The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-05-28
.UPROAR And DISORDER
Scenes of Wild Excitement at
the Presbyterian Assembly.
TIE MAJORITY AGAINST DIR. BRIGGS
Sensational Climax to the Proceedings
Reached When the Accused Took tho
Platform-The Trial VIII BE the Eccle-
siasticai Event of the Century.


This decision IS adverse to DR.. Briggs
contention, and was reached after the
question had been thrown open to general
debate for four hours after the presentation
of the matter by the prosecuting commit
tee and the 5-hour speech of DIR. Briggs.
The adoption of the resolutions reported
by the judicial committee meant that the
general assembly would proceed to try DIR.
Briggs formally upon the charge of heresy,
after having been once tried and acquitted.
The trial was at once begun, and the eccle
5instical event of the century is before the
public.
The fight upon the resolutions was BIT
terly contested. A great many of the
noted men constituting the august body
with fierce vehemence contended for or
against DR.. Briggs, and excitement was at
times intense. The approach of the climax
began when the venerable DR.. Duffield of
Princeton college said he had great per-
sonal appreciation of the scholarship and
Christian character of DIR. Briggs. IF his
logical faculties were equal to his scholar
ship do not know his equal in the intel
teotual world of America at least
Sensational Scenes.
AS soon as the gavel fell on DR.. Dufield
the most sensational scene of the day and
the assembly SO far ensued In the course
of the venerable doctors remarks, his
statement of DR.. Briggs teachings were
questioned by several commissioners and
and the professor himself gave utterance
TO an expression which could not be uu-
derstood by the reporters. But as DR..
Duffield stepped down he came almost
Into direct contact with Professor Briggs,
who, with flashing eyes, had sprung to his
feet, demanding to be heard.
A storm OF dissent and cries of Order
Immediately broke over the assembly.
The Observation-Disclosures Briggs, you
cannot be heard now
Professor Briggs-I have some right
here, and l demand that my right to cor
rect misstatement and misinterpretation
OF my writings.
Moderator Craig-You are not member
of this house.
Professor Briggs-Thcn appeal to the
house. ICres of Order" You have no
right here.''l i appeal to the house if I
have not the right to make an explanation.
The moderator again informed the pro-
.fessor that he had no right to make the
appeal
DIR. DufIield-Then appeal for him. 1
would not that any injustice be done a
man, and Professor Briggs in particular.
plead a hearing for him.
The Moderator-ProfessorB Briggs cannot
make any statement to the house at this
time. Any friend of yours may challenge
and correct any statement to which you
take exceptions.
Professor Briggs-No friend can do that
for him.
The Moderator-Yes, lie can And | en-
deavored to have one of them do so, and
thus avoid this scene, but he declined TO
do so.
Dr. Briggs Takes the Platform.
Professor Briggs folding his arms and
mounting the platform, facing the audi
ence, II must appeal to the house." at
which there was renewed disorder by those
opposed to Professor Briggs Spectators
in the galleries had risen TO their feet and
leaned over the railing anxious to hear
every word of the unseemly outbreak.
The moderator appealed TO DR.. Briggs to
take his seat, saying: Professor Briggs,
you have been Kind to ne all along, I
hope you will yield. / will protect you in
this matter throughout"
Professor Bnggs-Have | no right to
appeal to the house
The Moderator-No now
Thereupon the professor took his seat,
the storm subsidized and debate proceeded
Rev George ID. Baker Of Philadelphia
chairman of the judicial committee closed
the debate. There was buzz of excite
ment and anticipation which was broken
in upon again and again by various points
az order, etc, relating to the parliament
tary situation. The tension WAS relieved
DIR. Craig presented those motions. or skill
fully ignored them. lie made statement
regarding the controverted statements by
DIR. Duf1ield of Professor Briggs teach
ings, that having been made from rccollec-
lion, they were not to be taken into con-
sideration in influencing the vote of any
commissioner.
Taking the Vote.
Judge Purnell of Baltimore then offered
his motion to remand the case to the New
York synod. This was defeated by a viva
voce vote, and again 10y rising vote. The
question then recurring on the resolution
OF the judicial committee that the appeal
be entertained, the ayes and noes were de-
manded and the roll call began.
1t was taken amidst an almost painful
silence, during which the defendant
watched with fevcrish anxiety the progress
OF the vote by tie tally kept 10y his friend,
Professor Brown, who sat ut his elbow.
While tie roll was being called Modera-
tor Craig yielded the chair to eX-Modera-
tor William G.. Roberts, ID. d., and him
self voted AYE"
When the clerk had finished the call of
the synod OF New York and Professor
Briggs found that his position in favor of
lending the appeal to that synod had been
approved by n majority of the commits
sioners outside of his own local presby-
terry, the commissioners from which did
not vote, he seemed relieved, and rose from
his half leaning position over Professor
Brown to the upright pose he had main
tanned throughout the trying ordeal
DIR. Duhield Explains.
While the clerks were ,abulating the
vote DIR. Dufiield arose to Il question Of
rx-tla or fnflt hate l..,