The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-05-27
GENERAL ASSEMBLY SCENES.
Presbyterian Divines Become Excited
in Discussing Heresy Case.
Ahs Aeesssd Springs 60 His Feet In DE-
Tense, bat 10 Compelled ca Desiss--
Cemmtssioaers Decide by Over
whsimisg Vote Against Him.

semoly this afternoon decided 10 entertain
an appeal in the case Of DIR. Briggs. and
the assembly will proceed with the trial
tomorrow morning. The roll call on the
resolution was taken amidst almost pain
ili silence. during which the defendant
Watched with feverish anxiety the progress
OF the vote. All over the house and in the
galleries the vote was followed insensly.
While the roll Was being called Moderator
Craig yielded the chair TO ex-Moierator
William c. Roberts. and himself voted
aye" Throughort the long debate Of
the morning there were many evidences Of
feeling, and several Of the speakers took
advantage Of the opportunity 10 arraiyn
the defendant. shake finger, sternly At him
and otherwise express condemnation. As
one oftne brothers expressed IL: ''They for
got for the time being that they vcrc men,-
bers OF the court Of Jesus Christ" Ii was
an interesting spectacle, and scene never
to he forgotten.
for the consideration of the Briggs case re-
assembled tins morning. At the request
OF ReY DR.. Nicolls. Of 81. Louis. and
Elder Fershing, they were retired from
the judicial commission in the case and
Rev. W. X. Reynolds. OF Minnesota. and
Elder Law. Of California, were appointed
in their places. Rev. Hoyt Was added To
tho committee to visit President Cleve-
land on the matter Of traffic in firearms in
the Western Pacific. The main question.
''Shall the appeal by the New York pres
bytery to the general assembly direct in
stead OF first going to The synod be enter
tained?" was then taken UP. Dr.
kctchum. of New Jersey, favored sending
the case back tn the synod and said that
at the end Of the debate he would make q
motion to that effect. Elder McDougall,
Of Cincinnati. stated that by an arrange
ment with the chairman Of the Judiciary
committee he Was charged with the duty
Of opening debate in support of the
motion 10 entertain the appeal. and
he took the platform. storm OF
protests arose against this. led by
DR.. Herrick Johnson. Of Chicago.
Elder McDougall referred to certain re-
marks which Briggs made in his own de-
fense, and said he offered, il the case was
sent back to the synod, 70 waive constitu-
tional right. mo-" said Briggs. inter-
ruptins. '.Ah. thought so," said Nc
Dougali. you will get the case back to tho
synod and then you will insist upon every
thing constitutional that you can think
Of" The elder continued in q bitter strain,
and now aud then murmur swept over
the assembly. Briggs asked for . mo-
ment to reply to McDougali, and amidst
cries at mo" and 'hear him. Z" Briggs was
given one minute and explained that he
had not offered TO waive constitutional
right, but said he would leave tho settle
ment OF those rights to the decision of the
synod.
DIR. Fulton. Of Philadelphia, was per-
sonaliy sure, although the assembly
might have a majority in favor Of trying
the case here. that public opinion was
Overwhelmingly against such course.
Dr.. Hayes, Of Danviile, n.y., made Q
strong argumen, in favor Of tho present
consideration OF the case. DR.. Heryick
Johnson. Of Chicago said the only inter
probation Of the rules was to send the case
back to the New York synod.
DR.. McGraw, OF Toledo. said the ques-
tion was what course should be taken 10
secure peace at the earliest moment. That
course was surely TO send the case 10 the
synod. Elder Thomas Kane, OF Chicago,
favored sending the case to the synod.
Elder Hinckley. o! Philadelphia, dis
cussed the views held by Dr.. Briggs, and
denounced them. Rev. Thomas c. Hail,
OF Chicago. made an earnest appeal in be-
half Of pr. Briggs. Elder Cuscbeon. of
Detroit, was the first speaker OF she after
noon. lie was one Of Prof. Briggs warm
supporters, and insisted that the case
should be considered on the single ques-
ton Of the appeal.
The venerable Dr. Duffield. of Princeton
college. said he had great personal appre-
citation Of the scholarship and Christian
character Of DR.. Briggs. If his logical
faculties were equal 70 his scholarship he
did not know his equal in the intellectual
world OF America .. least. When DR..
Dufsied finished the most sensational
scene Of the day in the assembly ensued.
In the course OF the venerable doctors re-
marks, his statement of Prof. Briggs
teachings was questioned BY several com
missioners, and the professor himself gave
u:terancc to an expression which conid
not be understood by the reporters. Blu.
as Dr. Duile!d stepped down he came al
most into direct contact With Prof Briggs.
who, with flashing eyes. had sprung 10 his
feet, demanding TO be heard. storm Of
s.issen, and cries Of "order" Immediately
broke over the assembly. There was a
scene Of great excitement, and great disor-
der ensued. Finally DIR. Briggs took his
sea; and the storm subsided.
A passionate address agains. the plea Of
Dr. Briggs was made by Rev. William C.
Young. Of Danvi!le. Ky. moderator Of the
las. assembly. After further argument
the debate Was declared closed.
Judge Parneli. Of Baltimore, then Of
seret his motion 10 remand The case To the
New York synod This Vas defeated BY a
viva vocc. and again by a rising vote
The question then occurring on the reso-
luton OF the judicial committee tha. tho
appeal be entertained. the year and noes
we're demanded and the roll call began
The result OF the vote ws. announced az
follows. Yeas 80, nays lis. Tae judicial
committee Vas instructed 90 prepare a
programme for procedure in the frsai o:
appeal and the assembly decided 10 pro-
ceed with the trial tomorrow morning.
At the night sessions the first order oi
business Was the report Of the COMMITTEES
Of tie board Of church erection. Among
the recommendations vas one to the effect
sha. not less than 4is1.fo) Vas necessary y
for the work os the board this fiscal year.
After remarks the recommendations of
the committee we're adopted. Ths
reror. Of ttas com mnniis~e on the board Of
publication and Sunday school wosk was
then read and adopted Adjourned.
-s-
Yha Gn~afaaas C~nfesemeu.