Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-12-06
BETTER FOR BRIGGS.
Moderator Bliss Ruling in His
Favor Emphatically Indorsed.
THE GALLERIES APPLAUD HIM.
Charges Nos. / and 2 Will BE Next Consid-
cred by His Prosecutors.
A VOTE IN THE SMITH CASE TO-DAY

NEW YORK, Dec. 5-For the first time
since the ecclesiastical court, where DIR.
Briggs is on trial for heresy, was convened
the merits of the case against the defendant
we're discussed to-day. All the objections
filed by Dr. Briggs had been disposed of at
the previous sessions, and the supporters
and opponents alike Of the defendant ex-
pressed extreme qualification that the decks
had at last been cleared for action. When
the arguments had subsided, Colonel Nc
Cook said he had some additional evidence
to offer in behalf of the prosecution. To
this DR.. Briggs interposed no objections,
| and the evidence was received.
DR.. Briggs was asked by the Moderator
| to submit his evidence. 1t was even more
voluminous than that brought against him.
| The defendant, like his adversaries, offered
in evidence the whole of the Holy Script
ures, the King James, the Hebrew, Greek
| and revised English versions. The defend
ant also put in the whole of the Standard OF
the Church and the whole of the inaugural
address in all its editions, prefaces and ap-
pendex. The copy of the last edition OF
the address was placed in the hands OF each
member of the court.
| Colonel McCook Insists on Detail
At Ais Dr. Briggs concluded reading
from his evidence. When be had finished,
Colonel McCook again arose and insisted
that the defendant be sworn as to the testi-
mony he had read, in conformity with the
"Book." DR.. Briggs replied by saying
that there might be difference between the
''Book" and Colonel McCook's interpreta-
tion of the "Book." The "Book" did not
provide for administering any oath upon
the submission of mere documentary evil
dsnce. DR.. Briggs said:
fully realize the purpose Of the prosecu:
tion. 1t wants to get the advantage OF
CT closs-examininI me befors have submitted
my own oral evidence. This Is the most
outrageous course of conduct 1 have ever
heard proposed. tApplause.]
Colonel McCook did not think it was an
outrage. However, he was disposed to
waive that point, but would like to have his
exception saved.
"If you dohbt nv honor you may do so,
but have done all shall do in this mat
ter" said the defendant.
NO." said the doctor; "not for a moment.
We don't do that; but we wish to proceed
in order," explained the Colonel quickly.
DIR. Briggs Wins a Point.
Moderator Bliss decided that DR.. Briggs
distinction between oral and documentary
evidence was well taken, and succeeded by
it in bringing down an avalanche of ap-
plause and some Kisses, both from the body
of the hall and from the galleries.
"If this exhibition is repeated 1 shall in
sist that the galleries be cleared, exclaimed
DR.. Payson, jumping to his feet.
The Moderator warned the visitors in the
gallery that they must not applaud. Col
onel McCook offered an exception then to
the Moderator's decision, and DR.. Francis
Brown moved that the decision be accepted
as that os the Presbytery. His motion was
carried by large majority.
DR.. G. w. Birch, a layman of the Prose-
cutting Committee, opened the case for the
prosecution. He began the reading Of
long document. the first part Of which was
devoted to reviewing the history of the
case The prosecution would show, he
said, that the teachings of DR.. Briggs are
life-stsb, life-stroke at the Westminster
Sta idards. There is a difference between
cutting a minute vein and main artery.
DR.. Briggs cut the artery of Presbyteri-
anism.
When DR.. Birch had arrived at the
hcharges," it was decided to take a recess
until tomorrow, as the s o'clock limit was
nearly ur. Tomorrow charges 1 and 2will
be taken up.
Fight From the Start in Smiths Case.
- A dispatch from Cincinnati says: The
trial of Prof Henry Preserved Smith was
resumed by the Cincinnati Presbytery this
morning. A motion to excuse Rev. Mr..
Carson for absence at the last session re-
ceived one negative vote. This led DR..
McKibben, of the prosecution, to give
notice that hereafter the strict rule would
be applied to the defense, that now some
induced against the prosecution. He lnti-
mated that the vote against Rev. ME Car
son was because he was counted among
those favoring the prosecution. The men,
Der who voted against excusing Rev. MIR.
Carson said he would withdraw the vote.
Prot. Smith said that, the prosecution
having offei ed in evidence portions of his
printed response and rejoinder to the
charges against him, he desired permission
to offer the entire document. DR.. McKib-
ben insisted that if he did he must go upon
the stand, be sworn and submit to cross
examination. Prof Smith said he offered
this evidence as an attorney directing his
own case, and he maintained that when a
portion of document is introduced by one
side the other has the right to introduce the
whole of it
Decided Against the Professor.
A long discussion followed. The Prose-
cution Committee withdrew the insinua-
tions that they had made from the docu-
ment in evidence, and the Moderator then
ruled that Prof.. Smiths request could not
be granted. An appeal was taken, but the
Moderator was sustained and an exception
was noted.
The testimony for the prosecution was
then read to sustain the second and third
charges, which accuse Prof. Smith of deny
ing the inspiration of the writers of the
Scriptures to the extent of making the
utterances tree from error when interpreted
in their natural and intended sense, and of
denying that the Scriptures are inspired in
the sense in which the Scriptures them
selves define inspiration, or as it is defined
by the Confession of Faith. The reading
was from Prof Smiths pamphlet and from
the Scriptures.
Elder Shields and Dr. Lowe began the
argument for the prosecution. A vote may
be reached tomorrow.
Cleveland Presbytery on the Overtures.