The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-03-03
BRIGGS NEW SCHEME.
He Seeks Control of the Presby,
terrain Assembly.
A BOMB THAT FAILED TO BURST,
ah Political work Exposed-Marttn
and Easton TO Bald . Tabernacle
Connolly and ssrubls.

rreSoyterian church OF this city, who is
an earnest opponent of the heresies of
Dr. Charles Briggs, the noted New York
divine, has received some important in
formation, not generally known, concern
ing the methods being pursued by the
friends OF the latter to capture control of
the general assembly of the Presbyterian
church. which meets at Washington City
in May.
This assembly will be called upon to de-
eide questions Of great importance to the
denomination. The heresy cases of DR..
Briggs and DR.. Henry Preserved Smith. of
Cincinnati. will come before the body for
hnal disposition. The election of delegates
to the assembly occurs in the first and
second weeks of April, each presbytery
being entitled to send one minister and
one elder for every twenty-four ministers
or fraction of twelve on its roll.
The case Of DR.. Briggs will come before
the assembly on appeal by the prosecu-
ton from the decision of the New York
presbytery, which acquitted Briggs. The
case OF DIR. Smith comes up on his own ap-
peal from the adverse decision Of the Ohio
presbyter-. The case of DR.. Briggs has
become noted on account of the stubborn
ness with which he has defended his
views and the success which has 80 far at
tended hrs contest. Each of the last two
general assemblies, however, adopted reso-
lutiOns hostile to his cause, and it is gen.
orally conceded that his contentious will
meet with overwhelming defeat at the
Washington City assembly.
Briggs and his friends are not idle, how
ever. and they are now engaged in . cam
paign which seeks to control the assembly
in his favor. In this work they are using
all the finer works of politics, some of
which are of secret nature. For some
time memorial has been quietly circu-
lated among those who are known to
sympathize with Briggs. which deplores
the ''prevalency of theological contro-
versy and strife over doctrines which
are not essential, and protesting
against making the theory OF the
inerrancy Of the Scriptures q test
of Christian faith" The circular il headed
"A Plea for Peace and Work." and is
signed by about $50 ministers of the 1000
in the church. To those whose sympa-
thies are not known the circular is sent
with the statement that most of the sign
ers are men who were originally opposed
to DR.. Briggs, but who have changed their
great split in the church 10 likely to result
if the Briggs case il decided adversely to
him.
One Of these circulars was sent to DR..
Alison, and In speaking of the matter last
night, he said:
lives . member of the last two general asssm.
blies and my hostile attitude toward the position
Of DR.. Briggs ID well known. This plea for
peace II evidently intended TO serve . double
purpose. Among those who are weak-kneed
and want peace at any price II 10 circulated for
the purpose Of obtaining signatures with which
to awe the assembly when the question comes
before II. II also 10 intended to bulldoze the
prosecution Of his case with the threat of caus-
ing great split in the denomination and the
formation of q new church. which would DO
Joined by the leading congregations of
the denomination in the larger cities.
This threat 10 ridiculous and DR.. William
c. Roberts, ex-moderator OF the general assem-
bly,, and chairman Of the revision conf mite. and
. leading liberal. says that there is not the
slightest possibility OF split over any questions
circular 10 shown By secret and confidential
circular sent out 70 those known to be Briggs
adherents, accompanying the "plea for place.
memorial, OF which here 10 . copy. The main
point In 1t IL contained in the following:
If We can BY urging the demand for peace and
issues involved In the Briggs case, We may pre-
vent adverse action ct Washington In May,
and We then ought to control the assembly of
1894 The matter has been carried on very
quietly and secretly, 30 - 70 keep it out Of the
papers until early in March, when Il viii strike
the church like thunderciap and have . trs-
mendous effect whom IL IL known that the city
pastors of the rich and inf uen tiac
been committed to us. You will, I beg, keep
this communication strictly confidential, % any
exposure now would destroy our plans for q
msioriiy OF the church IL still ignosantly op-
posed to II, and cannot be driven, but must be
led forth into the light
copy of this confidential letter evidently fell
into wrong hands, end the bombshell effect an
ticipated will not materialize in consequences.
The campaign IL now on. but the methods being
Yesorted to by DR.. Briggs friends will do his
cause more harm than good, and his teachings
will be Overwhelmingly condemned.