THE CASE OF DR BRIGGS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2056, 20 July 1893, Page 14

THE CASE OF DR BRIGGS.

The Rev. Charles Briggs, D.D., lately occupying the chair of practical theology in the Union Presbyterian Seminary, New York, was on June 14 by the Presbyterian General Assembly, meeting in Washington, suspended formally from the office of minister in the Presbyteriaß Church of the United States of America until such time as he shall give satisfactory evidence of repentance to the General Assembly of the violation by him of his ordination vows. Mr Briggs's offence is that he denied the authenticity and inspiration of the Scriptures. The discarded man has for years been regarded as one of the brightest men in the Presbyterian pulpit in the United States. He has thousands of sympathisers and many admirers— so many that it is thought, his suspension will lead to a serious rupture in the second strongest Protestant denomination in the United States. The Rev. Dr Ecob, of the second Presbyterian Church of Albany, New York, in his discourse on June 4 renounced his allegiance to the Presbyterian denomination because of the decision of the General Assembly in this case. It is probable the church will support his action and leave the denomination with him. Dr Briggs's position in regard to the Bible is being taken up and defended by other ministers of the Presbyterian denomination. Thus in his sermon on June 4 the Rev. Lyman Abbott, of Brooklyn (New York) Plymouth Church, specially declared that the Bible is not the work of God, and referred to Dr Briggs as a modern prophet, fit to rank with the prophets of the Bible. The New Plymouth Church is the one in which the late Henry Ward Beeoher officiated. The expenses incurred during the entire progress of this case were very large. The board bills alone of 200 commissioners to the assembly amounted to 900dol per day, or 1800dol for two days. The trial from beginning to end must have cost the General Assembly 50, OOOdol. This does not include 20,000d0l spent by Colonel M. Cook, one of the prosecuting committee and one of Briggs's bitterest enemies. Dr Briggs is by no means disheartened, but will remain in the church, and advises all other members to do so.