Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-05-26
A RELIGIOUS LOBBY.
1t Is Putting in Some Good Work for
Professor Briggs.
TIE BENEFIT OF DISAPPOINTMENT
To the Church at Large Dwelt on by Many
Leading Ministers.
THE SERPENT AND THE CROSS AGAIN
ESPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE pIsPArcH.l

ESPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE DISPATCH.l
DETROIT, May 25.-The Briggs case con-
tinues to be the great subject of discussion
and anxiety in the Presbyterian Assembly.
The leading friends of the Professor are lob
byists and their number has been increased
by the arrival of DR.. Johnson,'of Chicago,
and DR.. Philip Schaff, of New York. DR..
SchafT is a German theologian, who be-
longed in the early years of his residence in
this country to the German Reformed
Church. and since coming into the Presby-
terian Church has been engaged chiefly in
book making. He is a high authority in
favor of immersion and has never been re-
garded as Presbyterian.
The leaders in the lobby for DR.. Briggs
now are Drs. Fields, Morris, Evans, johnson
and Sehaff. The work was prosecuted Wig
orously ali day Sunday and to-day. Several
OF the sermons, especially that of the Mod
orator, were Objectionable to the friends of
Dr. Briggs. The subject is not likely to
come before tile Assembly for two or three
days. The great majority is still in favor of
the veto. The Briggs men have made some
progress, masking conQuests among even the
Pittsburg and Philadelphia delegations.
Questioning Briggs Sanity.
A distinguished ex-Modcrator of the As
sembly and a theological professor outlines
his views He says if DIR. Briggs were. in
sane or dangerously sick, or if other con-
ceivable conditions were to occur in the
providence OF God, surely the Assembly
would not proceed to action. He says man
who would one day answer the Union Sem
mary trustees questions as he did and the
next day make such an address as he did in
Plymouth Church. is in questionable con-
dltiOn OF mind.
The Assembly can decline to approve the
election, but not disapprove it, and appoint
a committee to consider the whole case and
report to the Assembly next year. explain
ing that this course is not to prejudice the
New York Presbytery. Hewould even agree
to have the Assembly order the professor to
cease teaching in the interim.
Policy of the Lobby.
such is tie policy of the lobby, which has,
however, about reached the limit of its in
fluence. Indeed there are signs of reaction
against so much and such lobby work. 1t is
an actual fact that influential friends of Dr.
Briggs are nearly all in the lobby, and a
funny fact is that they work earnestly with
many men who have no vote.
L Is now pretty generally agreed that
when the subject comes before the Assembly
there Will be a hot discussion, but there is a
possibility that it may turn out as revision
did. and there will be harmonious action
after conference and the singing of the long
meter Doxology. Some think that harmon
ioUs action would have been more likely If
some Of the friends of DIR. Briggs had sailed
with him for Europe on Saturday.
The anti-Briggs men of the New York
Presbytery are saying very little, if any
thing. DR. Her1ick johnson, of Mccormick
Seminary. Chicago, thinks the best thing to
do is to appoint a committee to confer with
the Union Theological Seminary trustees
and try to put a brake on DIR. Briggs. His
utCerances are unwise and too radical,
The Benefit of Postponement,
If he cannot be suppressed his case can
be overhauled next year, while the force of
q veto now would be forfeited. The moral
force of a deliveraDce next year would be
greater. By this action of the
Assembly as to the theological seminary re-
port the earliest time that the Briggs case
can come up is next Thursday.
The question of the serpent on the cross
was up to-day, morning and evening. 1t
much serious and comical oratory.
Dr.. McNeir, of Utah, wanted the symbol of
the snake taken of and an open Bible put in
its place. He hated snakes and did not want
TO have to stop and explain in his part Of
the country the meaning Of the snakes.
A general opposition was aroused in the |
Assembly 1t was said the snake was mean,
,reacherous, miserable, horrid and repre- |
sented the devil. A symbol of the devil or |
his representation was improper on the seal |
of the Presbyterian Church. George Jenkin, |
OF Philadelphia, warmly advocated the SER |
pent as the symbol of Christ upon the cross. |
Doctors of Divinity, eminent jurists and
many others took hand in the debate, of
Report on the Freedmen.
The report of the Committee on the Freed
men showed encouraging progress. Seere-
tary Allen, of Pittsburg, made an eloquent
address. He was followed by colored speak
crs. The resolution repeating the action of
the last Assembly, which ordered the Board |
for the Freedmen TO cut down expenses,
excited vigorous discussion. On account of |
this action on the whole, the report was |
postponed.
The vacant supply and ministerial adjust |
ment report was earnestly debated. Much |
was ELECTED, especially to plan |
which seemed to create a blacklist of |
churches and ministers. Drs. Roberts, Pat |
ton, Birch and Moore successfully raised the |
question Of constitutionality, and had the |
whole business referred to a special commit |
tee, to report TO the Assembly on this point. |
The scheme Will unquestionably be killed.
The Serpent Up Again.
Immediately after dinner the subject of |
the serpent was again discussed, calling |
forth torrent of oratory. The Assembly |
was very impatient, but the speakers were |
persistent The ground previously covered |
was retraversed. Amid much confusion, g. |
vote was forced on the amendments to take !
off the symbol of the serpent. 1t was carried |
peal by DR.. McCook, to let the old seal stand, |
the report was then recommitted, so that |
the subject will come up again.
General Eaton, United States Commis- |
sioner of Education under Presidents Grant, /
HAYES and Cleveland, read the report of the |
committee on education, which !
was followed with an address by Secretary |
Poor. Tie Rev. Dr.. Baker, President of the 4
board from Philadelphia, made remarks, 1
ana also DR.. John D. Hewitt, of Kansas. The !
resolutions were adopted re-electing the old |
board. The popular meeting for the freed |
men was held at night and addressed by the /
II Il Others.