The morning call., 1892-05-28
THU ASSEMBLY, 1T PORTLAND
REPORTS Of The Revision and Church
Extension Committees Adopted.
ER. BRIGGS CASE STILL on THE TlPlS.
He addresses the Delegates at Length Ip0B His
Position and GiIes Each Detail as
Ii Occurred.
Special to THE MORNING CALL

PORTLAND, Or. May 2T.-This has been
another day Of great interest in the FIRST
Presbyterian Church of Portland, where
The General Assembly is sitting. Inc
Briggs case is still on.
The assembly proposes to gain time by
night sessions, at which the revision OF the
confession is in order. Lines IN the appeal
ease are being drawn more closely and men
who have no sympathy with the views Of
DIR. Briggs are Joining in the opposition TO
the resolute effort Of some to force it
through the assembly. When such men as
Elder Junkin aud Dr. Mcpherson join to-
gether in an ay0wed effort to conserve the
constitutional rights Of an individual, that
union is significant
1t is evident that there is an effort on foot
to proceed with the case to an end. This
was evidenced by the remark of a prom-
nent commissioner that ''we want TO decide
this case and set this man adrift il the
wilderness"
With others there is a conviction that the
assembly is going too fast and making
presidents with too much speed and net
enough deliberation.
A peculiar incident occurred in the
afternoon. Dr.. Birch was reading his
certain words uttered by members Of
tie presbytery Of New York at the Briggs
trial, when commissioner raised point
Of order that 1t was improper TO read
these extracts lest some commissioners
here present may be thereby Influenced"
Church Extension Report.
The hearing in the appeal was delayed
this morning TO hear the report Of the stand
ing committee on church extension, because
Of the necessary departure of Or. White,
secretary Of the board. The report was
beard by the assembly in a peTfunctUTy
manner. The board Of church extension
IS one which never allows its expenses 10
exceed its income Applications have been
made for III church edidces and 53 manseS.
at total cost of $4,000. The total income
amounted TO Sl06 700 and the expenditures
10 Sl02 000 Aid was granted 10 % churches
and A mausss. BY a wise provision all the
churches aided are permanently secured TO
the denomination. The board has also an
architectural annex, which furnishes plans
for new buildings. The repOTt was accepted
aud It's recommendation adopted without de-
bate.
The same overcast skies and the same
crowd Il auditors greeted the opening Of
the Briggs case to-day that were noted yes
terday.
a floral column Of roses five feet high was
placed upon the desk occupied by Dr.
Briggs. IL w8s suimGunted by a white
symbUlZed was matter OF conjecture.
Several resolutions and amendments were
made looking to the return Of the case TO
the presbytery Of New York Tor a new trial.
and several lengthy speeches were made
notably one by Mr.. MCCOOk Nothing Of a
definite character was done and II o'el0ck
arrived with the mandatory order for the
reception Of delegates from other denOmina-
ticHs and The case Of appeal was postponed
tai > o'clock
Dr. Chambers Of the Reformed Church
and Dr. Cav Of the WaldenSeu Church Oc-
CHpied the remainder Of the time until noon
The Afternoon Session.
At tie opening Of the afternoon session it
was voted to hold an evening session to-
night
Elder Junkiu offered a resolution propos-
ing 70 reverse the decision Of the presby-
terry and send back the papers and direct
tile pTesbytery Of New York to try the case
upon It's merits without prejudice TO either
party.
After some argument on the resolution
DIT. Briggs stated that he would personally
be wiling TO confess Judgment upon two
points in the appeal ana would DO so after a
consultation with the members OF his pres
bytely
on behalf Of the appellants Colonel Me-
Cook stated that theappelire should have an
opportunity to be heard upon the merits Of
tie appeal before the house. Three things
were necessary, he SAID, VIZ The appeal
must be sustained; decision Of the presby-
terS must be reversed, and tile pTesbytery
must be directed to try the case upon its
merits. On these grounds We shall be glad to
accept this pTODOsiti0D.
DIT. Burch, for the prosecuting committee.
then took the floor and tTaveTsed grounds
Of appeal and > Specifications Hereunder
Tor an hour Immediately thereafter Dr.
Briggs was heard for an hour in rebutial
His treatment was historical, following the
order Of events at tie trial il New York
Recess till P. NJ.
The Evening Session.
Attic evening session only one speech
was made during the first hour On the re-
vision OF The confession itself. Others re-
lated 30 = constitutional objection which
would SheIye the revision for still another
year.
a resolution with regard to this objee-
ton was finally laid on the table and then,
under the operation Of The previous ques-
G0n and without further discussion, the re-
port ana recommendation Of the revision
committee were adopted, and the % over
tUTes therein proposed were ordered sent
down 10 the pTes6yteries for their action.
This ends the question, SO far as the as SEM
by q 1892 is concerned.