The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-10-06
DR.. BRIGGS PUT ON TRIAL
FULL TEXT OF THE CHARGES
AGAINST HIM.

the Holy Scriptures and the Stand
ards of the Church.
NEW York, Oct. Sat the semi-annual
meeting of the New York presbytery held
this morning in the Scotch Presbyterian
church in West Fourteenth street, Rev.
John G. Bliss, pastor Of the Washington
Heights Presbyterian church, presided as
moderator The prosecuting committee ap-
pointed last spring TO prepare the papers in
the trial of Prof. Charles A. Briggs pre-
sented its report, embodying the charges
against him. The committee states that
it decided to base the charges and speci-
tications upon what is contained in DR..
Briggs inaugural address alone, foT reasons
which it state at great lengths the
principal ones being that the inaugural ad-
dress was the original sub ject of Inquiry by
the committee OF the presbYtery appointed
on April IL, 1891, and it was upon the re-
port of that committee that a judicial in
vestigation was instituted. because of the
recent publication of the inaugural
address and because the inaugural
address may be regarded as most deiber-
ate and emphatic expression of DIR. Briggs
doctrine, aud therefore representing most
fairly his position with respect to those
doctrines upon which the charges and speci-
f1cations are based. The report adds that
the committee is not unmindtul of the fact
that the erroneous and ill-advised utter
auces OF DR.. Briggs have seriously disturbed
the peace of the church, but they do not in
clude this grade OF otfeuse in the list Of
formal charges.
TEXT OF THE CHARGES.
The charges against DR.. Briggs are as
follows:
Charge /. The Presbyterian church in the
United States OF America charges Rev. Charles
A. Briggs, D. d., being minister or the Presby
terian church and a member of the presbytery
of New York, with teaching doctrines which
conflict irreconclaby with and are contrary to
the cardinal doctrine taught in the Holy Script
ures aud contained in the standards of the
Presbyterian ch lreh that the scrptur of the
Old and New tt stialents are the only intallible
rule of faith and practices. These hurtful errors
strike at the vtals of religion, and contrary to
the regulations and practice of the Presbyterian
church were promulgated in au inaugural ad-
dress, which DR.. Briggs delivered at rh9 Union
Theological Seminary in the city Of New York
Jan. 90 1891, on the occasion of his inducto1
into the Edward Robinson chair of biblical
theology which address has, with DR.. Briggs
approval, been published and extensively cir
culated, aud repuhlighed iu second edition with
a preface aud appendix.
To this charge there are seven specifica-
tions. Each specification is followed by
quotations from DIR. Briggs address. on
which the specification is based Then
there is a formal declaration that these
statements are contrary to the scriptures,
and quotations from the scriptures are given
in support of this. There is also declara-
tion that "these statements are contrary to
our standards" and quotations from the
confession Of faith aud shorter cstechism
are given.
Charge 2 The Presbyterian church in the
United States Of America charges Rev. Charles
A. Briggs, D. D., being n minister of the Pres
byterian church and q member Of the presby
Of Nat Nnr with snrrd Of n
character, state and sanctlhcation Of believers
after death which irreconcilably conflicts with
and is contrary 10 the holy scriptures and stand
ards of the Presbyterian church.
The specification consists Of quotations
from that part of Dr. Briggs address re.
ferring to this subject. The doctrine
enunotated by DR.. Briggs is declared to be
contrary to the scripture aud to the stand
ards of the Presby church, and pas
sages from the scriptures, confession of faith
and shorter catechism are quoted In sup
port Of his.
READY FOR THE REPORT.
After some preliminary business Of minor
Importance had been disposed of the ques-
tion of hearing the report of the com mittee
on prosecution, which was to present au
indictment against DR.. Briggs, came up.
Immediately there was turmoil. When DR..
Birch, chairman of the committee. got ND
ander of the University Place Presbyterian
church also arose and said he had resolu-
tion to offer before the reading OF the
report was begun. This was practically q
motion to suspend business. Many Of the
presbyteries feared that the resolution had
a bearing on the report which would do
away with its effectiveness
Othors thought 1t was something entirely
irrelevant. OTHERS, had stl. different
views. The consequence was that much
animated discussion followed, which lasted
for nearly an hour. Meanwhile DIR. Birch
stood ready with the report in his hands
waiting for chance to read it. The room
by this time was crowded to hear the re-
port. There was much impatience to
have it read, but DR.. Alexander was not to
be put down. A compromise was at last
effected by which DR.. Alexander consented
to read his resolution, after which the pres
bytery were to decide whether it was Of suf-
fcient importance to delay hearing the re-
port Of the committee.
THE RESOLUTION.
The resolution DIR. Alexander proposed to
offer was to the effect that the presbrtery
in view OF these latter declarations by Prof.
Briggs. deemed it expedent to arrest
further proceedings and discharge the COM
mittee from further consideration of the
matter. A dozen presbyters were straight
way on their feet, talking excitedly. A
dozen different motions we're made at once
and DR.. Alexander took his seat in perfect
turmoil. DIR. Briggs sat unmoved in a char
in the rear OF the room. After
quiet had been restored by the
remonstrances Of the moderator,
Chairman Birch of the committee
got the floor and made a long spesch in
which he deprecated the position taken by
DR.. Alexander aud said that the resolution,
if adopted, would amount to an attempt to
try Dr. Briggs by speech ins cad of by evil
donce. DR.. Briggs, he said, was one OF those
members of the church who professed a
learning which could be dispensed from
theological chairs in seminaries but
were too erudite to be preached
by ministers Of the gospel.
In opposition to DR.. Birch spoke DR..
Thompson Of the Madison Square Presby-
terien church. He read paper in which
he pointed out the great dangers which
threatened the church If Dr. Briggs was
allowed to come to trial before the presby
terry.
After he had finished a recess was taken
until o'clock.
The members were much excited when
the morning session adjourned, and the
room was a very hubbub Of reverend gentle
men shouting at the top Of their voices and
waving their hands frantically.
When tho presbytery reassembled In the
afternoon. DR.. Alexander withdrew his
motion % suspend the order Of the day.
He said be did not want b be discourtsous
20 the COMMITTEES On prosecution, whose re-
port would be entirely cut OF BY the ad p
tion Of bis resolution.
READING or TIE INDICTMENT