New-York tribune., 1899-05-07
HAS NOT YET DECIDED.
THE BISHOP HAS MADE no PLANS FOX
DIR. BRIGGSS ORDINATION.
GROWING BELIEF THAT THE CEREMONY
WILL BE POSTPONED UNTIL FALI.-DR.
CLENDENIN INDORSED BY SEW

II can be definitely stated that Bishop Potter
has not yet determined what course he viii pur-
sue with regard to the ordination OF Dr. Briggs'
One who is close to Bishop Potter Informed
Tribune reporter yesterday that no place vi
date had been fixed upon for the ordination vi
DR.. Briggs, and. moreover. that the Bishop h"u
not decided whether he would take heed or not
OF the protests against DR.. Briggs's advance
ment to the priesthood.
This statement was practically confirmed pS
Dr. G. F. Nelson Bishop Potter's chaplain WI"
said that. far he knew, nothing dehhl'e
to the time place Of the ceremony hau
been decided upon. DR.. Nelson would not IN
any way amplify this statement, but it goes to
support the generally expressed BELIEF tnat
Bishop Potter has abandoned his intention OF
admitting DR.. Briggs to the priesthood OF tne
Episcopal Church next Sunday. Il Is believed
in fact, that further move looking 10 'he
ordination of DR.. Briggs will be made until after
the latters return from Europe in the fall
MIGHT PREVENT OTHER ACCEssIoNs.
Quite O positive rumor to this effect gaiheu
currency yesterday 1t was said by one VINO
knows the Bishop we'll that Dr. Potter CONSIDERS
the issue which has been raised as an exceed
ingly grave one the point being made that Ut.
Briggs's opinions strike at the foundation OF all
into the priesthood would seriously hinder the
work to which Bishop Potter is strongly at
tached-of endeavoring to draw into the Eps-
copal Church earnest and spiritually minded
men OF all evangelical denominations, many or
whom, II is known, are looking favorably upon
the claims OF the Episcopal Church.
The Bishop is thought to be unwilling to take
any action which, while putting in the ranks Oh
the priesthood an able and cultured man, might
at the same time hinder the accession OF other
ministers to the priesthood.
Realizing the gravity OF the point raised. the
Bishop Is thought to be unwilling to act with
any degree of haste. and being a strong and de-
termined man, 1t is considered by The Tribune
informant that the Bishop will resist the tre-
mendous pressure which is being brought to bear
upon him by leading rectors and wealthy laymen
to ordain Dr. Briggs. and that he will hol the
matter under advisement until DR.. Briggs re-
turns from Europe
MAY BE ABANDONED ALTOGETHER.
Even then, 1t is said. DR.. Briggs's advance
ment to the priesthood will depend somewhat
upon the general trend Of clerical opinion Should
the opposition to Dr. Briggs be as pronounced
then as now, the probability Is said to be that,
upon the advice OF his friends he will not put
himself forward for ordination. 1t is known that
Bishop Potter is averse to any controversy, such
as would be created by the ordanng Of DR..
Briggs being aroused in his diocese. Bishop
Potter II is understood will take no action until
he Is assured Of his position. He will do nothing
that will afford an opportunity to the opponents
of Dr. Briggs to make a loud public protest
against the ordination and compel ecclesias-
tical trial for heresy 1t is just this development.
It Is said. which the Bishop is anxious TO avoid.
For that reason the opinion is held in Church
circles that DR.. Briggs when he sails for Europe
on May Is. will occupy no higher position In
the Church than that of a deacon. which he now
holds and If the same antagonism is displayed
toward him upon his return at the end OF the
summer the likelihood Is said to be that his
canddature for the priesthood will be allowed
to slide gracefully into oblivion and that he will
seek ordination in some other diocese
POSSIBILITY OF A PRIVATE ORDINATION.
1t was said last night by friend Of DR.. Briggs
that as no public notice given OF his ad-
mission deacon there is no tangible reason
why publicity should be given to the time and
the place of his ordination to the priesthood.
One Of the prominent rectors Of this city also
said last night that obligation rested upon
Bishop Potter to make public any intimaton
beforehand Of the day and church wherein the
ceremony would take place.
In view however, of the situation which has
been created II is not thought likely that Bishop
Potter will avail himself of any technical OPP
portunity OF privately ordainng DR.. Briggs, and
smuggling him, as II were, into the Church.
AN UNCoMPRoMIsING DECLARATION.
The disputes as to whether Dr. Briggs's writ
ings contradict the doctrine OF the Episcopal
Church continue. Just as portions OF the Script
| ure may be quoted to support either side Of a
theological argument. extracts being
| fror nr
tentions of his friends and Of those who condemn
| him
II was learned yesterday that the committee
that was formed to analyze and make a report
upon the latest work OF Dr. Briggs had not as
yet reached a decision. In the opinion. however,
| OF Churchmen who calmly review the Whoie
situation there Is no question that pL,
| Brjggs's fitness Will be adversely judged IL ls
| maintained that II will be difficult to reconciIe
! his writings with the vow which he VIII pe
called upon to make should ne be Cnnh 1rualneu Is
| Article VI Of the constitution or the Church Is
uncompromlsing in the declaration or Dehtl
which the candidate for the ministry must SUD-
scribe to- This article reads:
No person shal! be admitted to holy orders until
| by two presbyters and shall have exhibited sucn
testimonials and other requisites as e the GenCnS any
| son be ordained until he shall have subscriDeu 10
"I do believe the Holy Scriptures OF the Old and
| New Testament to be the Word OF GOO ana 70 foi
! tajn all things necessary to salvation, ana ~
soin,niv CO.. engage TO conform to the doctrines ana
worship of the Protestant Episcopal Church IN the
| United States
1t is tonted out that the sixth MrCe or 1he
| hooks Shjch make up the Holy Scriptures OF
| the Old and New Testament. and II IS con.
| terded that Dr. Briggs cannot declare them 10
be the Word of Cod when in his book he dis dls
| putes the veracity and authenticity OF whoie
] passages Of those very books.
| DIR. CLENDENIN'S ACTION INDORSED.
! The Rev DR. Clendenin. whose protest pup
lshed exclusively IN The Tribune started the
! controversy over Dr. Briggs's ordination mas
received many letters from priests and iayineh
OF this and other dioceses ndorsing his action
| Resolutions have also been adopted by clerlcal