Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-05-18
DR.. BRIGGS CASE



nlitted in this case. and the prosecuting COM
mi.tee thereupo1 submitted amended charges
and specifications. In the furtherance Of ius-
tce, aud with an earnest desire to fairly and
fully meet and conform to the suggestions and
objections raised by DR.. Briggs in his response
to the original charges and specifications. SO
far as such objections were valid or we'll taken
the prosecuting committee, without departing
from or changing the general nature of the
original charges, made such amendments as
appeared to them to be necessary to secure
clearness and certainty a to what was charged
also to prevent the charges from covering more
than one offense and to make the specifications
and the proofs cited in support Thereof, ger
name and pertinent to the charges they were
intended to sustain. The sessions of said Judi
catory were continued with certain Interrupt
tons for a number Of days, during which GER
tain proceedings were taken as recorded in the
minutes of said judicatory. which minutes are
hereby referred to as part Of the record OF
the proceedings in this case, which eliminated
IN the decision and final Judgment from which
this appeal is taken
THE JUDGMENT OF THE PREsBYrERY.
On the 9Th day of january. 1898, commit
tee consisting Of the Rev. George Alexander.
ID. D, the Rev. Henry Van Dyke, ID. D., and
Elder Robert Jaffray, appointed to bring in
minute to express the action of the said judca-
tory. made its report, which was adopted by
the juiicatory, and the said presbytery. sitting
In a judicial capacity. made and entered its de-
cision and final Judgment in this case, in the
following words, TO wit:
The case Of the Presbyterian Church in the
United States of America against the Rev.
Charles A Briggs, ID. D., having been dis
missed by the presbytery Of New York on
November 4. 1891. was remanded by the gen
eral assembly of 1892 to the same presbytery.
with instructions that 1T be brought to issue
and tried on the merits thereof as speedily as
possible
ain obedience to this mandate the presby-
terry Of New York has tried the case. 1t has
listened 90 the evidence and argument of
the committee of prosecution. acting in
fidelity to the duty committed to them. Ii has
heard the defense and evidence of the Rev.
Charles A Briggs, presented in accordance
with the rights secured to every minister of
the church.
The presbytery has kept in mind these es-
tablished principles Of our polity, that no
man can rightly be convicted of heresy by in
reference or implication; that in the inter
probation OF ambiguous expressions candor re-
quires that a court should favor the accused By
putting upon his words the more favorable
rather than the less favorable construction
and there are truths and forms with respect TO
which men of good character NAV differ.
Giving due consideration to the defendants
explanation of the language used in his inau-
gural address. accepting his frank and full dis
claimer of the Interpretation which has been
put upon some OF its phrases and Illustrations
credinng his affirmations of loyalty to the
standards Of the church and to the Holy
Scriptures the only infallible rule of faith
and practice, the presbytery does not find that
he has transgressed The limits of liberty allowed
under our constitution to scholarship and
opinion
Therefore, without expressing approval Of
the critical or theological views embodied in
the inaugural address OF the manner in which
they have been expressed and illustrated. the
presbytery pronounces the Rev. Charles A.
Id NIL Ipft otFap
alleged against him. the several charges and
specifications accepted for probation having
been not sustained by the following vote:
Then follows a detailed statement OF the
vote Of ministers and elders on the various
changes and specifications, the general result
being about 81 for sustaining and 20 for mot
sustaining.
Accordingly, the presbytery, making full
recognition of the ability, sincerity and
patience with which the committee of prosecu-
ton have performed the onerous duty assigned
them. does now, to the extent Of its constitu-
nonal power. relieve said committee from
further responsibility in connection with this
case. In so doing. the presbytery is not under
taking to decide how far that committee is
subject to the authority of the body
appointing it, but intends by this
action to express an earnest con-
viction that the grave issues involved in this
case will be more wisely and justly determined
by calm Investigation and fraternal discussion
''In view of the present disguietude in the
Presbyterian Church, and of the obligation
resting upon all Christians to walk in charity
and to have tender concern for the consciences
Of their brethren. the presbytery earnestly coun-
sells Its members to avoid on the one hand hasty
or overconfdent statement Of private opinion
on points concerning which profound and rev.
erent students OF Gods word are not vet agreed
and on the other hand suspicious and charges
Of false teaching which are not clearly capable
Of proof.
Moreover, the presbytery advises and ex-
horts all subject to its authority to regard the
many and great things in which we agree rather
than the few and minor things in which we
differ; and, turning from the paths Of contro-
versy, to devote their energies to the great and
urgent work of the church, which is the procla-
nation OF the gospel and the edIfying Of the
body of Christ"
From the aforesaid action. decision and final
Judgment of the said presbytery Of New York,
day Of January. 1898. being the final judgment
OF the said presbytery in the case Of the Pres
byterian Church in the United States of Amer
lea against the Rev. Charles A. Briggs, ID. d..
in behalf of the Presbyterian Church in the
United States of America, we. the undersigned
the prosecuting committee in the said case, do
hereby appeal to your venerable body. the gen.
eral assembly of the Presbyterian Church in
the United States of America. in accordance
with the provisions Of sections "a to 1922 inclu-
sive, OF the book Of discipline.
THE JURISDICTION OF THE ASSEMBLY.
Under the provisions of section " of chap
ter II Of the form OF government of said Pres
bvterian Church. the decision of a synod on an
appeal which affects the doctrine of the church
is not final
Section of chapter Mi Of said form of
government devolves upon the general assem-
bly, 1.-The power Of deciding in all controversies
respecting doctrine and discipline; of reprov-
ing. warning OF bearing testimony against error
in doctrine in any church, presby-
terry or synod
Section ~ of the same chapter provides that
1.-The general assembly shall receive and issue
all appeals that affect the doctrine
or constitution of the church. which may be
regularly brought before them from the in
ferior judicatories.'
Under these sections OF the form Of govern
ment and section l02 of the book of discipline
the appeal from the former judgment dismiss
ing this case was taken BY the prosecuting COM
mittee. in behalf OF the SAID Presbyterian
Church. directly from the presbytery of New
York to the general assembly. The supreme
court of the church. after full discussion. as
sumed jurisdiction o: the case. entertained the
appeal, and, after further full argument, sus-
tanned the same.
The general assembly, in reversing the
former judgment OF the presbytery. directed
that the case should be tried upon its merits by
the presbytery of New York. and from the re-