New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-01-20
DIR. BRIGGS STILL ON TRIAL.
THE CASE CARRIED TO THE ASSEMBLY.

FIVE GROUNDS OF ApPEAL-THE PROSECUTING
COMMITTEE EXPLAINS IT'S ACTION.
The Committee Of Prosecution IN the case Of the
Presbyterian Church against the Rev. DR.. Charles A.
Briggs. OF the Union Theological Seminary has fled
a written notice OF appeal 10 the next General As
sembly which will meet at Washington in May. The
notice. with the grounds OF the appeal the specif
cations Of the alleged, has been sent the
Rev. Or. 5. ID. Alexander stated clerk OF the New
York Presbytery, who has acknowledged Its receipt
The five grounds OF appeal are as follows:
a. Irregularity in the proceedings Of said Presby
terry OF New York. twelve specifications.
e. Receiving improper testimony, three specih.
cations.
(3) Declining 10 receive important testimony. two
specifications.
a. Manifestation Of prejudice In the conduct Of the
six specifications, including extracts nom the
speeches OF Drs. George Alexander. Henry NJ. Field
Thomas s. Hastings. Henry Dyke and the Rev.
Antonio Alright
(j.) Mistake Injustice in the decision. eleven
specifications.
The following reasons are given by the committee
for carrying the directly from the PreSbytery TO
the General Assembly.
Believing that the tal Of said DR.. Briggs is
the important in tho history OF the Presbyterian
Church bv reason OF dangerous errors alleged be
contained in the address Of tho said Or. Briggs ct his in
auguIaton Professor Of Biblical Theology IN Union
Theological Seminary.
1891 which inaugural address charges and spechca
tabled prosecution IN compliance with
tons 10 and II of the Book Of Discipline was Initiated By
the Prcsbytcry OF Ncw.York in tho name OF
the Presbyterian Church in the United States OF America
and believing that the distinct and dchnits condcmna-
ton those alleged errors supreme judicsorv
Of the sold Presbyterian Church Is necessary in order 10
prevent their spread and influence In the denominations
and while having the highest respect for the Synod Of
NewYork. believing that special responsibility rests
upon the Assembly which charged with the duty
OF deciding in oil controversies respecting doctrine OF re-
proving warning or beating testimony against in
doctfns In Church, Presbyte:v synod and In
AFFECT or concern promotion OF truth and
holiness through all the churches under ts care as SET
forth in Chapter MI. sections and OF the Form Of
Government and in View Of the dcsrsbcness of tho speed
settlement OF this important case do hereby
appeal and request venerable BODY 70 enter I'm
mcdlat-y upon consideration and judicial investigation
appeal here presented &" issue the case aud 10
finally determine tho important questions involved 50 az
the purity and OF the Church at the earliest
possible day.
Then follows a complete history o. the case from
IFS earliest inception to the close OF the trial In the
Prcsbytcry. The committee adds:
II the action 81 the committee in takas this appea'
docs ,Se the court Of last resort II need
be entertained end the appeal can he dismissed WIN
out prejudice 20 any interest Under ordinary condi'
,ons tho prosecuting committee would taken this
appeal 10 Synod OF NeYork. but it DOS not appear
best to do 30 this exceptional case for the following
reasons:
l. To securc the peace and qu.. Of the Church that
Anal determination q fundamental and important
questions involved should be reached by the court OF last
resort a, the earliest practicable date.
. As this involves doctrine. 1t must b" finally
determined hv the General Assembly. The d'lsy IN
reaching al ultimate decision through an appeal BY way
q, the synod could not than during which
tho character instruction given our candidates for ia"
GOSPEL ministry might he unfavorsbiy affected by So
cnor tho speedy hrson o. the cont Of last resort IN
hi. case neither tho rights interests Of any ind.
Sidual would suffer.
4 II the appeal should e. the Synod ~ New.
York and he passed upon hy that udc"'oy. when tho
reaches the General Assembly. hy appeal from inc
decision Synoi all the Pfc'hv"riH' CONTINUING
tina. SYNOD would be cvcudd from representation In The
final Determination those important questions II the
snnoal GOO. directly Assembly,. the conms Soners
from only Prcsbytcv the entire church would be
excluded from sitting. debcratns and Young IN mo
final decision In the synod o. New YORK there az
thirtvwo Pfcsbreries nearly Is per % the who"
number 81 Pre.bytec, the Canrch lna.nn'h a. al
these Prcsbyterie, excepting viii be fy repre-
>entcd and head IN the General Assembly ana ths
General Assernby glyc final decision. We b"lirs"
the tine and Of the SYNOD OF Ne"i"A Will 10
best conserved Assembly should entertain tho al.
neal according % the committees request This I'm.
rt,nt consideration OF having these questions determined
bv the representative, Of subsanusy the cntr" Church
apar, from Other reasons above moned "oHd seem
Ia require In the O. "a rncss and JUSTICE 70 al
concerned that Prosecuting COMMITTEES should i"h"
on appeal directly 70 IN" General Assembly and mat 'hs
General Assembly should entertain sald appeal.
The appeal closes with this prayer:
And IN conclusion your appesnt pravs your venersb.
hov The General Assembly 81 the PRESBYTERIAN Church
IN the United States Of America u ISSUE this appeal ana
IN ,nke therein such action a. IN yeur wisdom NAV sem
hos, in order and preserve the purity ana peace
=, mn, Church. GeOfce W r.. Birch. Joseph j. Inmpc.
Eoier, f. Sample. John j. stevenson. John j. MccooA