New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-05-23
A QUESTION OF MORALS.
,rsuop sEYMoUR's VIEWS ON THE Or
DINATIoN OF DR.. BRIGGS.

,.x Use THE BIBLE AS HE IS REQUIRED TO
DO IN THE SERVICES OF THE CHURCH.
no the Editor Of The Tribune.
Cir. You courteously ask me. relative TO the
..s,nst,on of DR.. Briggs. for my Judgment as to
ayrhat latitude is permitted candidates for the
,r,esthood in the Episcopal Church as to belief
a. the Holy scrptures?" This brings up d.
rsctly the matter Of the ordination OF the Rev
mr. Briggs as a presbyter OF the Church. l
recognize the claim which the public has for in
formation on such a subject from those who are
IN a position 10 give 1t. and / respond without
hesitation briefly. and, hope. clearly.
have not the honor and pleasure Of per-
sonal acquaintance with the Rev. DR.. Briggs
and consequently am not under the spell of his
influence as is the case with several OF my right
reverend brethren. l come 10 the consideration
OF the question without favor prejudice.
This one thir &. however. l ought to say. that
when the Rev DR.. Briggs occupied the position
Of a Presbyterian minister and reached con-
illusions inconsistent with the standards of that
body l was shocked that he lid not voluntarily
retire from its ministry, and not wait TO be ex-
neled I agreed cordially with the Rev. DR.
Briggs in his rejection Of Calvinism. but l
cordially revolted from his trying remain
Presbyt srian minister after he had publicly re-
nounced the characteristic teaching of Presby-
terianism. This shocked my moral sense.
Thus ] come to the ordination OF the Rev. Dr.
BRIGGS as a presbyter Of the Episcopal Church
II is question Of morals much more with me
than 1t is an issue Of theology. or the correc--
ness OF this statement of the facts any one can
Judge VINO cares give the subject serious at
tention.
Or. Briggs. in the Introduction TO the Study
O: Holy Scripture" compares Bible. as we
lave II in hands to-day. TO modern Jerusa-
lem. which conceais the ancient city buried be-
reath The accumulated rubbish and debris Of
many centuries In the same way he says our
modern Bible. published by our Bible Society,
read in our churches as the Word OF God, and
the basis Of the devotional life Of Christians in
the ages all along is not the real Bible. but
hides Billie beneath debris and rubbish. which
IS the real inspired Word II God. and he informs
Us that it is tn office of the Higher Criticism 10
Dig down 70 tire rock bed Of Holy Scripture and
bring it forth to the light. and we are encour-
aged by the hope which the Rev. DR.. Briggs
holds out that this blessed result will be at
tanned in part at least in the future.
This view OF the Rev. DR.. Briggs touching
Holy Scripture may be true. l 90 not stop TO
inquire. since the truth or falsehood of the Rev.
Or Briggs theory does rot touch the issue. He
believes II 10 be true and avows his belief in
oft-rcpeated publications This is quite enough
With su n convictions cannot understand how
any man who accounts himself honorable
and upright man can enter the ministry Of the
Church.
The test is much more than the declaration
which the candidate signs and the VOWS and
pledges which he makes before the altar Of his
God, and IN the most solemn and critical hour
OF his life 1t confronts him and will continue to
confront him while ne lives, in every, or almost
every public service in which he participates.
The rubbish and debris theory Of the Bible
places the Rev. DR.. Briggs in a most frightful
position now that he has been ordained The
Bible supplies two lessons for morning AMI
evening prayer daily throughout the year, and
it saturates with its language and ideas the
Offices and services OF Book Of Common
Prayer There is branch Of the Church
which makes more copious use of Holy Scrip
ture than does that one in which the Rev. DR..
Briggs has just been ordained presbyter, at
his own earnest request, and in spite of protest
and warning for his own sake as well as that
Of others.
This Holy b ok as we regard it, Is. in the
timation Of the Rev. Dr. Briggs holy book
hidden unknown beneath incrustation, an
accumulation Of myths. fables legends. stories
and TO some extent worse material-in word
dust. debris and rubbish and this dust, DEBRIS
ard rubbish he and all the clergy must serve up
10 the people as the Word Of God in the public
Offices OF the Church. How can any man with
one spark of religion in him voluntarily place
himself before God and man in such position?
] cOnfne myself 10 point and TO one point
alone and ! rest upon no question taken from
its context but upon fundamental position de-
ltcrately taken and publicly avowed by TIE
Rev. DR.. Briggs.
It is true that the Rev. DR.. Briggs processes
love and reverence Tor the Bible. but ii is not
Bible, the Bible published by our Bible So
ciety and read in our churches; ii is hidden
Bible. an unknown Bioe. The kiss Of Judas
was more conspicuous than the betrayal
general profession Of veneration and love does
not co7dcne repeated stab thrusts which are
designed 10 destroy life.
1t has be- said that any Church is honored
by the admission Of the Rev. DR. Briggs into its
fold. Alan. the Rev Dr. Briggs may be. and
probably is, all that his admirers represent hirl
10 be. but neither he nor any other man, be he
saint confessor or martyr, can honor the
but we cannot DO without the Church.
Again, there who seem 10 be afraid
n they do not profess sympathy and agreement
with this higher criticism that they will be re-
garded as ignoramuses idiots. Let me tell
Gil such persons that there is fate than
that-it is to be accounted fool by God.
in conclusion. ] wish to press the point that
the ordination Of the Rev. Or. Briggs is most
OF all a moral issue. and brings into view AL
mighty God with Whom all who shared in that
service must deal. II not now. ultimately at tho
last great day. God may be far above out Of
our sight" ami may say in our hearts:
fatal mistake. God will not be trifed with He
is patient, but can be guiltess who
takes His name in VAIN. 80. then. every one OF
must give acco unit Of himself 10 God" Must
not may give account Of himself not Of others,
10 God. who cannot be deceived not 10 man.
who can be imposed upon and misled
GEORGE F. SEYMOUR,
Bishop OF Springfield.
Enrfr- al Mo.