Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-05-28
DIR. BRIGGS MUST GO.
Resolutions Reported Calling for a
Veto of His Appointment.
HIS CASE CONSIDERED HOPELESS.
A Fight Over the Restriction Of Minis
terial immigration.
HOME ANDFOREIGN MISSIONSDISCUSSED
ESPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE DISPATCH. ]

hlblt oil the WOTk anu DrOSIeSS Oh Ine TTcS-
bvterian Church at the Worlds Fair was
brought before the General Assembly to-day
in report detailing the plan. The exhibit
is to consist of statistics, maps, publications
and a general religious museum If the
work goes on one person has agreed TO bear
the entire expense of the enterprise. The
project was unanimously indorsed and the
show will go on.
The vital question of an increase of min
ters was discussed. DR.. Niccolls read the
report, accompanied by resolutions, which
Permanent Clerk Moore maintained en-
trenched on the rules and regulations OF
other assemblies. The Assembly has power
to make rules and repeal or modify, as time
and circumstances change, especially with
regard to ministers coming from otner
bodies. But to send an overture down co the
presbyteries on the subject will esta0llSh
two sets OF rules and make conflict possible.
DR.. Niccons said ministers were coming IN
at the rate of 9S a year and something must
be done to regulate the business. He held
the resolutions were sent to the presby-
teries, not as an overture, but simply as q
rule, to get their opinion.
A Cry for Restrictions.
Stated Clerk Roberts sticIled for the con-
stitution, upon which he held the PROPOSE
tion was an infringement. 1t was an attempt
of the General Assembly to override the
jurisdiction of the presbyteries. The paper
should be considered and acted on as an
overture. DR.. Niccolls denied that there
was any infringement on the original juris-
diction of the presbyteries. The evil Of un-
restricted immigration from foreign bodies
must be checked The rule on this point
was referred to the Committee on Church
Policy.
The cause of foreign mission was the lead
ing order Of the day and the report Of the
standing committee was read by the Chair
man, DR.. Haydn, of Ohio. 1t was an excel
lent summary of the published report. 1t
reported, amid the applause of the Assem-
bly,, that the S9S0 900 debt of one month ago
had been almost entirely annihilated.
Young William Dulles who had been a Phil
adelphia lawyer for season and is now
Treasurer of the Board of Foreign Missions,
made his maiden speech and captured the
Assembly. He gave detailed description
OF the office and field work of the board,
closing with tender and eloquent perora-
tion which brought forth the loudest and
longest applause yet given to any speaker
by the Assembly.
Donations of the Church.
DR.. Mitchell, Secretary of the Board, said
the church had given $4,000 more to the
cause last year than the year before. His
address was a survey ofthe field, d,particularly
OF China. At one of the medical stations in
that land over $4,000 sufferers had been re-
lieved. Formerly the missionaries were
scowled at by the Chinese for coming among
them to convert the great empire of Con-
known and respected.
DR.. Mitchell said he had looked from the
top of a pagOda in China, upon the homes of
over 100000 of people. BE named dozens of
cities in China, each with population of
over 100000 and without single missionary;
all as easy of access as any city in America.
The Gestitution is appalling and unnecessary.
It was humliatlng that only zoo out of over
6,0O0 Presbyterian ministers are foreign
missionaries. One hundred new men ought
TO be put in China at once. To have only
three men in all Western Siam is grotesque.
A Plea for Brazil
Secretary Mitchell made the most power
ful address ON the subject yet heard by the
General Assembly. DR.. Lane, a medical mis-
sionary, spoke for Brazil, saying that there
they taught the whole Bible and unrevised
cateehism, and the flower of Brazil was
seeking admission to the Presbyterian
schools. DR.. Lanes school HAD a net profit
of S5, 600 last year. Some of the members of
the Brazilian Cabinet were his pupils 30
years ago, and were now sending him their
children.
Dr. Eddy, for 40 years a missionary in
Syria, addressed the Assembly. 1t was de-
cided to hold simultaneous meetings for
foreign missions the first week of Novem-
Der. DR.. Dickey presented a minute of con-
dolence on the death of DR.. Henry j. Van
Dyke, paying a tribute to his character,
which was filed with tie papers of the AS
sembly.
Fraternal resolutions were sent to the
Southern Presbyterian, Cumberland and
United Presbyterian General Assemblies
now in session. DR. Dubbs, of the General
Synod of the Reformed Church; the Rev.
Mason Gallagher, from the General Council |
OF the Reformed Episcopal Church, and Dr.
Chamberlain, of the Presbyterian Church of
Brazil, spoke as delegates from their bodies
and Moderator Green happily responded,
expressing his preference for denomina-
tional existence, yet advocating unity in es-
sentials and liberty in non-essentials; en-
n +1aaS diao
senting an united front against the powers
OF darkness.
Partial Report on Briggs.
Dr. Bartlett, of Washington, presented the
report of the standing committee on church
erection, saying they meant business this
year and wanted sl5O, 900 for the work of the
year.
DR.. Patton at this point got the floor, and
reported progress, and presented so much of
the report as bore on the case OF DR.. Briggs,
that it might be published, read and consit- i
cred and taken up deliberately in the morn
ing. He said the committee took no outside
counsel or advice from men with precon-
ceived opinions and acted on their own best
Judgment throwing the responsibility of
their action on the Assembly.
Only the overtures were mentioned which
referred distinctly and by name to DR..
Briggs. All on the general subject of insplra-
ton should be handled by other committees.
Sfxty-three Presbyteries have overturned the
General Assembly with reference to the
utteTances of DR.. Briggs. Most of them ask
the General Assembly simply to take such
action as may be deemed best. The Presby-
tries are to be commended for their interest
in the theological seminaries The report
then narrated the facts as to the founding of
the Edward Robinson chair and the induc-
ton and inaugural address of DR.. Briggs.
No Prejudice to Be Shown.
The report canvassed the responsibility of
f1na nd a,o1Nli 90 Nhoa
mittee to secure the protection of the good
name of DR.. Briggs and avoid any action
which might be construed as prejudging the
case as it shall come before the Presbytery
OF New York. A distinction was closely
drawn between DIR. Briggs as q professor and
DR.. Briggs as minister amenable to the New
York PreSbytery.
The action was given as to the power of the
Assembly to veto an election, quoting from
the action of the Union Theological Seminary
and giving the Interpretation as given by the
Assembly, requiring that action to be of any
account shall be taken at the Assembly foi-
lowing the election. The committee would
have been willing to refer the case to the
next Assembly, but such a course was out of
the question, as then the power of the As
sembly would cease. Therefore the committee
recommends that the Assembly disapprove
the election of DR.. Briggs.
Interpreting the Compact.
But meaning might be given that would
bC AAlouhNSlsbOOu AHC OOhlpoOb Niu uOG
a distinction between an cleo
tion and transfer but such a distinction
does exist. The induction of DR.. Briggs into
office before the Assembly had acted is
doubtless owing to the way Union Seminary
trustees interpreted that compact.
The resolutions were that the Assembly
disapprove the appointment by transfer of
DR.. Briggs and appoint a committee of l5
eight ministers and seven elders, to consult
with the Union Seminary trustees as to their |
relation to the Assembly and report to the |