The morning call., 1891-10-06
DOCTRINAL ERRORS.
Charges Against Professor Briggs Before
the New York PreSbytery.

NEW YORK, OFT Sat the semi-annual
meeting of the New York Presbytery To-
day the Prosecuting Committee appointed
to prepare papers in the trial OF Professor
Briggs presented report embodying the
charges against him. The charges in brief
are as follows:
Disbelief in the Bible as tie only tire
source of divine authority.
Disbelief in verbal inspiration and the
inerrancy of the scriptures.
Disbelief in the immediate sanctifcation
at death of the souls Of those dying in the
faith.
Professor Briggs moved that his case be
taken up the first thing in the afternoon, but
the motion was defeated. The indictment
bases the charges against Professor Briggs
solely on his inaugural address, because It
is the most deliberate and emphatic expre5-
sion OF his doctrines.
The report goes on to say it has been de-
cided by the committee that it is neither
necessary nor advisable to embrace in the
list of charges all the doctriEal errors cor.
tanned in the inaugural address; and.
while IFS teachings respecting miracles, the
original condition of man, the nature OF sir.
race redemption and Professor Briggs
scheme of Biblical theology in general. are
not in harmony with the Scriptures, and are
calculated to weaken confidence In the word
Of God and to encourage presumption on
the clemency and love of God, 1t decided IT
was best to c0Dfine attention to few de-
partures from the teachings OF the Script
ures which are fundamental to the entire
discussion.
The discussion of the indictment will not
be in order for some time. Professor Briggs
must have ten days to prepare his answer.
and the trial. if the latter takes place, viii
probably be set down in the latter part Of
this month.
The report had not been presented to the
meeting, and routine business was in prog
ress when DIR. Alexander of University
place Church moved TO suspend the order OF
the day to present resolution III the Briggs
matter. 1t was declared out OF order by q
number of those present, but the Moderator
ruled otherwise, and an appeal from his de-
cisioa was made, In which it was sustained.
Notice of appeal to the Synod from the de-
ciSlon was then made.
DR.. Alexander read the resolution. The
preamble sets forth the fact that Professor
Briggs, since his accusation, has supple
mented his answer TO the charges by an
swering numerous questions. These
questions and answers Of Professor
Briggs are part of the preamble, and the
resolution is to the effect that the Presby-
terry, in view of these latter declarations 1t
Professor Briggs, deemed it expedlent to
arrest Iurtner proceedings anC discharge
the committee from further consideration of
the matter.
DR.. Robinson and others protested against
the resolution, and at o'clock an adjourn
ment was taken for an hour, when some ac-
ton on the resolution Will be taken.
When the Presbytery reassembled, DR..
Alexander withdrew his motion to suspend
the order OF the dav. He gave notice, how
ever, that he would renew 1t after the re-
port Of tie committee was read.
Dr. Birch, Chairman Of the committee,
then read the report. At its conclusion DR..
Alexander reintroduced his resolution for
the dismissal of the proceedings. A long
discussion on this motion followed, and It
was finally put to vote, resulting ayes 81
Twelve elders aud fifty clergymeD), noes G4
elders twenty, clergymen folty-iourl, thLs
defeating the motion.
Then the original motion was adopted,
the recommendations of the committee that
DR.. Briggs be served with copy of the
charges and stand trial.
The two votes seem 10 indicate that a
very small majority is in favor IF trying
Dr. Briggs The fact THAT the majority of
the clergy WAS in favor of shutting off the
trial and dischargng tile committee was
very pleasing to DR.. Briggs. He has ten
days in which to make his reply.
After some routine business the Presby-
terry adjourned until tomorrow.
T0-day's proceedings were unusually
turbulent, and several times there were
calls for better Christian spirit.