The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-05-30


Tenders should have thought seriously be-
fore they disturbed the peace of the
Church II the Assembly, by refusing 10 dis
approve Briggs position, allowed him TO teach
how could presbyteries refuse to license stu
dents for holding views which the Assembly
had negatively indorsed? The utterances of
Dr. Briggs were the advance guard of line
of thought which was going TO oyerturn the
principle of Thus Sayeth the Lord" The
speaker stood for acceptance on the report
without compromise.
Rev. DR.. Ebenezer Erskine. OF Carlisle Pa,
followed in a lengthy speech against Dr.
Briggs position. Like all the other speakers.
he dweit strongly Judge Breckenridge's
advice given the Assembly just before his
death yesterday.
DIR. Erskine discuss ID Dr. Briggs inaugural
and despite the disposition of many commits
sioners. ran over the whole ground OF crit-
icism of DR.. Briggs as it has been set forth IN
the various sermons and editorials put forth
in the religious press. Before he concluded
there was disorder through the Assembly.
THE HOUR PoR THE VOTE.
Rev. J. J. Francis, Of Cincinnati, moved
that vote on the report and amendments
be taken ut 4:30 by yea and nay. The time
was changed 10 ; o'clock and the motion was
adopted The debate was then limited to ten
minutes.
Rev. James Lewis, Of Detroit, spoke in
Assembly neither 10 defend nor condemn DIR.
Briggs. He scored Dr. McKibbin for accus-
ing the friends of DR. Briggs of stirring up
the discussion. DR.. Mckibbn interrupted
the speaker. and some warm words were ex-
changed. Mr.. Lewis said too severe action
by the Assembly would give impetus TO the
dissemination of DR.. Briggs views II the
role of a martyr was forced on him his ideas
would have more strength.
Elder George Junkin, of Philadelphia, op-
posed the substitute. The report was a
straight proposition and the veto must be,
under the rules, now or meyer. As a lawyer
he warned them that the substitute would
abrogate the rights Of the Assembly. He
spoke strongly and made a decided impress
sion. The Assembly must stand by the law.
/ He was director of Princeton, and II they
sent up such a man he would consider 1t no
insult for the Assembly TO act
DIR. PARKHURsr's SHARP WORDS.
/ DR.. Charles Parkhurst. of New York, one Of
the directors of the Union, said he hoped that
all would be happy when all this controversy
was out for the air. He longed for the time
when these thoughts out OF oil hearts and
these tones out of all ears, theChurch could
20 back to the saving of the lost.
As a director of the Union, he felt he was IN
a sense on trial He felt the sOlemnity Of the
occasion If there was anything he could do
10 solve the question he would be willing to
do it. He knew and loved his friend, DIR.
Briggs but he was a difficult man to get
along with. But no man was going to be al
lowed by the board OF directors TO come be-
tween the Assembly and the Union Iheo-
logical Seminary and the best interests OF the
Church. The directors had uncertainty in their
minds as 10 the technical Legality of the
election of DIR. Briggs and it would meet the
Assembly in any settlement OF the question.
He was thoroughly in accord with the sentl-
rl.afff ffrrta Mr. POI
toms address charmed him with its brilliancy,
but more than brilhancy was needed. If q
committee was sent by the Assembly it would
be received with sincerity and with the hearth
est desire OF the directors to act IN the fullest
manner up 20 the spirit OF Dr. Worcesters
substitute.
Rev. Joseph Smith. of Baltimore, said that
Dr.. Briggs failed in the capacity Of making
himself understood as plainly as should a
teacher on the fundamental principles OF the
/ bible
Hon. Charles Lyman of Washington, d.
c.. said that the Assembly ought TO consider
what would follow the acting on techni-
cality solely He pleaded for equity and
justice. .
Rev George d. Baker. of Philadelphia, said
Dr. Briggs was not yet Il complete professor
of the Union. and would not be unless this As
sembly failed TO disapproye OF his appoint
ment.
THE APPOINTMENT VETOED.
The vote was taken at o'clock. Mr..
WOrcesters substitute was voted down. Dr.
Logan's amendment was next voted on and
lost The question then recuued Oh the reso-
luti0ns of the committee presented by Dr.
Patton on Thursday The vote was: by yeas
and nays. The result was yeas 425; nays, 6i;
DR.. Briggs appointment was vetoed,
EXCITING SCENES.
II ..
as consideration of the Briggs case came TO a
close were very exciting. After the adoption
of the resolution in favor Of taking a vote on
the matter at O'Clock both sides began get
ting in their best l:cks. Briggs friends were
persistent in their attempt 10 postpone con-
sideratiou.
During the last few minutes the contention
for the floor was terrific. Ciyil-Seryice-Com-
missioner Lyman Rev. Dr. Baker, of Phila-
delphia, and Rev. DR.. Bartlett, of Washing
ton. were among those who were fortunate IN
securing the mOderatOr's eye. and though
Judge Shipman. of New Jersey, had been
waiting an hour under Moderator Green 5
nose for a chance to saya last good word Tor
Briggs the moderator did not notice him.
Five O'Clock came with DR.. Bartlett urg-
ing the veto of DR.. Briggs appointment, when
a Briggs man jumped up with a motion to
adjourn.
The Assembly howled him down. DR..
Worcester substitute for the report Of Presl-
dent Pattons committee was first presented,
There were not one hundred in favor of 1t.
Next came Dr. LOgans amendment that dis
approval be extended only for the present
which was voted down with as big adverse
majority as Dr. Worcester substitute Then
came the report of Patton's commettee, and
amid wild excitement mingled with hilarity a
vote was taken.
From disorder the whole scene changed to
most solemn stiffness. When the name of
the first presbytery on the list was called by
the stated clerk the ayes had it from the start.
Only q solitary NO" lent aid and comfort to
the Briggsites for half an hour. The
Southwestern reserve and the far West
were solidly Princetonian. The moderator yo-
ted for the report ,as did the stated clerk. DR..
Patton was not present. The foreign dele
gates voted Aye as strongly as they knew
how. When the vote was counted it stood 440
TO 90 Briggs appointment had been vetoed
and Princeton had won the greatest theological
battle since the trial of Professor Swing. The
Assembly then adjourned.
THEIR LABORS OYER.
NJ.