New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-05-04
WAITING FOR THE BISHOP
DIR. BRIGGSs ORDINATION MAY BE POST
PONED INDEFINITELY.
NO ACTION ON THE PART OF HIS OPPONENTS
LIKELY UNTIL BISHOP POTTER FIXES
THE TIMD AND PLACE FOR THE

The opposition to the advancement of the
Rev. Dr. Charles A. Briggs to the priesthood
OF the Episcopal Church is quite determined, al
Though 1t has resulted so far in no formal steps
to prevent his ordination. The Rev. DR.. F. M.
Clendenin spoke simply for himself and for his
parish in asking Bishop Potter to withdraw the
ordination from st. Peters, West Chester. and
in acceding to that request Bishop Potter settled
the point then at issue.
But DR.. Clendenns letter raised the further
question as to whether DR.. Briggs should be
ordained at all, and the rector of st. Peters
found himself strongly supported by many
priests and laymen Of the Episcopal Church in
his contention that the professor should not be
admitted to the priesthood. There have been
many conferences among those who have rallied
on this platform, and number of prominent
rectors are prepared to take steps which they
believe will prevent the proposed ordination
They are waiting for Bishop Potter to
move in the matter, upon his course de-
pends the next move Of the opponents of DR..
Briggs. Although as a deacon he is amenable
TO discipline for contravening the truth and
trustworthiness of Holy Scripture, there Is no
desire to bring DR.. Briggs to trial on that
charge, it being felt that it is better to allow
Dr. Briggs TO remain undisturbed in deacon's
orders In which rank he is not an authorized
teacher Of the Church. and to be content to
prevent his advancement to the higher office
of priest.
1t is therefore quite probable that nothing will
be done until the Bishop fixes the time and
place for the ordination. Bishop Potter still
preserves absolute silence as to his plans. The
feeling prevailed yesterday that the Bishop
would not act for some time and that mean
while DR.. Briggs would go to Europe. as he
had planned before this controversy began. In
this nothing would be done until next lall
On the other hand. if the Bishop decides to
persist in his purpose to ordain Dr. Briggs,
protest will be made in such form as TO com
pei an ecclesiastical review OF Dr. Brlggs .
teachings contained in his recent work rms
would prevent his ordination at least until he
was cleared Of the charges that his doctrine Is
contrary to the faith of the Episcopal Church
with regard to the Bible. As has already been
said, this formal protest will probably be made
in the service at the time when the Bishop In
compliance with the requirements OF the PRAYER
Book. asks If there be any impeachment to the
ordination of the candidate.
MAY BE POSTPONED INDEFINITELY.
1t is not generally believed that either Or.
Briggs or Bishop Potter is willing to provoke
this step. A clergyman yesterday said to
Tribune reporter that Bishop Potter's policy
ever since he became the head of the diocese
has been to preserve peace and harmony in the
diocese. and in this respect he has been most
successful. He did not think II likely, there
fore. that the Bishop would take step which
would be so provocative of discord although he
Is being hard pressed by prominent Broad
Churchmen to insist upon the ordination. The
Bishop. this clergyman said, Is between two
fires, and his peace-loving soul is sorely troubled
this outcropping in his diocese of the same
controversy which has rent Presbyterianism.
Many on both sides therefore expecting
that attempt will be made to ordain DIR.
Briggs, and that the question to the ortho
doxy of his teachings will never be settled by
any ecclesiastical tribunal.
1t is said that DR.. Briggss personal position
will not be affected to any considerable extent
If his ordination is deferred indefinitely, it is
believed that his purpose is TO continue in his
professorship at the Union Theological Semi
nary and it is not thought that he would seek
TO exercise the priesthood, except to preach and
to celebrate the Holy Communion occasionally.
As a deacon he can preach, but only by permis
sion Of the Bishop.
The opponents Of DR.. Briggs are as reticent
about their plans IS Bishop Potter about his
intentions, and, indeed, they cannot decide upon
any definite course until the Bishop takes
action