Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-04-15
Allegheny Presbytery 0vertures the
General Presbyterian Assem-
bly, to Inquire Into
TIE FITNESS OF REV. DR.. BRIGGS.
Resolutions Passed Pledging All Church
Members to Everywhere Work
for Legislation
OPPOSED TO THE SALE OF LIQUORS.
Suggested Action by the suprem. Body Criticised By
Those Present

The regular quarterly meeting of the
Allegheny Presbytery of the Presbyterian
Church was held yesterday in the North
Presbyterian Church, Lincoln avenue. The
features of the sessions were the preparation
and almost unanimous adoption of an over
ture to the General Assembly, praying for
an orderly inquiry in the fitness of Rev.
Charles A. Briggs, of New York, to con-
tinue to occupy the Chair of Biblical The
ology in the Union Theological Seminary,
aGd the adoption of resolution pledging
the members of the church to support pro-
hibitory liquor enactments in every State
and Territory. The latter resolution was
not carried without much discussion, con-
Quoted at times rather warmly.
The morning session opened at 10 o'clock,
and business began by electing Rev. New
ton Donaldson Moderator. The only I'M
portant business transacted was the presen-
tation of an overture BY Rev. John Fox re-
garding the DR.. Briggs affair. A commit
tee was appointed to report on it during the
afternoon.
Awarm Afternoon for All.
The afternoon session was called to order
at 2 o'clock by the Moderator. Samuel M.
Glenn was received from the GAINESVILLE
Presbytery and John C. Dunlap from the
Kittsnning Presbyterv.. Francis Kennedy,
a student of the Western Theological Sem
inarv was examined for licentiate and his
trial sermon set to occur in the evening ex-
ercises A call was extended to John C.
A,,hr h. 4ha Pnl1
Rev. John Fox, Chairman of the committee
appointed in the morning to prepare an
overture to the General Assembly in refer
ence to the complaints made against Rev.
Charles A. Briggs, d. D., presented the fol-
owing:
'The Presbytery of Allegheny respect
fully overtures the General Assembly, ask
ing that some suitable action be taken by
the Assembly to secure an orderly inquiry
into the fitness of Rev. Charles A. Briggs,
d., to occupy the Chair of Biblical
Theology in the Union Theological Semin-
ary of New York, into which it is we'll
known he has been recently inducted. This
Presbytery disclaims auy desire to decide
what may be the proper mode of procedure,
or to determine in advance the precise
merits or dement's of the address delivered
by him at his Inauguration. But they feel
that in appearance, at least it is direct
attack on the authority and reliability of
the Holy Scriptures; likely to shake the
faith of our people in them as the Rule of
Faith, and that the matter has now as
sumed such a shape that it affects
the whole Church. They. therefore, feel
bound to express their earnest wish that the
Assembly shall take efficient measures
which shall either vindicate the reputation
of DR.. Briggs or prevent his occupancy of
the said professorshSp.
Ought to Havesa Show.
Rev. DR.. Campbell stated that he was op-
posed to the overture, because before such
radical action should be taken DR.. Briggs
should be given an opportunity to explain
his utterances. DIR. Campbell said he had no
sympathy with DR.. Briggs the professed
views he is said to have made. but that he
should, in Justice to the position he had been
selected to fill either vIndicate, or attempt to
vindicate himself
A short discussion on the matter followed
and the overture was almost unanimously
adopted. The following delegates to the Cen
eral Assembly were then elected: Rev. J. d.
Gibson and Rev. K. S. Kennedy as ministers,
as alternates Messrs Totten and Barney were
elected for the elders and Messrs. Disk and
Moore alternates.
Rev. l. N Hays uext set the ball rolling for
Observation-Disclosures, at times, in rather
warm manner-py offering a set of resolutions
regarding the position of the Presbytery to-
ward the liquor traffic. The resolutions read:
WHEREAS, The action taken by the Pres
bytery at its last meeting on the temperance
question. has been Interpreted IN favor Of
the liquor interests, and as opposed to the de-
liverances of our General Assembly; and
Whereas, It seems most desirable that this
Presbytery should occupy very clear position
before the world on question OF such vital
ana widespread Importance; therefore,
Resolved, That the Presbytery calls the
special attention of a II our members to the last
deliverances of the General Assembly and
that we hereby indorse, as Presbytery, the
following of the deliverances:
Flat Declaration of Principles.
1--we enjoin our ministers and people to
abate nothing in their zeal and effort in or out
of church. to check the drinking habits of So
ciety, and by effort voice and vote oppose the
traffic in intoxicants as a beverage. believing
with intensified conviction that 1t is an mex
cusaple curse to our country and our age.
hile as a church, we neither advocate
nor antagonize any political party we earnestly
commend to our ministers and people, as
Christian people aud citizens, such vigorous
persevering efforts as may seem wfsest to them
toward the enactment. in every State and Ter
ritory, Of statutes which shall hopefully secure
entire prohibition of a traffic largely RESPONSE
BILE tor the bulk of drunkenness, CRIME pauper-
ism and social misery which affects our land.'"
Rev. John Fox thought that there was no
necessity for passing any such resolution. II
am sorry" said he, that the Presbyterian
church feels it necessary to assure the people
that IL was not in sympathy with the LIQUOR
traffic. This resolution is a semi political reso-
luton. The Presbytery has no authority to
adopt such a measure"
Rev DR.. McKallip-I believe the members
are willing to submit the resolution to a vote
on its merits without further discussion.
Rev. K. S. Kennedy-1 don't know about that
We do not all agree on every point in this
question. / am sorry it has been brought up
for presumed that it had been disposed of at
the last meeting. The resolution forces our
Presbytery to assume civil attitude and il
forces and fetters the conseiences of many of
our members.
Used by the Opposition.
Rev. L N. Hays at this point read extracts
from Washington county newspaper printed
as advertisements in support of the liquor in
terest, and an account that appeared in one of
the Pittsburg papers of the last meeting of the
Allegheny Presbytery, in which the temper
ance resolutions were defeated, and the resolu-
tion of Rev. John Fox was adopted. The reso-
luton of Rev. John Fox referred to was as fol-
lows:
our church members to use ell proper means,
both by law and in other ways, to prevent drunk
enness and punish lawbreakers, but distinctly
decline spiritual court of Jesus Christ, to
decide on the merits or dement's of different
policies of civil government legislation for
the accomplishment of the temperance re-
form"
Thus" continued DR.. Hays, sour meeting
of last December has been used as an adyer.
tisement for the liquor interests; our entire