The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1893-05-31
Dr.. Briggs Declares That DR.. Lampe
Is Guilty Of Rankest
Hefsesy.
He Brings Out Els Own Position
In Plain and Strong
Language.
Errors IN the Texts which We HAve-Go
Admitted by Every Biblical Scholar
-McCo0ks Repiy.

WARRINGTON. May UO.--At the opening OK
the Presby terian general assembly this
morning tho committee on bills and over
lures submitted substituts for the answer
II made yesterday to tho ovsrtures regard
ing the delivsrancs of the general assembly
at Portland. Ore. In 1892. on tho insptra-
tion of tho Bible. The substitute reaf-
firms the dsliversnes Of 1892. that the origi-
nal scriptures OF tho Old and New Testa-
ments being i'm me diAtsly inspired Of God are
without error. This deliverancs enunoiates
no new doctrine and imposes no new test
Of orthodoxy. Tho report will bs oousid-
cred later.
The assembly then resolved itself into an
ecclesiastical court. and DIR. Briggs re-
sumed the argument in his ewn defense,
occupying all the remainder of the morn
ing.
For considerable portion Of his time
Briggs used the Same limo of argument hs
used before the New York presbytery. with
such omissions and additions as to make
u timely and pertinent. His \, gument WAS
carefully prepared and entered deeply into
the technical intricaoiss Of the case. Con-
tinuinR. Dr.. Briggs said: LET me refer to
word spoken by d.. I,ampe yesterday.
He said, il l understood him rightly, We
know nothing Of Christ save what we get
in the Bible story [Dr. Lamps nodded in
confirmation Of the accuracy Of the quota.
tion.] He admits IL. Are you ready to be-
live that. commissioners3 Do We learn and
know nothing Of him through personal re-
lations that we enjoy through the Lords
| suppe cannot subscribe to that doctrine.
= n Apn
mulgatsd In the history Of a church.
Nov let me call attention to another
error made By Dr.. Iampe. He said the
Bible 10 the hnal authority given TO us by
Jesus Christ and the apostles. just think
Of that brethren! Did they give us moth
the Old Testament2 DR.. Lampe's state
msnt 10 dIesdfully wrong. Another state
nsnt by DR.. Lamps in his argument es-
tsrday was that the faith of the Christian
church 10 based solely upon the scripture.
Are yoa ready to accept that? am not.
Christ and Him slone."
n After recess DR.. Briggs continued his de-
fenss. Il now wish." said lie. ito bring
forth my position. l shall adhere to the
policy which l thus far have followed with
regard to srrols in the holy scripture. 1
inal autographs arc inerrant. / main
tanned there are errors in the texts which
We have, and that 1t is imp, obable that the
original texts, if We could discover them.
would be much different from those We
have in that regard. l refused to affirm
that there are errors in the original auto
graphs because IL ID unsoisntifio and 1t is
unsoholatly. and IL is against the truth
loving spirit OF Christianity to mako at
frmation of y dogma where W have no
certain evidence. always rsfraineG as far
az possible from pointing to errors in the
present text of the scripture. but every
| biblical scholar admits them."
When DR.. Briggs, inclosing. solsmnly
challenged the court to judge him justly.
the scene WAS most impressive. and even
the most upYslsntinR anti Briggs men in
ths assembly admisted that the alleged
hereto had made q wonderfully strong
presentation of his case.
Col. MoCook then proceeded to olese the
case for appellants. The speaker traversed
anew the grounds Of the teaching of de-
fendant. and asserted that despite the iat-
ter's avowals and explanations. they are in
opposition to the holy scriptures and con-
fession of faith. and therefore gross errors
in the eye Of tho church. He also asserted
that the doct ines nt issue are essential.
Notwithstanding Prof. Briggs declaration
of opinion to the CONTRARY.
Bsfo Q adjoining till evening Prof.
Brown offered prayer for the president Of
| the United States and the great government
which ho represents.