New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-02-08
BRIGGS 4 STORM PETREL
DR.. BabHtt Says Traits Should
Carry Him Straight to Rome.

The Briggs controversy vas discussed last night
by the Rev. Dr.. Dean Richmond Babbitt, rector Of
the Church OF the Epiphany. McDonough-st and
Tompzins-ave.. Brooklyn who delivered the 18th
OF his sermons on Past and Present Problems OF
the Church" His special subject was. The Chris
tian Ministry Before DR.. Babhitt referred point
edly 10 Or. Briggss recent attack on Episcopal
orders OF ministry, with the latters much discussed
paper on How We May Become More Truly
Catholic" he traced The history CT the Anglican
Church and held that the Episcopate had ever
teen held intact and had to-day the fun authority
of the ancient Apostolic Church Referring then
to the Rev Dr. Briggss attack be said in part:
It is Gztraordinary that a presbyter Of our
1,hurcn, Dr BRIGGS, Who lately was received by
ms church from the Prosbyteriaus. should attack
these basal and fundamental views OF our ministry.
80 long ana 50 tenaclously held. the basis OF the
fortified by the amplest historical evidence. making
con never offered 10 the reliroiIS Wild befoIe
When Dr. Briggs made application this Church
gift Of her orders OF ministry. and when conscien-
uous presbyters Of our Church were disturbed his
views on Holy Scripture and there an ecclesi-
OF the Diocese OF Newark 70 v ~ 5ef65 e Poftegy
AZ bis broadly tolerant course in giving 10 learned
professor the roomy opportunity OF our church for
modem scholarship. on the showing Of the facts
IS they then appeared, l sim Justify Bishop Potter
lical scholarship may find its most congeniaI home
S Ts Is BCt ire recent pronouncements OF
PROFESSOR tTlegs, VINO sun holds protesSorship in
Presbyterian seminary, go outside his own realm
settled.
identity and historical continuity OF the Church.
which ] venture 10 say. IA the vast majority Of
Its clergy and laity, regards him as an cratic un-
grateful and unrclia bic who was caught so
late IN lie. and il whom the strife OF speech is
ineraoicable that his decided gain Of an ecclesi-
sstical standing had made an equally decided loss
20 the Church In dignity. Men Of thought listened
much more respectfully TO Dr. Briggs On Biblical
criticism, IN which he is expert. than on
the historical theological and ecclesiastical aspects
o. the Christian ministry. which latter subject he
mas Illustrated only by change and Vacillation in
his own ministry and by a widness OF logic and
erranuy OF facts which should carry him
straight 10 Rome But though be compliments that
latter communion, Rome would reject him EXCEPT
unaccOmplshed novice. II Or. Briggs is con-
he must be familiar with the fact that long before
Leo XIII gratutously offered 70 the world an
opinion on Anglican orders. unsolicited BY that
grand old Apostolic Church many learned Roman
Catholic theologians had admitted the validity Of
Anglican orders. But TINS IS not the place or time
argue that question. which OF languid inter-
est all NnFlicans except few enthusiasts in
Eneland. The point and pith OF the whole matter
Of Or. Briggss assault on our ministry IS this: e
IS not exuert where eKpertisTn is needed. and
where men incomparably more learned in the mat
ter have pronounced against him Overwhelmingly.
Second-He has gore out Of his way 10 strike
blow at his own mother Church which. with
gracious generosity. had adopted him when branded
8 hereto
Third-His views are radical, untenable revolu-
uonary and sUbversive OF our Church order.
Fourth-Effs views utterly opposed 10 those
held a rule by the most learned. well instruct
ed and best equipped % our students.
Ftth--1is views are contradicted 10y the whole
rank and file % our six thousand clergy in this
country with comparatively few executions and
are ahhorreCt 20 the common mind OF the Church.
Dr. BfiEgs seems storn-petrel. and no one knows
where next his eager. controversial spirit VIII leac