The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-11-04

d. BB,CN3S
will be satisfied with nothing but n complete
recantation by Prof. Briggs OF his alleged heret-
ical doctrines
DR.. Briggs firmly believes that the state
ments in his famous inaugural. which have
been made the basis for the charges drawn up
against him. do not conflict with the tenets OF
the Presbyterian Church. and he has stated all
along that he would not rct-act. Even the
warmest friends OF Prof. Briggs see no posi-
bility OF a compromise now and acknowledge
that tho time for it Is past. Still. they have
some expectation that Dr. BriGss's answer.
which he has been carefully preparing since
tho charges wern presented ut the October
meeting Of Presbytcry. will satisfy tho NOM
bers and convince then tina. the charges
are unfoundcd and that DR.. Briggs's orthodoxy
Is as sound as that OF any member of lresby-
tory.
will be the first order Of proceeding to-day:
It will be an exhaustive document. and will
cal knowledge is expected to be brought out,
acc2rding to his friends. in contrast with that
% Dr. %sp have
peatedly, asserted. is not very wide. A strong
effort will undoubtedly be, made to havo Prof;
sss DfGSsfd2Ss fMas ssS an ID Col
N the elder rs
strong backing in the ,Presbytery. and they
will insist upon their right to attack tho an an
to give tile prosecution time to draw up a
Prof. Briggs has decided to conduct his case
personally. He has such an aggressive per-
nt That Re %sa e aaw haze
presbyter to act as his spokesman: as the Book
Of Discipline permits. but Prof Briggs will not
fesSiOn OF weakness. for the way in which the
Discipline is worded is:
II any accused person feel unable to repre-.
sent and plead his own cause to advantage. he
may request any minister or elder, belonging
to the judicntOry before which ho appears. to
prenare and exhibit his cause as he may Judge
Ifthe interest that was shown in the October
Scotch Church will certainly no crowded dur
ing tho trial: The, public. or us much OF 1t as
may comfortably fiji the galleries and the body
1t Is possible before the trial is concluded
spoken on one side or the other. as they have
right to do alter Dr. Briggs's answer and the
Of ays down.
1t is especially provided that no member Of a
the Whole Of trial shall be allowed to vote on
any Question; arising unless ou by una All.
rule at the October meeting. and it is
expected that it will he strictly enforced. At
any stage OF the proceedings the PreSDytory
has right to sit with closed doors II two
thirds OF the members present so vote. but this
contingency is very remote. Tho members OF
Presbytery can glso suspend Prof. Briggs from
his duties at Union Theological Seminary dur
ing the trial II they think it advisable but even
his opponents do not favor this action.
The trial Of Prof Briggs is the fourth her
essy" trial in the history Of the Presbyterian
Church in America The first was that OF the
Rev. Lyman Brcrher. the father of Henry
Ward Bnecher. which took llncc in 1885. when
he was President OF Lam" Theological semi
nary. He was tried and acquitted. nut the
controversy cugendercd by the case continued
until 1887 when tho Presbyterian Church was
rent in twain. The trial Of the Rev. Alfred
Barnes q graduate of Princeton. was tho sec
ond Of tho .heresy trials. Although it resulted
in an acGuitta!. it. produced "A rupture in tho
David Sw ing in 1874 hefcrc the Chicago Pres
bytery. when DR.. Francis l.. Patton of Prince
ton appeared as accusor. The trial was n long
md exciting one. and ended in u conviction.
The case was appealed to the Synod.
where tho decision Of the Chicago Pres
bytery was Repealed. But Prof Swing decided
to leave tho Prcsby terian fold. and established
himself AS an independent rrencher, He has
drawn large congregations since Conservative
members of tb" rrcshyt"rinn Church fear that
theresults of DR. Briggs trial will prove even
more serious to tho Church than those that
have preceded, II and they are awaiting the
outcome with the greatest anxiety