Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1891-11-05


airy, and Henry Day, his legal adviser.
In the seat just behind him WINS Charles
III. Woodbury., another Of his counsel The
committee on prosecution, George W. f.
Birch, ID. D., chairman, sat at a table on
49, --.s-----i- e. saa s1ss fs
and specifications in the case were in the
hands of the members.
Dr. Briggs Objections.
After the opening prayer Of the mod
orator and the transaction OF routine bust
ness, DIR. Briggs caught the moderator's
eye and stepped forward with printed
copy Of his objections. As he read the
clear, concise statement Of his faith and
the objections TO the charges, his voice
held his listeners spellbound. Or. Briggs
reply covered thirty-four pages Of print
ed pamphlet. In his Introductory remarks
he said:
have no objection 20 the regularity OF the
organization or 70 the jurisdiction OF the pres
bytery Of New York but 1t is necessary, both
IN my interest and in the interest OF the order
and regularity Of the Judicial proceedings in
the prasbytery, 10 file objections to the sum
cheney Of the charges and specifications ia form
and in legal effect
II i have IN any way, directly or indirectly.
been the occasion Of disturbing the peace Of the
church deeply regret it. n have given pain
and anxiety 10 my brethren in the ministry, or
70 the people Of Christs church, by any utter
Rnces In the inaugural address | am very sorry.
But after repeated readings Of the address,
away from the seat Of strife, in a foreign land,
I cannot honestly say that there are any such
doctrinal errors in the address as the report
alleges, and al the bar OF my own Conscience
feel no guilt as regards the grave ofensa OF dis
turbinR the peace and harmony Of the church.
Charges Improperly Formulated.
DR.. Briggs then went through the list OF
a
prove they had not been properly formu-
lated. Some, be claimed, had set forth
more than one offensen Others had not
set forth "the alleged offense clearly"
while others did not charge offenses
against the cardinal principles or the
Westminster Confession. In the course
OF his speech DR.. Briggs said:
II is a fact that the inaugural address de-
clares that there are historically three great
fountainsi OF divine auth0fity--the Bible, the
church and the reason, hut specification ] Is
illegal in form, in that Il introduces an infer
ence from the fact, by the prosecution. that
cannot be recognized as either true or valid. If
they mean TO intimate that the inaugural
teaches that the church and the reason are each
alike sufficient fountains cf divine authVrity,
and that the church and the reason are no less
sufficient 70 give that knowledge Of God and
his viii which is necessary unto salvation than
holy Scripture, they infer what they have no
right to infer from anything taught in the in
augural address.
Following DR. Briggs, after a short dis
cussiOn Of parliamentary questions, came
John Stevenson, who answered the objec-
tions OF DR., Briggs Al the conclusion Of
his speech DIR. Henry Van Dyke moved
| "That, in view OF the facts presented, the
case should be dismissed" This was the
nucleus Of the resolution afterward voted
on. DIR. Van Dyke pleaded feelingly for
peace unity and purity in the church"
Not Bread, bnt stone.
What this great city wants. said DR..
| Van Dyke, sis the bread OF religion; we
are giving it the stone Of controversy aud
| Of a heresy trial" DIR. Van Dyke closed
with an eulogy on DR. Briggs as a man and
a scholar He was followed by Colonel
McCook, DR.. James H. MeIlvaine, Dr.
Sutton, DR.. Thomas Hastings, DR.. John
r. Paxton. the Rev Sidney g. Law, Dr.
Henry NJ. Field, Dr. George l.. Shearer,
DR.. William g. 4. Shedd and Professor
Brown.
Finally the vote on the resolution was
reached. When the vote was announced
/ Dr. Briggs heaved a heartfelt sigh Of relief.
The presbytery remained in session only
long enough after the verdict to listen to =
/ parting prayer by DR.. John Hall Ihen iS
| adjourned until next Monday The pros
ecuting committee can appeal TO the synod
| if It SO chooses After the adjournmens
DIR. Briggs was warmly congratulated by
his friends on the result Of the charges
against him.