The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1893-05-30
Thu BRIGGS TRIAL BEGUN.
Opening Argument for the Pros
ecution by DR.. Tempe.
WHAT THEY WILL PROVE.
DIR. Briggs Persisted in Making State
ments Which Alarmed the Church.
The Accused Makes an Appeal in His
Own Behalf in Which he Denies That
He IS Guilty of Teaching
False Doctrine.

WASHINGTON, May 29.-The trial of DIR.
Briggs began at 10 this morning, appel
| lants to be allowed four and half hours
to open and close the case. Briggs is al
lowed seven hours to reply, and the New
York presbytery, from whose Judgment
the appeal was taken, was given two hours
in ten minute speeches.
After devotional exercises and before
proceedings in the Briggs case began, DR..
Herrick Johnson, chairman OF the COM
mittee on Worlds fair exhibit, stated
that if the exhibit was TO be removed from
the grounds as indicated by vote of the
assembly, the committee must be backed
by the financial possibility of the body.
To remove the exhibit and return the
subscription to the funds would require
81, 500, or 81 900 more than was on hand.
1t was decided to refer the matter to the
committee on finance with power to act.
DIR. Young, chairman of the committee
on bills and overtures, reported upon a
number referred to that committee. 1t
reported recommending that a synod be
erected, with Rev. McNiece as temporary
moderator, and synod of Montana be
erected, with Rev. Andrew Wormser tenn
porary moderator. The recommendation
was adopted.
Then Colonel McCook, of the prosecu-
ton committee, arose and proceeded to
notify the court and appellee of citations
and references which the prosecution ex-
pected TO use in presenting their case.
He was followed by DR.. Lampe, who
made the opening argument. He pro-
ceeded, saying appellants assigned i've
grounds in the appeal, namely, lrregu-
larity in the proceedings of the New York
spresbytery; receiving improper, and de-
Ginning important testimony; manifesto
ton of prejudice, and mistake or injus-
tice in the decision.
He proceeded to discuss the first ground
from purely legal standpoint, then
viewed the other grounds of appeal, and
continuing, said: cdr. Briggs not only
believes the doctrines he breaches, but
! propagates them. 1t is a well-known fact
that DR.. Briggs entered a plea of not
guilty. In spite of this fact, he persisted
in making statements which have alarmed
the whole church. He has disclaimed
nothing, but has reatfirmed the doc
trines he avowed in his Inaugural
that final judgment rendered by
the New York assembly is not in har-
mony with the Bible. That verdict was
unjust. DIR. Briggs has taken the matter
into his own hands and claims the right
| to preach anything and everything. His
teachings conf1icted with both Scripture
and the standards. DIR. Lampe affirmed
the inerrancy OF the Bible. saying: sit is
impossible for God to lie; the word of
God is truth from the beginning. -
At the afternoon session DR.. Lampe
took up the charge that Prof Briggs
taught that process of redemption ex-
tended to the world to come in cases of
many who died in sin, and asserted that
this doctrine was an offense according to
the book of discipline. In conclusion,
Lampe appealed to the assembly to reject
the verdict OF acquittal by the New York
synod and set the church right before the
world.
DR.. Briggs then began his defense. He
said he had been accused of teaching that
many of the old testament predictions
had been reversed by history and the
great body of Messiamic predictions had
not and would not be fulfilled. This he
had repudiated. He also disclaimed that
he was guilty OF teaching that process of
redemption extended to the world to come
in case of many who died in sin, stating
he had repudiated the Roman Catholic
doctrine of purgatory, also the doctrine
of future probation and regeneration
after death or any beginning OF christian
life after death. Continuing on this sub
| ject Professor Briggs said:
"You have heard attributed to me the
dreadful doctrine OF race redemption but
| if you will look into my inaugural you
will see all / have to say on that subject
| is in connection with the incarnation OF
Jesus Christ. The trouble with these
brethren is that they are taking too
narrow view of the doctrine. ] would
that l could teach such comfortable
doctrine and if the time ever comes that
can, will gladly lay down my ministry
| in the Presbyterian church and go forth
to teach the hope of salvation of some of
those who apparently have died without
regeneration in this world, but do not
hold that belief now, cannot.'
Doctor Briggs made legal argument
against the consideration OF these re-
jected charges by the grand assembly
until after they have been tried by the
New York Presbytery. A recess was then
taken until evening.
| At the evening session Professor
Briggs defended the action of the Presby
| terry at great length and then passed to a
discussion of the logic of the case. This
point he discussed long time, holding
that he must be judged by his faith and
practice and not by individual interpre-
! tation. He held that there were errors of
| holy scripture in matters that did not in
any way impair its availability in mat
tiers of faith and practice. At 10 O'Clock
the assembly adjourned until tomorrow.
Professor Briggs having spoken three
hours today.
i rrt<.r