St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1892-12-02
ANGRY MINISTERS.
Deep Feeling Engendered Be
tween Members OF the Court
Trying Prof Smith.
DR.. Briggs Pleaded Not Guilty of
Heresy and the Prosecution
Puts in Evidence.

CINCINNATI, Dec. l. The deepest
feeling engendered since the trial OF
Prof. Smith by the Cincinnati presby-
terry was developed today. Dr. Curtis,
who has been known as one of the fore
most friends OF Prof. Smith, suggested
that Prof. Smith be allowed to answer
some new matter introduced in the Clos
ing argument of the prosecution COM
mittee by DIR. McKibben. Leave being
granted. Prof. Smith briefly explained
his meaning in the two articles cited
against him. and repeated his claim that
they did not warrant the Interpretation
put upon them by the prosecution. DR..
McKibben asked Prof. Smith what the
words meant in his pamphlet: "The
candidate does not engage to be Jealous
IN maintaining the doctrines of the
Westminster confession of faith"
"They mean what they say" said
Prof. Smith.
you heard Prof. Smith say in our
presence" replied DR.. McKibben, that
a minister need not keep his ordination
VOWS"
Instantly Dr. Curtis was on his feet
and called Dr. McKibben to order for
distorting the language OF Prof. Smith.
.'IS it caSuiStry or the gospel OF
DR.. McKibben would have Presbyterian
ministers preach?'
One member of the court wanted SER
geant- alarms appointed to promptly
exclude from the house all who made
disorderly Interruptions. The moderator
declared the entire interruption out OF
order, and DR.. McKibben concluded
his argument 1t was moved to
take up the second charge. Elder
Fulton offered as an amendment that
the presbytery first determine the first
charge. This member has been recog-
niZed as on tine side of Prof. Smith, and
1t is thought he felt hopeful that the
first charge would not be sustained, and
wanted the prestige of all acquittal be-
fore entering on the others. A motion
to table the amendment was lost-yeas
&c, nays 25.
The second charge was then taken
up. This is the vital one of the indict-
ment, as 1t relates to Prof. Smiths
views on the inspiration of the Script
ures. The charge is based OH his PAM
phlet entitled biblical Authorship and
Inspiration" which was originally read
before the presbytery during a discus
sion upon an overture to the general
assembly condemning the teaching of
Prof. Briggs, of Union Theological
seminary. Some testimony was intro
duced TO show the identity of the pam
pnlet, and that it had been extensively
circulated.
Prof. Smith cross-examined and en-
deavored to ascertain who were the au-
thors of the overture which gave rise to
his paper. The prosecution objected,
but it was overruled and the witness
answered that no one man was the au-
thor. Prof. Smith then asked who were
the authors. This brought DR.. McKlb-
ben to his feet. He said he had much
feeling in the matter, and he proposed
that if it should appear that this line of
inquiry vas intended to bring out pri-
vate matter not bearing OH the merits OF
the case, he would demaud censure of
the accused. A member Of the court
objected to this language as being
threat. Prof. Smith finally withdrew
his question.
DR.. Curtis stated that he wished to
withdraw the language used by him in
calling DR.. McKibben to order and to
been spoken. Later it was brought out
by Prof. Smith that he had in private
conversation offered to withdraw from
circulation his pamphlet if desired by
the preSbytery. but the prosecution
again objected, saying that if that was
done they would bring witnesses to
show that, while willing to suppress the
book, he was not willing to disavow its
teaching. This testimony was stricken
out. Adjourned till Monday.
New YORK, Dec. 1.-The fourth day
of the trial of Prof. Charles A. Briggs,
of the Union Theological seminary, for
heresY, was opened with prayer by Mod
orator Bliss. Dr.. j. Ford Sutton then
moved that the charges be considered
sufficient and the accused be put oil his
defense. The motion prevailed and the
trial proper began. DR.. Briggs was
asked by the moderator if he pleaded
guilty or not guilty, and he answered
not guilty.
The prosecuting committee then put
in evidence the first and second editions
of Dr. Briggs inaugural address. They
also placed in evidence all the works
of DR.. Briggs bearing upon the charges.
the Holy Scripture and the standards of
the Presbyterian church of America.
DR.. Briggs declined to present any evil
dence until he had an opportunity to
ascertain what portion of the writings
offered in evidence was to be used in
addition to that part quoted in the
amended charge. On motion of Col.
McCook, the presbytery adjourned until
Monday to give the accused time to pre-
pare his evidence.