The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-10-25

ress of the trial there will doubtless be n
question raised, which the moderator will
have to decide. 1t must be remembered
that this is the first important trial under
the new book of discipline prepared i'll
1884. The Swing trial occurred ten years
before that date. In that case, after the
arguments of counsel had been made, each
presbyter was given ten minutes in which
to express what was officially called an
opinion. It is thought by some that such a
course will be followed in this case. but
others say it is not in accord with the new
book of discipline. some of the best in
formed of the clergy have told me that the
new pool would be oil trial itself. and
might be convicted of many errors, for it
was somewhat hastily put together, and will
doubtless permit of no end of what might
be called appeals on technical points.
But whether the arguments are made in
open or private session, by counsel or ac~
cused or jurymen. they will have knotty
points to deal with. II is quite possible
that DR.. Briggs may attempt to introduce
the series of questions and answers which
is now known as his cateohism, in eluoida-
which must thus arise may be imagined
after the contemplation of two such pas
sages as these: 1.-THE bugbear of a judg-
ment Immediately after death \ y Il -
should be banished from the world"
(From the inaugural address. DO you
D6lloV6 uudb Uu6 ISbucb vi Ills 1llO 1lit
and that a man who dies ~impenitent will
have no further use of salvation? Answer
Yes" (From the Briggs catechism.)
Upon such nice points must the judica-
tory pass. It will consider each of the
charges and specifications separately, and
or acquits. As is we'll known, there are two
charges. The first alleges that the inau-
gural address cannot be reconciled with
a belief that the Bible is the only infallible
rule of faith and practice. Under this
there are seven specifications. They deal
chiefly with DR.. Briggs famous diction
that there are histo ically three great
fountains of divine authority--the Bible.
the church and the reason" The second
charge attacks his doctrine of progressive
sanctifioation. There is one specification.
Nobody can say how the vote will stand.
It is unwise to take as q guide the result of
the contest in the meeting of the presbytery
on October +. There an amendment to
the commlttee's report ordering the trial
was under consideration. The amendment
would have prevented the trial. Fifty
ministers and twelve elders voted for he
amendments; ffty-four ministers and
twenty elders voted against it. I have
voted against the amendment did 80 I'M
der the impression that he was pronouncing
against q trial. If he had recorded his
true sentiment the vote would have been a
tie. Its meaning is no more h this: that
there is q pronounced hesitancv to con-
denim DR.. Briggs. His friends believe that
he will win in the trial before the presby-
terry; some of them think he will succeed
with the synod; out nobody has any idea
that the general assembly will sustain an
acquittal. That the case will be appealed
to the highest tribunal nobody seems to
doubt. Some of those who oppose DIR.
Briggs most strongly think that in this case
tho Swing trial may be duplicated; that is,
tho p~resbytery may acquit and the synod
reverse the Judgment, DR.. Briggs will not
follow the Rev. MIR. SWINGS example. He
will not Withdraw. He will sec the fight
through to the end, and that will not be
result before the presbytery, | believe that
he confidently expects an aoouittal.
There Ia one possibility Of which | have
not spoken. When the iudicatory meets
on Nov. 4, DR.. Briggs may take exception
To the charges or may allege some erfor i'll
the preliminary proceeding. In that event
the iudicatory, Ii 1t thinks his point we'll
taken, may throw tho case out of court.
and then it will have to be done all over
again. a4A ..
The Briggs controversy has not produced
any very naticeablo effect upon the Union
Theological seminary. There will be u fow
more students this year than last, though
the entering GLASS Ia II little smaller, The
the seminary. and there are more graduate
students than formerly. The feeling
among the students ID strongly In favor OF
DIR. Briggs. II this ID especially true of
upper class men. The total number re-
ceiving religious instruction in the semi
Nays handsome building on Lenox hill,
Park avenue, is about l60. 1t il notable,