Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-05-27
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
DR.. Briggs Case Will Probably Be Handle
Without Gloyes-Dr. Parkhurst's Opinion.

DR.. Briggs Case VIII Probably Be Handled
Without Gloves-Dr. Parkhurst's Opinion.
DETROIT, MICH, May 27.-Rev DIR. Park
hurst, pastor Of Madison Square Presbyterian
Church. New York, whose sermon on Sunday
last in favor of DR.. Briggs attracted so much
attention, arrived here last night to be on
the ground for DR.. Briggs defense when the
case comes up in the Presbyterian assem-
bly,. The Parkhurst sermon has rather altered
the aspect Of the Briggs case. A leading men,
Der OF the assembly gave ont that arrange
ments had been made last Saturday whereby
the whole case was to go over until the next
meeting Of the general assembly, but the Park
hurst sermon. in which he gave Princeton such
a lively shaking up, had quite changed the sit
uation and the probabilities now are that the
Briggs case will be handled without gloves.
WHAT DIR. PARKHURsr SAYS
In an interview here DR., Parkhurst reiterated
his belief in his statements Of last Sunday. He
qualified, however, as follows:
81 am willing to concede, as friend Of DR..
Briggs, that he has been strangely unfortunate
in his expressions has talked and written alto
gether too much, and. while thoroughly OPP
posed to dogmatism, has been one Of the
most dogmatic men in the word. / have
told DIR. Briggs that every time he writes
book he ought to attach a glossary
to it, SO that his readers can under
And SO l attribute all of his trouble to that I'M
fortunate, infelicitous way that he has of writ
ing things that are susceptible OF far differen.
construction than he intended having placed
upon them and OF saying ana writing things
without exercising proper care.
If DR.. Hitchcock, president OF Union Semi
nary, had uttered the words that have caused
such an onslaught on DIR. Briggs they would
never have caused ripple.
IF the general assembly condemns DIR.
Briggs it is simply going to drive some Of our
brightest and best minds out Of the Presbyte-
rian church, for, as 1 said in my sermon last
Sunday, the question that is on the lips of
thousands of young men who are on the thresh-
hold Of the ministry, is: Can I entertain my
intellectual self respsct| My own idea is there
is plenty OF room for celebration within the
limits Of Presbyterian principles.
THE general belief is that Dr. Briggs critics
have fired at him from long range, and in many
instances without understanding the facts in
the matter at all. One distinguished minister
wrote q three-column article attacking DR..
Briggs, and afterward admitted that he had not
read Briggs inaugural or even seen it. There
is this thing about it ALL They may crush
Briggs, but they cannot crush the spirit he
represents"
OUTLOOK FOR DIR. BRIGGS.
At noon today the condemnation Of Prof.
Briggs was regarded as a certainty. The elo-
quence Of DIR. Arthur Mitchell In appealing for
foreign missions diverted the commissioners
attention for the moment. But as the moment
for submitting the report approaches the ex-
element is everywhere rising. DR.. Paxton Of
Princeton arrived yesterday, and his guidance
il the Briggs matter is being eagerly sought.
CRISP COMMENT.
In an interview this morning DR.. Parkhurst
declared the recent revision report was
''damnation report with gospel tail. 1t preju-
dices Briggs case before the New York pres
bytery. Revision failed this time, but it will
have to come. year will enable the Presbyte-
rian church to grasp the need Of it."
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN SESSION.
When this mornings session Of the general
assembly opened it was decided to change the
order of things SO as to defer the report Of the
publication board until tomorrow
Rev. Herrick johnson Of Chicago, for the
committee on exhibit at the worlds fair, re-
ported in favor of such display
An amendment to the rules on the admission
Of ministers from other denominations SO that
they would have to pass the same examination
as new candidates for the ministry was referred
to the committee on church policy.
The report of the board on foreign missions
was presented. The aggregate additions to
mission churches is 1885, some more than last
year, especially large accessions being reported
from Shanetung and Laos missions. PUPILS in
schools, 27,840, an increase over last wear of
492, although many schools have been closed
for lack Of funds