New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-11-28
DIR. BRIGGS ON TRIAL TO-DAY.
THE PRESEYTERY TO MEET AS A COURT.
FEssOR-sTEPS PROVIDED EY TIE
ROOK on prCcrprTNF


BOOK OF DISCIPLINE.
The Prcsbytcry Of Ncw-Yorll will meet at .
o'clock this afternoon in the Scotch Presbyterian
Church, in West Fourtccnth-st., and sit as n
court. The Rev. Dr. John c.. Bliss, the pastor
of the Washington Heights Church, will pre-
side as Moderator. and those who were present
two weeks ago, when charges were read against
Dr. Charles A. Briggs, will constitute the court
By a resolution adopted at the last session the
number cannot De increased although several of
the best-known members of the body were absent
then. 1t is probable that motion will be made
looking to the enlargement of the court, as little
has been done so far, except the reading of the
charges, and the pamphlet containing them has
been sent to all the members Of the Presbytery
The public viii be allowed in the galleries and
on the floor behind the Presbytery.
The order of procedure to-day will probably be
follows: DR.. Briggs may appear by counsel
but he will probably make his own defence. He
may file objections to the regularity OF the
organization, or TO the jurisdiction of the judica-
tory, or to the suflicency of the charges and
specifications in form or in legal effect, or any
other substantial objection affecting the order
of regularity of the proceeding, on which objec-
tons the parties-Dr. Briggs and the Prosecuting
Committee-Shall be heard. Last ycai DR.. Briggs
filed objections to the charges, and the indict
Inent has been amended. The contest to-day
will probably be on the question whether the
charges have been materially amended as to
constitute new charges, instead Of amended ones.
The Presbytery has the power TO determine all
these preliminary questions, and may dismiss the
case, or permit. in the furtherance of justice
amendments to the specifications charges not
changing their general nature Last year the Pres
bytery exercised its prerogatve and dismissed
ba I'm tho General Assembly ordered
trial.
If the proceedings are found in order and the
charges and specifications are considered sufh-
Gent to put DR.. Briggs his defence, he will be
called upon to plead guilty or not guilty
II the plea is guilty" the PTesbytery will pro
coed at once to pronounce Judgment. but if the
professor pleads not guilty., or if he declines to
answer, plea of mot guilty" will be entered on
the record, and the trial will proceed. Tie Wit
noses will then be examined, and if desired cross
examined When the testimony is complete. the
Presbytery will go into private session--the par
ties, their counsel and all other persons not mem
bers of the body being excluded when. after
full deliberations, the PreSbytery will vote on each
specification and each charge separately and enter
a Judgment accordingly.
The following is the substance Of the eight
charges presented by the Prosecuting Committee
DIR. G. W. f. Birch, Dr. r. +. Sample. DR.. j. j.
Lampe Professor j. j. Stevenson and Colonel j. j.
McCook
Charge L. The Presbyterian Church in the United
States OF America charges the Rev. Charles Briggs.
d. d. being a member Of the said Church and a member
OF the Presbytery Of NewYork with teaching that the
Reason is fountain Of divine authority which may and
savingly enghen even such men as reJest tho
Scriptures authoritative proclamation OF the Will OF
God and reject also the way OF salvation through the
mediation and sacrifice OF the Son Of God revealed
therein contrary the essential doctrine OF the
Holy Scripture and Of the Sanda = OF the said Church,
that the Holy Scripture necessary and the rule OF
faith and practice.
charge III, With teaching that the Church is foun.
tain Of divine authority which. apart from the Holy
Scripture may savingly enlighten men; which
contrary 10 essential doctrine Of the Holy Scripture
and Of the Standards OF the said Church. that the Holy
Scripture necessary and the rule OF faith ana
practice.
Charge III. With teaching that may have ex.
listed in the original text OF the Holy Scripture as IL
came its a1hos which is contrary to the essential
doctrine taught Holy Scripture and in the Standards
OF the said Church the Holy Scripture IS the word
Of written Immediately inspired, and the rule OF faith
and practice
Charge " With teaching that many Of the Old
Testament predictions have been reversed by history ana
that the great body Mcssanlc prediction has not been
and cannot fulfilled which Is contrary to the essential
doctrine Of Holy Scripture and Of the Standards Of the
said Church. God is true, omncient and unchange
able.
Charge V. With teaching that Moses IS not the author
OF the rcataeuch which IS 20 direct statements
OF Holy Scripture the essential doctrines Of tho
Standards OF the Church. that the Holy Scripture evil
dences tse 10 Word Of God by the consent Of all
the part. and inabe rule Of Interpretation Of
Scripture is the Scripture itself
Charge VI. teaching that isaiah IS not the author
OF half OF the book his name which Is contrary
10 direct statements Holy Scripture and 10 the essential
doctrines Of Standards Of the said Church, that the
Holy Scripture evidences Itself u be the MoId Oh od by
consent OF all tho parts, that the intobe rule OF
INTERPRETATION Of Scripture is the Scripture its'h.
Charge VII With teaching that the processes OF re-
cet OH extend world in the cese OF many
who die IN sin IS contrary % the essential doctrine
81 Holy Scripture Standards OF the said church,
that the processes redemption are Limited TO this world
Charge VIII. With teaching that sancthcaton Is not
complete at DEATH contrary 70 The essential doc
yne Of the Holy Scripture AID OF the Standards OF the
od Church that the believers are at theg death
at once made perfect In holiness
The charges are as follows:
The Presbvterien Church in the United States OF Amer
Zen rnrented by the undcr gned prosecutng committee
res in evidence the OF the said inaugural address,
ntb the first and second editions and all the WORKS OF the
sald Rev Charles 4. Briggs ID. D., quoted therein III 20
far a. they bear upon also tho ophuM 70 INC
.ond edition OF said address. and all the WORKS OF inc
aid Rev Charles A. Briggs, D. D. Quoted uefeh' IN 80
for AZ they bear upon case; the whole OF INC ioy
crntue, end the OF the STANDARDS OF ohs TTesO!
,srsn Church in the United states Of America