Omaha daily bee., 1893-05-14

BRIGGS case and the assembly deliverance,
tho liberals declaring that at the meeting In
Portland new dogma had been issued
while the conservatives assert as vigorously
that 10 was simply statement OF what the
church has always held. II must be ad-
mitted, however, that had the question OF
DIR. Briggss orthodoxy not come before the
church, the necessity for the deliverance at
this time would scarcely have been felt SO
urgently by those who favored its adoption
The conservatives say that IN the liberals
are so much disturbed by the fear OF spht
in the church, their fears can be allayed Oy
DIR. Briggs resignation being accepted Dy
the directors of Union seminary; put Dr.
Briggs and his friends say that they are not
fighting for themselves, but for freedom in
the church, for liberty for those who
are oppressed by the present ultra-con-
servative views taught and held
in certain quarters; that il IL were one man
who was at stake, they could afford to yield
rather than force the issue, but, under the
circumstances, 1t is better TO go down with
flags flying. After the trial in New York,
DIR. Edward L. Clark, a member of the pres.
bytery, a leading pastor and director OF
Union seminary, resigned his pastorate be-
cause he could not hold the views which
seemed essential for n man owning allegiance
to the general assembly. An effort was
made to retain him In the presbytery, but he
was firm in his determination to withdraw,
and he accepted call TO a leading Congre-
gational church In Boston.
Election OF Moderator.
The Briggs case will come before the as
sembly indirectly on the opening day, when
an effort will be made to secure for moder-
ator minister friendly to the professor,
for the moderator appoints all the standing
committees. Should the liberal candidate
fail TO secure the election, he will by courtesy
be placed at the head of the judiciary com
mittee, in the coming assembly the most i'm
portaat chairman appointed. The appeal
from New York will then be referred to the
judicial committee which will report that it
be entertained or not entertained III 1t be
not entertained that will settle the matter.
and DIR. Briggs, who Is now acquitted by the
New York presbytery, will be adiudged or
thodox If, however, the assembly enter
tains the appeal, the question will arise
whether il shall be sustained and judgment
taken or whether it shall be remanded to
| the synod of New York for action.
Among the candidates for moderator are
| Prof. Craig Of Chicago, Prof. Roberts OF
| Cincinnati, DIR. Baker and DIR. Dickey, both
| of Philadelphia. 1t is thought by many that
| DIR. Roberts will be elected as his friends
| are sorely displeased with the action OF the
Lane seminary directors, who have removed
| him from his office and kept in the seminary
| DR.. Henry p. Smith, whose trial for heresy
| was going on in Cincinnati last fall when
| DR.. Briggs was on the rack in New York.
Not few of the prcsbyteries have IN
| structed their delegates how to vote on the
| Briggs case. In the Baltimore presbytery
| for instance, resolution was presented re
| questing the general assembly to take fina
| action in the matter. and not send the case
| back to the New York synod. This was laiC
| on the table. although one of the clergymer
| who seconded the resolution said the fac
| that the prosbytery had elected DR.. JOSEPH
| L. Smith and DR.. j. p. Leftwich, as It's com
| missoners to the assembly was guarantee
that the presbytery would be represented
| by two men who would substantially suppor
| the principle of the abled resolution, as they
| are strictly orthodox and wish the Briggs
| case settled once and for all, and not to b'
sent back to the synod, only to return on al
| appeal next year.
OF Different Views.
Several leading presbyteries, on the othe
| hand have instructed their commissioners
| to vote to have the case remanded. SeVera
| presbyteries have overturned the assembly t.
| decline to entertain any appeals in 1udicia
cases made directly from the presbytery o
| by u prosecuting committee; the assembly
if necessary, directing the persons maxim:
such appeal to have recourse for relief I
their right of complaint to the synod. 1t /
expected that If sufficient number of over
lures of this character is received BY tn
coming assembly that it will have an lnd1
] rect effect, at least, upon the action IN Tn
I prasant issne