Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-10-05
The Famous Heresy Case viii Come
to a Hearing This Morning.
EARLY CONCLUSION LOOKED FOR.
The Issues Involve the Divine Origin of the
Scriptures.
Professionalism AS A WHOLE AT STAKE
rsrEcrAL TELEGRAM TO THE DISPATCH !

Briggs Is to be arralgned on charges o
heresy. The Importance of this trial is du,
to the fact that the issues involve the in
spiration, authenticity, infallability, char
acter and influence of the Holy Bible.
The popular idea that the Bible is the
word of God written under His direct influ-
ence, upon which rests the religious belief
of many millions of people, against the
scholars and critics theory that the Scrip
lures are human writings, characterized by
the same mistakes and inventions of other
human writings and differing from them in
the divine element in degree only, is one
of the issues, And the other, no less i'm
Portant,is the force and effect upon ordained
ministers of their vows of subscription to
the Church standards, which form the basis
OF all religious communions
THREE FORMER TRIALS
There have been three other great Presby-
terian heresv trials in America within the
century. But the doctrines involved were
triiing in comparison with those in the
Briggs case. Thomas S. Craighead, Ken
tucky preacher Of solid Presbyterian ante
cedents and unusual ability, developed at
the beginning of the century views an
tagonistic to the famous lvanistic DEGREES
OF foreordinatiOn. There were trials with
convictions in the lower courts, with ap-
peals and reversals, disquieting the Church
greatly for many years. until the death of
the accused put an end TO the case, just as
the General Assembly was about to pass
Judgment against him.
Toward the middle of the century Albert
Barnes, the famous commentator, was tried
for heresy by the Philadelphia Presbvtery.
His offence was a denial of the Calvanistic
doctrines Of the imputation of sin through
Adams fall and of righteousness through
Christ's sacrifice. The case was heard in
Synod and also in General Assembly, where
1t resulted in DIR. Barnes acquittaL The
history of this case is the most amazing
theological wrangle ever recorded. Then
came the case Of David Swing at the close
OF the third quarter of the century Dr.
Swings preaching was of the humanitarian
sort and not at all up to the Calvanistic
standards Of Princeton College. DR.. Francis
l. Patton pressed the charges unevan-
gellcal preaching against the eminent Chi
cago divine with all the energy and force
1Or which he has since become famous
ACQUITTED BY PREsBYTERY.
An acquittal in the Chicago Presbytery
by vote Of - to - was the first result of
this trial. Five days after came DR.. Swings |
resignation. and in October of 1874 the |
Synod of Northern Illinois reviewed the
testimony taken in Presbytery and found |
that he ought to have been convicted
Each of these trials was had upon charges |
preferred by individuals. The prosecutor |
In the case of DR.. Briggs is the Presbyte- |
ran Church of the United States of Amer |
lea. This was the first victory for the op- |
position. DIR. George NJ F. Birch, a Penn |
sylvanian, and valedictorian in 1858 of |
Washington College, began the movement |
against DR.. Briggs upon the appearance of |
the famous inaugural address on the au-
.hority Of Holy Scripture. Although Dr.
Birch was a theologian and student, he
,ookEounsel of DIR. Henry Van Dyke and DR..
Shedd On his motion an investigation of
the address was ordered by Presbytery, and
q committee favorable to DR.. Briggs was
appointed for the purpose Young DIR.
Henry Van Dyke, warm supporter of DR..
Briggs, refused to serve on the committee. /
Another liberal man on the committee
wavered and DR.. Birch captured the COM
mitJee bringing in a report recommending
D judicial inquiry.
When the vote on this report was taken
Or. Briggs friends remained away from
Presbvtery, and 1t was ordered by a vote
numbering about one-fourth of the voting
force of Presbvtery. Then came the veto |
which the conduct Of DIR. Briggs friends |
was characterized by the same halting dis
position.
THE PROGRAMME FOR TODAY.
In pursuance of the action of Presbytery,
he Indictment against DR.. Briggs is to be
cad tomorrow. According to the rule of
he Church nothing more can be done in the
'aSr for ten DAYS. If the trial is to proceed
hat time is necessary to acquaint the Pres
,vtnry with the charges and specifications
r the Indictment. Butthere is every pros
lecI Of an immediate conclusion of the case
o-morrow in Presbytery in a manner that
annot fail to be unsatisfactory to the
Jhurch at large.
DIR. John Hail. of the Fifth Avenue
'hUTch, has advanced as the advocate of
leace, and has cOunselad and urged the
'resbyterS TO quiet DIR. Briggs accusers and
90 drop the ease. Last summer before his
departure for Europe, DR.. Hall urged this
curse for the sake of harmony in the
,hurch, and upon his return his efforts |
we're resumed. DIR. Halls argument is that
)r. Briggs has given full satisfaction to the
'hurch IN answering the eight questions
mt to him by the directors of Union Semi
AIRY and that his veto by the General As
embly last May is punishment enough, both
" him and the seminary. Within the
DaSt week DIR. Hall has been button
ollng Presbyters to secure votes for a mo-
ion to be made on Monday morning to Law
he report of the prosecution committee on |
he table and thus avoid the narrowing de- |
ails Of heresy trial
DIR. HALLS MANY ESCAPES.
Another thing whose avoidance is greatly
o be desired is the necessity of voting on
he merits of the case. This DR.. Hall es-
eciallv feels, as he.has carefully arranged
is business in the past so as to compel his
bScnce from places where this duty is re-
uired Of him. He escaped bv few hours
be vote in Presbytery last Nav; by a few
linutes the vote in Union Seminary last
une, and altogether, by resigning his COM
2ission, the vote in General Assembly at
Detroit.
One member of Presbytery who has felt
he effects of DIR. Halls pleading is Colonel
ohm !. NTcCool, of the prosecution COM
littee. an elder in his church. AT the
IeeJiug of Dr. Halls session Friday night,
hen a successor to Presbyter McCook was
D be elected, efforts were made to elect
riggs man to the place. Mr.. Robert
'eggs was chosen Presbyter and Mr. John
loane his alternate. Both are antl-Briggs
len, and the Fifth Avenue Church will be
presented again in Presbytery by con-
arratlve elder
Another man who is giving the conserva-
Yes trouble is DIR. Charles 5. Robinson, of
wan book fame. DIR. Robinson was bitter
-a'n>t DR. Briggs at the Nav meeting of
re>3ytcry, but during the summer he eK-
rnanced change of heart. and his in
uence Is now cast with the peace party.
the Fifth Avenue Church recently
iopted Dr. Robinson's Hymnal for its SER
Ices, the influence of DR.. Hall with his