Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1892-12-02
DR.. BRIGGS TRIAL
He Insists Upon the Reading Of All
Evidence in the Case,
Which includes the Bible and Score oi
Other Works.

New YoRk, Dec. 1.-The consideration
of the long series of objections filed by DIR
Chas. A. Briggs to the charges of heresy
brought against him by the prosecution
committee. was continued at today's session
of the ecclesiastical court, DIR. Alexander
"A staunch Briggs man, moved, that in view
of the defendants conditional waiver OF
charges 20 3, ) and &, the vote on these
charges be by several items. This would
meet DIR. Briggs objection that each OF
those charges really contained several
charges.
Dr. Robinson raised the point that the
majority of the presbytery might vote
against DIR. Briggs on one claim, in accord
ance with the defendants view on another
item. Who could then say whether the
charge AS awhole was proved or dismissed
Dr. Briggs said in waving the objection
that Five charges have transcribed the
nature of the original charges" that his
purpose was to save time, that his objec-
ton these insufficient in form, as the,
have alleged more than one offense," 1t,
could not waive. If he was upheld in tn,
latter course by the court he would wais,
neither objection.
Dr. Lampe said but one offense was al
legged in each charge and it was Dr. Briggs
who called separate offenses what was onl,
| so many proofs of one offense. The de
fendant denied this, and asserted that the
two distinct propositions were made on thu
first charge, "Holy Scripture is unneces
sary' is one doctrine, that it is the "Rulel
of Faith and Practice" is another.
Loud calls for the question followed, bu
DIR. George l.. Shearer insisted on bcinl
heard. lie said the motion, if passed
would effect the amendment of the charges
The question of voting on it was separated,
put and carried. DIR. Sutton moved thai
the charges and specifications be consid
cred sufficient to put the accused on the de
fence. DIR. Briggs announced that he wa
ready to go on at once. Moderator Bis
called upon the defendant to plead guilty
or not guilty.
Before | answer the question:, DR.
Briggs said. I'll must insist that all evidence
against me be read This evidence al
cited in the last charges included 'Th'
whole of said inaugural address, both hrs
and second editions, all works of said Rev
Chas A. Briggs, quoted therein, 60 far a.
bear upon his case: also the appendix t,
the second edition of said address, all work.
of sail Rev. Charles A. Briggs quoie'
therein, in so far as they bear upon thi
case; the whole of the Holy Scriptures an
the whole of the standards of the Presby
terian church in the United States o.
America"
II rise to point of information" Dr
Robinson said. ais DIR. Briggs in earnest:
To which the defendent replied that b.
was.
The moderator ruled that DR.. Rrigg
must plead to the charges at once. NO
guilty" answered DR.. Briggs.
Col McCook formally opened the cas-
against Dr. Briggs. He offered in evi'ienc
the book cited above and submitted cope
of the same. In regard to the reading Col
McCook said as there was no proyision il
the book to the contrary, DIR. Briggs nigh
demand the reading of the evidence at t!r
proper time. The leader of the prosec,i
ton announced that its evidence hayinI
been submitted, Dr. Briggs should be calle'
upon to submit his.
To this the defendant strenously objected
Moderator Bliss ruled that the proseciitiol
should go on. Col. McCook showed fron
the book Of discipline that the moderate
was in error, and the decision was reversed
Dr. Briggs had an exception recorded
| THE prosecuting committee" Mr.. Nc
| Cook declared, ''has not desired to take ad
vantage of DIR. Briggs misunderstanding o
/ the direction of the book, and will, there
! fore, ask that he be allowed sufficient, tim
| to bring in the evidence that he would OF
| fer Adjournment was taken until Mon
, day afternoon.