New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-05-23
THE PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY.

PERPLEXITIES OF THE BRIGGS CASE-REvLSI0N
NAY BE SHELvED At PORTLAND.
Portland, Ore. May % (SpeclaD.- scemngly perfect
have been the DAYS since the Presbyterian Assembly
opened, to-day surpasses them all. All the churches
have been filed and were standing at the First
Church, where the young moderator preached on
Jesus Christ In the Character Of Divine Teacher"
There apparent reference to existing discus:
sions in tn Church, except when, referring to tho
ibIc the speaker said, every uttcronce Of which Is
the very mind Of God" such definitions OF insprar
ton satisfied oil classes. Tho Rev. Dr. Thompson, Of
NewYork, himself former moderator CT the Assembly,
assisted In the services. lie says Ike people think be
Is Dr. Briggss counsel. but this is great mistake.
But will you stard by him In this contesti' was
asked.
THAT Is a different thing
Complicated the case OF DR.. Briggs ut New.
York, and later at Detroit there Is probability Of tho
perpexiiy Increasing herr. Three committees have
features Of II under review, though reference u
has been made Oh the floor OF the Assembly. Tho
Committee izlls and Ovcrtures Is discussing three
Glasses Of overtures, the first dealing with the famous
inaugural address OF DR.. Bncgs. This class the co1D
mlttee may prepare paper upon Independent OF the
hecsy trial. In the early part Of the century, In
similar case, where Davls's book found to be
r,ncons the Assembly bore testimony a,lnst the booI
The second class Of overtue bcfre tho COMMITTEES deals
with tho appeal from the New York presbytcy. These
has also The appeal brought by Dr. Birch from New
York. The third class relates to tho teachings In
Union and other theological scminarics. These are
referred TO the ScmDa:tcs Committee, which has the
report CT Union seminary 10 the Assembly. DR..
Radcliffe Of Detroit, the ch3irman. Il liberal In his
views, but IS not n Briggs He h, de-
fca,ed 10" moderator because Of fac story that he
had made agreements with the Union Seminary people.
The chairman OF the SemInaiics Committee Dr. Mulch.
more, OF Philadelphia, Is pronjlncsd conservative.
but four oi his fourteen associates arc eluiy sroagy
pronounced on the other SIDE The chairman OF tho
Judicial Committee Is considered most Important tbs
year. Chairman T. Raston smith. OF Buffalo. Is q
conservative, though formerly NcwSch,oi man, Q
member OF the controlling body OF Auburn Seminary
and recently Moderator OF the synod OF New.York.
Four strong Briggs men this committee also.
The present Assembly may remand the Briggs case to
his own presbytcry, may try ii on its merits before
judicial commissioners, may arrange the preim,
narcs and refer the 10 the next Assembly.
Revision comes up tomorrow and Il lively limo Is
expected. Dr. Roberts, chairman OF the committee
and formerly president OF Lake Forest University. VIII
present his report and make earnest speech in
nd, ocating IL. DR.. George Jnnkin, "A Piila1elphia
awycr viii the reference of the report 10 q
next year, thus ,cialiy della ing, II etectia,ly
shelving. revision. feeling prevails that If this
technically succeeds n new Creed Committee NAV DO
appointed this year and that the Westminster standards
themselves will be Shevcd every where, except at
Princeton and Philadelphia.