Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-05-30


divine light and guidance in solving
the question before the high judicial
court OF the Presbyterian Church was
the earnest plea Of every prayer offered
AT the half-hOur devotional meeting
wSich preiaced to-day's session OF the
General Assem- ZEN S4y.c sS4yc'- 4rr;>> service was
conducted by Prof. J. NJ. CoynefS 81
Los Angeles, who read the first chap
tar Of Hebrews. While the season OF
PRAYER and praise was in progress the
galleries filed with al interesting
throng who glanced curiously at the
several prominent persons engaged IN
the affairs Of the day.
Col. McCoOk, Of the Prosecuting
Committee, was the first Of the leading
figures TO arrive. de came in by way OF
the pulpit entrance, and placed upon
the table his leather bag containing the
documents bearing upon the Briggs
case. His associate, Rev. Mr.. Lampe,
reached his seat just as MODERATOR
Craig opened the Assembly with prayer
While the minutes were being read u.
w. Birch, Chairman Of the Prosecuting
Committee, carrying his familiar bag,
took his seat. At this time Rev. DIR.
Frazier, OF Newark, was the only occu-
pant Of the Briggs table, but before the
reading Of the minutes were concluded
the defendant, DR.. Briggs, enveloped In
a dark OVercOat and accompanied oy
Prof. Francis Brown, OF Union Semi
nary, entered and prepared himself for
the days session.
After the minutes had been approved,
DIR Herrick Johnson, chairman Of the
Committee on Columbian Worlds Fair
exhibit, stated that the committee, In
view OF the action OF the Assembly, was
I'm a praalyzed condition. II the ex-
bibit was 10 be removed from the
grounds, as indicated by the Assembly,
the committee must be backed by the
financial responsibility OF the body. To
remove the exhibit aud return the sub
scriptions to the fund for installation
would require about 81, 500. There was
81, ,525 on hand. After some discussion
Il was voted to refer the matter to the
Committee on Finance, with power TO
act.
DR.. Young, chairman Of the Commit
tee on Bills and Overtures, reported
upon number referred TO that COM
mittee. Answers 20 the most important
were TO the following effect: That mas
much as the presbytsries voted against
the overtures on vacancy and supply
sent down by the General Assembly OF
1902. IL Is deemed inOppOrtnne at this
time TO overture the prssbyteries again
on that subject; that the Synod OF Utah
be erected, with Rev. r. G.. McNice as
temporary moderator, and the Synod OF
Montana be erected, with Rev. Andrew
Wormser as temporary moderator.
These recommendations were adopted.
A memorial Of 365 officers and mem
hers. asking an Interpretation OF the de-
Iiverance OF the AsSe embly OF 1892 upon
the Inspiration OF the Bible, was report
ed by DIR. Young, with the recommen-
dation that IL be considered answered
by the report Of the committee made
Saturday afternoon. II was so ordered,
and the report was made the second
special order OF business after the close
Of the judicial case.
OPENING OF THE GREAT TRIAL.
The closest attention was given DR..
Baker. chairman OF the Judicial Com
mittee, when he rose from his place on
the platform, to make the report OF the
committee as 20 the disposition OF time
I'm the trial. The arrankement, he said,
was entirely agreeable TO both sides.
Four and a half hours were granted 10
the appellants TO open and close the
case. DR.. Briggs was allowed seven
hours TO reply, and the New York
Presbytery, from whose Judgment the
appeal was taken, were assigned TWO
hours TO be used in ten-minute speeches.
A vote will be taken on each specihea-
tion.
DIR. Baker said that TO new matter
would be introduced. After some de-
sultory debate on the conduct Of the
case. the report was adopted unani-
mously, and the moderator arose to eau
tion the commissioners as 10 the man
ner OF their bearing during the trial
The assembly has voted to sit
morning, afternoon and night until the
case is disposed Of. Allowing two hours
for the night session the assembly will
be- IN session eight hours day, so
thar TWO DAYS will afford ample time
nader the committees arrangement for
hearing and disposing of the case.
These spreliminaries had occupied
half an hour, and it was just 1905
o'clock when Col. McCOok took the
stand. and the great trial might be fair
Iy said 10 have begun. His purpose at
that time was merely 10 notify the
court and appellee of the citations and
references which the prosecution ex-
peeted To use IN presenting their case.
Col McCOok said
AiR. MODERATOR, Fathers AND BRETH-
REN:--When sitting as judiciary In judi
eial case. the members OF the court are
charged with judicially judging OF the con-
tents OF the Constitution OF the Presoyter-
ian Church In the United States OF Ameri-
ca consisting of the confession of the faith,
the larger and shorter catechiSms, the form
OF government, the book Of discipline and
directory Of worship, copy OF wnlch was
introduced in evidence by the appellant:
The members Of the court are also charged
with judicial knowledge Of the contents OF
the Holy Bible, copy OF which was intro
duced In evidence by the appellant, ana
many portions Of the Holy Bible and the
Constitution Of the Church may be referred
10 by the appellant without any previous
design on the part or the parts Thereon 20
beused.
COL. M'CoOK THEN STATED
that the appellants would use and refer 70
certain designated parts Of the printed doc
auaept containing the record OF the case
Ates Of the Presbytery OF 1eW I OK
e IA; Stenographic reports OF tne
the Presbytery Of New YORK NOV,
1902, 70 January Q, 1898; tnlrd
the "1naugural Address, Dr.