Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-05-30
THE CASE OF DIR. BRIGGS.

Some Press Opinions Upon the Action Of the
General Assembly.
From the New York Herald.
Is DIR. BRIGGS DOOMED?
What is this that thou hast done?
And the woman said, The serpent beguiled
me.-Genesis iii. Is.
The action Of the general assembly in the
Briggs case is. so far as our memory serves us,
entirely unique.
1t is also very significant sign Of the times
and as such is worth careful consideration.
The popularity of this incident is that DR..
Briggs has been once acquitted of heresy, and
his prosecutors, not satisfied with the verdict.
have appealed to the general assembly for a
new trial
In the secular courts such procedure would
not, of course, be tolerated II the accused is
convicted and his counsel believes he can es-
tablish his clients innocence it is perfectly
competent for him to carry the case to higher
court That privilege is one of the safeguards
of justice. the purpose of the law being to
give the prisoner every reasonable opportunity
to free himself from the charge. But if the
accused faces the jury and is pronounced not
guilty that ends the matter
Not SO it seems in this ecclesiastical court
The acquittal of DR.. Briggs counts for nothing,
and the prosecuting officers, determined to
find him guilty if possible, appealed to the
general assembly for another chance to pro-
cure conviction. In this matter, oddly
enough. they are sustained BY a vote of 400
to LA.
That is one reason why the action taken at
Washington seems to be unique.
The charge against DIR. Briggs when reduced
to the last analysis is simply this-That he be-
lieves in applying the highestcriticsm-ln other
words the test Of the most critical scholarships
to the Bible, and stoutly declares that the
Book can triumphantly endure it. He has faith
i'll the foundations of the record and openly
challenges all contestants. Candidly admitting
that 1t Is not nerrant ia every detail of historic
statement. he insists that it lie the gift of God
and contains the plan of salvation
His opponents, however. practically DENY the
right OF true Presbyterian to apply his
scholarship to the original text, demand that
he accept the Book on the authority of the
fathers and that he find in it no more and no
less than John Calvin found there three hun
dred years ago. IL DIR. Briggs thinks it well to
make new discoveries he is put on trial in New
York, and if weakly acquitted there lie must be
tried again and. if possible, convicted
John Calvin would certainly approve of IA &
vote taken on Friday. and if permitted to re-
visit the pale glimpses of the moon will be
present at the trial with valuable suggestions
for the prosecution
To the great and wicked world at large.
which the Presbyterians hope to save this
seems more like persecution than prosecution.
There Is an element OF unfairness in the evil
dent anlmus against DIR. Briggs that does not
commend itself to the unregenerate heart.
Deeraved as the general run of men are sup
posed to be. they wouldn't think it quite the
square thing to retry an acquitted man. They
never do it. 1t is reserved for the members of
Christian denomination to do that, and it is
very interesting fact.
1t is quite right for the church to purge
itself of the hypocrites and falsifers who have
crept into its membership. but not entirely
safe in this 18th century to cvict a member
because he happens 70 be profound scholar
and differs with his brethren in the interpre-
tation of certain passages Of Holy Writ
This great and noble ecclesiastical organize
ton. SO it is reported. is in danger of a split.
Outside barbariaus look on the proceedings