The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-05-26
THE DIR. BRIGGS HEREsY CASE.
Impression That the Appointment Will BE
Vetoed When Called.

its labors and took up the discussion of de-
sign for the seal Of the Church where it left
OIL Saturday One party tavors cross with a
serpent twIned about IL as an emblem, while
the opp0 sition favors a representation of an
open Bible. The serpent design was
denounced as anti-biblical by Rev. Dr. Rice,
of San Francisco. Elder Junker. of Philadel-
phia. made a speech in defense of.the serpent.
The discussion waxed warm for an hour and a
half and was then put over until the after
noon.
THE BRIGGS CASE.
The report of the committee on theological
seminaries was made the first order OF the day
for Thursday morning. This will open up the
Briggs case for discussion. As rule the
members of the present Assembly are retlcent
as 20 the probabilities as to the acton on the
appointment of Briggs. Most OF them say
they are waiting TO hear the report OF the
committee on theological semlnarles. Occa-
siOnally man is found who IS ready TO ex-
press an opinion, and he usually expects the
appointment 10 be vetoed
Colonel Monfort, of the Herald and Presby
terry of Cincinnati, who probably knows the
temper Of the body as well as any man not
member of it. when asked what the assembly
would no with the appointment when report
ed, replied: Veto it. What else can be done:
If the appointment is not vetoed It Is taclt-
ly confirmed.
CANNOT WELL CONFIRM.
The Assembly cannot well confirm DR..
Briggs under existing circumstances. More
over. from what | am able TO learn. there IS
general feeling that 1t Is proper 70 veto the
appointment anv way. DR.. Patton IS keeping
his own counsel in this case. but there seems
10 be an underlined idea that he will bring for
ward some honorable plan OF compromise Tor
the present leaving the matter In the hands
of the Presbytery 10 which DR.. Briggs be
longs. II is generally believed that IN case Of
q veto the trustees of the Union Seminary
will withdraw that institution from under the
wing of the General Assembly and make 1t an
Independent college.
WORK AMONG THE FREEDMEN.
Rev. Ebenezer Erskine. chairman of the
board for work among the Freedmen, made
his report this morning. The report showed
$50 churches under boards OF control. Two
hundred churches had become selt,sustalnihg
during the year A normal training school
had been opened at Charlotte, n. {. More
funds are needed for the education of girls
Last years receipts were Sl55, 600, with which
II O29 pupis. 81 schools and l79 teachers We're
supported. vigorous appeal was made for
the encouragement of the work coupled with
"a request that the restriction as to expense be
removed.
The debate Of the seal of the Church finally
wound ND in the presentation of a dozen sug-
gestions at once.
LAMB SUGGESTED.
Elder George Dunkin of Philadelphia, who
was against the serpent and cross design,
moved TO postpone the whole matter, but the
moderator ruled him out OF order. One
brother moved 10 put the open Bible in the
blank space. and old Elder Graham of Ne
braska made the original suggestion OF sub
stituting the lamb as symbolizing theSaviour.
The whole matter was finally recommitted
for the committee 10 ponder over for another
year Rev. John Eaton opened the discus
sion on work among freemen in line with the
morning business. Before taking recess the
assembly decided to remove the financial re-
strictions which have seriously hindered the
work among the Southern negroes. The as