The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-11-30
Prof. Briggs Motion to Quash
Two Charges Sustained.
DR.. SMITH ON THE TRIAL RACK.
Senate immigration Committee to
Report a Stringent Bill.
Reception to Chairman Harrity-
Cost of the Eleventh Census-FOre-
bodiugs OF an Indian War.


New York, Nov. o9.-The presbytery
this afternoon resumed the trial of Prof.
Briggs. The floor was at once accorded
the prosecuting committee to state its po-
sition on Prof. Briggs objections to the
charges, and the demand that numbers 4
and of the charges be stricken out.
Col. McCook read the opinion of the
committee on the motion, and argued that
the two charges could not be dropped. In
reference TO charge Z, Col. McCook said
Briggs answer was irrevelant. because, al
though he had affirmed before the profess
sors of Union seminary that he believed
one who died unpenitent was for
ever lost, he had since promul-
gated his theory of progressive sancti-
fication in his inaugural address, and
it was on this address that the charge was
founded. The fourth charge could not be
dropped. because DR.. Briggs DENIAL of the
fulfillment of the details of prophecy was
n denial Of the truthfulness ofthe Bible
and an impeachment of the omnipotence
of God. After further discussion DR.. Alex
ander's motion to strike out charge four
was taken up. Prof. Brown, of Union
seminary, and the foremost of Briggs sup
porters. said the committee had acted un
fairly in quoting part of Briggs state
ments and taking them out of their proper
connection. ANY minister" he said fer
ventiy, could be proven heretical by this
course"
DR.. Hastings. the venerable president of
the faculty with which the defendant is
connected, did not mince words in claim
ing that the charge contained new matter.
Said he: 1.-The change made in the charge
is radical. 1t gives the lie direct to DR..
Briggs. and there is no getting around it
by casuistry."
A vote was taken, and the motion was
carried by the decided vote of 20 to 40. The
seventh charge suffered the same fate by
about the same vote.
Col. McCook asked that the exception to
the court of action be entered on the
records in behalf of the prosecuting CON-
mittee. Adjourned until tomorrow.
CINCINNATI, Nov. 29.-The entire fore
noon session of the presbytery was spent
in discussing the sufficiency in form and
legal effect of the third charge and specifi-
cations against Prof. Smith. No vote was
reached up to recess.
At the afternoon session q vote was
taken on the third charge. 1t was sus-
tanned. 40 to 20, but the vote showed that
two members of the court, Rev. II. Gill
christ and Rev. c. E. Walker, had come
over to the side of the accused. Walker,
in discussing the matter, said if all the
ministers holding Smiths views are to be
subjected to trial the presbytery will have
enough heresy trials to keep it busy for
three years.
The committee then asked to amend the
first specification by inserting an addi-
tional citation from Smiths pamphlet
Smith objected that this deprived him of
the right to ten days notice on charges
and specifications, and after a hot debate
the amendment was disallowed and the
specifications approved. The court is
now ready for formal trial.