Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1892-12-02
AM NOT GUILTY,

u AuA ENOA
Colonel McCook Formally Opens the
Case Against DIR. Briggs The De.
PENDANT Allowed Time to Presen,
Evidence.
NEW YORK, Dec. 1.-The consideration
of the long series of objections filed by DIR.
Charlee A. Briggs to the charges of heresy
brought against him by the prosecuting
committee was continued at to-dsy's ses.
sion of the ecclesiastical court.
DR.. Alexander, a staunch Briggs man,
moved that in view of the defendants con-
ditional waiver of charges /, 2, 8, and 8,
the vote on these charges should be by
several items. This would meet DIR. Briggs
objection that each of these charges really
contained several charges.
But Dr. Robinson raised the point that
a majority of the presbytery might vote
against DR.. Briggs on one item and in &C
cordance with the defendants view on
another item. Who could then say wheth-
or the charge as a whole had been proved
or dismissed
DIR. Briggs said in waving his objection
that "the five charges transcribed the
nature of the original charges" his pur-
pose was to save time, but his objection
that "these were insufficient in form, as
they alleged more than one offence" he
could not waive. If he was not upheld in
the latter course by the court he would
waive neither objection.
Or. Lampe said that but one offence was
alleged in each charge. The items which
DR.. Briggs called separate offences were
only so many proofs of one offense.
The defendant denied this and asserted
that two distinct propositions were made
in the first charge, "the holy scripture is
necessary" is one doctrine, and that it is
the "rule of faith and practice" is another.
Loud calls for the question followed, but
DR.. George L. Shesrer insisted on being
heard. He said the motion, If passed,
would effect an amendment OF the charges.
Then the question of voting on the items
separately was put and carried.
DR.. Sutton moved that the charges and
specifications be considered sufficient to
put the accused on his defense.
DR.. Briggs announced that he was ready
to go on at once.
Moderator Bliss called upon the defend
ant to plead guilty or not guilty.
Before l answer to that question" DR..
Briggs said, "I must insist that all the
evidence against me be read"
The evidence as cited in the last charge
included: 1.-THE whole of the said inaugural
address, both the first and second editions
and all the works of the said Rev. Charles
A. Briggs, quoted therein, in so far as they
bear upon this case; also the appendix to
the second edition of said address, and all
the works of the said Rev. Charles A.
Briggs, quoted there in SO far as they bear
upon this case; the whole of the holy
scriptures and the whole of the standards
of the Presbyterian church in the United
States of America"
81 rise to point of information" DIR.
Robinson eaid. "Is DR.. Briggs in earnesta"
To which the defendant replied that he
was.
The moderator ruled that DIR. Briggs
must plead to the charges at once.
81 am not guilty." answered DR.. Briggs.
The prosecuting committee proposed
that some limit be fixed to the trial, but
the suggestion was bitterly opposed and
dropped.
Colonel McCook then formally opsned
the case against DR.. Briggs. He offered in
evidence the book cited above and submit
ted copies of the same. In regard to the
reading Colonel McCook said that as there
was no provision in the book to the con-
trary DR.. Briggs might demand the read
ing of the evidence.
The leader of the prosecution then an
nounced that It's evidence having been
submitted DR.. Briggs should be called
upon. To this defendant strenuously OBJ
jscted. Moderator Bliss ruled that the
prosecution should go on. Colonel Nc
Cook showed from the book of discipline
that the moderator was In error and the
decision was reversed. DR.. Briggs had an
exception recorded
"The prosecuting committee" Mr.. Nc
Cook declared, "have no desire to take
advantage of DR.. Briggs misunderstand-
ing of the direction of the book and will,
therefore, ask that he be allowed sufficient
time to bring in the evidence he would
offer"
An adjournment was taken until Mon
day afternoon.