The morning call., 1892-05-26
BRIGGS WILL BIZ HEARD.
The Fight 0Fer the Great HereSy Case
Begins in Earnest.
SoHE C0yFLICTEG CoHHITTER REPORTS.
There N HHth Uncertainty as to What Shall Be
Bone in the Matter Of the Compact
With Jni0a Seminary.
spesial 70 IKE MORNING CALL

PoRTLAND, May 25.-This was the day IN
tile session of the Presbyterian Assembly
known as Foreign Mission day" but 1t
will be more memorable as that on which
resolutions were introduced looking TO the
tightening on the one hand and the lOosening
on the other of the bonds between the assem-
bly, and the Union Theological Seminary Of
New York. Final action, however, IS de-
ferred till a supplementary report can be
presented by the standing committee on
theological seminaries based upon all the
UaFeTs relating 10 the case which have thus
far been introduced in the assembly and
which nave been referred to that committee
for the purpose OF reducing their conflicting
provisions to an harmonious resolution. One
resolution declares that the assembly in
sists upon the Interpretation OF a year ago
another proposes TO submit the question at
issue rs to that Interpretation to arbitra-
ton, while third looks 10 q peaceful with
drawal of Union Seminary from its relation
to the assembly and the formation Of a new
compact. The text of these resolutions IS
given below.
Another thing for which the day viii be
memorable is the commencement OF the
hearing Of the parties in the question Of the
appeal from the action Of the preSbytery OF
New urk in dismlsSlug the case against
Dr. Briggs for heTesy. Thus far only those
papers have been read which are required
by the law Of the church to be heard before
the hearing can proceed. The case Is 10 go
on tomorrow 10 q finish.
Foreign Missions.
Devotional exercises were led in the as
sembiy this morning by DR.. Roberts Of
Pennsylvania.
A resolution, providing committee ap-
p0ntments 10 every commissioner, was IN
tTCduced by Judge Sayler OF Indiana and
referred to the pOlity committee.
The regular order Of the day was foreign
missions. and the walls were hung With
maps Illustrating the fields.
A report was presented by DR.. Allison Of
Philadelphia. The years work was re-
viewed and appropriate resolutions were
introduced looking TOW ard the furtherance
Of the beard's efforts The principal facts
are as follows: The Board Of Foreign Mis-
siOus last year asked for 81 100000 and
made the appropriations on the basis Of
Sl,O0eOJO. The receipts amounted 10 over
S930,0 The board maintains 30 ordained
American miss i0uaTeS. 16j ordained and
255 licensed native workers, sustaining 3S4
churches, with 50, 479 COMMITMENTS. The
additions to the mission churches have ar
greEated $3.50 The lay workers number
1494. Schools are also supported contain
ing 29C00 pupils with 167 candidates for
the ministry. The contributions from
native churches have amounted to nearly
S1ULtj. i he missions OF the DOatQ are
located in 10 different countries.
During the rea1ing OF thec ep0Tt and sub
seQuent speeches pages were busiiy engaged
in distributing an octave volume OF 272
pages containing The Record of the Case"
against Dr.. Briggs, prepared by the prose-
cutting committee. 1t contains only L lines
which anticipate matter which is 10 be
presented to the assembly If it shall be de-
Cded that the ap cal from the dismissal or
tie case shall be entertained.
DR.. Gillespie. secretary Of the Board Of
Foreign Missions. addressed the assembly,
referring to Ills recent visitation trip around
tie world.
The committees recommendations were
adopted. calling for 81, 10O,000 for this
particular branch Of church work next
gear.
Special attention was called to the fact
that the COS. Of the administration Of this
board amounts 10 less than per cent
a resolution diSaproving OF the recent
Chinese legislation BY the Government was
referred to The committee for consideration
and report
Praying for Harmony.
The report Of the theological seminary
committee was made the first order al the
afternoon session.
In opening the session the moderator
prayed for the especial presence and guild
ance of the Holy Spirit in the proceed
ings Of the afternoon, aud for the removal
OF all prejudice so that justice should be
done TO al interests.
