The herald., 1893-05-24
COURT OF THE LORD JESUS
The Presbyterian Sanhedrim
Holding Sessions.
Prof. Briggs Before the Chief
Priests and Elders.
The General Assembly Turned Into q
Judicial Body.
The Appeal Against the Decision OF the
New York Presbytery In the Briggs
Case Admitted and the
Trial to Proceed.

BY the Associated Prew.l
WASHINGTON, May 25.-The morning
session of the Presbyterian general as
sembly plunged into the Briggs ques-
ton Immediately after prayer.
DIR. Young, chairman OF the commit
tive on bills and overturss, took the
floor to present report distributing
number Of bills and overtures among
the several committees. Among them
we're some bearing directly or indi-
rectly upon the Briggs case before the
judicial committee.
Rev. Booth OF New York entered a
protest against the obvious attempt to
influence the judicial committee by
pouring in upon it these overtures for
and against the case.
Professor Brown, Briggs co-laborer
and sympathizer, said: I'VE have q
right to know the sentiment OF the
churches upon any subject before 1t, and
the only proper way to secure knowl-
edge OF that sentiment is through the
committees OF the Assem- bly."
DIR. Herrick Johnson, of the McCor-
mick theological seminary, Chicago, one
Of the foremost of Sriggs' leaders in the
BODY, spoke briefly, and Rev Thomas
g. Hall, OF Chicago. said: "Precedents
and practices in the civil courts have no
weight with us No court would have
taken up the prosecution OF an innocent
man. Ecclesiastical precedents are over
whelm,ngly in favor of the right OF Pc
tition. 1t is right that every citizen
possesses. [Applausel.
a - rff t,ear q a
was finally adopted by decisive vote in
the majority.
| The report OF the committee on home
missions was read and adopted.
wIcKEDNEss IN THE ARMY.
Ex-Moderator Smith, president OF the
United Christian com mission. organized
| for work In connection with the United
States army, submitted statement t
the effect that the commission mus'
discourage the enlistment OF sons o
| Christian families into the army, unlest
4 50me safeguards, no~ lacking
are thrown sJouDd- them. Gam.
ton, and Is encouraged by the example O
! older officers and saldiers the post can.
teen affords unrestricted opportunity for
and inducement to drink; the architec
| ture OF the barracks places the Christian
soldiers at fearful disadvantage, expos.
ing them to the vices and in lecencies OF
irreli9ious members of the rank and
| file; Sunday work, not called for by
any exigency, is still required by
| the army authorities; the recon-.
mendations of RELIGIOUS teachers in
the army for the benefit Of soldiers
do not receive the approval or considera
ton OF the authorities, in fact they are
discouraged. The commission recon-
m-nded that the army orders OF August
9th last, on this subject, be revoked, and
that chaplsins be appointed for every
regiment.
The recommendations OF the commit
tee were approved and the report re-
ceived.
THE BRIGGS CASE AGAIN.
The special order for the afternoon
session was the report of the judicial
committee on the Briggs case,
Immediately after the opening prayer,
DR.. Baker, the chairman was recognized
and addressed the moderator and assem-
bly as follows:
II earnestly hoped that but one re-
port would be presented by your com
mIttee, but in this have been dsap-
pointed; but shall we not all resolve
that VIII 'tever decision be finally reach
ed, all as loyal Pfesbyterians, abide
faithfully by the decision? Let us re-
solve that we will sternly frown upon
and utterly discountenance any sugges-
tioa, from whatever quarter it NAV
come, OF schism or division in our
church."
THE MAJORITY REPORT.
rr1t
The majority report finds that the ap-
peal and specifications OF error alleged
we're fled in due time, and submits
resolution that the appeal be entertained.
hree hours to be allotted to the hear
ing, one and half hours to- each party.
and That the Assem- oily then vote upon
the resolution that the appeal be enter
tanned by the general assembly and the
case proceed 10 trial in accordance with
the PROVISIONS OF the book of discipline.
The report lie signed by Baker, chair
man; Duffield, Hayes, Leftwich, Max
well. Sanders, Peacock, Randall, Green.
McDougall, Pershing, Fulton, Cum
mings, Graydon and Orr.
Mr.. Baker also presented supple.
mental report, giving the principal rea-
sons which Influenced the committee in
reaching it's conclusions.
THE MINORITY REPORT.
The minority report was read by Rev.
). j, NlcolIs OF st. Louis. he said be
knew that in making minority report
ne and his associates were under susoi- |
cion already as appearing to oppose the |
appeal. This was not their attitude.
Ihey were not antaRonizing the claim |
II power in the assembly to entertain I
The appeal.
(. The minority report recommends that
the majority report be @menied by cub
the following: "We find rhe
appeal n order and recommend thai
the parties be heard in accordance with
he provisions Of the book OF discipline
We ask this for the following reasons:
The majortv report prejudices the an
peal by advising the asse,nnlv N IL