The Wilmington daily Republican., 1891-05-30
IN THE ASSEMBLY
The Great Debate on Briggs at
Detroit Yesterday.
DR. BRIGGS APPOINTMENT VETOED.


Wins the Great Theological Battle.
DETROIT, Mich, May 90.-The Fort
Street church was again crowded when
the assembly met. The expectation of
the closing of the Briggs debate and the
final action of the matter were the rea-
sons Of the crowded galleries and the
many chairs in the aisles. There was
no talking above whisper, no sup
pressed mirth, the entrance was to q
house of mourning. The black pail of
death seemed to hang over the whole
audience.
The solelnnity Of o recent grief seemed
TO brood over all; even the speakers
seemed afraid to raise their voices, and
that was not necessary, for hush had
spread over the assemblage, and the
lowest tone was audible in every part of
the church. Rov. Ashbel VerInilye, ID.
D., of the corresponding members from
the Reformed church, bore the greet
legs of his denomination. When he had
finished Moderator Green expressed the
fraternal feeling that existed in the
Presbyterian church for their brethren
of the Reformed faith. The unfinished
business was then in order, and the de-
bate on the report Of the committee on
The Briggs question was resumed.
The Briggs Debate Resumed.
Rev. l. w. Hathaway, of New Jersey,
was the first speaker. He favored the
amendment offered by DIR. Logan, ex-
tending the time before the final action
disappearing Of DR.. Briggs appoint
ment. He believed that such q course
wvnt1l1 I,a i., tha into ~
He said that he pleaded not for DR..
Briggs, not for Union seminary, but for
Justice, charity, right and peace.
Rev. DIR. Samuel Bowden, of Geuesee,
N. Y, one of the members of the com
mittee on theological seminaries, paid
touching and eloquent tribute to Judge
Breckenridge.
A number Of commissioners tried to
Kain the floor, but Col. ]. J. McCook, of
New York, was recognized. He recited
the history and circumstances under
which the compact was made in 1870,
whereby the theological seminaries con-
eeded to the assembly the right to pass
upon their choice Of professors.
A Little Confusion.
Numerous points of order were raised
and for few moments there was more
or less confusion. DIR. Logan, of Scran-
bon, had advanced upon the platform
and was recognized by the moderator.
The point was raised that the moderator
should recognize the speakers from the
floor and not from the platform. When
DR.. Logan advanced to speak there were
cries from different parts of the house.
DR.. Logan was firm, however, and de-
clared he had the floor and would not
yield It.
Again cries of "Question" were raised,
k.xkR II 80
York, was yielded the floor. He claimed
the courtesy of the house, which had
become rather impatient. die said that
he shrank from the feeling and senti-
ments of the house. but he felt that he
pnght to express his convictions He
supported tao amendment and said that
he would go back to New York and
stand behind the prosecuting committee.
Rev. j. H. Worcester, Jr., D. D., of
Chicago, after making several attempts
10 gain the notice of the moderator, was
finally recognized and took the floor. He
offered an amendment to the report of
the committee, which practically was a
Substitute for the whole report.
The Afternoon Session.
Rev. DIR. McKibben, of Cincinnati,
opened the afternoon session. He said
!. ths assembly did not seek the issue. It
had been forced upon the church. It
was q serious thing for man to strike
ct the foundations of the church. When
eighty Presbyterians moved to ask the
assembly to pass on DIR. Briggs, the as
ksmbly could not escape the RESPONSE
bility. Some contended that DIR. Briggs
was sound. That had nothing to do
with the case. On his induction into
pfice he had spoken in a way to shake
Faith In fundamental truths Of the bible.
II the assembly did not disapprove 1t
meant that it would not interfere no.
tpAtter what attack was made on the
bible If it should disapprove and all
vtas well on investigation DIR. Briggs
could be reelected.
Elder George Junkin, of Philadelphia,
opposed the substitute. The report was
p straight proposition, and the veto must
be. under the rules, now or never. As
b lawyer he warned them that the SUBJ
Stitute would abrogate the rights of the
assembly. He spoke strongly and made
d decided impression. The assembly
must stand by the law. He was direc-
tor of Princeton, and il they sent up
such man he would consider 1t no in
suit for assembly to act.
DIR. Charles H. Parkhurst, Of New
York, one of the directors Of Union,
said he supposed all would be happy
when all this controversy was out of the
air. He longed for the time when, with
these thoughts out Of all hearts, and
these tones out of all ears, the church
could go back to the saving of the lost.
Briggs Appointment Vetoed.
= DR.. Worcester's substitute for the re-
port of President Patton's committee
was first presented. There were not 100
I'm favor Of 1t. Next came DR.. Logan's
Amendmept that disapproval be ex-
tended only for the present, which was
voted down with as big an adverse ma
3ority as DIR. Worcester's substitute.
Then came the report Of Patton's com
mittee. Amid wild excitement, mingled
with hilarity. vote was taken.
:. From disorder the whole scene changed
No most solemn stiffness. When the
name Of thefirst preebytsry on the list