New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-09-27
WILL DIR. BRIGGS RECANT I?
IF HE DOES THE TRIAL MAY BE AVOIDED.
MOVEMENT SAID TO BE STARTED LOOKING TO
THE SETTLEMENT OF THE CASE BY
SERIES OF CATEGORICAL QUESTIONS.

THE SETTLEMENT OF THE CASE BY
SERIES OF CATEGORICAL QUESTIONS.
The trial for heresy Of Professor Charles A. Briggs.
OF the Union Theological Seminary, is to begin In the
New-Yorf Presbytery week from tomorrow unless
the present plans are changed. The prosecuting com
mttee appointed to prepare the papers In
the trial ordered by the PTesbyery last May consists
OF Dr. G. w. F. Birch. DR.. j. j. Lampe. DR.. Robert F.
sample, Professor ]. Stevenson and Colonel John j..
McCook. The committee has nearly completed It's
work. and expects TO lay its report before the Pres
bytery October 3.
current last evening TO the effect that
there might be a compromise thus avoiding the
heresy trial. Friends Of Dr. Briggs on the committee
and of the committee recognize his scholarship and
his sincerity while dlsagrceing with him IN many OF
his conclusions, and dlslikng intensely his manner
Of presenting them and his estimate Of those who
cannot accept them. II Is said that number Of the
more moderate OF the conservative members Of the
Pesbytery are willing 10 favor dismissal of the case
II DR.. Briggs will make public recantation though
they do not use this seemingly harsh term. In May,
just beofre the meeting Of the General Assembly and
after the hercsy trial ordered the directors Of the
seminary submitted eight questions to Dr. Briggs. TO
each Of which he gave the answer " Yes or NO"
the directors were perfectly satisfied with his
answers, and they expressed their satisfaction In
resolution Of approval and after the General Assem-
bly, had vetoed his appointment to the chair which he
now holds they reaflirmed their confidence in him.
The questions and answers these:
A-Do you S2n:der the Bible the Church and the
No. B-D0 you believe the Scriptures Of the Old
and New TestamentS 10 be the only infallible rule
of faith and practicel Ans.-Yes
3 When you use the terms q the Reason do you
include the conscience and the religious feeling
3. Would you accept the following as a satlsfac-
tory denitlo Of inspiration; Inspiration is such
divine direction as 10 secure an infable record Of
trlne79 Ans.-Yes.
4. DO You believe the Bible inerrant in all matters
which it IS a revelation from God as a vehicle Of
$ &y"S IT, s' in 'E these are errors f H
records Of the historic events and institutions with
5. DO you believe i6at the miracles recorded in
Scripture are due to an extraordinary exercise OF
divine energy, either directly or indirectly through
6. ADO You hold what is commonly known as
l. DO you believe that tic issues Of this life are
no further opportunity Of salvationl Ans.-Yes;
g. your theory Of progressive san nT'd Il
when man die In the faith he enters the middle
state regeneraed. justified and sinless Ans.-fes.
Those seeln. for moderate course believe that
the Presbytery will be satisfied and the Church as
WELL II DR.. Briggs will reaiirm this declaration. or
answer similar list prepared by committee of the
Presbytery. Should he his friends refuse to accept
this olive branch, the trial will undoubtedly 60 TO
the General Assembly the defeated party In the
Presbytery appealing to the synod OF New York. and
the party that loses there carrying 1t to the highest
court. In the meantime all rymors OF heresy trial
Of DR.. Vincent. any Of the colleagues or SYM
pathizers of Dr. Briggs, is said 10 be Idle talk II
the accused professor is convicted the sentence may
he an admOnitiOn q censlre, suspension or expulsion
Dr. Briggs was seen last evening at his home, No.
100 West Nlnety-thlrdst., by Tribune reporter and
asked in regard to the rumOrs of compromise. lie
said -,
"This is the first have heard Of the proposition.
I returned from Europe Monday and the Intense
heat kept at home the greater part OF tic time
since then" -.
IL the proposition suggested should be made, what
would Won dor" asked the reporter.
As the suggestion is entirely hypothetical, can
not decide il of hand Everything would depend upon
the questions asked - IL, -, -.
Ii is said that they will resemble those asked OF
Won by the Seminary directors last spring.
a cannot be expected to commit myself I'LL have
seen the questions -, ,. A.,
I'm case the trial proceeds who will conduct the
defencel" ,.,.o,
How do you explain the feeling which prompts
the pIOsecution7 ~
1T rises from the fact that few men wish to
make themselves prominent