New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-27
WILL PASS ON BRIGGS.
DR.. Potter to Make q Statement
about apostolic Paper.
BISHOP DOANE'S REMARKS.

Bishop Potter told Tribune reporter last
night that he would issue a statement with
reference to the Rev. DR.. Charles a. Briggss
recent paper before the Church Club on How
May We Become More Truly Catholic?' DR..
Briggs is a member Of the staff Of the Cathedral
Of St John the Divine and n professor in the
Union Theological Seminary. In DIR. Briggs
PAPER which appears IN The Independent for
January 2S. he intmates that apostolic success
sion hangs by a slender historical thread, and
says that I'm point OF universally the Church
of Rome has almost the only claim worth con-
sidering; that the Pope OF Rome is right in the
main when he asserts that Anglican orders are
invalid.
George Maccuoch Miller. the president or the
Church Club, called Bishop Potters attention 20
the paper, and Bishop Potter asked DR.. Briggs
for copy of it.
Il have not yet read the paper" said Bishop
Potter last night but shall do so, and when
1 have I shall issue a statement"
II was remarked to Bishop Potter that pas
sage IN Bishop Doane's conservation sermon at
st. Bartholomew yesterday had been construed
by several evening newspapers into a criticism
of DIR. Briggss views.
After explaining how a bishop should exercise
a personal influence on his diocese. Bishop
Doane declared that the good pasture" of souls
committed TO his care should mot be trodden
down or its deep waters fouled by the feet of
false teachers and unfaithful shepherds" He
declared moreover that he believed it wise
and well to avoid the scandals Of trials for
heresy and prosecution, in courts ecclesiasti-
cal or civil, for breach Of ritual law" lie add
ed that he honestly believed I'VE have came far
short of discharging our duties as over
lockers and overseers in failing to exert infiu-
ence and to assert authority when the faith is
denied or distorted or diluted"
Il understand that that part of Bishop
Doane's sermon has been so construed in certain
newspapers" said Bishop Potter last night, but
l have not read the accounts"
DR.. Briggss paper follows in part:
Only by the rse of textuai criticism. the higher
or literary criticism. and historical criticism used
method the whole apostolic Inheritance as re-
corded in Holy Scripture, be ascertained. This Is
also painful process TO many minds; because it
Is necessary TO put aside a multitude or things
not in fact be found IN Holy Scripture. although
imperfect methods Of Biblical study in the past
But even If we had the entire apostolic inheri-
and agreed 10 by Christian scholars we would not
then have the entire apostolic inheritance: Many
evervthie not TO he found in HOW Scripture There
Christian doctrine, life and organization. which
must be sought, and can only be found. In apos-
toc tradition, such as appears In the documents OF
the Ante-Ni cene Church.
In our attitude toward the Roman Catholic
Church we should frankly recognize the mistakes
of the Reformers that Rome can teach many
things ought TO learn, and We should strive TO
restore 10 our church, at least for optional use,
everything that is truly catholic. Anglicans ought
not to hesitate to follow many Of the ablest of the
Anglican dlvnes and agree TO the validity of Pres
byterian and Lutheran ordination.
When we look the Christian world to-day
We must lament the failure OF the church in this
element Of catholicity. The Roman Catholic
Church claims to be the only truly catholic
church Its claims certainly better sustained
IN the element Of universally than those OF any
other church. She is nearest TO the ideal. She
maintains catholcity, and that ii has only been
impaired by schismauc churches who have de-
parted from her, not she from them. When her
claims in respect clash with the Anglican
claims for apOstolicity. Newman shows us that an
earnest and logical mind must eventually so to
Rome. If ii be Roman universally against An
gcan apostoicity, there be doubt which
will win But, in fact Anglican apOstolicty is not
apostolic enough and Roman universally is not
universal enough. Roman universally by means
corresponds in all respects with the primitive
catholic ideal.
The present cutlery against Dr. Briggs is not
confined to High Church leaders, as was the
protest against the action of Bishop Potter in
ordaining the professor IN 1898, after his sus-
pension by the Presbyterian General Assembly
five years ago. 1t is considered probable that
Bishop Potter's statement may foreshadow
some decided action.