Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-05-31
THE VETO OF BRIGGS
Is Still the Subject of Much Discus
sion in the Assembly.
GREAT SURPRISE AT THE VOTE
1t Is Believed That Union Seminary Will
Accept the Verdict.
NEXT ASSEMBLY AT PORTLAND, OREGON

the results and possibilities of the action in
the Briggs case. The overwhelming ma
jority against the New York professor con-
tinued to be matter of surprise to all par
ties Everybody seems to be good-tempered
and there is no indication of possible divis-
ion in the Church. Men who voted for DIR.
Briggs are now explaining their position.
They were fearful they would be misunder-
stood had they voted against DIR. Patton s
report, and having voted for it, they fear
they are now misunderstood by those with
whom they had labored so hard for no ac-
tion.
1t is generally believed Union Seminary
will bow to the inevitable and accept the de-
cision of the Assembly as final. DIR. Park
hurst says i'm an interview that the New
York Presbytery is often like bear garden,
but there was only one ugly thing said
during the debate in the Assenibly-that by
Colonel McCook, and it was Immediately
recalled. "Nine-tenths of those who voted
against DIR. Briggs said he, "did so, not
because of any definite charge of heresy,
but because of the atmosphere of the en-
vironment of what he has written.
They Need Diagram.
ga small thing seen in a fog is more
threatening than a larger thing seen in the
light. DR. Briggs views expressed in a
clear and distinct form would have excited
no debate. They need missionary for the
higher criticism. 1t is higher criticism that
teaches that Paul did not write Hebrew.
They think it is antagonistic to Scripture,
whereas it is intelligence applied to the
material of the Word of God, and ,not in
tended to knock the Bible all to flinders"
''The majority were right" continued DR..
Parkhurst, lin their position that it was veto
now or never" He makes no specific
predictions as to the future.
DIR. Philip Schaff, one of the devoted
adherents of DR.. Briggs, said this morning:
CDR. Worcester's address on the Briggs
case was the wisest, the most moderate, and
the most judicious delivered in the Assem-
bly,. 1t had gospel as well as law; it had
mercy and equity, as well as justice. If
adopted, his resolutions would probably
have led to q peaceful settlement of the
Union Seminary would receive such com-
mittee of conference as he proposed with
great courtesy and respect, and agree to any
reasonable adjustment of the difficulty.
A Great Legal Argument.
eff the vote had been taken Immediately
after. Dr. Worcester's speech, the vote
against the majority report would have
been much stronger. I heard one of the
best lawyers in the city speak of it in the
highest terms, simply from q legal point
of view. But the Assembly has adopted
the report of President Patton with an over
whelming majority, as the best course in its
Judgment, and it may prove to be so in the
end
every good Calvinist who believes il
foreordination will serenely submit to the
decision, knowing that God rules and ever
rules all things, even the sins and follies of
men, for His own glory and the advances
ment of His kingdom Princeton and Union,
1 trust, which were formerly the best
terms, are only temporarily alienated, will
be united again on. the basis of revised
Confession of Faith, which will engage the
next General Assembly,, 8
1T takes more grace to stand a victory
than defeat. Nothing does a man so much
good as to be hLmbled and reminded of his
insignifcance. Men are but shadows which
pass away; institutions or churches remain.
No man can forecast the future.
The Action of Union.
''The directors of Union Seminary may
submit or net; may accept or reject the
resignation of DIR. Briggs, which is now in
position as Davenport Professor of Hebrew,
since the Assembly ha4only vetoed his
transfer to the Chair of Hiblical Theolo gy;
or he may resign; or he nhy absent himself
year in Oxford, to finish with Dr. Brown
and Prof Driver (the Successor of DR..
Pusey). the new edition of Robinson's He
brew Lexicon. He sails his very day in
the Umbria for England p join his col
league DR.. Brown, Of Oxford"
When the Assembly began business to.
day, the Committee on Bills and Overtures |
made partial report. It reported in favor
of the adoption Of rule requting that all
labor once year should be plsced' upon
reserved list. Adopted. Several other |
overtures of minor Importance were adopted |
and some rejected.
On the overture of the Presbytery of |
Stockton, asking that none of the tboardsaof |
the Church be allowed to retire Secretaries |
on salary, the Committee on 0vertures |
that no action be taken, as it |
was the business of the board The Rev. |
George w. Lyons, of Stockton, opposed the |
report. The action in retiring secretary
on salary was unjust to the old ministers, |
who could only receive $500 PET year
Service Pension Talk.
Kilian Van Rensselaer, said he was sorry
he could not make a speech, and wished he
cOulu. lut hcN' NcoISe W. AyOus uuuresS
was as cold as ice. He felt that the poor
old Secretary of Foreign Missions (Dr
Lowrie's case) should be made an exception.
There was considerable discussion,A which
took on the form of service pension talk,
and the report was recommitted to thk Com
mittee on Bills and Overtures.
A telegram of congratulation was received
from the Assembly of the United Pksby-
terian Church. The Rev. B. E. S. Et,, D.
D., of Iowa, from the Committee ot Co.
operation, reported that where there}were
weak churches it would be of great Hneft
in saving the money of the Assemble and
building up religious life where it couA not
otherwise be maintained The com1ittee
1ad not secured the data necessary to bake
IN absolute recommendation as to, What
should be done, but felt that the Assembly
should adopt resolution against the ntllti-
plying of churches in small towns bt de-
holding substantially the ame
aith. Church comfy should forbid kuch
lction. The report was referred the
Special Committee on Church Unity.
The place of meeting for the next Ass Inn
,ly called forth a food Of Western oratkry.
Dr. Rice, of San Francisco advocated 1.-THE
laims of that city, booming California lem
.rally.. DIR. Ormiston, of the Pacific LAST, |
leld San Francisco was the only place be
hought Of, as Portland was only vi4age.
Portland Wins the Day.
The Rev. Arthur j. Brown extended an
Eloquent invitation to the Assemble to i
ome to Portland. It was the great ltme1
Missionary field of the Presbyterian Cht,ch,
nd that cause would get great imIttus |
rom meeting of the Assembly in hSPa-
iic Northwest Portland was selected by
N overwhelming vote. which was made