The morning call., 1892-05-22
THE BRIGGS HERESY CASE.
It Nav Cause the PFesbyterianS Seine
Serious Trouble Yet.
A DISAGREEMENT In THE COMMITTEE.
There Has 10 Session ef tie Assembly at Portland
Yesterday, but There Will Be Exciting
Work When Ii Meets.
A DISAGREEMENT IN THE COMMITTEE.
Special TO THE MoRSING CALL

PORTLAND, Oregon, May 2i.-There was
DO session OF the Presbyterian General As
sembly to-day. Many Of the commissioners
left the cilvon an excursion up the Columbia
River to the Cascades,
1t las been difficult to get any trustworthy
information as 10 the working of the various
standing committees into whose hands the
burning questions OF the day are to come.
Individual opinions from men outside the
committees can be had for the asking, but
that is mere talk. though it enables one to
gain some idea Of the general drift OF senti-
ment It is learned, however, that the
judicial committee, before which the Briggs
neresy case IS TO come, and upon whose ind-
ings and recommendations the assembly Will
be called to act, is by no means unanimous,
and cannot be brought to a unit on its find
iugs. There will certainly be minority
report, ana it will he in favor Of the appel
liant In the case. AmembeT Of this minority
has stated that not only was the committee
not likely 10 agree in its findings but that 1t
was likely to be quite discOTdant in Its rec
concentrations. The question present TO
be considered is not on the merits OF the
case but only upon the technicallties To-
volyed.
A prominent official contends that the
only question to be decided by the commit
tee is as to whether the appeal is in order
and to report its findings, 10 arrange the
papers and to prescribe mode Of pro-
cedure The member mentioned above
went on 70 criticize the work OF the mod
orator in appointing such a committee, and
when asked what that meant said that the
majority should at least have been con-
Notwithstanding that conservative
meant anti-Briggs. What this meant when
the question is strictly one Of law and not
r Il atrfu mn hg q 8 Y
planned at length.
The position Of many on the questions at
issue between tue Union Seminary and the
assembly was expressed by one VINO re-
marked: Il could grow eloquent, had the
ability. on the history OF this seminary. We
honor love and esteem It, and our highest
desire is to save il to the church, but We
want 10 get rid of Briggs"
When asked what would be done If both
could not be attained. he remarked that IL
was an unpleasant alternative. As was evil
dent at Detroit the fear OF losing tie SEMI
nary is the only restraining infueuce at
work. Even the safeguards Of cOnStItu-
tonal rights would not avail with men thus
minded.
The appellants in the Briggs case are
leaving no stone uHturned, and aUe sDaring
no expense 10 gain their end. They have
caused all their documents to be printed IN a
stout octave volume. including the records
of the PresbyteTy touching the case, the ap-
peal aud various other papers. These
volumes are kept securely guarded, SO that
they Will not fall into the hands OF others
until the matter has been daily presented in
open session.
The coming OF DR.. Briggs, which was an
n0Uneed several days ago, caused some stir
at the time, but all have now settled hack
into a state Of quiet expectancy. Why he
was coming was a problem hard Of solu-
tiOn to many, but it seems evident that his
reasons were we'll taken. He will have to
appear before the assembly to show cause
decided that the appeal is q judicial
case" and if that position is assumed be is
the only man who has right to appear on
the floor
If it IS decided that it is not a judicial
case and that appeal does not lie, or that it
has been improperly taken. he will have
made bis journey in vain.