New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-05-16
AT7TTUDE OF OPPONENTS.
NOT YET DECIDED AS TO THEIR
COURSE.

Nowth,, Dr Briggs has been regularly ordained
, nr,est NJ the Protestant Episcopal Church. his
onnonents do not TO be altogether clear AZ 10
The course they viii pursue in the continuance OF
the fight All that could be ascertainei yesterday
IN this connection was that conference by Dr. DC
costa DR. Clendenin Dr. Richey. Or. Van Wrinkle
and others who objected 10 the admission OF LII
Briggs 10 the priesthood will be held IN the next
few days, and result OF that conference so''''
noIicv regarding future action may be decided upon
tut whatever NAV be the result OF that CONFER
erce az 10 individual effort. there appears 10 pre-
vail no doubt in Church circles that no drec, per
sonal attack theoogically speaking VIII De maoo
upon DR. Briggs In the immediate future Appear
ances indicate that the whole controversy VIII tane
a much broader scope. At the same time there Is
a desire upon the part OF the many opponents or
DR. Briggs to push to an issue the question OK
the presentation OF DR.. Briggs for triai on tne
charge of heresy. The specific allegation upon
which they will rely is that his published book con-
tradIcts the declaration which he signed before MS
ordination that the Holy Scriptures OF the Ola ana
New Testament are the word OF God. On the
other hand some conservative leaders OF both the
High Church and the old-fsshioned Low Church'
or evangelical school. are inclined to let the ~noie
matter rest In the hands OF the bishops. eehhs that
the issue raised by the admission OF Dr. Briggs TO
the priesthood is grave that 1t should De deait
,,h hv the rulers OF the Church at large and not
by any single diocese
LOOK TO THE HOUSE OF BISHOPS.
Those men look with confidence for an expressed
declaration OF what must be held in the Episcopal
Church in regard to the Bible. Such deciarauon
can come only from the House OF Bishops and as
surances have been received from numoer OK
h,shons that the question will be mooted at tho
next meeting OF that body when II Is considered
uIalv that action will be taken looking to such
declaration AZ will make clear the world at large
what the spiritual fathers OF the Episcopal Church
regard as binding upon the conscences OF It's priests.
This IL is considered by the more conservative lead
ers would be far more satisfactory and efiicscious
than any possble verdict Of an ecclesasticai court
aoa,ns, DIR Briggs The inclination Is to let MIN
alone and to make effort to bring Bishop rotter
10 account for his ordination
When DR. Briggs was seen yesterday he was no
more communicative than he has been during the
course OF the CONTROVERSY previous to his ordination
"I have no reply to make 10 my crincs' ne saio'
.rhat was done effectively by Bishop Potter IN MS
letter to a iayman who urged that my ordinauon
should be postponed l anticipated Criticism ana op-
position but / shall adhere to my policy or making
no response. intend TO sail for Europe on Thufs-
day and will pass the summer In England. SCOT
land Wales and Ireland and upon my return
will assist Mr. Paddock In his work at the fro-
Cathedral among the people of the East Side
No membe. OF the Standing Committee who could
be seen yesterday would make any reierencs !"
that part OF Bishop Potter's letter which 70 SONS
extent placed the responsibility Of Dr. Briggss or
Richey OF the General Theological Seminary. IN
commenting upon this phase OF the matter yester-
day said that Article III OF the constitution neio
that no person should be admitted 10 molly orue's
until 'he shall have been examined by the pshops
and shall have exhibited such testimonials ana o'he'
REQUISITES as the canons In that case may direc,
Or Richey pointed out that the Blsnop i.sses e
might be interpreted 10 mean, althougn a, 'ns se's
time that construction not intenoeu tnat a
he received the proper testimonials from tne ssd
ing Committee all the constitutional prosis,Vns @ hna
been complied with and that he had no opuoh os'
to ordain DR.. Briggs
DIR. RICHEY's STATEMENT
..pu, the constitution" DR.. Richey went on 70
axnla,n .places the responsibility the Bishop In
the orst case and II the Bishop sees NJ to act ac-
oording 10 the canons afterward provided mas
much as to conduct the examination In the pres
ence OF two presbyters then the Bishop is to re-
oure such testimonials and other requisites ~
the canons In that case provided may nirect
Without the examination on the part OF the Bishop.
r AIDE in the presence OF two presbyters. no man
examination declares the man unit because OF
phyacal or other inhrmity. the candidate must
seek ordination elsewhere In addition TO these
constitutional provisions. which are fundamental.
there is added on the part or the person asking tor
ordination the necessity OF subscribing 70 the fol-
lowing declaration ! 90 believe the Holy Scriptures
OF the Old and the New Testament 10 be the word
OF God and do solemnly engage 10 conform 10 the
doctrines % worship of the trotestant Episcopal
Church Of the United States Of America In add
tion these constitutional proyisons properly So
called Bishop after the Standing Committee has
recommended the candidate has II In his power to
suspend action upon the Recommendation until the