible. He has
succeeded in avoiding conflict with both
parties. the upholders OF the old faith and
the doubters who are trying to take the
life out OF IT, preaching agreeable and care
fully prepared sermons. Besides, he has
been light and graceful writer OF books
and essays on outdoor life and sports, and
presumably he must be regarded as a
scholar in English literature. for besides
his call to that chair in Princeton Univer-
city, other colleges have wanted him.
He has expressed preference for that
field rather than n passionate, though he
contends that he will still remain de-
voted to the ministry. II may be assumed,
however, that he has grown to feel that
his proper function IL IA secular teacher,
for such, OF course, a professor OF English
is, rather than as religious teacher.
Moreover, he leaves the Brick Church Mt
time when the Presbyterians can least
afford to lose a successful pastor In New
York. Formerly their most prominent pull
pits here attracted tho highest ability in the
Presbyterian ministry the world over, as the
greatest prize in the denomination, but now
that distinction has gone from them.
The Episcopal Church IL drawing OF
Presbyterian families and Presbyterianism
shows declining tendency in New York.
II does not Offer brilliant opportunities
for even the most gifted minister. The
solid intellectual qualities OF men like DIR.
JOHN MASON and DR.. GARDINER SPRING
do not appeal to the present Presbyterian
taste. It is not improbable that when
DR.. BABcocK OF Baltimore comes to the
Brick Presbyts Ran Church HI will find
that he has stony ground to work in,
nor Is IL likely that his position in the
community will te relatively OF the
Importance OF the Presbyterian pastors
OF earlier Gays-those we have mentioned
and also Dr. ALEXANDER and DIR. JOHN
HALL in his prime. He will not be backed
by the same earnestness and stability OF
faith in the denomination. The powerful
| Presbyterian papers OF the town have
dwindled into comparative feebleness.
| Faith in the Bible ia very much shattered.
| the alurements Of the world are irresisti-
Bile with the younger members OF the
| families Of rich Preshyterians. In the
short space Of ten or fifteen years the de-
| nomination has undergone complete
transformation Of spirit, and the lot OF the
| Presbyterian pastor In New York Ia no
longer as envable as II once was.
DR.. VAN DYKE says that his call to the
professorship at Princeton Ia lin no sense
a call to leave the ministry OF Christ, but
rather to go into 1t still deeper" for there
is no place in which the preaching OF plain
and practical Christianity is more neces-
sary than in our colleges" but actually q
professorship OF English is no more relig-
ious than one Of chemistry or mathematics.
Literature as literature, OF course, Ia wholly
apart from religion in its artistic and
intellectual quality, and as such 1t is
taught at Princeton exclusively and neces-
sarily. Practically. therefore, DR.. VAN
DYKE will withdraw from the functions OF
the Presbyterian ministry when he goes to
Princeton. His departure from the Brick
| Church is OF tho nature OF a surrender, and
as such 1t Is very significant at this time OF
declining religious faith.