Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1891-10-19
A BRIGGS MAN.
DR.. JOHN HALL CONES OUT FOR
THE SO-CALLED HERETO.
Pastor of the Richest Presbyterian Church
in America and One of the Most
Intellectual Divines

New York, Oct. 1s.-Dr John Hall has
theological seminary. AT the request OF
several of his fellow directors DR.. Hall has
consented to remain with the board until
November when the annual meeting OF the
board is to be held. Until that time he will
Esfemain nominally on the board. Or;
Hall has long been greatly troubled
on account of the Briggs matter
and his resignation was expected by the
conservatives. One OF the staunchest
friends OF DR.. Briggs is DIR. Hats son
Thomas, preacher in Chicago. Dr. han
has been influenced greatly by his son S
attachment TO the alleged hereto. When the
Briggs case-cane up in the presbytery last
May DR.. Hall. according to printed STATE
ment to-day. avoided voting by aosentng
himself from the meeting. The Briggs
men elected MIN commissioner to the gen
eral assembly. Had he gone he WoniH
have been its moderator. he again avoided
committing himself by surrenderidg his
commission. Later, when the case was
discussed by the directors OF the tnlon ana
action in defense of the church taken, he
Withdrew, it is stated, Just as
the directors were on the point OF voting.
After his return from abroad DR. Hal De
gan an effort to quiet the movement against
Dr. Briggs, in the interest oil peace aud
harmony in the church. He mustered
strong peace party that would certainly
have carried the presbytery at us
meeting two weeks ago and stopped
the trial of DR.. Briggs. Just as Dr.. Hall
arose in the presbytery to present MS plan,
he was interrupted by young DR.. George
Alexander, who introduced an indie
pendent peace plan. The debate mat
followed was bitter. Dr. Hail was
forced from his position. and when the roll
was called his vote was cast against COM
AS motion
by vote of Ga to CO, DIR. Halls retire
ment was fatal Following this meeting OF
the Presbytery. DR.. Halls purpose to leave
the directorate of Union seminary was
formed \ special meeting of the director
ate was held last Friday at Brown
Bro. banking house IN Wall street;
1t was attended by nearly an
the directors and Dr. Hall there made
known the fact of his resignation. spe-
cial meeting was called TO prepare for a con-
ference on the Briggs trouble with PreSl-
dent Patton's committee appointed by the
last general assembly for that purpose.
The date agreed upon by DR.. Patton and
date being so near at hand,
the fact that the seminary's relation to the
church was so delicate as to effect Dr.
Halls resignation was greatly dreaded oy
the directors. Hewas persuaded TO remain
with the seminary until after the confer
ence with DR.. Patton's committee, and to
have his resignation acted upon at the regu-
lar meeting Of the board.
Dr. Halls relationship to the Union has
been of long standing and of local value to
the institution. He is not only the pastor
of the richest Presbyterian church in
America, but he is a preacher OF the great
est intellectual power in the denomination
His fame abroad is greater than that OF any I
other American preacher.
His name in Union semlnary's directo-
rate gave the school great prestige. For
years his presence in the board of directors
has been a shield to DR.. Briggs. Had It
snEt been for his assurance that the pro-
fessor's instruction was not dangerous, ac-
ton would have been begun in the Presby
terry against DR.. Briggs years ago