The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1893-06-08


Al the Thursday afternoon session DR..
craig convened the assembly as court to
hear the report OF the committee appointed
TO prepare the explanatory minute in the
Briggs case.
Rev. Mr.. Hoyt chairman Of the commit
tee, before ~ akine the report, called upon
Dr. Baker chairman Of n sub-co pmittee
sent % interview Prof Briggs in spirit OF
Cancellation, to report the result OF that in.
terview. Dr. Baker said the committee had
hoped that Prof Briggs would say some
thing which might relieve the tension of the
present distressing situation. But this hope
had not been realized. Prof Briggs stated
his irrevocable determination TO abide by
the declaration made in his address before
the assembly in his defense and 10 continue
70 teach the doctrines there avowed
BRIGGS FORMAL DECISION.
At the request OF DR.. Baker Prof. Briggs
gave him the following autograph letter
The Rev. George ID. Baker, chairman of
the subcommittee or the committee OF
the assembly appointed TO formulate q
judgment in the case OF the Presbyterian
church. United States of America, against
Prof. c. A. Briggs:
my DEAR SrR-In accord ance with your
request hereby state tn Il your committee
called upon me and asked me IL had any.
thing 10 say 10 them respecting the disposi-
ton OF the case ! therefore said that
adhered 10 all the positions taken before the
General assembly and had nothing further
TO say, save that the appellee reserves all
rights and that the General assembly should
take the exclusive responsibility OF any fur
ther action. Z. A. BRiGGs"
Whereupon, DR.. Baker said, the commit
tee took the action which Mr.. Hoyt would
now report 10 the assembly.
THE SENTENCE.
The report after reciting the proceedings
In the case proceeds
This 1udicatory finds that said final iudg.
ment OF 'he presbytery OF New York is
erroneous aud should be und Is hereby TO
versed; and this General assembly, sitting
as jGdicatOry in said cause, co ing now to
enter judgment on said amended charges,
fnds the appellee. Charles A. Brigg has
uttered, taught and propagated views, doc.
trines and teachings as set forth in said
charges contrary 20 the essential doctrine OF
Holy Scripture and the standards OF said
Presbyterian church in the United States Of
America and in violation OF the ordinance
vow OF said appellee, which said erroneous
views and doctrines strike at the yitals of
religion aud have been industriOusly spread:
wherefore, this General assembly of the
PresbyterIan church in the United States
OF America, sitting as q tudicatory in this
cause on appeal. do and hereby suspend
Charles A. Briggs, the sand appellee, from
the ONCE OF d minister in the Presbyterian
church in the United States Of America un.
al such time as he shall give satisfactory
evidence OF repentance 10 the General
assembly Of the Presbyterian church In the
United States OF America OF the violation
by him OF the said ordination vow as hensin
aud heretofore f0nnd"
THE SENTENCE ADAPTED.
The report OF the committee was adopted
whefeupon Df, spraRue gave notice that at
the proper lime protest would be offered
against the finding Of the assembly as be-
ing too severe n sentence for the offense Of
the honored scholar named, and as tending
10 restrict the libeHy heretofore enjoyed by
office'bearers IN the Presbyterian church.
An explanatory note Was adopted and
made a part OF ihe record ofthe case. II
takes strong ground against the views ex-
pressed by Dr. Briggs and for which he has
been suspended,
The protest sgainst the action Of the as