DR.. Mutchmore, chairman Of the commit
tee, then took the floor. His report COW
cred all Of the seminaTies, and was listened
to with great interest, and especially that
portion relating to Union Seminary. The
action recommended was under two heads,
as { oil OWS:
WHEREAS. Tie General Assembly held at
Detroit Ia 1891 disappruyed OF the el'c ion or
transfer Of Rev. C. A. Briggs OF Union Seminary
nd Pol f4f1
ol0gy," your committee reports that Tie annual
report Of the directors OF UutOn Seminary made
10 the General Assembly shows that DR.. Briggs
Is retained ln full DO session OF and N the dis
charge OF the dulles ni said chair. In view OF
This Noncompliance with tie acllOn OF The De.
lrot ssembiy We recommend the following
ResoIred, That according to tie compact OF
1870 between the assembly and the directors OF
Union seminary, as interpreted by The General
Assembly, ms assembly cannot but regard The
retention OF Professor Briggs IN his professor
snip as not only failure 10 comply Win the ex-
pressed action Of tie assembly OF 1891, but also
OF The agreement contained tn The aforesaid
C0mpacf, and. IN view OF This, the General Assem-
bly, chair IN biblical theology 10 Union Seminary
Is stIli de lure vacant
In view of certain oVertures sent up by
several preSbyterieS, eOuched in almost
Identical language, the following was offered
Rssolcsd, That this assembly regard the main.
tenaRce of the existing 81 pefyiSlOn by the Gen
efal Assembly OF the character OF Instruction 10
be given 10 theological Seminares as vital TO the
interests OF truth aud 10 the peace and welfare
Of the Presbyterian church, and 10 the attain
ment of this end this assembly reafIirmS, In har-
mony with The action Of former assemblies, that
Il regards Tue power OF the assembly, exercised
BY approval Or veto, over all appointments Of
professors, including elections, appointments
and transfers Of professors from one chair TO an
other ID all seminaries. as necessary IN order to
st cure this uniform system Of ecclesiastical
SUPERVISION over theological semnaries Of the
denomination, so that there may be uniform and
entire confidence IN those entrusted with The
training OF cur candidates for the ministry.
Let the Seminary Go.
Immediately afterward minority report
was presented by DR.. James II. Taylor Of
Rome, n. y, as follows:
Approving Of the report OF the majority OF the
committee as correct representation OF the
facts touching Union Theological Seminary, as
viewed 10 the light Of The last assembly's in
terprej alton OF the compact OF 1870. but con.
yiaeed that some relic; from the present diff
euliles should be suggested, The undersigned
forming minority Of the committee, submit the
following:
WHEREAs. The directors Of Union Theolog.
ieal Seminary have expressed a desire to be
hOnOTably released from the compact OF 1870,
and whereas, the last General Assembiys COM
mittee OF conference and the directors OF Union
Theological Seminary. In mutual conference,
agreed 20 a mutual recognition, each OF The
others honesty and right of opinion touching the
Interpretation OF the compact OF 1870, Willie yet
admitting an irTeeoncilable difference Of opinion,
aud reached no conclusion as TO the future action
proper for both parties Therefore be it
mary be and hereby is allowed u hOnorably
withdraw from The compact, and to be from this
date 20 longer held responsible thereto. Sec.
oud-Ihat committee be appointed by This
General Assembly 10 confer with all the theO-
logical seminarles under It's supervision touching
their views Of the compact OF 1870, and OF any
new compact that might be devised. aud 10 form
new compact with a view 10 happily uniting
all the seminaTles, the same 10 be submitted TO
the next General Assembly. James ii Taylor,
Charles II. Baldwin, Thomas S. Strong. Walter
j. Shepard.
A motion was introduced by DIR. Blayney
of Kentucky to refer all papers relating TO
the Union Seminary to a special committee
consisting Of six ministers and five elders,
In order that an harmonious resolution might
be presented for the assembly's action. 1t
was amended to refer all the papers back to
the cOmmittPe ON thenlnpieal saminaries and