New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-05-30
AGAINST DIR. BRIGGS.
FITS FRIENDS OVERWHELMED IN THE PRES
BYrERIAN ASSEMBLY.

nv A VOTE OF 40 TO 80 THE COMMISSIONERS
VETO THE PROFESSORS APPOINTMENT IN
Union sEMINARY-END OF GREAT
CHURCH pEBATE-DR. WORCESTER
AND DIR. PARKHURsT PLEAD
FOR MORE TINE IN VAIN.
ley TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUEEI
Detroit, May 29.-With voice that admits OF
no misunderstanding the General Assembly of the
Presbyterian Church has vetoed the appointment
Of DIR. Charles A. Briggs. professorelect in Union
Theological Seminary The highest court in the
Church disapproves his appointment by vote oil
44O TO 60. and in the terms of the now famous
compact of 1870 no such appointment OF pro-
lessor shall be considered as complete election
II disapproved by majority vote of the Assembly.
ALLOW me to congratulate you, DR.. Patton,
said an enthusiastic Commissioner, when at .
u. m. to-day the General Assembly adjourned
after what is acknowledged to be- one OF the
greatest debates in the Presbyterian Church
since the Westminster Assembly framed the Con-
fession Of Faith, having voted seven to one 70
veto DR.. Briggss appointment In Union semi
nary. The president Of Princeton College drew
back the hand which he had extended and re-
piled: Don't say that ] feel too sad to have
this matter referred to in that way
When the vote was taken late this afternoon
and 440 of the 500 commissioners voted in favor
of the veto of DR.. Briggs, there was not an at
tempt at applause. No was happy. The
Union Seminary adherents acknowledged that they
had met their Waterloo. The conservatives had
won the victory, but there was no rejoicing Day
by day since the Assembly began
forts put forth to save DR.. Briggs.
n ar friends
Assembly deserted him until the crisis came on
the roll-call Then one after another foczed TO
the conservative side.
Six hours Of speech-mafing preceded the vote,
which was by rollcall, and will form a part of
the minutes of the Assembly. The resolutions
adopted formed the conclusion of Dr. Patton's re-
port. presented on Wednesday afternoon. being as
follows:
Resolved That in the exercise Of its right TO veto
the appointment Of professors IN the Union Theoogca
Seminary the General Assembly hereby tisapproves OF
the appointment of the Rev. Charles A. Briggs. ID. D..
to the Edward Robinson Professoship OF Blbcal the
oogy IN that seminary by transfer from another char
Resolved, That committee consisting Of eight min.
Assembly to confer With the directors Of the Union
Theological Seminary IN regard to the reaaPRs OF tne
said seminary to the General Assembly, ana 10 report
TO the next General Assembly.
These sections were not discussed at all to-day,
speeches on the amendment of DR.. S. @. Logan,
of Scranton which to the effect that the AS
sembly disapprove the appointment of DR.. Briggs
"for the present" Just before noon DR.. J. H.
Worcester. IT,. Of Chicago. offered a sub
stitute for Dr. Loran's motion which be-
came practical substitute for the entire
report Of DR.. Patton. 1t recommended
the approval of DR.. Briggs's election and the ap-
pointment of committee TO confer with the
seminary directors regarding the relations Of the
institution to the Assembly, requesting them to
reconsider DR.. Briggs's election and to advise
that he should not teach during the coming year
He emphasized the recommendations with speech
that seemed for time to capture the house. and
il a vote had been taken at once DR.. Briggs would
doubtless have been confirmed. DIR. Worcester's
paper, which proposed pacific measures was as
follows
The Assembly recognizes that the present relations
of our theological semnaries to the General assembly
brought about through the voluntary and generous
concession by Union seminary OF portion OF It's lnae
all 1t recognizes that In the recent transfer OF
Professor Briggs to the Chair of Biblical Theology the
directors of Union Seminary acted in perfect good
under the act defining those relations. 1t recognizes
agitation in the Church has grown out Of utterances
of Professor Briggs subsequent to that transfer At
the time IL regards these utterances certainly
illadvsed and having seriously disturbed the peace
Of the Church and led 10 situation full Of difficulty
and complications, yet the Assembly desires to act In
the spirit of the largest charity and forbearance con-
sistent with fidelity TO its trust and Of the most
generous confidence in the directors OF Union Sem
Resolved, That committee be appointed by this
ruling elders for the following purposes to wit First
TO confer with the directors Of the Union Theological
mary to the General Assembly and report thereon
TO the next General Assembly second, 10 request the
directors OF Union Seminary to reconsider the action
frapa fprr1d IN fha Cha.r of
Biblical Theology third to advise that In any case
Professor Briggs be not allowed to give Instruction
Assembly.
Dr. Worcester said in his speech:
I do not stand here as the advocate Of Dr. Briggs.
though honor his learning and respect his piety.
sim less do stand here as the opponent Of DR..
Briggs, though he has said many things with which l
totally disagree and in spirit which utterly dsap-
prove. stand here as the advocate Of peace From
Of the res possibilities which would confront me here
"study those things which make for peace and
things wherewith one. may edify another Most
earnestly have prayed that this Assembly might be
guided to a conclusion in this grave matter which
this threatened bitterness Of strife and send the Church
forward united phalanx to glorious and peace
snd oHsr lie D mr.
hope nope and In THIS prayer ys1,+nt stand alone
thoughtful men both sides OF this Ques-
ton. if you call them sides so far as
mems symatnes so With Dr. Briggs are concerned
which should avoid extremes and keep Che Church
In harmony.
The course proposed in that report is IN extreme
course. DR.. Patton told us yesterday that this was
the very least that this Assembly could do. What
more could this Assembly do? You cannot hang
Dr. Briggs; you cannot imprson him; you cannot
cast him ont of the Church you cannot depose him
from the ministry you cannot impeach his Ortho-
doxy touch his moral character. The one thing
that yOu do is To veto bluny, absolutely With
out reason given, his appointment Then, object
to this report because 1t is arbitrary report. It
says that disapprove this appointment and gives
no reason. We are told by president Patton that a
great many might be given. Why didn't
he give reaSonl Mr.. Moderator, l fear II was
because the committee knew that no one reason
could carry n majority Of this Assembly with IT,
DR.. Patton admitted that It would not do
to say that II WAS on account OF
the idosync1ases Of the Professor Sir, shall
We disappove Of this appointment because Dr. Briggs
Is under suspicion when know that steps have
already been initiated TO sif this suspicion and as.
certain whether II is right or wrong felt the force