The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-05-25


Fraser, of Newark, and was as follows:
The undersigned, a minority OF the judicial
committee, would respectfully submit the fol-
lowing report:
WHEREAS The Book OF Discipline requires
that appeals general are TO he taken TO the
judicsiory Immediately superior 20 that ap-
peaied FROM" and
WHEREAS, There are no sufficient reasons for
making the appeal against the action OF the
presbytsry of New York in dismissng the case
against DR.. Briggs an exception to this rule;
therefore
We recommend to the general assembly that
the appeal be not entertained; that the papers
in the case be returned TO the appellants, and
that they be advised TO bring their appeal or
complaint before the synod of New York.
THOMAS GORDON,
OSWALD i. BAcKUs,
GEORGE w. KKTCHAM.
The only action taken upon the reports
thus submitted was to fix 4 o'clock tomor-
row as the time for their consideration.
The order of the day was resumed an d
the report from the committee on CO.
operation with other churches was read by
DIR. Thompson, of New York. In view OF
the opinions entertained by many it is
doubtful whether the recommendations of
the committee would have been adopted
except for the peculiar antics of a reverend
doctor of divinity in the person of DR..
Bartlett, of Washington City. In gaining
the floor he remarked that he wanted to
"get rid of this wooden-headed
committee" He denounced the report
as "worthless;" reminding him of a
''ffteen-volume German work written on a
flea" When called to order by a commits
sioner on the floor. he insolently as ked ::
whats your name?" The moderator
allowed him to continue his remarks in
spite of a well-taken point of order. The
hour of adjournment was postponed n
few minutes to allow Colonel Shepard, of
New York, to deliver the greetings of the
Methodist general conference at Omaha,
which had been entrusted TO him. The
return greetings to the conference were
adopted by rising vote.
The Briggs case comes up on appes, from the
prosecuting committee of the New York pres
bytery, which dismissed he heresy trial begun
there last summer. After tho committee had
made its report, citing the charges and specif-
cations, and d.. Briggs had made reply, the
presbytery dismissed the case, and it is against
this action that the appeal is brought. In addi-
ton to that the members OF the committee have
the New York synod According to the usual
course, the case should go from the presbytery
to the synod, and then to the assembly, but the
committee intends TO force the appeal at Port
land. When the case was before the presbytery
of New York last fall protests against the ruling
OF the moderator and against the decision of the
presbytery were offered, and these have been
signed by many who voted to dismiss the case
in the pTesbytcry.
Dr. Briggs was born in New York and has
just passed his 50th birthday. When 16 years
old he entered the University OF Virginia, and
Union seminary three years later He a
member of the famous seventh regiment of New
York and marched to the front He was en-
gaget in mercantile life after the Rebellion for
some time, and then went to Germany, where
he had the privilege of studying under Dorner
and Rodiger. After brief pastorate at Rosele,
\. j., he was called to profeSsorship in Union
seminary eighteen years ago, occupying the
Hebrew chair until last year. when Charles But
Ter, the president Of the board % directors, gave
100000 TO found a chair of Biblical theology
and requested that his friend, DR.. Briggs,
should be transferred to that chair.
Few writer's of the present day have been
enabled to accomplish more than DR.. Briggs
He is an interchangeable worker. He became one
OF the founders and managing editor of The
Presbyterian ReUie,D, and has written numerous
articles Tor periodicals, besides several books,
Including ''Biblcal study" "Messauic Proph-
ecy," "American Presbyterianism,' "Whither"
and new one just issued 1.-The Bible, the
Church and tho Reason" 1t was "Whither"
that called special attention to his advanced
views in regard to the Bible From the first he
was bitterly opposed to the revised Bible and
has taken frequent occasion to speak against it,
The chairman Of the Old Testament Company
OF the American committee was DIR. Green, OF
Princeton seminary. the present moderator of
h.,. IT,,,,v g
burgh held its centennial celebration in lisa, Dr.
Briggs was one of the four American scholars
who received the degree of u. ID. While recog-
nized as fighter by those outside OF the pres
bytery, and by some within the bounds, the fol-
lowing testimonial, written by one who knows
him thoroughly, will be accepted as true by his
friends:
Dr. Briggs is gentleman of genial spirit and
Winning address, he is a dtiigcat and enthusi-
astic student, n vigorous writer and independ-
ent thinker. ana holds high rauk az scholar
He fills most acceptab!y the professorship
which he now occupies in the Theological sem
mary, in which no was once a student, and is
highly esteemed by his friends for his excellent
social qualities and Christian character.
Just before the assembly met year ago the
directors of Union Seminary appointed a COM
mittec to see DR.. Briggs anu obtain from him n
settlement regarding matters which were be-
lieved to DC misunderstood i'll his inaugural al
dress. The statement consisted OF d series of
questions, which were answered by tho profes-
sor and presented to the board, 10 the satisfac-
ton of ali, though 1t has since been said by one
OF them that he merely meant that he would
not press the matter further. Some of the Ques-
lions and answers were these:
ADO you oasiier the Bible the church and
reason as coordinate sources of authority .
Aus.-No. B-Do you believe the Scriptures OF
thu Old and New Testaments 10 be the only in
fniiiblc rule Of faith practice? A-Yes
Would you accept the following as ~ satisfsc-
tory definition of inspiration: "Inspiration is
record of Gods revelations in respect to both
faith aud doctrne?' A.-Yes
DO you believe the Bible iueIrant in all mat
tiers concerning faith AMI practice and in every
thing IN which II Is n revelation from God as a
voice of divine truth. and that there are no en-
rors which disturb It's inialliblity in these mat
tiers. IN Is records OF the historic events and
institutions with which they are inse9arably
conuectetP Ayes.
Is your theory % progressive sanctifcation
such rs will permit YOU - say that you believe
THAI when Il man dies III the faith he enters the
middle state rcgenela!ed, justified and sinless .
A-Yes.
Is soon IS the assembly hal adjourned. hav-
ing disaPproved pr. Briggs transfer, the direc-
tors passed this resolution:
Re>o'rei That tais board Of directors. after
hay ~ taken legal advice. and after due consid-
Grafton. see no reason - change their views on
the sab set OF the transfer of Or. Briggs and
feel bound n the discharge of thcir duty under
the Charter and constitution u adhere to the
same