Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-05-27
DIR. BRIGGS CASE.
Argument Heard by the Presbyterian General
Assembly.


Argument Heard by the Presbyterian General
Assembly.
The hearing Of the parties in the case of the
| appeal Of the prosecuting committee against
the action Of the presbytery Of New York in
dismissing the charges and specifications in
the heresy trial OF DR.. Briggs occupied the at
tention of the Presbyterian general assembly at
Portland, Ore. yesterday.
The order was for an opening address for the
appellants. q reply by DR.. Briggs, the appellee.
and a rebuttai by the prosecution, each party
being limited to ninety minutes.
After devotional exercises DR.. Birch, for the
appellants, took the floor. In his address Dr.
Birch gave some reasons why the appellants
have overleaped the synod Of New York This
| course ia based upon the provisions of section
1872 OF the book Of discipline, that appeals shall
be taken to the next superior Judiciary. Chap
ter ~. sections 4 and 5. state that the general
assembly shall receive and issue all appeals and
! have the power Of deciding in all controversies
| respecting doctrine and discipline. The present
cause is taken to restore peace in the church.
DIR. Birch said the case involves doctrines
| which fundamental to the church the
presbytery of New York committed errors in its
administration OF the law and compelled the
| committee to appeal.
1.-THE appellant said DR.. Birch. lis the Pres
byteTian church in the United States of Amer
| lea, aud, by implication. faithlessness to ord-
| nation vows is alleged. In the name of the
| church your appellants earnestly ask the gen.
eral assembly to entertain our appeal.
DIR. Briggs then took the floor to object to
| the entertainment of the appeal. He pro-
ceeded TO give some account of the history of
| the case and stated his reasons for appealing.
| He asserted strong reasons must be given why
| any departure from ordinary measures should be
| allowed.
DIR. Briggs said the reasons presented by ap-
| pellants not such az to justify the general
assembly in entertaining their appeal
IF they think they can sustain their charges
| the synod Of New York is the Judiciary before
which they should sc" said Prot. Briggs.
The appellee then dweit at length on the APP
peal and closed as follows: IF dissatisfied they
should have framed new charges and specifca-
| tons sufficient in form and legal effect. They
might have then held a trial and n verdict dur
! ing the past winter, but why is speed neces-
| sary? The importance Of the case calls for the
| caution Of deliberation.'
! The reading of Dr. Briggs paper consumed
| one hour and twenty-five minutes.
| At twenty-five minutes before the hour of
adjournment Col. McCook Of New York, on be-
half Of the appellants. spoke briefly.
| Col. McCook said that no injustice had been
intended, and none had been done to the de-
| PENDANT
The moderator then stated the question
| was whether the appeal be entertained.
4 After considerable desultory debate u vote WAS
taken and the motion was carried in the affirma-
\ tive. The question then was upon a report of
| the minority, recommending that the case be
sent back TO the synod Of New York. Upon
motion the report was laid upon the table by q
vote of 1856 to LIZ.
The appeal. as it shall be presented by the
appellant, will be listened to by the assembly
| today.