Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-11-30
BRIGGS WINS TESTS.
The Two Heresy Charges to Which
he Objects Are Stricken Out.
SMITH, ALSO, GAINS CONVERTS,
Though the Cincinnati Presbytery 10
Still Opposing Him.
LIVELY EPISODES AT BOTH TRIALS

NEW YORK, Nov. 29.-The hrst Important
question which came up in the second days
session of the Briggs trial is the stand
which the Prosecuting Committee would de-
eide to take in regard to Prot Briggs OBJ
jections to the charges, and the demand that
Nos 4 and be stricken out. DR. Briggs
friends and opponents alike realized that
crisis was imminent
Moderator Bliss announced that the busl-
ness before the court was the consideration
of the motion to strike out the two charges
referred to, and then Dr. Alexander, who
offered the motion, had the floor He said
he was willing to yield the floor to the
Prosecuting Committee to learn whether 1t
had decided to abandon or to press the
charges Dr. Booth made the point of order
that the protest made by DR.. Briggs yester-
day was menace to the existence OF the
court, and could not, therefore, be consld-
cred. The Moderator made no ruling on
the point
Why the Two Charges Should Stand.
Colonel McCook then read the opinion
of the committee on the motion, and argued
that the two charges could not be dropped.
In reference to Charge Z, colonel McCook
said that Dr. Briggs answer WAS irrelevant,
because although ne had affirmed before the
professors of the Union Seminary that he
believed that one who died unpenltent Is
forever lost, lie had since promulgated
his theory OF progressive sancs1ncatlon IN
his inaugural address, and it is on the ad-
dress that the charge was founded. The
fourth charge could not be dropped, be
cause Dr. Briggs denial OF the fulhllment of
the details of prophesy is denial OF the
truthfuIness of the Bible and an impeach-
ment OF the omnipotence OF God.
Dr. Briggs took the floor and said that one
of Colonel McCooll's points WAS based on a
typographical error, in the printed copy,
and must be dropped. He declared that the
offers made yesterday to waive his objection
to the six other CHARGES were made condl-
tionally. DR.. Robinson. the great hymn
writer. wanted to know what the conditions
were. He was answered by DIR. Van DS Ike,
and corroborated by the defendant, that
the condition that the charges which
embodied two separate counts should be
divided.
DIR. Briggs Cause Championed.
DR.. Alexanders motion to strike out
Charge was taken up. Prof Brown, of
the Union Seminary, foremost of DR.. Briggs
supporters, took the floor. He said the
Prosecuting Commis tee had acted unfairly
III quoting part of DR.. Briggs statements
ana taking them out of their proper connec-
tion. ANY minister" he said fervently,
could be proved heretical by this course"
Fifteen minutes were taken up by DR..
William G. Shedd, who defined the meaning
cipitated by his statement that DR.. Briggs is
not guilty o. Ialsehood, but of sell-contra-
dlction.
DR. Hastings, the venerable President OF
the faculty with which the de endant is
connected, did not mince words in Claiming
that the charge contains new matter. Said
he: The change made in the charge is radi-
cal. 1t gives the lie direct to DR.. Briggs,
and there is no getting around it BY cas-
uistry"
II call DR.. Hastings to ORDER" exclaimed
William z. Worral, Colonel Shepard's
private secretary.
Il don't want to be interrupted by that
young man again." exclaimed the doctor.
DIR. Briggs Wins Two Test Votes.
The effect of Mr.. Worrall's point was that
Dr. Hastings was cautioned to use milder
language. He continued by affirming that
Dr.. Briggs should be his own interpreter,
and, as he has disclaimed the charge, the
charge should be dropped. A vote was
taken, and the motion was carried by the
decided vote of 20 to 40. The seventh charge
suffered the same late by about the same
vote Colonel McCook asked that an excep.
tion to the courts action be entered on the
record i'll behalf of the Prosecuting Commit
tee.
just before adjournment DR.. Briggs called
attention to the fact that the court must
diminish in numbers daily unless provision
were made for permitting those nece .sarily
absent at one or more sessions to retain their
privilege OF voting. Otherwise, he said,
1--WE shall dwindle into g rump court, SO
small that its verdict will be received with
no respect" Lawyer McCook answered
that the court must abide by the provisions
of the Book OF Discipline. He was willing to
accept any limitations of time in presenting
his case that might be fixed by the Presby
terry, provided the same restrictions were put
upon DR.. Briggs. The latter declared such
a proposition to be unfair, as he did not
know what arguments might be used against
him and he must De accorded an opportu-
nifty OF meeting them. The court then took
a recess till tomorrow afternoon.
The Merits of Smiths Case Discussed.
The entire forenoon session CT the Gin
cinnati Presbytery was spent in discussion
of the sufticiency in form and legal effect of
the third charge and specifications against
Prot Henry P. Smith. Yet, as in nearly all
the preceding discussions, the speakers
have wandered from the form to the SUBJ
stance. DR.. Roberts, with the man uues-
tion evidently in his mind, said with en-
phasis that there is a crisis in the Presby-
terian Church OF the Sravest nature. There
is an attempt to force a theory of inspira-
tion upon the church.
Proi Smith asked if he meant that be If
sustained by the iresbytery, would bring
those to trial who did not agree with him,
DR.. Roberts replied that lie referred to a
forcing OF theory by other methods than
judicial process. The doctor went on to ex-
plain his view OF the inspiration o, the
Scriptures by saying he did not believe in a
verbal inspiration, but in a plenary inspira-
tion. He did not believe, as Prof. Smith ap-
parently taught, that the Scripture con-
tanned the word OF God as water is contained
In a cup, but as silver is contained in a dol
lar-every grain silver. He quoted from the
language of the ordination vow and from
the basis of reunion of the old and new
school churches, the declaration that eve
believe the Scriptures to be the word of
God not to contain the word of God and
said the whole Bible, from Genesis to Reye-
lation, was inspired according to the funda-
mental doctrines OF the Presbyterian
Church"
Smith Wins Over Two Converts
At the afternoon session, after two hours
more of discussion, a yea and nay vote was
taken on the question OF sustaining the suf-
fciency in form and legal effect of the third
charge. 1t showed what had been fore
ehadowed in the debate, that at least two
members of the court had come over to the
side of the accused. One was the Rev. Hugh
Gilchrist, pastor of the church in which the
court sits, and the other was Rev C. r
Walker Tho latter, in his remarks on the
discussion, said that If ministers holding tile
views which Prof smith has taught are to
be subjected to trials, the Presbytery will
have enough heresy trials to keep it busy
for three years. The sufficiency OF the third
charge was ssustained-y eas, 40; nays, o.
When il came to approving the first speci-
hcatfon, the Prosecuting Committee asked
10 amend by inserting additional condi-
tion from Prof. Smiths pamphlet. Prof
smith objected that this deprived him of
his right o. ten days notice of charges and
specifications against him. Some heated
debate followed as to whether this was not
evidence of which the accused was not
entitled to notice. During its progress, Prof