The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-05-29
THE HERETIi BRIGGS
A Speaker Aga nst Him Sud-
denly Stricken Dead.
The ASSEMBLY STANDS AoHAsT,
Judge Breckenridge, OF st. Louis, Urges
Veto ofUnfon Seminary Action, Then
Falls Lffsless Upon the Floor.

pyrro,r. May CATER the usual preliminar-
les, It the Presbyterian general assembly TINS
morning. Or. Patton spoke few words explain l.
ing the action OF the commlttee on the bngss
case. He said:
You ara NO doubt ready to credit our commit
tee WITH q desire to do simply what IL best;
Recognizing our liability TO error, we have had
only desire 20 DO what was demanded oy me
and recognizing the rights OF ell persons con-
cerned. III discussion brings new light, we will
.o%s e We s,s snay made to ysf Sy
there win be no long debate, although we are
prepared for 1t.
Professor Smith, Of Lane Theological SEM
mary. said:
A propositiop 10 terminate the usefulness of
minister should be discussed carefully, what
ever the committee may say. No doubt Dr.
Briggs Is guilty of some ofense. Shall we cast
reproach on his good name and cause the great
school, already stricken by God, 70 be crippled.
for q least the immediate rusuTss Inis y fss
therefore hear me candidly and patiently as
try TO show that the COMMITTEES have erred.
s.t Il is doubtful whether such an assembly a
cations Dr. Briggs is not a new man. He was
elected seventeen years ago, think, TO chair
in Union Theological seminary. Many Of his
man Of ability and scholarship, an
able teacher, spiritual and pious.;
This assembly, to whom he 10 stranger, ought
not to be IN haste. The Presbyterians ask Us to
act in our wisdom in the premises The argu-
ments against DIR. Briggs are two. First, he is
misunderstood: second, he Is not sound In doc
trfne. As to the first: It is said that in quarres
both parties are wrong; why not in amisun-
derstanding? have watched the controversy
from the frst, because / take more interest
the religious press SO into our homes. The
editors magnify their influence. The
press IL held to be nearly infallible::
Has II not biased the a., commissioners mission RS,
are they qualified for this? Even a religious
editor cannot he specialist in all departments,
and is liable 70 err; II may be they have mis-
that he ID unsound, may be based upon mis-
understandings. Some say he indorses the
spiritual conditions OF Martincau. II DR.. Briggs
right to hold It, Ny last point is this:
The man must DO proved unsound after
the careful trial, If need be- in all of the church
courts. But in a case like this, the man is. II
charged with unsoundness. considered unsound
from the first ] don't see that his ideas of the
errsncy OF the Bible, redemption of the race,
and progressive specification after death are not
according to standards. On Q strict construc-
ton of the confession, OF course, he Is wrong:
but will you, who mean to make such radical
change IN our confession as TO say that all In
4anta are saved, not leave little margin for DR..
Briggs7
Dr.. Logan, Of Scranton, Pa, suggested modi-
Hcation Of the action proposed by the commit
tes. He said:
The committee have considered two amend
zents. One simply disapproves for the present
the appointment The second provides that q
committee OF eight ministers and seven ruling
elders be appointed to confer with Professor
Briggs and the directors Of the seminary.
The latter he moved, and 1t was seconded
Continuing, DR.. Logan said:
The church asks, shall we not have the word
Ind hat rro nan rftof9 70 20
that we can't sustain him In that chair, but hav.
ing refused 70 confirm him, let us wait before
taking action.
Charles A. Dicked, D. D., of Philadelphia, a
member of the board OF directors of the Union
Theological seminary, said:
/ have no plea to make for DR.. Briggs, but
] win stand alone and plead that my man shall
tack them. I deplore his inaugural. Twish to
covering up OF postponement, but what is best
and lawful in time when the strain is so Sc
we're and the situation so delicate. We are
one risk that compelled this probably and faith
full committee to ask for this decided and ir-
reyocable decision. and that they would have
done. This Is the point. Can we waitf Their
only reason for insisting upon the veto now is
that IL must be now or never. will presume TO
differ with even them. Has not this assembly
the same right to interpret the compact a. the
assembly of 1871, whose view is quoted I'm the
report? They say we lose the power of veto II
we don't exercise Il now yet propose that we
after it Is contaminated. Would IL not be better
TO trust US than to act rashly and then confer
through committee?
DIR. Francis, OF Cincinnati, said;
The preshyteries that have overruled the as
sembiy have not done so without deliberation
They discussed the matter through weeks and
months. To delay viii risk more than the loss of
the services OF one man or injuring the sensibili
rf NfTf tafr INsrfaa
nary. Almost every pastor and missionary
worker voted against DIR. smith. We demand
prompt and decided action.
Judge Breckenridge, Of ST. Louis. quoted the
legal points in the case. aft we don't veto now"
said he, 1--WE never can. Logan's amendment
for delaying action ia 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 relieve it. Breckinridges last words
were: "Now, gentlemen, / feel that have dis
charged my duty and wish to be excused from
further speaking" Reaching for glass OF wa
ter he suddenly threw up his hands and fell to
the floor, striking heavily on his head. He was
hastily carried to an ante-room and physicians
summoned.
They found him dead. When the announce.
ment was made the assembly at once voted to
adjourn for the day, and instead of the ban.
4uct hoHikHeu iuf tu-uiSnt, u pfhyer-meet1ng
was announced. committee was appointed
10 make suitable arrangements for the transfer
OF the body to its last resting place and brief
speeches were delivered by several delegates
Mr. Breckenridge was son of Rev. Dr. J. W.
Dreckinridgc. who was brother OF the widely.
known William and Robert Breekinridge His
mother was daughter of Professor Samuel Mil
Ter, of Princeton. General Alger offered special
train 70 convey the remains and the committee
20 81. Louis.
Many delegates, In conversation after adjourn
ment. recalled the similar sudden death OF ex.
Governor Washburne at meeting of the Amer
ican board at Springfield, Mass, which so
greatly softened heated discussion then going
on over doctrinal matters
REFORMED PREsBYTERIaNs SPLIT