Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-11-05
THE BRIGGS CASE,
Which Has Filled the Church With
DiscOrd and Created
INTERNATIONAL CONTROVERSY,
Has Been Dismissed Without Hsaring-One man
Who Learned More Frsm Briggs Than All the
Other Ministers in the World Says 50
before the PresbYtery.

New YORK, November 4.-The New
York Presbvtery assembled at 10
O'Clock this morning in the Scotch Pres
byterian church Oh Fourteenth street
near Sixth avenue, for the purpose OF
beginning the trial OF Prof. Char!es
A. Briggs, on the charge OF heresy
based upon the language used oy MIN
in his inaugural address In the Union
Theological seminary.
DIR. John C. Bliss, presided as moder-
ator. and called the Presbtery to oroer.
There was a full attendance. DR..
Briggs conducted his own defense. One
of the chief charges against Dr.
Briggs, is that he disputes the lnerrency
of the Bible.
The Professor read paper object
ing to the form of charges prelerreu'
stating that the report or the COM
mittee which formulated the lndlct-
ment against him, charges o1enses
which are not now proposed for trial.
The committee charges him with utter
ing doctrinal teachings respecting the
miracles original condition OF man, ETC.,
without attempting to prove the
charge.
This. DR.. Briggs said did him great
ipinstice and was apt TO prejudice the
decision of the members. He SAID II he
had caused widespread anxiety in the
church he was sorry but in his con-
science he felt no guilt as regard ois-
turbing the peace and harmony OF tne
church. He further added that the
charges were general and obscure and
irregular in form throughout.
There is nothing in the specifications
that can be tested by the defendant. he
admitted the excerpts from his ADDRESS
made on the occasion OF his Inaugural
tion as professor of biblical theology In
Union Theological seminory.
The facts relied upon to sustain the
charges are missing in the Indictment.
As, for instance, there was nothing 10
deny that"the Bible as book is paper,
print and binding, nothing more. IL Is
entitled to reverent handling, because
il contained the divine word OF redemp-
tion for man and not for any other rea-
son whatever.
He said. also, that the indictment con-
tains insinuation wholly unwarranted.
He denied that he ever taught doctrines
conflicting with the Holy Scriptures as
the only iIfallible rule OF faith ana
practice.
The question was raised whether the
Committee of the Presbytery which
formulated the indictment was an
original party TO the actien. Inc MOD
orator ruled that it was.
DR.. Henry Van Dyke, one OF Dr.
Briggs supporters, entered protest,
based on the protest which was entered
on the records. and will go up 10 the
SYNOD. The Moderator held that the
committee Of prosecutor represented
the PRESBYTERIAN church in the United
States. and was the original party.
This decision was appealed from the
char and sustained by vote OF 81 TO 64.
DIR. John j. Stevenson, or the prose-
cnting committee, said that the commit
tee would in due time reply TO Dr.
Briggs answer. He maintained that
the charges and specifications are In
perfectly proper form. DR.. Van Dyke
moved to dismiss the case against Dr.
Briggs and to dismiss the committee.
The motion was received with laughter.
When the Presbytery reassem6ied IN
the afternoon, there was a general dis
cussion, during which this extract from
a letter written by Samuel Hamilton,
was read: 81 have learned more OF the
heighth and depth, the length and
breadth of the Word OF God from DIR.
Briggs than from all other men to-
gether.
Rev. David Wyie offered further
amendment to the effect that the
charges be dismissed, but that he did
not approve Of the statements made by
DR.. Briggs in his address.
The resolutions amended to dismiss
were read, and the vote taken by roll
cali. resulting "a for, 3S against.