The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-11-30
VICTORY FOR PROF. BRIGGS
Two of the Heresy Charges Against Him
Eliminated by New York Presbytery.
Tordy War Between DR.. McKibbon and Prof.
McGiffut at the Trial of Rev. IL. I.
Smith Before Cincinnati Presbytery.

the New York Presby terry. which Is trying
Prof. Charles A. Briggs for heretical teach
ings. were interesting to-day. DIR. Briggs
friends and opponents alike realized that q
crisis was imminent and every step IN the
proceedings was followed with intense In
terest. Scores of the lay and clerical jurors
provided themselves with the presby terry
roll in order to check off names of the ab-
sentees and thus lie enabled 10 forecast. II
possible. the result of the test vote which
was soon to be taken on the question of
striking out two Of the charges which tho
prosecuting committee had preferred
against him. The session was favored the
presence of Rev. VIM. C. Young. Center
College, Kentucky. moderator of the Cen
ersl Asse mbly. In accordance With DR..
BlIss's request the distinguished visitor led
in prayer.
Moderator Bliss announced that the
business before the court was the consider
alton OF the motion to strike out
charge 4, and considerable debate and Q
few cOunter motions followed. DR.. Hast
inQs, the venerable president of the faculty
with which the defendant Is connected.
did not mince words In claiming that
charge 4 contained new matter. Said he:
The change made In the charge Is radical.
IL gives the lie direct TO DE-. Briggs, and
there is no getting around 1T by casuistry.".
Il call DR.. Hastings TO order" EXCLAIMED
William +. WorTell, Colonel Shepard's
private secretary.
Il don't want to be interrupted by that
young man, exclaimed the Doctor.
The eife:t of Mr.. Worrelps point was
that DR.. Hastings was cautioned to use
ing that DIR. Briggs should be his own
interpreter. and as he has disclaimed the
charge. the charge should be dropped. A
vote was taken and the motion was carried
by the decided vote Of 20 TO A.. The seventh
charge suffered the same fate by about the
same vote. After further debate the pres
bytery took q recess till tomorrow.
Lively Times I'm the Cincinnati Presbytery.
CINCINNATI, Nov. 2a.-The entire fore
noon session of the Cincinnati Presbytery
was spent in q discussion of the suficiency
in form and legal effect of the third charge
against Professor Smith. At the afternoon
session, after two hours more of discussion,
o yea and nay vote was taken on the ques-
ton. 1t showed. what had been foreshad-
owed In the debate, that at least two men,
bers OF the court had come over to the side
of the accused. One was the Rev. Hugh
Gotchrist, pastor of the church in which
the court sits. and the other was Rev. c. Z.
Walker. The latter, in his remarks IN the
discussion, said that. if ministersh holding
the views which Professor Smith taught
arc to be subjected TO trial, the presbytery
will have enough heresy trials 10 keep 1t
busy for three years. The suficiency of
the third charge was sustalned-yeas, 40;
nays. 70.
specification the prosecuting committee
asked to amend by inserting an additional
citation from Professor Smiths pamphlet.
Professor Smith objected that this deprived
hin of his right to ten days notice of
charges aud specifications against him.
Some heated debate followed as to whether
this was not evidence of which the accused
was not enIItled to notice. During its
progress Professor McGiffut, @ young men,
Der of the court, who 70 q pronounced
champion of Professor Smith, asked the
prosecuting committee when 1t discovered
that this addition was necessary.
DE-. McKibboD, of the committee, with
some sharpness. asked: What do you
mean by that question:"
Quite as sharply, Professor McGiffut re-
torted: Il mean just exactly whatI say"
The question is impertinent." said Dr.
McKibbon.
linen the committee's request is i'm
pertinent" replied Professor McGiffut
but Professor McGiffut held the floor long
enough to say that if. after Professor
Smith has made his response TO the charges
and has lost the floor, the committee
brought IN new matter. 1t was unjust, and
Ao Wouiu iuah0 colupisint Nv tu6 proper
time. subsequently DR.. McKibbon pub
licly asked the pardon of Professor McGif-
fut and Of the body for the language he
had used. and said he had exerted himself
SO much TO keep on friendly terms with the
accused that be mad overlooked the court.
Professor McGitfut said he accepted the
apology of Dr.. Mokibbon with thanks.
But do yOu apOlogizef" asked the mod
orator. Il declared you both out of order
Il said if my question was impairment
the commitree's request was also. l have
no apology to make. except to the court
was the Professors answer.
This episode happily ended. the amend
ment was not allowed, and the speciica-
tions were all approved. The court is now
ready to begin the formal trial.