The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1892-12-02

New York, Dec. 1.-The consideration
Of the long series of objections filed by
DR.. Charles A. Briggs to the charges OF
heresy brought against him by the pro-
scouting committee was continued at
to-day's session OF the ecclesiastical
court.
DR.. Alexander, staunch Briggs man,
moved that in view of the degendants
conditional waiver Of charges l, 2, 3, 8
and 6, the vote on these charges should
be by several items. This would meet
DR.. Briggs objection that each of those
charges really contained several charges.
But DR.. Robinson raised the point
that majority of the presbytery might
vote against DR.. Briggs on one item and
in accordance with the defendants view
on another item. Who could say then,
whether the charge as whole had been
proved or dismissedP DR.. Briggs said
in waving his objection that "the five
charges transcended the nature OF the
original charges"
His purpose was to save time; buthis
objection that "these were insufficient
in form, as they alleged more than one
otfense." he could not wave. II he was
not upheld in the latter course by the
court he would waive neither objection.
DR.. Lampe said that but one ottense
was alleged in each charge. The items
which DR.. Briggs called separate
ofienses we're only so many proofs ot
one offense. The defendant denied this
and asserted that the two distinct prop
ositions were made in the first charge.
That the Holy Scripture is necessary,
is one doctrine, and that is "the rule OF
faith and practice" is another.
Loud calls for the question followed,
but DR.. George l. Shearer insisted on
being heard.
He said that the motion, if passed,
would effect IN amendment OF the
charges. Then the question OF voting
on the item separately was put and car
ried.
DR.. Sutton moved that the charges
and specifications be considered sutticl-
ent to put the accused on his defense.
DR.. Briggs announced that he was
ready to 90 on at once.
Moderator Bliss called upon the de-
fendnnt TO plead guilty or not guilty.
Before i answer to that question"
DR.. Briggs said, "I must insist that all
the evidence against me be read"
The moderator ruled that DR.. Briggs
must plead to the charges at once:
II am not guilty." answered DR..
Briggs.
The prosecuting committee then pro.
posed that some limit be fixed to the
trial, but the suggestion was bitterly
opposed and dropped.
Colonel McCook then formally
opened the case against DR.. Briggs. He
offered in evidence the book cited
ABOVE and submitted copies OF thesame.
In regard to the reading, Colonel Nc
Cook said as there was no provision in
the book to the contrary, DR.. Briggs
might demand the reading OF the evil
dence at the proper time. The willy de-
fendaut, moment later, laid neat pit
fall for Colonel McCook and the latter
tumbled in. "You offer in evidence
the Holy Scriptures" he said, "but to
which version do you referp
"King James version" innocently
answered Mr.. McCook.
"Then your evidence is unlawful, for
tho Presbyterian standard of authority
is not the translation OF King James,
but the original version" retorted the
doctor.
The leader of the prosecution then
announced that, its evidence having
been submitted, DR.. Briggs should be
called upon to submit his. But to this
the defendant strenuously protestedand
Moderator Bliss ruled that the prosecu-
tion should go on. Colonel McCook
showed by it from the book OF disci-
pline that the moderator was in error
and the decision was reversed.