Omaha daily bee., 1891-05-29
Judge Breckenridge Suddenly Expires in
the Presbyterian General Assembly.
REMAINS TO Be TAKEN TO ST. LOUIS.
The Sad kvent Will Have Tendency
to SJftcn Discussion on the
Briggs Case and Secure
an Early Vote.

uOuDI Geduy 10 CTtulJ our committees WIFI IL
desire to do simply what is best. Recogniz-
ing our liability TO error, we have had only a
desire to do what was demanded by the eX-
igencies of tho case in a spirit of kindness
and recognizing the rights of all the persons
concerned. If the discussion urlngs new
light we will welcome it. We are ready to
give reason for any decision we have made
We hope there will be olong delay, although
we are prepared for ith
Prof. Smith of Lane theological seminary
said: "a proposition to terminate the useful
ness Of a minister should be discussed care
fully. Whatever the committee may say, no
doubt conscientously, it will beinferred that
Dr. Briggs is guilty of some offense. We
shall thus cast reproach on mis- good name,
and the great school, already stricken by the
act of God, will be crippled for at least the
immediate future. This Is reason for eau
tion. / know my side is unpopular, therefore
hear me caudidly and patiently as | try
to show where the committee has erred.
First, it is doubtful whether such an as
sembly is able to judge of other than doctrinal
qualifications; second, DR.. Briggs is not a
new man. He was elected seventeen years
ago think, to chair in Union theological
seminary. Many of his colleagues and
students say he Is a man of ability and
scholarship, an able teacher, spiritual and
pious. This assembly, to whom he is a
stranger, ought not TO be in haste. Presby-
terians ask us to act as our wisdom directs in
himi The arguments against him are
second, 1 that he is not sound
in doctrine" First it is said in quarrels
both sides are wrong; why not in misunder-
standings | have watched the controversy
from the first because have had more inter
est in it than most men. The almost omnip-
otent religious press goes into all our homes.
Their editors magnify their influence. 1t Is
held to be nearly infallible. Has 1t not
ha ,icGi N
nothing against these editors, but are they
qualified for this! Even religious editor
cannot be specialist in all departments
and re liable to err. 1t may be that they
charge that he Is unsound may be based
upon misunderstanding. Some say he en-
dorses the spiritual condition of Martineau.
II Dr. Briggs can historically Justify his pc
stion he has a right to hold them. NV last
point is this: A man must be proved un-
sound after careful trial if need be
ca cases al like ''Dthh this '''i m man t is, if if
charged with unsoundness, considered
uusound from the first. don't say that his
ideas of the bible, redemption of the race
and progressive sanctihcation after death
are not according to the standards. On a
strict construction of the confession of
course he is wrong, but will you, who mean
to make such a radical change IN our confes-
sion as to say that all infants are saved, not
leave little margin for DIR. BriggsP
DR.. Logan of Scranton, Pa, Suggested
modification Of the action proposed by the
committee. He said: 81 agree with
them with these two amendments:
first, that the assembly disapprove for the
present the appointment, etc; second, that a
committee of eight ministers and seven rul-
ing elders be appointed to confer with Prof.
Briggs and the directors of the seminary"
The latter he moved and it was seconded.
Continuing, DR.. Logan said: 1--WE must OF
course refuse to confirm him in that chair.
The whole church asks, Shall we not have
the word of God that we can trustr We are
that chair But having refused to confirm
him, let us enact before taking irretrievable
acrion."
Charles A. Dickey DID,, of Philadelphia,
member Of the board of directors of Union
theological seminary, said II have no plea
to make for DR.. Briggs, but will, If stand
alone, pl cad that my man shall have fair play.
| do not defend his views or attack them. |
deplore his inaugural. l wish to ask what is
expedient not in the sense of covering up or
time when the strain is so Sc
we're and the situation so delicate.
We are told by this committee that there was
but one risk that compelled this honorable
and faithful committee to ask for this direct
and lrrevocable action. | know they would
have brought the proposition to wait if it
only could be done. This is the point. Can
we waitl Their only reason for insisting on
a veto now is that it must be now or never
| will presume to differ with even them
Has not this assembly the same right to in
terpret compact as the assembly of 1871,
whose view Is quoted in the reporti They
say we lose the power of the veto ii we don't
exercise it now, yet they propose that we
have a committee OF conference over this
action after it is consummated. Would it
not be better to trust us than to act ire
demably and then confer through a COM
mtteeP'
The debate on DR., Briggs was resumed and
Judge S. X. Breckenridge of st. Louis, men,
ber of the committee on theological semin-
aries and one of the most eminent lawyers in
the south, stated the points in the case
Years ago, he said, the Union seminary was
independent, but in 1885 it became Pres by
terian, and of course the assembly controlled
the appointments. "lf we don't veto now,n
he said, ''we never can. DR. Logan's amend
ment for deferripg action is practicable We
view the transfer from one chair to another
the same as an appointment. We can do
nothing wisely except dsapprove. |
think 1t is wise not to assign reasons. A
Judge sometimes cannot give all the reasons
for his decisions on the bench. But without
assigning their reasons it does seem to me
that the mind OF the church for some months
past has been anxious that we should relieve
it.n His last words were: Nov, gentle
men, | feel that have discharged my duty
and wish to be excused from further speak
ng.n Reaching for a glass of water he
head heavily on the floor,
After the Judge had been carried to the
ante-room the debate was arrested, and when,
few moments afterward, physicians in the
audience who hurried to his aid pronounced
him dead, the assembly voted to do no fur
ther business and instead of banquet in
the rink this evening they held prayer meet
ng in Fort street church.
A committee consisting OF President Pat
ton, Rev Hayes, O. Il. Dickey, h. +, Smith
and Elders j. j. Cook ana h. @. Humphrey,
to which Rev DR. Vermlya, delegate from
the Reformed church, was added, was ap-
pointed TO make suitable arrangements In
view of the occurrence. President Patton
asked to be excused because of fatigue.
While this committee was absent the as
semby engaged IN devotional exercises. DIR.
Vermilya said the judge had Just before leay-
ing his seat been talking with him in famil.
lar way and with his wife aud family had
invited him to lunch with him tomorrow.
"Now he has passed away from this assem-
bly, to the general assembly ana church of
the first born.n
DR. Erskine told of Judge Breckehridge's
distinguished ancestry. lie was the son Of
the great DR. j. Il. Breckenridge, who was
the brother of the noted and esteemed Will
lam Robert. His mother was the daughter
of the beloved Samuel Miller Of Princeton,
afterward au honored secretary of our board
in Philadelphia where he had a notable DIS
cussion with Archbishop Hughes. HIS sud
den death reminded DR.. Erskine of that OF
Secretary Nindom, who was faithful Chris
tiau man.
II was announced that Governor Alger had