Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-05-28
REV. DR.. BRIGGS CASE
THE VOTE 10 BE REACHED TO-DAY.
Rev. Dr.. HamoId's Claim to a Seat
in the Diocesan Convention.
1T is NOT SUSTAIN ED.
DISCUSSING MIR. BRrGGs' CASE.

DISCUSSING MIR. BRIGGS CASE.
Debate on the Commirtee's Report Begun
Before the General Assembly.
DErRorr. MIcH., May 2s.-when the Presby-
teriAn assembly's opening hour drew near this
morning there was much more than the
usual attendance in and about the Fort
Street Church, where the sessions are being
held. The interest in the Briggs case was
strong enough not only 20 bring out
much larger attendance OF commissioner
at the opening prayer service. but 10 MI the
galleries with interested spectators. By the
time the hour for the business session arrived
'he cnnrch was niled. There was no suppress
SION OF eAcitement while the reading clerk ran
over the minutes of the assembly, which no
one heard because OF the hum of conversation,
and when the minutes were read the assembly
squared away for the battle with heresy, which
has divided the interest IN tins assembly With
the report of the committee on the revision OF
the standard OF faith. The report Of the COM
mittee ON theological seminaries had been
printed and was IN every commissioner hand
PRESIDENT PATTON OPENS
President Patton of Princeton opened the
discussion He spoke Cor the committee what
he termed few words Of explanation, but
what was really an argument in defense Of
the report faNoring the veto OF DR.
Briggs appointment He felt that all were
wiling 70 credit the committee with the
desire to do what was best In the fullest
recognition Of the possibility OF mistakes. the
committee had been actuated bv the ON. desire
70 DO what wac demanded by the eNlgencles u
the occasion, ana 20 do il IN kindness aud with
recognition of the rights of all concerned. Differ
ent action was not taken. because the commit
tee WAS clear that this was best Ii Was the
least the assembly could do, and the most the
assembly Was called upon to do. They had
tried TO consider both present and future in
making up the report IL the time came
during the debate they were ready TO give the
reasons Tor every recommendation. If pro-
tracted debate became necessary il would be
conducted In the spirit which actuAted the
work Of the committee.
PROF. SMITH DEFENDS DIR. pRIaes
Prof. Henry 7. Smith Of Lane Seminary rose
to the defense of Dr. Briggs the moment Presi-
dent Patton had concluded. He denounced
the report as proposition TO put an end 10 the
usefulness OF a minister I'm good standing. The
adoption OF the report would put a stain ON q
minister, harm the church and cripple h school
already hurt by death.
Prof. Smith was caustie in his references 10
Dr Oreen OF Princeton. Not every school he
said, could hope to have professors of the
ply sical and mental stature of DIR. Green. DIR.
Briggs had been professor Of Union for sew
enteen years He had ability. Those who
know him indorse him. should his usefulness
be lost to the church,
Ii had been said that he had been misunder-
stood and was not sound in his doctrine
would he be condemned on these grounds be-
fore be was heardl The religious press, COM
posed OF papers supposed to be published in
the interest Of the Presbyterian church lad
become omnipotent and consequently magni-
ned their office. A large majority of the COM
missioners had received their impressions from
these papers. In the nature OF the Case, we're
the papers competent as jury 10 decide the
case!
The second charge, that he was not orthodox,
was the grayer one. There were a number Of
assertions in the address which, whatever
might be said of their prudence, could not be
said TO be contrary ~ the tenets OF the con-
fession.
DIR. LOGAN WANTS MODIFICATION.
Rev. s. c. Logan, ID. D., of scranton, Pa,
wanted the action proposed by the commitoee
modified. In the second resolution he wanted
a change made, adding the name Of DIR. Briggs
to those to be conferred with. Not only a
professor to be tried, but whole system OF
con1rol of the education Of ministers for the
Presbyterian church. Ii would tend to the
pence Of the church II they could postpone
action.
DIR. PATTON RESPONDS.
President Patton of Princeton took the floor
in behalf of the report of the committee lie
said he admired Dr. Briggs as a friend. The
coHutttee NOAlu not put straw IN nls way,
nor would il make the position OF the directors
of Union Seminary embarrassing. They had
hired the man liz good faith and were not re-
sponsible for the utterances in his inaugural
The only difficult point ~ his mind was the
Interpretation of the compact between the
Union Seminary and the Presbyterian Assem-
bly,. II that compact permitted the exercise
of the veto, and he thought 1t did, the duty Of
the assembly now lay in the direction of exer-
eising the veto or stopping once for all. lie
did not believe in qualified or moral condemns-
ton.
DIR. DICKIE sPEAKs.
DR. Diokie Of Union Seminary rather disap-
poi;-:ed ne assembly by his failure TO back Dr.
Briggs as strongly had been expected. Dr.
Dickie said he sense in condemning Dr.
Briggs any way. The assembly might an is
haste do something that would not be repented
at leisure.
VOTE TODAY.
Itis thought that the assembly will reach Q
vote on the Briggs case this afternoon.