The evening times., 1899-04-27
ANOTHER ATTACK ON
THE RBV.DR. BRIGGS
Rector Clendenin DenOunces
Him as q Heretic.
Protests Against His Ordination as
an Episcopal Priest
Writes to bishop Potter and Refers
Writes to bishop Potter and Refers
to the Former Presbyterian Min
ixter,s Alleged Shortcomings.

New York, April 27.-Once more theo-
logical storm is gathering around the head
of Prof. Charles A. Briggs. whose with
drawal from the communion of the Presby-
| terian Church and whose recent determi-
nation to enter the Episcopal fold are mat
tiers Of history. 1t has been known for
some time that the high church element in
the Episcopal Church was strongly oppos-
ed to DR.. Briggs entering their priest
hood. but hitherto no open expression OF
this antagonism had been made.
Now, however. the Rev. F. N. Clenden-
in. Rector Of st. Peters. West Chester.
where DR.. Briggs was to be ordained on
May II. has written to Bishop Potter pro-
testing against the ordination in his
church of one holding what he alleges are
the hereticicai views of DR.. Briggs.
In his letter the Rev. Mr.. Clendenin
says, in part:
My Dear Bishop: A few days after receiving
your lctter advising me that you proposed hoiu-
ing the ordinaIicn Of Dr. Briggs ut st retcr's,
came request from some of your clergy that 4
should at once read his last book have done
50 with care and deep regret. foei
as am of anything in this world that the BOOK
Is fundamentally ncretical from nrst to last.
Its teaching If true would undermine not only
the whole Catholic Church. Greek. Roman, and
Anglican, but II would destroy utterly the
iaitn and foundation OF Professionalism
Throughout this book Of Dr. Briggs is found
the teaching that the Bible. We have II. Is
but glo-s-a faint reflection OF some lost Biolc,
which ''scholarship'' is going some day to
store 10 delighted minds.
Tire Christian Church born Upon the day
Of Pertacost. Upon that day (whitsun Day) the
whole Catholic Church reads in her greatest
service the account in the BOOK Of Acts Of the
coming of the Holy Ghost. the comforter Cur
Lord hsd promised 10 send to Ills people.
Nothing Shows clearly Dr. Briggs COM
plete misconception Of all truth and authority
than his explanation OF this tremendous event.
lie hrst quotes with approval the words of
man who said the gift Of tongues was mot that
they spoke in foreign languages hut IN the
ecstsiic fIcn,ed. uninteiligibie spiritual speech.
and IN his own words he closes with the clear,
bald ststeinent that this spanking many
different languages unknown before Is not only
rsychclogicaiiy and physically incredible. but
has little historic support
Nov ~. Luke. or. according 10 DIR. Briggs.
the second or third editor" Of this book. says
twice over. after naming many of the nations
there present. that every heard them
speak in his own language" We do hear them
speak IN our tongues TIE wonderful worAs OF
God.
Ii follows by inevitable lsgic that If the editor
of the Book Of Acts made twice a miss,atement
; regarding the Gift Of Tongues, he may have been
mistaken about the whole story Of the coming Of
the Holy Ghost. it may have been but wind,
at least a whirlwind. which that day happened
down with considerable force upon these deluded
people. But if the Holy Ghost did not come
down. there is no Catholic Church. sacrament
las any meaning, and DIR. Briggs ordination it.
self would be but an hour OF wasted life.
Not satisfied with casting doubt about the COM
ing Of the Divine Paraclete, this man goes on TO
the awful conclusion. mo human imagination
has eaualed the imagination of the Lord Je-
scs in storytelling" He presumes to justify
Lord in quoting the Book of Jonah; that book be-
Ikr Rrt nf ft,a i'm
agiIation," aud otherwise he touches with ruth
less and irreverent words that person Of human
and divine history before whom even Renan
stood with uncovered head
Il is needless TO add that man who discounts
50 fear.essly the veracity OF the New Testament
and lis central figure makes short work OF the Old
Testament.
Why in Gods name does such as DIR. Briggs
want to into communion? No part of
the Catholic Church in her services reads so much
Of Holy Scriptures as We do. and Eo part OF the
church. believe, hears Gods Word with greater
reverence.
Dr. Briggs does not in any fair and honest
sense Of the word accept the Bible as it is
He discards the authority and consensus of tie
church. For what reason, therefore. and on
what ground does nc wish TO come with US, for
we accept in every fair, honest, and historic
sense of the word both the Bible and the
sensus OF the church,
These are the types Of men. then, who are
coming 10 restore 10 purity the great church,
of which You arc a loved and honored bishop
Luther. who broke lis VOWS and led a
we.rnan to break her vows. who threw truth and
morality to the winds and rightly cast with
scorn st. James from the Canon of Scripture for
teachin, the necessity Of good works and a good
life; Calvin. the autlor of the monstrous mis-
conception and hercsy which bears his name
these are the kind of men DIR. Briggs holds are
coming TO ''prepare tie bride Cor the bride
groom"
II grieves me, my dear bishop. to add any
trouble to YOUR already overburdened life, but
| feel there is nothing left for me to do but
TO ask you kindly withdraw the ordination from
ST Peters Church. For 200 years this
ycnet able parish has stood by the Holy Scrip
lures .'as this church hath received the same"
| have no right to Involve its record.
LASTLY reverend father in God, until he has
renowned his crors. ! solemnly protest against
Charles Augustus Briggs, doctor in divinity.
being ordained anywhere by our bishop TO the
priesthood Of the Catholic Church.
L. NJ. CLENDENIN, Rector of st. Peters.
Rev. DR.. Charles A. Briggs was seen
last evening at his home. 12O West Ninety
third Street DR.. Briggs said he had not
heard of the Rev. Mr.. Clendenin's letter
to Bishop Potter and could not discuss the
matter.
II make it my principle never to engage
in these discussions" he added. Time will
work them out"
The Rt. Rev. Henry c. Potter also de-
clined to comment on the letter.