The Case of Dr. Briggs.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11847, 19 July 1893, Page 3

The Case of Dr. Briggs.

The Bey. 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 at Washington, suspended formally from the office of minister in the Presbyterian Church of the United States of America until such time as he shall give satisfactory evidence of repentence to the General Assembly of the violation by him of. his ordination vows. Mr Brigg's offence is that he denied the authenticity and inspiration of tho Soriptures. 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 rf 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 Key. Dr. Ecob, of the second Presbyterian Church of Albany, New York, in his discburse 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 mil snpport 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 Eev. Lyman Abbott, o! Brooklyn, (New York), Plymouth Church, specially declared that the Bible is not the •word 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 ona in which the late Henry Ward Beecher officiated. The expenses incurred during the entire progress of this case were very large, The board bills along of 200 commissioners to the assembly amounted to 900dols per day, or 1800dols for two dajs. The trial from beginning to end musfhave cost the General Assembly 50,000d015. This does not include 20,000 dols spentby Colonel M. Cook, one of tho prosecuting committee and one of Brigg'a bitterest enemies. Dr. Briggs is by no means disheartened, but will remain in the church, and advises all other raembars. to do so.