The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-06-02
Presbyterian Assembly Fixes
the Punishment for Heresy.
FiRas STAND or the ACCUSED.
Refuses TO Invoke Pardon By Recant-
ing His Utterances and Teachings.
lane Seminary Placed Undep The Han
Unsil lt Shall Havs Removed Rev.
Hsary Preserved Smith, Accused Of
Herssy-Ths Inspiratiea Of The Bible.

hands in the person Of Dr. Briggs, the first
thing for the Presbyterian general assem-
bly, to do this morning Was to consider
what should be done With him. The COM
mittee appointed to decide the matter
brought in . Recommendation of '.suspen-
sion from the ministry" and the assembly
adopted the report Dr.. Briggs is sus-
pended indefinitely and can only b REIN
stated on reeantation of the matter in
speeches and writing to which objection is
made. 1t is unlikely thathe will ever do
that.
On the reconvening Of the general as
sembly today the moderator announced
the names of the committes to formulate
minutes expressing the sense of tAe assem-
bly, as to the vote taken upon the appeal
from the New York pjesbytery in the
Briggs case. Rev. Thouias A. HoSt, of
Philadelphia, was made chairman, and
the other members are as to!lows:
Ministers--H ". Coagdou, of Nebraska: ".
W. Harsha. OF Nebraska; j. J. Lucas, o. Indiana:
g. b. Baker. OF Pennsylvsnts; Z. r. WALTON, of
Indiana: Thomas Dewing. Of Iowa. Elders
Johu Randolph, OF Baltimore; Thomas Nc
+. 7. Greene, of New Jersey: J. A. Curry, OF
Kentucky: E. d. wa,deld. Of Pennsylvania.
The committee retired, and the assem-
bly,, as q court. adjourned. resuming legis-
lative business as an assembly.
The assembly adopted the report OF the
committee Of bills and overtures. reaffirm-
ing the deliverance of the assembly Of 1892
on the inspiration Of the Scriptures.
Rev. John Dickson, chairman Of the
committee OF theological seminaries. sub
mitted report on the institutions
The report showed general prosperity. As
to the Lane Theological seminary, the
trustees were compelled to abolish the
chair of practical thoiogy, owing to the re-
duced income. thus necessitating the
resignation of DR.. Roberts. who was the
incumbent thereof. In the list Of pro-
fessors the assembly finds the name of
Rev. Henry P. Smith. who in December
last was suspended by the presbytcry Of
Cincinnati for unsoundness in facts. Tho
board. tho report says. should have ac-
cepted the resignation OF Prot. Smith, or
at least relieved him from the discharge Of
his duties. The assembly is, therefore.
constrained to withhold It's approval and
commendation Of Lane seminary until the
board reconsidered its sction and remedied
the matter. The commiteee ecommends
that the selection of the Rev. Charles A.
Briggs, ID. D.. by the presbytery Of Newark
as director of the German Theological
seminary at bloomfield. N. J., be disap-
proved by this assembly.
The report on Union seminary. of which
Briggs is one Of the faculty, recon-
mended disavowal Of all responsibility for
its teachings and declining to receive
any further reports from it until it is
brought into harmony with the church.
A long and excited discussion followed
the presentation of the report, but the
question was finally put and the report
adopted by large majority.
Al the afternoon session DR.. Craig con-
vened the assembly court to hear the re-
port of the committee appointed to pre-
pare explanatory minutes in the Briggs
case. Rev. Mr.. Hoyt. chairman. called
upon Dr. Baker. of the subcommittee sent
to interview Prof Briggs, to report the
result OF the interview. DR.. Baker said
that Prof Briggs stated that his irrevoca-
bic determination was to abide by the
declarations made in mis- address before
the assembly in his defense, and to con-
tinue TO teach the doctrines there avowed.
At the request of DR.. Baker, Prof. Briggs
gave him an autograph letter making such
a statement, whereupon DIR. Baker said
the committee took the action which Mr.
Hoyt would now report To the assembly.
The report. after reciting the proceedings
IN the case. proceeds:
This iudica,ory inds that the said tius, ,udr.
msnt OF the presbytefy OF New York was er,one-
ogs and is hereby reversed, and this general
q hfy GuAa
B'Igs, uttered. taugh. and propagated views.
doctrines and teachings contrary 20 the essen
tisl doctrine of the Holy Scriptures and the
standard Of the Presbyterian church aad IL, vio-
lsiion OF the ordination VOWS OF said apprl,ee
which said erroneous views aud doctrines strike
at the vits.s OF re.igion and have been .ndus,ri-
ousiy spread. ana daes hereby suspend Charles
A. Bt;ggs, said appellee. Irou, the Office OF min
ste: of the Presbyterian church in the United
States Of America uat;i such time as he shall
give satisfactory evidence OF repentance To ths
general assembly OF the violation by him of
said ordination vows as herein and heretofore
ioard.
The report Of the committee was adopted
and a vote OF thanks given the committee
for ITS services. Rev. DR. Herrick John
son, OF Chicago. presented protest against
the action of the assembly on the insplra-
iion Of the Holy Scriptures. Rev. DR.
Young offered q supplement TO the rerort
of the committee on bills and oyertures
on the inspiration OF The Scrintures. as
follows:
Resoitof. That tAc Bible - W. now have IL In
various i-aaslasions ana verslonx when freed
from aii errors and mistakes OF the translator
corylsts sad printers, Is the very word OF God
aad consequently wholly without error
The resolution was unanimously
adopted
pr. Spracne presented for consideration
protest against the action OF the assem-.
h!y in the Briggs case as being too severe
a sentence for the oaense o. the honored
scholar named. and as tending to restrict
the liberty heretofore enjoyed by offiec
bearer. in the Presbyterian church. Sara
tosa Was chosen as the plsce Of the meet
ing OF the assembly Ia i-li. A recess was
taken until a 2. m.
The records of various synois were re-
ported and approved. except those Of Penn
sylsania. for incompetency. and OF South
Dakota. Tor holding business sessions
On sunday. The record Of Wis
cons:n xas approved With fourteen
exceptions. which were ordered sent to
the synod for information. Various
standing committees Sere thea discharged
ia due torn, reporting no further business.
The usual resolutions OF thanks were
offered and alter complimentary and con-
graiaIaiory messages from . number of
Heratae-s np Craig made III. rsax;rv