Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-05-26

way the two sides were simply divided on the
question whether the assembly would 20 on
with the trial at once or would send it back to
the synod Of New York to be tried before that
body. There were many evidences OF feeling
and several Of the speakers took advantage Of
the opportunity presented by their position to
arraign the defendant, to shake their fingers
sterniy at him, and otherwise to express their
condemnation. As one brother expressed it,
''They forgot for the time being that they were
members of the court Of Jesus Christ"
DIR. BRIGGS.
There was one man in the gathering who did
not smile when others smiled. 1t was all
matter Of intense seriousness to him. The
man was DR.. Briggs himself. Through the
long hours Of the morning he sat almost mo-
tionless, following the words of the speakers
with the utmost attention. Dr.. Briggs came
into church early this morning and took his
seat within the altar railing. Beside him sat
DIR. Brown. his colleague and friend; DR.. Schoff
and two or three more of his supporters.
Across the aisle, but within the rail, sat the
members of the prosecuting committee. The
business before the assembly in its capacity
as Judicial body was very differ
eut from that before a civil court; the
methods OF procedure were altogether different.
The members on the two sides sat there and
eyed the speakers precisely as the lawyers in a
civil case would have treated the witnesses in
the box. Only they did not have the oppor-
tunity to cross-examine. 1t was an interesting
spectacle. 1t was scene and . gathering
never to be forgotten.
WHEN HE SMILED.
Only once did DIR. Briggs permit his features
to relax into a smile. 1t was q wonderfully
sweet smile, and told palmer than words could
have done what the true character Of the man
must be to those who have the privilege Of know
ing him well. keen scholar, an intellectual man,
deep student Of books, strong Wholesome
say stubborn-he is, perhaps, the very man one
would have picked out TO take the part Of the
defendant in trial for heresv at this time and
at this end Of the nine teenth century.
The incident that caused this change in Dr.
Briggs face was enough to make any one
smile As soon as speaker had concluded
there would be q dozen. two dozen men on
their feet clamoring for recognition, SO great
was the desire to speak. The moderator was
like to 20 mad from worry. for how could
at such time and with such a
gathering. Finally his attention WAS called to
passage in the book Of rules, which provided
that when the moderator recognized two speak
ers at the same time he must give preference
to the man farthest from him. The natural
result was that for q time pretty much all of
the speakers came from the back part Of the
church.
"Mr: Moderator point Of ORDER" shouted a
man on the right-hand side and in front Of the
church.
What is your point. brother?"
II would suggest that all Of these famous
men Of the Presbyterian Church who are sitting
mp here in front, and a result have no chance
to be heard on this door-1 would suggest, Mr..
Moderator, they all 90 back in the rear Of the
church. and then, maybe, they will have
chance to be recognized
Then everybody laughed. 1t was another let
off from the safety valve. It was grateful
break.
Today DR.. Briggs looked very worried and
tired. There we're lines about his face, espe-