The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1892-12-06

NEW OHk, OeC. O.--fOE tue uIst
time since the ecclesiastical court Of
honor, where DR.. Briggs is on trial for
heresy, was convened, the merits OF the
case against the defendant weso dis
cussed to-day. All the objections filed
by DR.. Briggs had been disposed of at
the previous sessions and the support
ers and opponents alike OF the defend
ant expressed extreme qualification
that the decks had at last been cleared
for action. When the arguments had
subsidized Colonel McCook said he had
circumstantial evidence to offer in be-
half of the prosecution. To this DIR.
Briggs intorposed no objections, and
the evidence was received. DR.. Briggs
was asked by the moderator to submit
his evidence. 1t was even more vol
luminous than that brought against him.
The defendant, like his adyersaries,
offered in evidence the whole Of the
Holy Scriptures, the King James, the
Hebrew, Greek and revised English
versions. The defendant also put in
the whole OF the standard OF the church,
and the whole OF the inaugural address
in all its editions, prefaces and APP
pendixes. The copy OF the last section
OF the address was placed in the hands
OF each member OF court.
At4:15 DR.. Briggs concluded reading
his evidence. When he had finished
Col. McCook again arose and insisted
that 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 Col. McCook's interpreta-
ton OF the Book" The "BooE" did
not provide for administering any oath
upon the submission Of mere documen-
tary evidence.
Dir. Briggs said: II fully realize the
purpose Of the prosecution. want to
get the advantage OF cross-examining
me before l have submitted my own
oral evidence. This is the most out
rageous course OF conduct l have ever
heard proposed. [Applause;
Col. 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 doubt my honor you may do
so, but have done all I shall do in this
matter" said the defendant.
"We don't doubt it, but we wish to
proceed in order" exclaimed the
colonel, quickly.
Briggs distinction between oral and
documentary evidence was well taken,
and succeeded in bringing down an ava
lanche OF applause and some hisses,
both from the body of the hall aud the
"If this exhibition is repeated, shall
insist that the galleries be cleared" ex-
claimed DR.. Payson, jumping to his
feet.
Colonel McCook offered an exception
to the moderator's decision and DIR.
Francis Brown moved that the decision
be accepted as that OF the presbyterY.
His motion was carried by large ma
jority.
prosecuting committee, opened the case
ior the prosecution. He began the
reading OF the long document, the first
part Of which was devoted to reviewing
the history of the case. The prosecu-
ton would show, he said, that the
teachings Of DR.. Briggs were life stab,
a life stroke at the Westminster stand
ards. There was a difference between
cutting minute vein and main artery.
DR.. Briggs cut the artery OF Presby-
terianism,
.echarges" it was decided to take re.
cess until tomorrow, as the s o'clock
limit was nearly up. Tomorrow charges
one and two will be tnken up.