New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-12-06

PROFESSOR FRANCIS BROWN.
.,n,ine and the Directory for Worship Colonel
McC,ook handed TO the clerk several OF DIR. Brggss
works. "Whither,n Biblical Study" "Messianic
Pronhecys and "The Magazine of Christian
Literature"
DR. Briggs then submitted his evidence. which
consisted Of the Scriptures in Hebrew, Greek and
English. the latter being tho revised ana
authorized versions, the Standard of the lrespy-
teran Church. the several editions Of his Inaugural
Address. a Confession of Faith published in
1868. the minutes of the Westminster Assembly
U644-l GAO, the minutes of the General Assem-
bly of tho Presbyterian Church N'o9-l e92l, the
minutes of the Presbytcry Of New-lo rk, the
stenographic minutes OF the PreShytery on octoocr
and November 4, 1891, the official stcno-
graphic minutes of the General Assembly. May ~
30. 1892 DR.. Schafl's Crccds Of Chrs,endom,
and all Of his own published works so far as
they relate to the present case. Besides the
volumes already narcd, DR.. Briggs read from an
address delivered i'll October. 1876, Wien he
became Davenport Professor OF Hebrew at Union
Seminary. from several articles in The PresDy-
terrain Review from his American Presby-
tcrianism," and The Bible, the Church and the
Reason He also submitted DR.. Shields " Dog
matte Theology DIR. Schals Church History,
DIR. Strong's Systematic Theology, and gave
long list of writers, ancient and modern, with
the books or articles that he desired considered
AS competent testimony: IN this list are articles
by Dr. Shedd ard DR. W. ii. Green. the latter
the moderator of the General Assembly last year
at Detroit. John Calvin is another witness sum
moned for the defence
DE- BRIGGS CRIES OUT FOR JU:T1CE
After DR.. Briggs had finished submitting his
evidence Colonel McCook, for the prosecution, suS-
sested that the oath Of affirmation provided for
in Section 81, of the Book of Discipline, should
lie administered TO DR.. Briggs by the Moderator
in regard to the evidence introduced from the
writings of DR.. Briggs. c. H. Woodbury., Dr.
Parkhurst's elder. interposed question, but Or
G. s. Robinson raised the point Of order that only
the parties DR. Briggs and the Prosecuting Com
mittee could lie heard at present Or. Bliss sus-
tanned Dr. RobiDsons suggestion.
Dr. Briggs for the first time seemed to lose his
temper when Colonel McCoolS insisted on ruling
from the Moderator in regard 10 administering
the OATH lie declared that he read the section
in the Book of Discipline different than the COM
mittee did The section referred 10 oral, not TO
documentary evidence, he said, and continued;
Must ] say more to expoee the injustice and
wrong and outrage, which il is proposed to in
fict upon me-"
Hearty applause from floor and gallery told the
effect produced by this question, but DR.. Bliss
insisted that no applause could be permitted
member gave notice that if the offence were re-
peated lie should move to have the gallery cleared
Colonel McCook reiterated his remark that the
committee did not intend TO take advantage Of DR.
Briggs, but 10 have a decision from the Moder-
a,or. in order that if the decision were adverse
the committee could take an exception. Dr.. Bliss
decided that as the evidence was documentary
the oath need not be administered. Colonel Nc
Cook entered the exception. and the evidence as
submitted by the defendant was voted "compe-
tent" by the Prcshytcry The effect of the oath
would have been TO place DR.. Briggs on the witness
stand, and it was against this act of Injustice
that he protested so vigorously. The following
is the oath:
You soemny promise in the presence 81 tho omnlsccnt
and h'arscarchng God. that you VIII declare tho truth
whole truth. and nothing but the truth. according TO
tho Of your knowledge In the matter In which you
are called to testify sou shall answer 10 the great
Judge Of quick and dad.
DIP. BIRCH BEGINS HIS ARGUMENT.
Tie opening address was made by the chair
man OF the prosecuting committee DR.. q. w. +.
Birch The pastor OF the Bethany Church. lie
read for twenty minutes, giving brief history
Of the case from the delivery Of the inaugural
address on January 20, 1891, 70 the presentation
Of the charges After reading the introduction
recess was taken until this afternoon. II is eX-
pectcd That the committee VIII occupy tnt 'Hhi'
session and that Dr. Briggs will begin his defense
tomorrow After lie has finished the prosecu-
ton will reply and then both parties and the
visitors will be excused from attendance until the
decision is reached
DR.. Birch read deliberately and effectively, mar
rating the several steps The attempt to dismiss
the case against Dr. Briggs year ago, based
upon the categorical questions submitted TO the
professor by the Union Seminary directors, DR..
Birch pronounced IAN attempt on the part OF
those who supported it 10 spring the categorical
catechism upon the Presbytery iinality II
was simply an interference in Judicial procee1-
ings which the Frcsbytery had begun, by body
of men the Union Seminary directors who are
TO Presbytery at all, a church court Of any
degree Who authorized the Board of Directors
TO ask tlio.e questions? Who gives authority or
pcrtinencc TO either questions answers?
Clearly this is a bit Of by play with which
this court has nothing to do"
THE GEAvAMEN OF THE CHARGES.
After commenting DR.. Hriggss reference in
one OF his books 10 the General Assembly. which
framed the present constitution Of the Amcrcaii
Presbyterian Church, in 1888, DR.. Brcl. said
LIT this NeDc allie understand that the grayaIne1
OF the charges pccG ao1s reported by the Pros,cut
ing Committee lies the affirmed by the Sajori.y re-
Inquiry. whose recommendation
was adopted by the Peslytsy April 49, 1891 AnDpunc'
ing the result Of comparison OF the Inaugural Address
with the Westminster onfcssion the Committee OF In
quiry declared that after making due allowance for oil
reasonable latitude OF pctlton" the Adires does
conflict with the Confession Indeed the reason VI The
appointment Of this Prosecuting Committee was the con-
enen Of the Presbycry that the Inaugural Address as
v"d s"irt and temper, was transg'e''"n ~ all