Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-12-20
pR. BRlGGSiS DEFENCE.
End of the Three Days Speech-Note
Against the Professor.

Against the Professor
lBv telegraph to tho Dispatch.l
Nrw YORK. December 19.-The Rev. DIR.
Charles A. Briggs finished his three Gays
speech before the Presbyterian Court III
the Scotch Presbyterian church today.
Tho session was longer than usual,
but the proceedings were listened
10 throughout By large NUMBER
of ladies and gentlemen. Several times
DR. Briggs was applauded, but that the
closing moments OF the session were not
favorable for DIR. Briggs was plainly eYi-
dent. and the accused flushed Win cha-
grin at the result OF q vote from MS peers
which he had demanded on an appeal from
the ruling OF the moderator.
Professor Briggs resumed ms argument
NJ Charge (, which he had reached at the
close of the last session on THURSDAY. Inc
p1st OF this charge il that DR.. Briggs had
asserted IN his inaugural that Moses wa'
NOT the author OF the Pentateucn. inns
involved a discussion Of the authenticity
of HOLY Scripture, in the course OF which
Professor Briggs reathrmed his assertion
in regard to the authorship Of the Penta-
The substance of Charge IS that Dr.
briggs had declared that Isaiah was not
the author Of the book that bears his
name. Dr. Briggs quoted very high and
ancient authority to sustain TINS stale
ment.
The defendant. with much feeling, de-
manded that he be judged by the West
minister Confession. at the same time de-
claring that the prosecution was not ouiy
inconsistent vita chapter l3 OF the Con-
fession, but IN opposition 20 the Bloie
itself
Charge was next taken up, the sense
of which Is that the accused had declared
that sanctihcatIon IS not complete az
death. which ~ contrary TO the standards
of the Church. which teaches that the
soul. or believers are once made tree III
holiness" .
The defendant said there was no proof
offered for TINS in the charge. he had de-
clared for progressive sanctilcauou, ana
he argued at length 10 show that there
was middle state. and that sanctihcat!On
conld never be complete until the day OK
resurrection.
In conclusion. DR.. Briggs SAID: have
shown that the doctrines taught by me
are not contrary 10 the Westminster Con-
fession, but that they are in accord there
with that they are not lrrecOnclable with
the Scriptures. but are the products
of comprehensive study OF the
Scriptures. They set forth doctrines
of the Bible which have been made OF
no effect by the traditions Of men. IL
snow tor the Presbytery OF New YORK 70
MAKE its decision. Ipray God you may make
no mistake, but that you may stand hrnlIy
by the Word of God and the constitution
of our Church, and so deliver righteous
verdict"
There was slight applause here. and as II
was hushed the venerable DR.. Sutton rose
and asked DIR. Briggs If he meant 70 assert
that all who died must pass through
middle state. DR.. Briggs said that ne
would not hesitate to answer. but the
moderator ruled that the time tor
asking such questions had passed.
DIR. Briggs rose and commenced TO speak,
bnt with a sharp rap of the gavel the
moderator said: "Dr. Briggs, you are out.
of order. You have had your say, and II
the ruling Is Objectionable you can APP
peal" DR.. Briggs flushed and SAID IN IN
loud tone: Then | DO appeal" The
vote was taken and the moderator was sus-
tanned by al overwhelming majority, whlch
fact met with applause.
The prosecution will commence IT'S re-
ply at Z. NJ. tomorrow.