The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-12-14
DIR. BRIGGs's ANSWER.

His Response To the Charges Presented
by the Prosecuting Committee.
NEW YORK. Dec. 13.-The Briggs heresy
trial was resumed to-day. The galleries Of
the old Scotch Church were crowded and
tho attendance of the brethren forming the
court was unusually large. Among the
prominent people in the galleries was Mrs
Cleveland. wife of the Presiden t-elect, ac-
c0mpaDied by Rev. DE-. Wilton Merle
Smith, pastor of the Central Church in
West Fifty seventh street. The large at
tendance was due to the fact that DE-.
Briggs was TO answer the charges brought
against him by the prosecuting COMMITTEES.
Z Dr.. Briggs read from printed pamphlet.
He began by calling upon the judicatory to
dismiss all prejudlces from their minds and
consider the case in the spirit of Christ and
under His influence. DIR. Briggs proceeded
to consider the points of the prosecuting
the line of prosecution adopted by it was
illegal and dishonorable. The rulings
made by the judicatory precluded 10
from the line of argument pursued
and showed a contempt of the judicatory.
Ii the latter sustain their own ruling. as
they must, then these charges must be
thrown out of court Much OF Mr.. Nc
Cooks argument. said Dr. Briggs, was de-
voted to an exposition OF the fourth and
seventh charges,lwhich were ruled out By
the presby terry. BY thus defying the pres
bytery. the prosecution succeeded In the
scheme of sending to the higher court here
after an argument in support of the truth
of these two charges. The defendant argued
that no evidence had been advanced by
the prosecuting committee to sustain
Charges !. 4. 5 and z, and these charges
should be thrown out
''Mr. McCook has said that / have not
retracted any of the statements made by
me In the inaugural address" continued
DIR. Briggs. but why should IL When
Ii is shown that | have made erroneous
statements then j will retrsct. but not be-
fore. There has been no proof offered yet
that have been guilty CT heretIcal teach.
lngs. and If this were q civil court 4 should
stop right here and ask that the case be
dismissed. But ! recognize the fact that
this trial is merely for the purpose of carry
ing these charges to higher ecclesiastical
tribunal. and so | am forced 70 consider
them on their inertia"
PRESBYTERIAN LAW LAID DOWN.
DR.. Briggs then proceeded to take mp sue
and to give q categorical response. in his
argument which was remarkable for its
wide research. profound erndition and
close reasoning. Dr. Briggs first called
attention to the preliminary principles
which regulate all trials for heresy in the
Prcsby terian Church of the United States
of America. which. he said. have been en-
tirely disregarded by the prosecution in
their arguments upon the amended
charges and specifications. Presby terian
law requires that the charges should set
forth that certain teachings are In Irrecon-
cilsble conflict with certain doctrines
which are essential and necessary TO the
Westminster standards and Holy Script
ures. As to dangerous errors not in irrec.
oncilable conflict with essential and necesr
sary articles of the Westminster Confes-
sion. this presbyt terry had no conetItu-
tional right TO deal with them. There 10 q
double standard. q double rule of faith in
the Presby terian Church 1t affirms thae
Holy Scripture 10 the only infallible rule
that the Westminster Confession and cat
echisms constitute the official rule Of
faith in tho Presbyterian Church. Holy
Scripture 10 the infallible text of every
statement In the Westminster standards
ana no man can be proven guilty Of heresy
or sin who Ia not in conflict with Holy
Scripture It must be shown that the
doctrine against which the charge is made
is contrary to the Holy Scripture or TO the
regulations and practice of the church
founded thereon" The Westminster Con-
fcssion. the ecclesiastical rule Of faith.
gives an official statement of the doctrines
winch the Presbyterian Church finds in
Holy Scripture. There are'many statements
OF Holy Scripture which are not compre-
hended in the statements of the West-
minister standards, and such are not 70 be
regarded as a part of the rule of faith Of
the denomination.
The defendant next considered the sys.
tenn of doctrine. The Presby terian Church
in tho United States Of America he said.
has never attempted to set forth what are
the essential and necessary articles Of the
there is room for eonsidsfabis Differences 9