Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-10-05
TRYING DR.. BRIGGS.
The New York Presbytery Takes Up
the Heresy Case.
A LIVELY PRELIMINARY TILT.
Lord Hawkes. Cricketes Begin q
Match With New Workers.
REV. DIR. BRIGGS. CASE
The Celebrated Trial for Heresy Begins I
New York To-day.

The Celebrated TRIAL for Her..y Bexins ~
New Work To-day.
NEw York. Oct 5.-The New York presby-
terry assembled for the fail session today. The
case Of DIR. Briggs Of the Union Theological
Seminary, accused OF heresy, will come before
the body. The indictment against hin
charges violation Of the vows Of ordination
taken upon his becoming a Presbyterian min
lister. Utterances Of Dr. Briggs during the
present year and quotations from his works sl-
legged TO be contrary 10 the confession Of faith
are cited rs specifications DIR. Briggs VII con-
duct has own defense.
In the Presbyterian church the rule b that
the accused shall be the interpreter OF bis own
words, and, If any expression OF word has two
meanings. the mllder meaning must be taken
The presbytery exercises functions similar 10
those OF a grand jury in passing upon lndict-
ments. of = judge IN deciding disputed ques-
nons arising in "a trihl and Of peut jury IN
rendering verdict
THE MEETING CALLED TO ORDER.
The meeting was called 20 order by MOD
orator Shearer in the lecture room Of the old
Scotch Church at 10 clock. The attendance
was large and included besides Prof Charles A.
Briggs. br. J. W. +. Birch and Rey. Dr. Marvin
H. Vincent. who have been pitted against each
other IN the charges of heresy against the for
mer; DIR. Mctiiyen, nr. John Hall. Dr. William
Nj. smith, Col J. j. McCook and PROT. Steven
son.
Rev. John c. Bliss, pastor of the washtugton
Heights Presbyterian Church, was chosen
moderator instead OF the liberal nominee. Dr.
Thompson OF the Madison Avenue Church Dr.
Bliss rs said to approve Dr. Briggs in 80 far ~
has resumption of his duties at the Union
Seminary is concerned. against which many
Presbyterian bodies throughout tho country
have protested.
The prosecuting committee appointed last
May to prepare papers in the trial of Prof.
Briggs formally presented it, report. embody-
ing the charges against him. They were lad
over, however, ana the first orders OF regular
business were proceeded with. These were
church sessions and the election of delegates
70 the synod.
LITTLE EXCTrrwF~T.
The report in the Briggs matter had been
laid before the meeting and routine business
was in progress, when Dr. George Alexander Of
the University Place Church moved to suspend
the regular order that he mIght present q reso-
luton IN the Briggs matter. Tins caused e,-
cItement and a dozen clergymen protested that
II was ont of order.
After the discussion had lasted some time
the moderator decided the motion in order.
Chairman Bircn Of the Briggs prosecuting
committee appealed. but the ruling WAS sus-
tained- DIR. Birch then gave notice of an ap-
peal to the synod.
Dr. Alexander was requested 10 state the
nature OF his proposed resolution. lie said it
was TO discharge the committee from further
consideration.
Friends OF DIR. Briggs protested that this was
equivalent to trial by speeches and not by
evidence. Pending debate the meeting Ad-
ioarned until pm.
The report Of the prosecuting committee
bases the accusation against Br. Briggs SOLELY
ON his ntterances in the inaugural address,
deemlng this the latest and most important Of
his declarations.