Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-05-12
DIR. BRIGGS TRIAL
The New York Presbytery Discuss the Re
port His Alleged Heresy.

When the presbytery Of New York convened
yesterday afternoon there were present alst
many members Of other presbyteries, student
from the Union Theological Seminary ant
even several young ladies, who manifested
lively interest in the whole proceedings
There were young men and old, and among
them were a negro and a Japanese, both O
whom stayed to the end and listened to what
was said. Once or twice at the beginning Of the
talking some enthusiastic young men in the
gallery battered the floor with canes whenever
any point was made in favor of Prof. Briggs
This was Immediately stopped. but during the
course OF the afternoon applause broke out
several times again. II was an even congrega-
ton. Once, upon the putting of an important
question to the vote, the presbytery was
equally divided, and the roll had to be called.
During all these happenings, when he was not
on his feet talking, the central figure, Rev. DIR.
| Charles A. Briggs. sat in the second pew from
| the front, resting his mead on his hand, facing
the chairman.
| The presbytery was convened at its regular
monthly meeting for routine business and also
| to hear the report of the committee appointed
April ID, 1891, to investigate the inaugural adj
dress of Prof. Briggs delivered on January 20
last upon the occasion of his Inauguration as
OF biblical theology in the Union Theological
| Seminary.
THE BATTLE OPENED.
Routine business was taken up and then DR..
| Hastings arose and begged to offer the follow
| ing paper:
Whereas the constitution Of the Presbyterian
church declares that Original jurisdiction in
relation to ministers pertains to the presby-
terry Book OF Discipline, section 49,, and that
minister belongs shall have sole jurisdiction
Tor the trial OF offenses. whenever aud wherever
committed by him Qbid. section 49,: and
whereas condemnation without trial is con-
trary to all law. civil and ecclesiastical; and
whereas the presbytery Of Chester, in session
at Downingtown, Pa. April IA. 1891, adopted
an overture to the general assembly condemn
ing the Rev. Prof. Charles A. Briggs, d. d., q
member of this presbytery, as follows:
Whereas the directors Of Union Theological
Seminary in the city of New York have estab-
hshed a new professorship. to be known as the
Edward Robinson professionally of biblical
theology, and have transferred Prof. Charles
A Briggs, ID. D., from the chair of Hebrew and
installed HIM as professor of biblical theology;
| and
Whereas it appears from the inaugural ad-
dress Of DIR. Briggs, and from his book entitled
"WhitherY and from various articles he has
written and published. that his views in rela-
ton to the Scriptures and upon other views
OF vital import are, in the Judgment of the
presbytery. not in accordance with the confess
sion of faith and the catechism of our faith; and
Whereas the peace and prosperity of the
church depend upon the character of the in
| struction impaired to the candidates for our
ministry and found in our theological semina-
ries: therefore.
Resolved, That this presbytery Of Chester,
convened at bennington. Pa. April IA. 1891 does
hereby overture the general assembly to re-
fuse to confirm the aforesaid appointment OF
Prof. Briggs to the chair of biblical theology
Therefore, IN view of the overture OF the
presbytery of Chester,
Resolved. That the presbytery Of New York
hereby overtures the general assembly to pro-
nounce that the presbytery of Chester
l. Violated constitutional rights of Prof.
Briggs, In that it has given judgment that his
views are not in accordance with the confession
of faith, while he is member of this presby-
terry in good standing: and.
2 Has violated the constitutional rights of
the presbytery of New York, which has sole
jurisdiction over Prof Briggs. Furthermore
whereas this presbytery has learned that
other presbyteries besides the one of which we
complain have sent up overtures to the general
| assembly of a character similar to that herein
cited. the presbytery of New York respectfully
overtures the general assembly to protect our
rights under the constitution by returning to
| the presbyteries sending them any overtures
pronouncing judgment upon Prof Briggs or in
any way rejecting upon his ministerial charac-
ter. informing such presbyteries that they have
encroached upon the authority Of the presby-
terry of New York and have acted in violation
of the constitution of our church,
DIR. Hastings said that as an old New Yorker
and longtime member of the New York pres
| bytery he jeaiously regarded the honor and
dignity of the presbytery. He denounced the
| action of the presbytery Of Chester as tending
| to prejudice DIR. Briggs case, and held that It
was due to the constitution Of the church and
| to DIR. Briggs. my colleague" that the reso-
buttons just offered should pass.
DIR. BRIGGS PROTESTS.
Pow nr Rohipaop hot tba Id;
be laid upon the table until after the reading of
the report of the committee. The motion was
put, and Dr. Briggs then rose to q question of
privilege. and DIR. Robinson rose to point of
order. The chair decided that DR.. Briggs had
the preference and the professor began to utter
a protest against the appointment of the COM
mittee to consider his inaugural address, when he
YVES ruled out Of order. 1t turned out that Dr.
Briggs had labored under the impression that
| the motion to lay the resolution on the table
had be en- carried. He acknowledged his error
and retired amid loud applause, which was in
stantly quelled.
Dr. Birch, chairman of the committee that
| investigated DIR. Briggs inaugural address,
asked if it was not the right OF presbytery to
overture the general assembly upon any and
all subjects. The only question was whether
| interference with the conduct of the directors
OF the Union Theological Seminary was proper
| and relevant.
DIR. Hastings reiterated his belief that it was
! due to the honor and dignity of the presbytery
| that outside interference should be rebuked
and added: ''If the presbytery can stand this
| infringements upon their rights, then shall
stand il and blush in silence"
DIR. Robinson spoke at length against the
passage Of the resolution, which he described
| as a nondescript-half overture and half COM
plant. This brought Prof. Briggs to the plat
| form again. The purport Of his remarks was
/ that the right of inquiry inalienable in any
presbytery. The objection he had IVES that
any presbytery should pronounce judgment on
him, upon his orthodoxy, before any trial had
been had. The presbytery OF Chester judged
me- he said, land condemned me before had
been tried, and sent up their Judgment to the
| general assembly to prejudice may case"
Here somebody called for the question, and
by request, DR.. Hastings re-read his resolu-
! lions. Rev. DR.. r. X. Booth then stated that
he thought the tendency Of the resolution was
! to undo and overthrow whatever should be
determined by the presbytery in regard to the
| case of Prof. Briggs. He said that the general
| assembly had the veto power over appoint
ments to professorships in the Union Theologi-
| cal Seminary; that the various presbyteries had
a right to express themselves upon any and all
appointments and overture the general assem-
| bly, the matter.
| Are going to muzzle all the presbyt eries
/ in the land?' he asked.
| DIR. Birch suggested that the discussion be
dropped and business proceeded with. Chap
lain Rowan of the Tombs spoke in favor of re-
jecting the resolutions, and DR.. Conkling spoke