The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1891-05-29
Rev. G. A. Dickey, a Director Of
Union Theological Seminary,
DEMANDS 1T FOR PROF. BRIGGS
Prof Smith Says il Briggs Can Justly His
Position Historically, He Has
Right to Do So.

L ou are uO uOuDb ready 10 creQlG our GULL
mittee with desire to dc simply what is
best Recognizing our liability to error,
we have had only desire to do what was
demanded by the exigencies of the case in
a spirit of kindness and recognizing the
rights of all persons concerned. If the dis
cussion brings new light, we will welcome
1t. We are ready to give reason for every
decision we have made. We hope there
Will be no long debate, although we are pre-
pared for it''
Prof. Smith, of Lane Theological semi
nary, said: 1.-The proposition to terminate
the usefulness of minister shout be dis
cussed carefully. Whatever the committee
may say-no doubt conscientiously-W
be enforced, that DIR. Briggs is guilty of
some offense. We shall thus cast a re-
proach on his good name and great school
already stricken by God will be crippled
Tor at least the immediate future. This is
reason for caution. l know my side is
unpopular, therefore hear me candidly and
patiently as / try to show the committee
they have erred.
''F'irst, it is doubtful whether such an
assembly is able to Judge of other than doc
trinal qualifications. DR.. Briggs is not
new man; he was elected seventeen years
ago, | think, to chair in Union Theology
cal seminary. Many of his colleagues and
students say he is a man of ability and
scholarship, an able teacher, spiritual and
plous. This assembly to whom he is a
stranger ought not to be in haste. Presby
terlans ask US to act in our wisdom in the
premises. May not this be to continue
him! The arguments against him are two:
He is misunderstood. 2-That he is not
sound in doctrine.
First, it is said in quarrels both sides
4
have watched this controversy from the
first, because have had more interest than
most. The almost omnipotence of the re-
llgious press goes into all our homes; their
editors magnify their influence, it is held
to be nearly infallible. Has it not biased
the commissioners 1 desire to say nothing
against these editors, but are they qualified
for this: Even religious editor cannot
be specialist in all departments, and is
liable to err. 1t may be they have misun
derstood DR.. Briggs.
1.-The second charge that he is unsound
may be based upon a misunderstanding.
Some say he Endorses the spiritual condi-
ton of Martineau. If DR.. Briggs can his
torically justify his position, he has right
to hold it. My last point is this: A man
must be proved unsound after careful
trial, if need be, in all the church courts,
but in case like this man Il charged with
10 COuSIu6Eeu uuSOuuu 1fOm
the first. l don't see that his idea of the
errancy Of the Bible, redemption of the
the race and progressive sanctiication after
death are not according to the standards.
On q strict construction of the confession
of course he is wrong. But will not you,
who mean to make such radical change in
our confession as to say that all infants are
saved, not save a little margin for Dr.
Briggs"
DR.. Logan, of Scranton, Pa, suggested
modification of the action proposed by the
committee. He said 81 argee with them
with these two amendments:
'1-This assembly disapproves for the
present of the appointment, etc.
''2-That committee of eight ministers
and seven ruling elders be appointed to
confer with Prof. Briggs and the directors
of the seminary"
The latter he moved and it was seconded.
Continuing, DR.. Logan said "The church
asks, Shall we not have word of God that
we can trust? We are bound to say that
we cannot sustain him in that chair. But
having refused to confirm him, let US wait,
before taking irretrievable action
Charles A. Dickey, d. D., of Philadel-
phia, a member of the board of directors of
Union Theological seminary, said: 81
have no plea to make for Dr. Briggs, but l
will, if l stand alone, plead that my man
shall have fair play. do not defend his
views or attack them; [ deplore his inaug-
ural, 1 wish to ask only whist is expedient,
not IN the sense OF covering up or postpone
ment, but what is best, not merely lawful,
in time when the strain is so Sc
we're and the situation SO delicate
We are told by this committee there is but
one risk that compelled this honorable and
faithful committee to ask for this decided
and irrevocable action. l know they would
have brought proposition to wait if it
could be done. This is the point. Can we
wait! Their only reason for insisting on a
veto now is that it must be now or never.
l will presume to differ with even them.
Has not this assembly the same right to in
terpret the compact as the assembly of
1871, whose view is quoted in the report?
They say we lose the power of veto if we
don't exercise it now. Yet they propose
that we have committee of conference
over this action after it is consummated.
Would it not be better to trust US than to
act irremediably and then confer through a
committee!'
DR.. Francis, Of Cincinnati, said the Pres
byterians that have overturned the assem-
bly, have not done SO without elaboration :;
they discussed the matter through weeks
and months, to delay will risk more than
the loss of the services of one man or in
iuring the sensibilities of Union Theological
seminary. Almost every pastor and min
lister worked against DR.. Smith. 1--WE
demand prompt and decided actlon.n
Judge Breckenridge, of ST. Louis, stated
the legal points in the case. "If we don't
vote now," said he, 1--WE never can. Logan's
amendment for deferring action is imprac-
ticable We can do nothing except disap-
prove. About assigning other reasons, it
does seem 10 my mind the church has been
anxious for some months and we should
relieve it, Brecaenridge's last Uorde
were: "Now, gentlemen, l feel that have
discharged my duty, and wish to be excused
from further speaking"
Reaching for glass Of water he suddenly
threw up his hands and fell to the floor,
striking heavily on his head. He was
hastily carried TO the ante-room and phv-
sicians 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, a prayer meeting was an
nounced. A committee was appointed to
make suitable arrangements for the trans
fer of the body to its last resting place,
and brief speeches were made by several
delegates.
Mr. Breckenride was son of Rev. DIR.
w. Breckenridge, who was u brother of
the widely known William and Robert
Breckenridge. His mother was a dangh-
ter of Prof. e. S. Miller, of Princeton.
General Alger, of Michigan, offered a
special train to convey the remains aud q
committee to st. Louis. Many delegates
in conversation after adjournment recalled
the similar sudden death of Ex-Governor
Washburn at the meeting Of the American
board at Springfield, Mass, which so
greatly softened the heated discussion
then going on over doctrinal matters.