New-York tribune., 1879-05-06
VEIGHING THE I,ESTIMONY.
CONSULTING ON THE TALMAGE CASE.

| CONSULTING On THE TALMAGE CASE.
| THE MEMBERS OF THE BROOKLYN PREsBYTERY
| GIVING THEIR DECISION on THE TESTIMONY
| ELEVEN DECLARE THEMSELVES FOR AC-
oUITTAL AND FIVE FOR CONVICTION.
The Talmage trial is drawing near a close,
and decision may possibly be reached this evening,
though il is not probable that vote will be taken be-
fore Tomorrow unless IL should be thought best TO con-
nue the session to-day beyond the usual hour for adj
iournmeut. Tho Presbytery met yesterday IN the
sunday-schoo in the gallery of the Second Presby
terian Church, in Clinton-s, Fulton, to consult
upon evidence submitted TO IT, Nearly all the mem
bers were present moment before the session began
Mr. Crosby counsel for the prosecution, came stag
qerng in under the weight OF the manuscript copy Of
the testimony in the case which he laid upon the plat
FORM After devotional exercises and the calling Of the
roll Dr. Cuyler said that as a regular monthly meeting
of the Presbytery had been called, and Thomas Cha
mers Potter bad come from Princeton Seminary to bo
examined for license, he hoped that business would be
attended TO- and Mr.. Potter would not be compelled to
wait a month. 1t decided to meet at 10 to-day
to attend to that aud other routine business Of the Pres
bytery.
After some debate It was decided to call the roll in
alphabetical order each member, when his name was
called, giving expression OF his opinion on the eN-
dence IT he chose to do so. An amendment limiting
each speaker to ten minutes was voted down. In the
tSe waste Of time Mr. Haisey said We are here as
decide on the evidence not to argue the ease
the views of older men.
OPINIONS OF TIE MEMBERS.
The Rev J. A Baldwin, whose name stood first on the
roll was absent account OF the death Of his Wife
had request that he be heard out of turn and
1t was granted.
The Rev. b. G. Benedict said he not prepared to
express an opinion at present The Rev. Aaron Peck
offered to exchange positions with him, and then an
nounced that should vote not to sustain the charges
The worst that could be said Of The Christian at Work
affair was that it a sharp transaction. " can't
vote to sustain the charge that that man is common
,iar; can't believe him a deceiver, q hypOcrte."
The Rev. W. ]. Bridges said: al am sorely en-
barrassed when forced TO dissent from the brother
who has just spoken In the business transaction Mr.
Talmages conduct looks bad-seems sinful. should
be sorry to have member in my church guilty OF such
practices The statement in the pulpit about IT, the
publication in The Adrdnce his uterances about the
pew question, seem TO me to have been false. The
other speci1cations TO have been fully proved"
travelling engaged in engrossing work lie asked
DE S James W. Cullen said; q read all
tho testimony have weighed it carefully and have
made up my mind but don't think 1t is any of bus
mess argue the case noW lsha vote not TO sustain
Dr ThGodore L. Cuyer said he had advocated an ex
animation OF the charges by committee, ana had op,
posed their public discussion. He had maintained
silence since the trial began and no reason to change
his opinions policy now He deelnedto say now nc
said DIR. Alfred H. Dashed: "I am moro confirmed
than ever in the opinion that the prosecution has en-
Ths Rev benjamin r. Drake said that from the be-
ginning he had been strongly ayerse TO he
Under similar circumstances he would have cone as ar
Tamage did. lie saw no deliberate eVll intent, ana
should vote q" no cause OF action"
The Rev Thomas J. Evans said: " am ready to vote
on all the specifications. | wish was Mr. Tdmage
with all mis- faults. He has less than us ALL"
~ cannot approve the things that done by Mr. Tai
mage said the Rev. Lewis r. FO0te "For me to do them
do them and can't vote TO express approval OF
them. 1t s not matter OF sympatnyi cannot see
that things which would be false Tor me are not false
40 The Rev. Amos n freeman lcoloredl said at am
takes but think this Presbytery has made greater
mistake allowing this case to come before 1t IN the
way il has. shall vote not TO sustain"
NOT A MODERN ANANIAs AND sAPPHIRA
Dr. Lyman Gilbert made long argument, the result
of which was that he should vote not to sustain the
charges. He said he never saw a great man who had
not some faults. In conclusion he said: "When saw
that Christian lady Mrs Talmage. in the witness box
talking of what and her husband had agreed together
to DO for the church, asked mySef Are they Auanias
and sapphira2 Was it in the heart Of Brother Tai
mage in any one of these cases TO lie No."
While DR.. Gilbert speaking, the Rev. A. ]. Bald
WIN came IN and was permitted to speak, as he Will be
absent to-day attending his wife's funeral. He said
- | am not prepared TO Judge Mr.. Tamage perured
villain. There is middle ground. don't say that
approve all his methods; that is not in question. /
think has been raised up to do great work for God
and is doing am prepared to acquit him Oh all the
specifications
The Rev. Samuel p Halsey asked to be permitted TO
speak to-day.
The Rev j. Milton Greene said: "There is no one
here who doubts that Mr.. Talmagc is exceedingly
eccentric man. but he l. not eccentric that God
made a special moral law for him. | hope my tongue
Will ceavo to the roof OF my mouth before | adopt
moral such rs was laid down by DR.. Spear"
The Rev. &. G.. Hall absent attending funeral
opinion read by the moderator: DO find
the charges sustained by the facts"
The Rev Parsons C. Hastings said his views had
dergone a decided change since the trial began. "
agree he said with DR.. Spear In his opinion as to
the fundamental pcty and innocence of the man."
The Rev j. Meury said: shall vote not To sustain"
The Rev. l. W. Hathaway asked permission to speak
later
The Rev. Charles ]. Jones argued at some length. He
said: can't look upon his night raid upon the print
ing press AZ with the character OF teacher
of morals We are told are not only TO acqut thus
man, but TO vindcate his acts. can't do IT, We
can't say the world that we approve such conduct
on the new business and kilograms am willing % take
Mr.. Talmages explanation, but must vote guilty on
other specifications"
The Rev Adam McClelland said : I" In the word OF
God ind y principle which must govern me in this
case Every moral agent is held responsible for the
natural consequences Of his words, and must be so
Judged. conclude that Mr.. Talmagc has been guilty
Of deception, and that to acquit him would be to put
the stamp OF approval upon dishonest acts ana Wofds
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THE STANLEY COURT ENDED.