The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-10-11
The Briggs Controversy Revived.

The withdrawal OF the Rev. DR.. DE COSTA
from the ministry or priesthood OF the
Episcopal Church. meaning probably that
he also withdraws from that communion,
Is unquestionably a significant event. 1t
Is the first manifestation among the Epis-
copal clergy Of a positive conviction that in
tolerating and substantially adopting the
Biblical theory Of DR.. BRIGGS that Church
has revolutionized and outraged its his
toric faith, and thus forfeited It's right to
the title OF Christian. The step ID the more
notable because Dr. DE COSTA AYERS that
the feeling In him which dictated It Is
shared by others Of the clergy. II happen
to know" he says, many Episcopal clergy
men who would get out Of the ministry II
they could" but with teeth set, they stand
to their task, not knowing what else to do
there lie an imperative need OF bread for
wife and little ones"
1t was inevitable that such feeling Of
discomfort would result from the ordina-
ton Of DR.. BRIaos BY admitting him to
it's holy orders the Episcopal Church.
undoubtedly, attracted many but not less
unquestionably it also repealed many; for,
under the scientific test which he applies to
the Scriptures, every fundamental article
Of faith OF that Church is destroyed. It's
theology rests on miraculous occur
rences made impossible by such a
test-the very Incarnation itself, on
which the whole depends. The theory
OF DR.. BRIGos. being virtually the theory
Of the agnostic, must necessarily be
rejected by every believer In the super
natural origin and authority OF Christi
anty. When, therefore, the Episcopal
Church ordained him to its ministry, those
OF that ministry who had protested against
the surrender were fairly stunned. So
strong Is that feeling still that DIR. BRIGGs,
though formally In Episcopal orders, will
never be able to exercise In that Church
the functions OF a teacher, for which
alone he has any special qualification.
He Is still a professor in Presby.
terrain theological seminary. and there
Is no possibility that he will ever be
tolerated In the faculty OF any Episcopal
divinity school in any capacity. He is in
the Episcopal ministry by virtue OF his
ordination, but he Is not Of it. Even those
who were most strenuous in their successful
efforts to procure his ordination are not
venturing to advocate his employment in
the only function for which his learning and
| experience adapt him. II he teaches, it must
be in some other than an Episcopal semi
| nary; in his new surroundings all his pecu
liar ability goes to waste.
By reason OF his Episcopal ordination
| however, in the view OF DR.. DE COSTA
and the clergy represented by him, 1.-The
Bible, 30 far as Episcopalians are con
cerned, has met with Its Sedan" Now, DR.
DE Costa Is man OF very positive anC
incorporating opinions, with a reputa
tion for being somewhat eccentric, but he
has been an Episcopal Clergyman for NOR,
than forty years and has been conspicuous
both as a religious and secular writer his
researches into early Amer can hlstor,
having given him place as an auth rit,
in that speciality. He has always been
firm and devoted Churchman, quick K
defend the positions OF his Church anc
Jealous ofits fame. He has been an Episco
palian because he believed in its doctrine anc
its authority as the Church OF Christ bu'
now, not less uncompromisingly, he aban
dons 1t because he believes that by depart
ing from the faith 1t has lost Its title to b,