Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1892-05-28
ANOTHER LIYELY DAY
The Briggs Case Still Before the
General Assembly
WITH NO PROSPECT OF AN EARLY
Disposition Being Made Of It-CommiHee Reports
Read and Listened to in PerfanctiOnary Way.
The Briggs Case the Topic All Want 70
Discus5-Moti0a 10 Send Il Back.

PORTLAND, ORE, May 27.-The at
tendance and interest in the proceedings
Of the Presbyterian General Assembly
were undiminiShed.
The hearing on the appeal was de-
layed 10 receive report OF the standing
committee on church extension, be-
cause Of the necessary departure OF DR..
White, secretary of the Board. The re-
port was heard by the assembly IN a
perfuuctory manner.
The Board Of Church Erection is one
which never allows It's expenses TO ex-
ceed its income. Applications have been
made for III church edltices and 50
manses, a total OF $4,000. The total
income amounted TO SlOO, 600 and the
expenditures was SlO2, 600. Aid was
granted TO 252 churches and At manSes.
At the close of reading the report was
accepted and its recommendations
adopted without debate. The Assembly
was then again constructed as
a court by the Moderator.
A resolution was introduced
by Judge Struvell of Montana looking
To the return OF the Briggs case TO the
Presbytery Of New York. Amendments
were offered slightly modifying this
action, but with the same object in
view. The parties were allowed to
withdraw in order 10 prepare form OF
action, which should be mutually ac-
ceutable, and while they were thus con-
sultlng the reading Of q report on the
revision of the Confession OF Faith was
begun.
Just before closing the reading OF the
revision report. parties to the appeal re-
turned from their consultation. The
revision then went over again as untin-
ished business. Judge Struvell stated
that there had been no agreement
reached, and Elder McCook was deSlg-
mated by DR.. Birch as the one selected
TO make known the will of the COM
mittee. The resolutions were read by
the clerk.
MIR. McCooll regretted that he was
compelled 10 again address the Assem-
bly,. "On November +" he said ut
was urged by me that we should then
proceed to trial The preSbytery did
not see fit to accept the propo-
sitiou, bnt made q decision from
which we nave appealed. We are here
prepared TO argue the appeal, and we
can do it in fifteen minutes, fifteen
hours or fifteen days. The assembly has
relieved Us of all questions concerning
the past. II you say drop the case we
shall gladly do il, but we stand here
now prepared TO go on. The response
bility must be with the Assembly. we
cannot accept the proposal TO return
and begin the case in New York synod.
This might be interpreted TO mean new
charges and specifications, whereas we
desire only the privilege of amending
former papers, il thought necessary.
Another suggestion is that the PreSby-
terry be directed % try the case fairly"
The moderator then ruled that as the
Committee on Prosecution refuses 90
agree TO the proposition suggested and
to allow the case 20 go back az once 10
tbe New York Synod, the Assembly
must proceed 20 hear the appeal. The
question Is whether the appeal shall be
sustained ia part OF IN full or pro forma,
after which 10 Is in the discretion OF the
Assembly 90 reverse or modify the judg-
mcnt OF the inferior judicat0ry ii errors
are found or % remand the ease Tor a
new trial.
10 was evidently desired by o very
large part of the house that rle case be
remonded. bat this was thwarted by
the refusal of che prosecutors % con-
sent. The proposition % sustain the
aopeaI pro forina eIicited vigorous
negative headshakiug by DIR. Birch.
Dr. NcCook said that the question Is a
dismissal or full sustaining Of the ap-
peal. pro forma action is not desired.
A mandatory order Tor the reception
Of delegates from other denominations
temporarily postponed the case OF ap-
neal. Dr. Chambers, OF the Reformed
/ Church. and Dr. Gay, OF the Walden
SIAN Church, occupied tue time until re-
cess.
the afternoon session Elder Juukin,
~ pbladelpnia. offered q resolution 10
bring matters before the Court TO close.
He proposed 20 reverse the decision OF the
| Presbvterv. send back the paper and
direct the Presbytery Of New York 10 try
/ the case upon its merits without prejudice
70 either party
He declared the assembly cannot try the
| case al this session upOn It's merits. The
action of the Pres0ytery had been unjust
IN the defendant. nc OueIl " A-ofN AAtaNA etiA
opportunity 10 stand before his peers and
assert and prove his innocence OF the
Dr, Mcpherson, of Chicago, seconded
the resolution. He said he understood DR..
Rriras would confess judgment on two
Grounds of the appeal. These would be
nf,i.iept 70 allow the Assembly 10 send
back the case. After a brief argument
Dr Briggs stated he would personally
be willing to confess judgment upon two
Doiuts in the appeal, and would do so after
consultation with members OF the Pres
col McCook stated that the appeal mast
ba sustained. the decision Of the Presoy-
terv reversed, and the Presbytery directed
TO try the case on its merits. On these
grounds the prosecution committee wonld
| be clad 20 accept The proposal.
Upon the return OF the c0nierees, Dr.
Brjrys stated he agreed 10 Junkins's reso-
mtion. but objection was entered by the
prosecuting committee, and the Moderator
dedided that the case must proceed. Then
Or. Birch went over the grounds OF the
appeal and specification hereunder. When
the reading was concluded, DR.. Briggs
was heard for an hour IN rebuttal, and q
recess was taken till p. m.
Congratulating Themselves.