New-York tribune., 1899-06-30
THE BIBLE A LITERATURE.
THOSE WHO LOVE 1T. SAYS BISHOP POT
TER, MUST ACCEPT THE CONDI-
TIONS OF ITS EXISTENCE

The sermon preached by the Rev. DR.. George
William Douglas al the ordination to the priest
hood in the Protestant Episcopal Church OF the
Rev. DR.. Charles Augustus Briggs and the Rev
Charles Henry Snedeker, formerly minister of
the Methodist Episcopal Church at the Pro-
Cathedral in stantonst.. May a. has been pub
Nshed In pamphlet form by the Macmillan Com
pany. The ordination sermon has been introduced
In the following PREDATORY note written by Bishop
Potter:
The sermon which goes with this was. mmedi-
stey after its delivery asked Of the preacher for
publication by the united voice of the clergy who
heard 1t, and in that request l accounted it q
privilege TO unite. The occasion was one OF ex-
ceptional interest. for II the ordination 10
the priesthood Of two men. each of whom had won
distinction in those other communions from which
in riper years. they turned 10 that Of the Church
10 whose higher ministry they were 10 be ad-
v.nced. One OF them had won equal distinction
ss pastor and preacher in the large fellowship
which sprang from the work OF John Wesley. and
the other as a Presbyterian teacher and scholar
was known by his writings all round the world
They were seeking for authority TO exercise their
ministry in accordance with historic precedent and
catholic usage
Under such circumstances It seemed appropri-
ate to the preacher that the idea OF authority
should be presented in the higher reality Of rs
essential basis and this task l think he has dis
charged with equal clearness and conclusiveness
There is in his words disparagement OF those
various expressions OF the conception OF authority
as these find form !n symbols, articles or other
formulated utterances ell dowr the track OF his
tory But the time has come when the Church
and its teachings must vindicate themselves ny
something more than speech hardened into dog
matte terms In age. and in a world that
reads and compares and inquiries because II
thinks authority must vindcate itself by its ap-
pea to those judges OF oil truth which are the
image OF the divine in msn-the spiritual intuitlons.
the conscience. and the reason.
Especially is this true IN the dealings Of the
Church and her teachings with Holy Scripture Ihe
Copuc Church keeps her Scriptures imprisoned IN
& silver casket which her votaries kiss; and, IN
shs same way a modern fetchism. which has dis
honored the Bible by claiming 10 be its elect guar
dian has shut IL up, these many years, WITHIN me
iron walls OF a dreary liberalism roDolnS IL mus
alike Of interest and of power. Inc BOOK l. d
literature priceless, incompatible and most pre-,
cous but still literature and II must accept anu
those who love and reverence II must accept LOT
il the conditions Of its existence. one OF thosss
who have contributed with equal reverence ana
eousl learning to vindicate its claims and TO dls-
crnlna;e concerning Its contents was one OF those
10 whom this sermon is addressed. Inc mrs
tian student is incomparabiy richer for MS labors
and those who know them Will ! thlnk most
cordialv recognize the pertinency OF this discourse
10 our dispassionate Judgment not only OF such
labors hut OF all that higher scholarship mas
done FOR us in our generation. for the advance
rent OF godliness and good learning throughout
the Christian world