The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-11-05
THE HERETO WINS.
New York Presbytery Dis
charges Professor Briggs.
TEXT OF THE ACCUSATION.
The Defendant Objects to the Charges
and the Vote Sustains Him-To Be
Appealed to the Synod.

Yry YORK, Nov. 4.-The New York presby.
tsry assembled this morning in the Scotch
Presbyterian church for the purpose of begin
ming the trial of Professor Charles A. Briggs on
The charges of heresy, based upon the language
,sed by him IN his inaugural address in the
Union Theological seminary. DIR. John c. Bliss
cresided as moderator. The full text of the
charges is as follows:
he Presbyterian church OF the United States
charges Rev. Charles A. Briggs, ID. d., being a
minister OF the Presbyterian church and a mem
Der OF the presbytery of New York, with teach
ms doctrines which conflict irreconcilably with
md are contrary to the cardinal doctrine taught
IN the Holy Scriptures and contained in the
standards OF the Presbyterian church, that the
scriptures OF the OLD and New Iestaments are
The only infalible rule of faith and practice
These hurtful errors, striking at the yitals of
religion and contrary 20 the regulations and
practice of the Presbyterian church, were pro-
irrigated in an inaugural address which DR.
Briggs delivered at the Union Theological sem
insry, New York, January %. 1891, on the occas-
ion OF the induction into the Edward Robinson
chair of Biblical theology, which address, with
Dr. Briggs approval, has been published and
extensively circulated, and republished in a
second edition with preface and appendix
Specification No. DIR. Briggs declares that
there were historically three great fountains of
divine authoTity-the Bible, the church and
reason-thus making the church and reason
esch 10 be an independent anu sufficient foun-
tain OF divine authority.
the case of some the Holy Scriptures are not
sufficient 10 give that knowledge OF God and
His viii which is necessary unto salvation, even
though they strive ever 80 hard; and that such
persons setting aside the supreme authority of
fbe Word OF God can obtain that saving knowl-
edge of Him through the church.
Specification No. 3-Dr. Briggs afirms that
some, such as James Martineau, who denies the
doctrines of the holy trinity, the incarnation,
the atonement, the resurrection OF the BODY the
personality of the Holy Ghost, who rejects the
miracles and denies the truth OF the gospel mar
ratives, as well as most OF the theology of the
epistes, TO whom the Holy Scripture is not suffi-
Gent to give that knowledge OF God and of His
will which is necessary unto salvation, may
turn from the supreme authority of the word of
God and find that knowledge of Him through
reason.
specification No 4-Dr. Briggs asserts that the
temperaments and environments of men deter
mine which OF the three ways OF access to God
they may pursue.
Specification No. 5-Dr. Briggs makes state.
ments in regard to the Holy Scriptures which
cannot be reconciled with the doctrine of the
true and full inspiration of those Scriptures as
the sword of God written"
Specification No. CDR. Briggs asserts that
Noses is not the author OF the Pentateuch, and
that Isaiah is not the author OF half of the books
which bear his name
Specification No. DIR. Briggs teaches that
protective prophecy has been reversed by his
tory, and that much of it has not and cannot
ever be filed.
form of the charges preferred, stating that the
report Of the committee which formulated the
Indictment against him charges offenses which
are not now proposed for trial. The committee
charges him with uttering doctrinal teachings
respecting the miracles, the origin and condi-
ton of man, etc, without attempting to prove
the charges. This, Professor Briggs said, did
him great injustice, and was apt to prejudice
the decision OF the members. He said that il he
had caused widespread anxiety in the presby
teiy he was sorry, but in his conscience he felt
no guilt with regard to disturbing the
peace and harmony OF the 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 defendant He admitted the ex.
tracts from his address made on the occasion OF
hfslnsgural as professor of Biblical theology in
Union Theological seminary. The facts relied
upon to sustain the charges are missing in the
Indictment. He said also that the Indictment
eontained quotations wholly unwarranted. He
denied that he had ever taught doctrines con
fcting with the Holy Scriptures US the only
iBfallible rule of faith and practice.
This afternoon the resolutions of DIR. Van
dyke were taken up. DIR. Vandyke made
dgnified and earnest plea in support of the
proposition to dismiss the case against DIR
Briggs. After an extended discussion the reso
luton to dismiss was read and a vote taken, re
sulting "a for and SO against. This action how
ever, does not end the controversy, as il will
undoubtedly be taken before the New Yorl
gynod