The record-union., 1899-06-04
IN RELIGIONS REALM.
EXPRESSIONS FROM VARIOUS
RELIGIOUS NEWSPAPERS.
The Religious Thought Of the Day
as Expressed in the Sec
tartan Press.

1
tartan Press.
Referring to the recent vigorous de-
liverance of the Bishop of New Jersey
concerning the remarriage of divorced
persons, the New York "Churchman"
P. Ed says: More and more we be-
lieve similar words will be spoken by
our chief pastors until the general mind
of the church will find expression in a
prohibitive canon in harmony with the
positive teaching of our Lord. But more
vital than the mere passage of canon
is the necessity for the creation of
Christian public sentiment that will
render impossible the prestige and So
cial recognition Of those who have open
ly and fagrantly violated the laws of
God and of His church. For it should be
clearly understood that, however
lchurchmen may conscientiously differ
as to the one exception allowed by the
present canon, the church forbldS her
clergy to solemnize the remarriage Of
any and all persons divorced for other
reasons, and condemns such marriages
as unlawful. 1t is, therefore, the duty
of all Christians to live up to the
church's laws and SO to shape Christian
sentiment as to Danish from Christian
society those who openly violate the
laws of God and His church We I'M
hesitatingly believe that, when the re-
sponsibility of the church is thus real
lied by Bishops and clergy and laity,
the inevitable result will be to conform
the laws of the church to ideals and
standards set forth in our Lords posi-
tive teaching.
'There are those who, while they
pursue the nti-supernaturalist meth
DDS, would, through some curious in
consistency, or vacillation have us sup
pose that they are, nevertheless, believ-
ers in a supernatural religion. And,
such is the popularity of the human
mind" says 1.-The Living Church P.
Ed of Chicago, lit would not be fair to
say that they are not sincere. 1t is not
given to every one to see the plain logic
of his position. This happy obliquity of
mental vision may save his own soul,
but others will see what he cannot. A
startling significance is given to DR..
Briggs ordination to the priesthood,
when it is said by readers of abundant
learning and familiarity with such sub
jects, that his position. if they could
accept it, would lead them to give up
the Christian religion. It means that
one whose teachings are considered by
! men well qualified to judge, as having
the tendency to make Christianity of no
worth, is installed in the pulpits Of the
church as an authorized teacher. So
far as the act of the authorities of a
single diocese can go, the sanction OF
the church is given to his utterances,
however rash and dangerous they may
be, and however perilous to human
souls grave responsibility has been
incurred, and the end is not yet. This
ordination is an ominous portent and
the more so, if. as there is reason to
fear it is the first of a series including
some who have given utterance to more
extreme and destructive views than DR..
Briggs himself
Or Briggs is now an ordained priest
in the Episcopal Church" says the New
| York Christian Intelligencer' (Ref.) /.
| Bishop Potter ordained him to that
office on Sunday in the Pro-Cathedral,
in Stanton street, this city, before a
congregation which filled the building.
No one objected, and, according to a
letter of the Bishop to a layman who
had asked him to refuse the ordination,
it would scarcely have awaited had any
one protested. We cannot but think 1t
is we'll that no objection was made, and
We trust there may be no further agi-
tation of the subject. 1t would be very
anomalous for a church which has in II
so many holding the same views as DIR.
Briggs, and who are much more radical,
to essay to convict him of heresy. For
those who objected to his ordination to
inaugurate trial would only confirm
what has been suspected, that it is not
so much his doctrinal views that are
objected to as his broad views of the
church and its polity. While not ac-
cepting his teachings as to the Bible, 1t
has not been made clear to every one
that the limits of orthodoxy have been
exceeded, or if they have, that ecclesi-
astical discipline is the best method OF
withstanding his errors"
I'VE think that those friends whom
Professor Briggs has left can blame
him for only one thing" says the New
York .'Indapendent" "They will par
don him, we Sresume, for leaving them
to carry on their conflict alone, fer,
perhaps it will be quite as easy Tor
them; but they will naturally complain
that he has discredited his own Pres
byterian orders by joining church
which denied their validity, and re-
uuired reordination. He goes to a de-
nomination which refuses to admit that
the Presbyterian is true church. or
to allow a Presbyterian minister to en-
ter it's pulpits DR.. Edward Abbott
once said that the Episcopal Church is
the 'roomiest church in America This
may be true theologically, although the
attacks on Professor Briggs have
thrown doubt upon it; but ecclesaastl-
cally it is the most exclusive. Pro-
fessor Richey, representing the General
Theological Seminary, speaks OF all
other American Christians as our sep
az ated brethren, whether Presbyterians,
Baptists, Methodists, Congregationalists
or Roman Catholics The separation
is unfortunate and unbrotherly. Not
only can Professor Briggs not preach in
Presbyterian church. but he cannot
preach in a Congregational, or Metho-
dist church without permission OF the
neighborng Episcopal rector"
1T is possible and admissible" says
the New York observer" CPres), ''tc
raise a number of questions relative to
the general subject of confessions OF
faith. Christians of various names
have never been, and may not for a
long time become, one in their belief as
to the proper substance, form. length
! ,1roc 1ar1n of LOST ia ~