Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-11-05

was an original party &c the action. The mod.
crater ruled that 1t was DR.. Henry Vandyke
one of DIR. Briggs supporters, entered pro.
ties. based on precedent, which was entered on
| the records and will go up to synod.
The moderator held that the committee 81
presentation represented the Presbyterian
church in the United States and was therefore
| the original party
This decision was appealed from the chair
and sustained by q vote of 81 to "a.
DR.. John j. Stevenson of the prosecuting
committee said that the committee would in
due time reply to DIR. Briggs answer. He main
periectiy proper form
DIR. Vandyke moved to dismiss the case
against DR., Briggs and dismiss the committee
THE DEBATE ON THE MOTION.
The discussion prior to the vote on the
motion was spirited and interesting.
DIR. Vandyke said in support of his motion
| that it was not made in the interest of DR..
Briggs. who had said he wanted trial, but in
the interest of the peace, purity and unity Of
the church. Once into the heresy trial it must
be pursued to the litter end and to the great
detriment of the church. Dr.. Briggs had met
his accusers like man. He had no conscious
intention of disturbing the peace of the church.
He deeply regretted having caused such dis
turbarces. Is it inst or Chr:stian-lihe to
hound a man who had come forward with such
4 straightforward statement
DR.. Yandyke complimented tie prosecution
committee for their excellent work. but asked
whether it was not better to wait for further
light from God before rushing into an unavail-
ing prosecution and weakening tine force of
discipline Heresy trials ere great evils. They
beget jealousy, dissen5io. envy and strife. There
are cases where these evils are necessary. but
here is a case in which such results axe likely to
be disastrous and in which the accused has
cleared himself OF the necessity for trial. by
dismissing the case the presbytery would not
la,v hrao
path. Members undoubtedly differed with DR..
Briggs in some Of his views. The speaker for
one did net coincide with his view of progress
siyG specification. But DR.. Briggs had cleared
himself of all charges that he had declared
against the Bible as the only infsllible rule of
faith and belief.
DR. vandyke enumerated the results of other
heresy trials, and asked his hearers to bear
them in mind in voting on this question.
Col. John ]. McCook of the prosecuting COM
mit.ec replied to DR. Vandyke. He said the
latter had spoken evidently with the idea that
there was nc book of discipline il the Presby-
terrain church, but AZ long as men are human
the necessity fer discipline must exist. The
case of DIR. Briggs had reached crisis at which
it would be folly to dismiss the proceedings be-
cause it would not result in what DR.. Vandyke
wants-the peace and unity of the church The
committee of prosecution would appeal to
higher authorities and the case would remain a
stumbling block i'll the church for at least two
years. There would be no delay if the case
were proceeded with, because the commit
tee proposed to try the charges promptly.
Either the accused is orthodox or he is not
A dilatOry motion like DR.. Vandvke's would
be great injustice to DR.. Briggs DR.. Briggs
had failed to say that be would retract his dec
larations which are complained Of His ex-
pressions of regret at having caused anxiety
in the church counted for naught. Personally
the speaker would be happy beyond measure if
the case culd be disposed Of today, but on his
conscience he could not wish for q summary
close for he believed in all sincerity that every
charge against DIR. Briggs would be proved. He
urged upon the presbytery that under their
ordination VOWS they had a solemn duty to
perform which they could not escape.
Rev. James H. McIlvane Iidlculed the idea
that the presbytery had no right to dismiss the
prosecuting committee, together with the case
The law had been laid down in the church that
no man could rightly be convicted of heresy
who disavowed opinions attributed to him. OF
the sincerity Of his disavowals God alone was
the Judge.
DIR. Briggs made his inaugural address on the
Bible at the request of the directors of the
seminary. He had chosen a different subject
entirely, and his address had been misrepre-
sented until nobody knew just what DR.. Briggs
meant. No man could be convicted by infer
ence The speaker said that the late Howard
Crosby and Henry b. Vandyke had told him
that DR.. Briggs could never be convicted on his
U
was changed.
CHAPGEs INSUFFICIENT.
Rev. J. F. Sutton offered an amendment.
which was accepted by DR.. vandyke, giving as
the reason for dismissing the case the ipsufii-
cheney of the charges
Rev. DIR. Thomas Hastings, president Of the
Union Theological Seminary, followed with an
appeal for dismissal for the sake of the peace
no in "a
was impossible in view Of the action previously
taken by the general assembly. DR.. Briggs
was prejudiced. The speaker knew DIR. Briggs
views well any man in the house. and he
it would be we'll for the presbytery to stop the
case and hereafter to see to it that the general
assembly in the future would not be allowed to
sit in previous judgment.
Rev. Sydney g. Law spoke in opposition.
Rev. ID. q. Wylie offered an amendment that
DIR. ysndyke accepted, setting forth that while
tbs presbytery did not approve of DR.. Briggs
views, 1t dismissed the case for sake Of peace
in the church
Rev. William g. T shedd then objected to
| what he called being muzzied He was OPP
posed to dismissing the in silence and
| wanted an opportunity to debate the points
| raised by DR.. Briggs.
The motion was then read in tLis form:
Resolved, That the presbytery Of New York
! after having listened to the prayer Of the Rev
Or CEarIes A DrlBSs IN the case OF the fresDy-
| terrain church in the United States Of America
against him as to the suficiency of the charges
| and specifications in form and legal effect, and
| without approving Of the position stated in his
| inaugural address, at the same time desiring
| earnestly the peace and quiet Of the church,
| and IN view of the declarations made by DIR.
| Briggs touching his loyalty to tine Holy Scrip
| lures and the Westminster standards and of his
disclaimers put on some Of his big words. deems
| 1t best to dismias the case and hereby does no
| dismiss it.
The resolution was adopted by vote of "a
| to SO.
OF these who voted aye II ware ministers
and % elders; Of The noes there we're rs min.
| listers and IL elders.
Rev. DIR. George ". F. Bierch. chairman Of
| the prosecuting committee, was sorely disap-
pointed. He gave notice Of an appeal to the
| synod.
The synod may decide to send the case bacl
| to the presbytery fer trial.
| DR.. Briggs was congratulated or all sides
| The presbytery adjourned till next Monday.