The morning call., 1891-05-29
DROPPED DEAD.
Presbyterian Proceedings Inter
rupted by Death.
A Delegate Stricken With Heart Disease at
The Conclusion CT a Speech.
The Debate on the Case Of Dr.. Briggs Sud-
denly Checked "A Prayer Meeting
Instead Of Banquet.
Special to THE MORNING CALI.

bate, although We are prepared for it, The
proposition to terminate the usefulness of
minister should be discussed carefully"
GUILTY OF SOME oFFENsE.
Professor Smith of the Lane TheolOgi cal
Seminary said: The proposition to termi-
nate the usefulness Of minister should be
discussed carefully. Whatever the COM
mittee may say-no doubt onscentiousIy-
it will be inferred that DR.. Briggs is guilty
Of some offense. We shall thus cast re-
proach upon his good name, and the great
school, already stricken by the act OF God,
will be crippled for at least the immedilte
future. This is reason fUr caution. L
know my side is unpopular. Therefore
hear me candldly and patiently, as shall
try to shaw that the committee have erred.
First, it is doubtful whether such an assem-
bly, is able to judge of other than doctrinal
qualifications; and second, DR.. Briggs is not
q new man. de was elected seventeen
years ago. l think, to the chair in the
Union Theological Seminary. Many OF his
colleagues and students say he is man of
ability and scholarship and an able teacher.
spiritual and pious. This assembly, to
whom he is a stranger, ought not to be IN
haste. The Pres5yterians ask US to act in
our wisdom in the premises. May not this
be to continue him?
TWO ARGUMENTS.
The arguments against him are two:
First, he is mis- understood, aud second. tnat
he is not sound in doctrine. 1t is said in
Quarrels that both sides are wrong why not
in misunderstandingsP have watched the
controversy from the first, because l have
had more interest than most people. The
religious press is thought almost omnipO-
tent. These journals go into all our homes.
Their editors magnify their Influence,
which is held to be nearly iEtalible. Has
1t not biased the committee? | desire 10
say nothing against these editors, but are
they qualified for this? Even religious
editor cannot be a specialist in all depart
ments, and is liable to err.s..
THE SECOND CHARGE.
1t may be they have misunderstood the
second charge-that he is unsound. 1t may
be based upon a misunderstanding. Some
say he indOrses the spiritual opinions of
Martineau. If Dr. Briggs can historical lily
justify his position he has the right to hold
them. NV last point is this: A man must
be proved unsOund after careful trial, if
need be, in all church courts. But in a case
ike this man is, if charged with unsOund-
ness, considered unSOilnd from the first.
don't see that his ideas of errancy of the
Bible, the redemption OF the race and pro-
gressive sanctifcatiOn after death are not
according to the standards. On a strict
construction of the Confession of course he
Is wrong; but Will you. who mean to make
such n radical change in our Confession as
to say that all infants are saved, not leave
little margin for DR.. Briggs?
A CONFERENCE COMMITTEE.
DR.. Logan of Scranton. Pa, suggested
modification of the action proposed by the
committee. He said II agree with them
with these two amendments: First, the as
Sembly diSapproves for the present the ap-
pointment, etc.. AMI second, that com nit
tee of eight ministers and seven ruling
elders be appointed to confer with Profess
sor Briggs and the Directors of the SEM
mary" The latter he moved, and it was
seconded.
Continuing, DR.. Logan said: eve must,
Of course, refuse to confirm him in that
chair. The whole church asks: Shall we
not have the word Of God that we can
trust? We are bound to say that we can't
sustain him in that chair. But, having re-
fused to confirm him. let us wait before tax
ing irretrievable action"
PLEA FOR FAIR PLAY.
Charles A. Dickey, D.. D., of Philadelphia,
member of the Board of Directors of the
Union Theological Seminary, said " have
no plea to make for DR.. Briggs. but | will,
if l stand alone, plead that my man shall
have fair play. | do not defend his views
or attack them. deplore his inaugural. l
wish to ask only what rs eXpedient-not in
the sense of covering up or postponement,
but what is best, not merely lawful. in a
time when the strain is so severe and the
situation so delicate. We are told by this
committee that there is but one risk that
compelled this honorable and faithful COM
mittee to ask for this decisive and irrevoca-
Bile action.
NOW OR NEVER.
81 know they would have brought the
proposit on to wait if it only could be done.
This is the point. Can we wait? Their
only reason for insisting on veto now is
that it must be now or never. l will pre-
p,
this assembly the same right to interpret
compact as the assembly of 1871, whose
view is quoted in the report? They say we
lose the power Of veto il We don't exercise
it now. Yet they propose that we have a
committee of conference over this action
after it is conSummated Would 1t not be
better to trust us than to act irredeemably
and then confer through cOmmittee?
DR.. Franris of Cincinnati said the pres
byteries that have overturned the assembly
have not done so without deliberati0n.
They have discussed the matter through
weeks and months. To delay will risk more
than the loss of the services of one man or
the injuring of the sensiblities OF the
Trustees of the Union Theological SEM
mary Almost every pastor and missionary
worker voted against DR.. Smith We de-
mand prompt and decided action.
FELL DEAD.
Judge Breckenridge of st. Louis stated
the leRdl points III IHe CASE
IF we don't use the veto now," said he,
''we never can. Logan'S amendment for
deferring action is impracticable. We can
do nothing wisely except disapprove. With
out assigning other reasons, it does seem to
me that the mind of the church has been
anxious for some months, and we should re-
lieve it." Breckenridge's last words were: |:
"Now, gentlemen, feel that have dis
charged my duty, and wish to be excused
from further speaking" Reaching for a
glass of water, he suddenly threw up his
hands and fell to the floor, striking heavily
Oh his head. He was hastily carried to an
anteroom and physicians summoned. They
found him dead.
When the announcement was made the
assembly at once voted to adjourn for the
day, and instead of the banquet assigned for
tonight prayer meeting was announced.
A committee was appointed to make suit
able arrangements for the transfer of the
body to its last resting place, and brief
speeches were delivered by several delegates.
General Alger of Michigan offered a spe-
cial train to convey the remains and COM
mttee to st. Louis.
Many delegates in conversation after the
adjournment recalled the sudden death OF
Ex-Governor Washburne at the meeting Of
the American Board at Springfield, Mass,
which so greatly softened the heated discus
sion then going on over dOctrilal matters.