New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-10-04
BRIGGS MAY NOT BE TRIED.
WILL THE CHARGES OF HERESY BE LAID
ON THE TABLE?
A wELL-FoUNDED RUMoR THAT THE REPORT
WILL BE SUBJECTED TO TEST VOTE
AT THE OUTSET.

A wELLFoUNDED RUMoR THAT THE REPORT
WILL BE SUBJECTED TO TEST VOTE
AT THE OUTSET.
The New-York Presbytery will meet to-mor
row morning in the Scotch Church Among other
reports expected is one from the Prosecuting
Committee appointed last spring TO prepare the
necessary papers in the trial for hcresy Of Pro-
fessor Charles A. Briggs, OF the Union Theologi-
cal Seminary. The report is in print and will
be called up at the earliest possible moment, but
is is expected that soon as DR.. &. w. i. Birch,
the chairman of the committee, has finished read
ing the voluIninous document motion VIII DO
made to lay the whole matter on the table.
The motion will be made, IL is said, by con-
servative member of the Presbytery. and as 1t
admits of no debate no reasons will have to be
given for the action. The roll may be called. and
it is probable that on vital a question The
rol-call will be ordered when every member OF
the Presbytery must vote, unless he is excused,
and it is doubtful If any excuses are accepted.
If member unexcused declines to vote, he s
counted with the majority
A Tribune reporter last evening talked with sev-
eral leading members OF the PreSbytery after he
had heard the rnmor that an effort would be
made to avert the trial, or at least
postpone it for time IL it Is not
possible to accomplish either of these ends,
it is hoped that the prosecution may be transferred
from the Presbyterian Church 70 an individual.
At present the Church is an original party to the
action and the members of the committee are not
liable TO punishment in case they fail to convict
Dr. Briggs. In the Swing trial in Chicago DIR.
Patton was the prosecutor, and if he had failed
to prove the charges he was in danger of trial
for slander. As the members Of the Presbytery
tnl far hArA nnnN
willing to be quoted in regard to the Briggs case.
IF the Jurors I'm civil criminal suit talked
about the merits of their suit as some of the
ministers talk about the coming trial of fellow
minister. or allowed others 10 talk TO them as
these ecclesiastical Jurors do. they would all ba
behind prison bars inside of twenty-four hours
said conservative last evening. Among those
mentioned as favOring lenency TO DR.. Briggs, and
being willing TO offer the resolutions tabling the
Indictment of the committee is the pastor OF a
leading uptown church, who is also director OF
Union Seminary II is said that several coDser-
vatives who are opposed to DR.. Briggs are never
theess more concerned about the results OF trial
at this particular juncture, and are willing to
LET matters drift until something definite has
been reached in regard to the relation of the
Seminary to the General Assembly, and until the
Creed Revision question has been settled.
be delayed or stopped altogether" asked the
reporter Of one of his intimate friends.
"On the contrary he is undoubtedly desirous
of having it begin as quickly possible. having
promised TO do all in his power TO hasten IL
through to a conclusion in the General Assembly
What reason can be given for this contem'
plated step?"
"A motion to lay on the table admits of no
argument"
+win Dr. Briggs's friends favor this move
ment?'
Some may do So; others think that having
gone SO far, it is unwise to back down now
What will be the result if tie Indictment
is laid on the table,"
1T is probable that a conservative Will become
the individual prosecutor, as was done In the
Swing trial"
How can conservative who offers the motlon
in question explain his action"
..Bv saving that he has more light than he had
last spring"
Can the conservatives appeal to the Synod u
tbev are outvoted in the Presbytery on MOndayP"
Yes; but only on the question whether, having
ordered the trial. the Presbytery did wrong to
stop it in this summary manner, ,,.,
The merits OF the question cannot be discussed
No only the technical question, and the Synod
may order the Presbytery TO take up the case
7.What do you think of Dr. Briggs orthodoxy
THE whole question is one OIL irritation, not OF
orthodoxy The Church is irrltated over the man
ner in which DR.. Briggs presents certain state.
ments that it would accept from Dr. Mo"n oE
Or Vincent, for instance. .,.
How do you account for DR.. BrggS's dogmatio
form of expression? ??
DIR. Briggs has spent years in Germany, ana
has imbibed much of the German spirit ana tne
German form OF stating fact. German scholas
thinks nothing of saying to one VINO dlsagrees
with him, You are an ignoramus. Dr. Briggs
unfortunately for himself and for the cause ns
represents expresses himself In similar manner.
TO the Editor of The Trib bune.
Sir: My attention has been called to the following
In your issue of this morning. signed Truth
In his carefully prepared paper which he reah Dc
fore the NewYork PIesbytery the revision question:
Dr. Vincent closed his argument on the sovereignty
and DEGREES of God as stated in the ninth chapter OF
Romans with this sentence: Anyhow, Paul has not
had the last word on this subject
This statement is not true The anonymous writer
has garbed a few words which did utter, has placed
them out OF their connection, and has put upon them
his own gratu.tOus Interpretation. Cnder these ciN
cumstances. the signature over which he apPears
npfortn nately chosen MARVIN X, VINCENT.
Union Theological Seminary, oct 3, 1891
yELSOy J. WATERBURY CEysURED.