The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1892-06-04
BRIGGS CASE.
Majority and Minority Reports
Discussed by the Pres
byterian Assembly.
A Resolution Giving the Semi
nary Privilege to With
draw Defeated.

PORTLAND. Or, May 31.-The mayor of
Portland addressed the Presbyterian as
sembly this morning. After unimportant
business Judge Ewing introduced the fol-
lowing resolution in the Briggs case. 1t is
mainly formal, and it is only important i'll
its workings:
The general assembly having on the goth day
OF Nav, 1892, duly'sustained specifications for
error alleged and set forth i'll the appeal and
specifications in the case. it is now ordered
that the Judgment OF the Presbytery of New
York, entered Diminishing the case OF the Pres
bytererlan church in the United States OF
America against Rev. Charles A. Briggs,
DID,. be and the same IS hereby
reversed and the case is remanded to the
presbytery OF New York for a new trial. with di-
rectlons to the said presbytery to proceed ana
pass upon and determine the sutticiency OF
the charges and specifications i'll the
form and legal effect, and to permit
prosecuting committee to amend the specifca-
lions on charges. not changing to generalnature
of the same, il in furtherance OF justice it he
necessary to amend SO that it may be brought
to oh issue and tried on the merits thereof
speedily and may be practible.
The supplementary report was read, Sew
eral changes were made from the former re-
port. among them q recommendation to
enjoin the presbyteries to see that the
students under their care be pre-
pared for their sacred office in
the scminaries and under teachers who
are under the oversight and direction OF
the assembly, and that the board OF educa-
ton be directed to restrict the %appropria-
tons for the education Of the students to
those who are pursuing their studies i'll
such institutions.
WANT THE SEMINARY BoiCOTTED.
This is aimed at the Union seminary and
puts OH that institution a boycott. as was
torcibly stated burning the ensuing discus
sion. With regard to the semin-
airy direct us to the identity
of transfers ind original appoint
ments in the case of professors, it is recom-
mended that the general assembly is con-
strained to insist upon its ;n;erpreta-
ton of the terms of the compact as
given by the assembly at De.
troit. The report recommends a mega
tive answer to the memorial Of the Union
seminary directors asking the cooperation
of the general assembly in severing its con-
ncction. 1t recommends the adoption ola
resolution declaring that the assembly
recognizes the status quo as to
the difference of Interpretation and
agreed to refer the differences in the inter
probation as to trans ers, to a committee OF
arbitration. five to be appointed by the
Union seminary, these ten to select i've
others.
The minority report recommends that the
Union seminary be given liberty to honor
ably withdraw from the compact
OF 1870. and that a committee 10
be appointed by the assembly to con
Ter with all the theological scminaries
now Under its supervision, touching the re-
views as to the agreement of 1870 and II
new agreement they may devise. and
SO formulate a new agreement. adapt
ed to happily unite all seminar
les under such general supervision.
by the general assembly as will tend to
sa. ETY. IN the church and efficiency in her
work, the same to be submitted to the gen
eral assembly of 1885.
PROPOSED AMENDMENT.
DR.. BlayneY OF kentucky proposed as a
substitute to the previous reports a set OF
eight resolutions, which borrowed from
part OF the majority report and
s9aieions! T They r %oa'1'fa''e'' w ans
seconded as an amendment and Il discus
sion OF the whole subject proceeded. a
large number Of spcakers beng heard. DIR.
Taylor, the Trainer Of the minority
report, in his argument said
the Union seminary has a perfect
right to ask to be relieved. because there is
no legal basis for the agreement and its ex-
perience has not been particularly pleas
ing. He said the best way to keep
is ise to Se'' relax the authority Of
the assembly rather than draw the reins
tighter. DIR. Lapman OF New Jersey ere
ated a stir by his speech, in which he said:
What i object to is that youshould come with
a flag OF truce sin one hand and Il club i'll the
other to be at out the brains of the institution.
These words he was called upon to re-
tract, but the moderator i~nterposed. inter
pretiny the words as 81 figurative expression
of his opinion. The morning hour having
expired the discussion went over.
In the afternoon the report OF the COM
mttee OH Sabbath observance was consid-
cred Tor the second time. The Assem- bly,
entered a protest against the OPEN
ing OF the worlds lair OF Sum
day. The committee on bulls and
overtures recommended a denial o. the re-
quest OF several r~resbytcries Tor a shorter
tatechism. The report on temperance caused
considerable discussion. Prohibition was
not mentioned by name though practically
the same thing was endorsed. A lengthy
report on the deaconess question closed
with q proposal OF three alternative over
lures to the presbyteries looking toward
the establishment Of the order. Adopted.
A TALK BY THE~MoDERAToR.
The discussion on theological seminaries
was resumed this evening. The moderator
took the floorto advocate asubstitute offered
BY Dr.. Green of New York. The vote was
taken on the first portion Of the
minority report, allowing the union se semi
roar, a few voting in favor. The re.
mainder of the report was then voteddow
and DR.. Green's substitute adopted. 1t is
substantially as follows:
The assembly endorses the Interpretation Of
the compact OF 1870 as expressed by the action
of 1871; declines to BIZ q party to the breaking
OF the compact with the union semtn-
AIRY; is persuaded the church should have
direction and control over its theological semi.
naries; that the committee Of fifteen be ap-
pointed to take into consideration the whole
subject Of relation Of the assembly to
theological seminaries and report to
the next general assembly. such action as It
thinks will result in closer relations. the COM
mittee Of conference appointed last year to be
dismissed.