Morning journal and courier., 1893-05-23
THE DIR. BRIGGS CASE.
Presbyterian Assembly Refers II to
Judiciary Committee-The Fefer-
ence Of the Case Causes an Animated


JUDICIARY COmm1tteo-Ine FeTeT-
ence of the Case Causes an Animated
Discussion ut Yesterdays Session.
WAsH1NGroN, May 22-Rev. Thomas
Braoken conducted the half hour devo-
tional exercises with which the second
weeks session of the Presby terisn assembly
was Cshered in this morning.
Promptly at $50 Moderator Craig opened
the assembly with word of prayer. DR..
Bartlett, chairman of the committee on ar
rangements, announced the reception to
the commissioners In attendance upon the
assembly by the trustees and overseers of
Columbia university, from to 6 o'clock
Thursday afternoon. The occasion is in
tended to introduce to the public the fac
ulty on graduate studies just added to the
institution.
DR.. Young, chairman of the committee
on bills and overtures, reported further
distribution of papers sent up to the gem
eral assembly, among the several commit
tees. Those bearing directly upon the
Briggs case were sent to the judiciary COM
mittee, and those referring to the subject
of appeals generally, wentto the committee
on church policy. DR.. Herrick johnson
succeeded in having the reference of the
overture from the Chicago presbytery
| changed from the committee on church
! policy to the committee on judiciary.
An outbreak on the Briggs case occurred
| just before the adjournment. DR.. Young,
| chairman of the committee on bills and
| overtures returned to tho platform and
| stated that the two overtures from the
presbyteries of Chicago and Detroit, which
/ ha had had hu nr ohn
son and Elder Cutchings as bearing direct
ly upon the Briggs case, had been found
upon examination to obtain no reference
whatever to any special case likely to come
before the assembly, but referred wholly
to proposed changes in the standards of
the church. He therefore recommended
that the former recommendation of the
committee be adhered to, and the two
overtures sent to the committee on church
policy.
Rev. DR.. Charles L. Thompson of New
York stated that paper might be designed
for . special committee, though on Its face
it did not say SO. Two of the provisions
of the overture from the Chicago presby-
terry referred manifestly to the judicial
case now before the assembly, a view in
which he was sustained by two members
of the presbytery which brought the over
ture to this house. The intention of that
L
the judicial case before the house.
DR.. War6eld of Lafayette seminary took
the ground that the assembly could not af-
ford to waste time putting an overture
through circuitous route in order to carry
out what q presbytery might possibly have
intended, but which did not represent In
its overture. It was clear to him that the
subject was matter for the committee on
church policy alone.
Il Al uon AL 4f
moved that copies of the overtures be sent
to the judiciary committee for their infor
nation and that the originals be sent to the
committee on church policy.
After further discussion by Elder Euda
ly, DR.. Charles q. Booth of NewYork, Pro
fessor Brown of Union seminary and Elder
Cutchings of Detroit, the amendment wal
lost and the overtures were sent to the ju
dicial committee by vote that met with
practically no opposition from the Brigg
!, men.
In the afternoon session it was voted t.
withdraw the Presbyterian exhibit at tn
worlds fair If the gates were not closed OF
Sundays.
Rev. Mr.. Reed, of North China Presby
terry, presented the following, which wa
referred to the committee on Chinese 81
, clusion act:
l Resolved, That this assembly desires t
place On record the expression OF Its dee
gratitude for the favor extended to on
missionaries and their work in China b
the Chinese authorities, and for tn
. settlement of the difficulties which existe
especially in the Shantung province; ais
. for the very valuable aid which has bee
rendered by the United States minister
Hon. Charles DENLY, who for the pas
d eight years has retained the friendship an
a esteem of all Americans in China and th
| Chinese imperial government.
The Judicial report will be received Il
n morrow. It is expected to contain the &C
% Indication In the Briggs case.