Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-05-31

SPEECHES FOR AND AGAINST DIR. BRIGGS AT LAST
NIGHTS SESSION OF THE AssEMBLY-wHAr WAS
SAID IN DEFENSE OF TIE ACTION OF THE
PREsBYrERY
At the opening Of last evenings session an
attempt was made to reach vote before adj
Journment of that session, but it was unsuc-
cessful DIR. Young moved that an hour and
half be allowed the commissioners of the pres
bytery of New York to present their views, and
that at the expiration thereof the vote be taken
without further delay. The assembly, how
ever. by great majority refused to change the
regular order and Prof. Brown took the stand.
Taking I'D the various grounds of appeal and
their several specifications sercia.im, he laid
particular stress on the fact that Dr. Briggs
had denied the charges against him and insisted
that he should not be pressed to trial after this
denial The charge that he prof. Brown and
others voted to acquit DE-. Briggs after mani
festations of prejudice in the conduct of the
case was untrue. So far as the violation of his
ordination vow was concerned Prof. Brown
said that DR.. Briggs had been merely required
ut ordination to accept the system Of doctrine
nothing less, nothing more.
When Prof. Brown concluded he was asked
DIV commissioner for Information on the ex-
preston OF the presbyterythat without ex-
pressing approval of the critical or theological
views embodied III the inaugural address IL
acquitted him Prof. Brown said this point
would be explained b. another speaker, but ne
would say generally that the presbytery meant
tnat every man was entitled to certain views
which all did not hold in common. bat that the
presbytery was nos prepared to pass upon these
views which individual men were entitled to
hold.
DR. BOOTH SPEAKS.
Rev. r. B. Booth spoke next and regretted
the necessity Of appearing in opposition TO the
Presbytery OF New York. 1t had been SAID the
United States Senate was the best club In the
world: in the past. and not very long ago, tne
New York presbytery was the hapPlest presDy-
terry in the world. He protested against the
Judgment Of the presbytery, because II was
reached by body that at The close OF the long
trial was very different from that which entered
upon the trial. The judgment was illegal, De-
cause when tine defendant accepted as OF legal
force and effect the charges male against MN
the case was proved. The Judgment OF the
presbytery while in form acquitting Prof.
Briggs, held up his teachings to the whole
church. Dr. Booth protested against 1t at the
time. he said. because he wouldn't treat an
enemy SO, much less a friend
Dr. Booth said the church could not accept
and preach Dr. Briggs acknowledged doctrines
upon the divine authority OF the Bible. church
and reason and of the inspiration OF the Bible.
nents of Rev Henry d. Smith. expressed in a
sermon delivered TO the synod of New Jersey
and New York new SCHOOL, in 1855. Those
sentiments have been the ground work of the
writings of church writers ever since. The
union OF the two branches would never have
been made. said DIR. Booth, IF the teachings
affirmed by the New York presbytery had been
known to be the teachings of the church"
REV. GEORGE ALEXANDER.
The next speaker was Rev George Alexander,
who supported DR.. Briggs. He denied the i'm
putation OF prejudice in favor Of DIR. Briggs in
the presbytery and then proceeded to explain
the meaning of the presbytery coupling its nc
quittal of DR.. Briggs without expressing ap-
prevail Of the critical theological views
embodied in the inaugural address,. The
prosecution. he said, had endeayored to shift
the burden OF responsibility by urging the
presbyters TO convict by saving that IF you
acquit you do affirm the views OF DR.. Briggs,
and 1t was to meet this attempt that the nom
expressal of approval was asserted An ap-
peal was made by DR.. Alexander to give ac-
ceptance to the views of the defendant and
not accept the prosecutions Interpretation Of
them
Rev George l.. Spinning said he wanted
to say a few words calmly and dis
rassionately concerning the prejudice I'M
puted TO members of the New York
p-esbytery. The usual newspaper trial, he
said. accompanied the progress of the case
before :he presbytery. but more rapidly reach
ing u conclusion aud a verdict befc~. either
side had finished its case. Or. Spinning said he
would not deny that prejudice existed in the
New York presbytery. The prosecuting COM
mittee were but human; might not they be
tinged with that with which they said the pres
bytery was saturated? DIR. Spinning said he
could not vote for conviction, because
he believed that the charges had not
been proved 1t made no difference whether
or no. DIR. Briggs was guilty. In conclusion
DR.. Spinning pleaded for peace and quiet and
generous treatment of Dr. Briggs. whom he
eulogized as one Of the foremost scholars in the
world. than whom. in his opinion, there was
man on the floor of the house who would sooner
or more gladly lay down his life for the Bible
as tho in:aiiible word of God. DR.. Spinnins's
close was greeted with applause.
REV. DR. THOMPSON.
Rev. Charles L. Thompson, DID,, spoke in
resistance of the appeal and begged the as
sembly to work away to the heart of the ques-
ton at issue and to put aside ali technical ques-
tons. He pressed the commissioners when
they came to vote to consider only the views of
Dr. Briggs contained within tee covers Of his
inaugural. for the charges dealt with what the
appellee had said in that address. DIR Thomp-
son explained his views on the expressions of
DR.. Briggs belief. and commended that they
were Understandable and certainly net hereti-
cal. although some of the illustrations were I'M
fortunate. 1T will be bad day for us, breth-
rem" he said, "when bad logic and lame
metaphor become matters Tor discipline in the
Presbyterian Church
Rev. James Chambers called attention to the
fact that the delegation from the New York
presbytery, which stood to in favor of the
Judgment in the Briggs case. now stands s to 6
against it, Two conservative alternates we're
elected to take the places of two principals on
the other side. One of these alternates, DIR.
Chambers said, received the highest vote cast
in the election Passing to a consideration Of
the circumstances surrounding the rendering Of
the judgment, Dr. Chambers said he protested
against the judgment because it did not repre-
sent the views Of a majority OF the presbytery.
There was such a conflict between the eviderRe
and the verdict. said DR.. Chambers. that this
general assembly, however reluctant it might
be to do so, should reverse the Judgment.
THE ELDERS SPEAK.
Elder Robert Begss Of Rev. John Halls Fifth
Avenue Church contended that the Judgment
of the presbytery in acquitting Dr. Briggs was
contrary to the Word of God He thought il
was important that in the seats of learning the
church should secure only men who are capable
of using he English language SO that thew NAV
be understood, and be so careful in their teach
ings that when one sat down to read the Bible
he will not have to 60 as has beep said 20 a.