The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1892-05-24
PREsBYTERIANS AT PORTLAND
DR.. Briggs on Hand to Defend himself
Routine Reports.

PORTLAND Or, May 23.-Dr. Brigg. ar
rived here to defend himself before the
Presbyterian general assembly. At the
meeting of the general assembly this morn
ing reports of special committees were re-
sumed.
The report Cd Indian schools recon
mended that henoeforth all public moneys
for Indian education should be expended
by government officials; That appropria-
priations for sectarian schools should ebso-
lutely cease. The constitutional amend
ment now pending looking to this end is
heartily approved
The report of the standing committee on
missions and freed men gave statistics of
work done by the board Of missions durlD z
the year.
The interest of the day in the Presby-
terrain assembly lay in the Briggs matter,
Certain anticipations were realized, and
the directors Of the Union seminary, New
York, asked that the general assembly
may be pleased TO concur with the semi
nary directory in annulling the agreement
of 1870, by which the vote granted the
assembly to be exercised in case there
should be disapproval of appointments
10 the protessorship to the seminary. After
some debate further consideration was
postponed until the papers in the case can
be printed and the presentation of the re-
ical seminary.
= There were two reports on the confer
ence of the assembly's committee with the
directors. The report prepared by DR..
Patton gave brief account of the proceed
ings, ending with the recommendation that
the status quo be recognized in the hope
that some action may be taken which will
lead to q harmonious adjustment of the
differences.
Six members of the conference commit
tee made supplemental report in which
the recommendation was made that the
questions at issue be submitted to arbitra-
ton.
that the transfer of DR.. Briggs TO the chair
of biblical theology was not an election &C.
cording 10 legal requirements. They add
that the board in 1870 conceded one thing.
and one only, to the general assembly. the
right to disapprove the election or appoint
ment of professors according 10 the laws
OF the institution. DR.. Briggs was not
elected TO the chair. A memorial from the
seminary was also presented in which was
set forth that the assembly at Detroit last
year transcended its power in such a way
as TO infiict serious wrong upon the semi
nary. The veto of DR.. Briggs was the
first test applied TO the agreement of 1870,
and it has proved disturbing to the peace
and harmony of the church.
church from heretcal teachings is en-
phatically denied. The directors say thew
are charged with trust that must be kent
involate, adding: "Our loyalty alike to the
church and the Union seminary oonstrains
US to believe 1T would be better for both
church and seminary that the relations
which existed tremendously between the
two for more than third of century be-
fore 1870 should now be restored
This can be done without altering the
Presbyterian character of the institution.
for it was Presbyterian before the veto
was granted, and in all its history thor
oughly Presbyterian
Other reasons for its request are the
dissolution of the relations limited at but
not mentioned, but the memorial is sub
mitted with the earnest hope that your
reverend body may cordially concur with
Us in annulling the agreement of 1870. thus
restoring the Union seminary to its former
relations to the general assembly.
The committee on bills ana overtures re-
ported that IL was not considered wise. in
view of the present agitation in the church
70 proceed Immediately with the prepare,
lion OF q shorter creed. This shelves the
matter for another year.
The final report of the committee ON re.