The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-05-16
BIsHop PorrEA,S LE1TER.

Bishop Potter's letter of explanation
must have been a stunning blow to the
opponents of the ordination of Prof.
Briggs. 1t showed, in the first in
stance, that the bishop had no discre-
ton but to ordain the so-called hereto,
and if any action is to be taken, it
must lie against the standing commit
tee Of the diocese who recommended
DR.. Briggs for ordination. That com
mittee certified that the candidate had
lived blameless life and written moth
ing contrary to the teachings of the
church for the preceding three years,
and these were the principal require
ments.
Bishop Potter might have stopped
here, but he would not take refuge be-
hind the decision of the diocesan COM
mittee, which was in effect mandatory
upon him to ordain the candidate. He
showed boldly that the decision re-
ceived his hearty approval. He de-
clared that, while it was competent
for the committee to revise its decision
and refuse to certify to Prof. Briggs
orthodoxy, on the ground that fresh
information had proved his teachings
to be heretical, the committee had not
done so, and the bishop himself did
not consider them heretical. In a
word, "the author OF the Introduction
to the Study of Holy Scripture has
simply stated conclusions which the
best learning and the most devout
minds have accepted before him."
Bishop Potter adds that he does not
! accept all the conclusions deduced, but
he asserts that it cannot be shown
that any Of them deny or impugn
fundamental doctrines of faith with
out "mutilations and perversions of
1 what the author has said which are as
malignant as they are INSCRIPTIONS. +"
These are not sweet words for the
strict constructionists, the implacable
opponents Of DR.. Briggs. Some of
them have said that if he should be
ordained, the result will be to drive
many communicates into the church
of Rome. Bishop Potter answers with
quiet sarcasm that this would be I'M
/ fortunate" since DR.. Briggs holds let
tiers of high commentator from Ro-
man Catholic scholars of foremost
rank, intimating their purpose to use
his book in their class rooms. 1t must
be a most unwelcome suggestion, that
the church to which these critics
would fee, as the only refuge for
strict doctrinarians, welcomes in its
institutions of learning the very teach
ings which they abhor.
Bishop Potter's action is sufficient to
induce some of the recalcitrants to ac-
cept the accomplished fact and cease
from agitation. There is another sec
ton, however, that is obviously dis
posed to carry on the war. Its repre-
sentatives say the fight has but just
begun. Probably they will have their
labor for their pains, even if the heret-
lean board of commissioners for foreign
missions and thu Andover Theological
School Of the Congregationalists. and
were continued in the Presbyterian
Church, should be resumed in the
Episcopal Church. Where the prose-
cutors won a victory In the earlier
struggles, it was commonly only tech
meal and nominal the more important
advantages Of the conflict remaining
with the accused. The heresy hunters
are not likely to find any better poach-
ing ground within the Episcopal
Church than in the others.