The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1893-06-01
THE BRIGGS TRIAL.
SECOND DAY OF THE FAMOUS HEREsY
PROSECUTION.
The Learned Thsologian Fully Defines His
Views and Citing Utterancss Of DR..
Lsmps Insists That They Are Heret-
ical-A touching Appeal.

WASHINGTON, May SO.-This was
the second day devoted to the actual |
trial of Professor Briggs, charged with !
heresy. Interest in the case is on the
increase. When Professor Briggs, in |
closing the defense, solemnly chal-
lepged the court to judge him justly !
the scene was most impressive, and
even the most unrelenting anti
Briggs men in the assembly admitted |
that the alleged hereto made a
wonderfully strong presentation of his
case. For considerable portion of his
time he followed the same
lines of argument used before
the New York Presbytery, with
omissions and additions necessary to
make it timely and pertinent. His
argument as presented was not one
that gave any chance for oratorical ef-
fort. 1t was a carefully prepared
paper which entered deeply into the
lntricacies of the case. Much of the
address was taken bodily from the
"Defense," and this Briggs had his
friend DR.. Brown of the union read
for him. DR.. Brown is a man of fine
presence and magnificent voice. While
he read, the man whose orthodoxy Is
the great question now before the
Presbyterian church, sat back in his
chair upon the platform and took
needed rest. The day was devoid of
anything like sensational features.
One of the laity, Elder Ketchum of
Few York, conducted religious exer-
cises at the opening of the general as
sembly this morning. At $3.50 Mod
orator Craig opened the business ses.
sion with prayer and the minutes of
yesterdays proceedings were read
and approved. The answer to over
lures regarding the deliverance of the
assembly of 1892 upon the inspiration
of the Biole was ordered returned to
the committee and DR.. Young pre-
sented substitute unanimous ex-
preston OF the committee. 1t reads
as follows: "In answer to overtures
from the presbyteries of Newark
and st. Louis and the memorial of
large number, more than 600 OF the
elders, deacons and members of the
resbyterian church with reference to
the deliverance of the Portland assem-
bly, Oh the inspiration of the holy
scripture we would recommend the
following: "This general assembly
reaffirms the overtures of deliverance
of the assembly of 1892, touching the
inspiration of the holy scripture, viz:
That the original scriptures of the
Old and New Testament being imme-
diately inspired of God were
without error, and in so doing de-.
clan es that said deliverance enunciates
no new doctrine and imposes no new
test of orthodoxy but interprets and
gives expression to what has always
been the belief of the church taught
in the Westminster conferrion of
faith. This report was received and
given place on the docket occupied
by the one for which it was substi-
tuted, the second special order after
the Briggs case Is disposed Of.
| The moderator then convened the
assembly as court and Professor
Briggs resumed his argument in de-
fense Of the charges against him,
continuing with arguments as to what
sanctification really is. Professor
Briggo said it was not merely 0
cleansing from sin but the adoption OF
habits Of purity. There is not a single
passage In the Bible which treats of
immediate sanctification of the soul at
death or that conception for once and
for all for advancement of mankind Is
accomplished in moment of time by
a magical transformation in the dy.
ing hour.
Continuing Professor Briggs said:
''Let me refer to word spoken by
DR.. Lampe yesterday.
He said, if L understood him right.
ly, and tried to take down his exact
words, 1--WE know nothing of Christ
save that we get la the Bible story"
DIR. Lampe, sitting directly In front
of the speaker, nodded his head in
confirmation of the accuracy Of the
quotation. He admits it. Are you
ready to believe that, commissioners?
DO we learn and know nothing of
him through the personal re-
latiOns we enjoy in the
Lords support? cannot subscribe
to that doctrine. 1t is rank heresy If
ever heresy was promulgated in the
history of the church. Now let me
call attention to another error made
by DR.. Lampe. He said the Bible
was the final authority given by Jesus
Christ and His apostles. Just think
of that brethren? Did they give us
nothing but what they found In the
Old Testament? DIR. Lampe's state.
ment is dreadfully wrong. Another
statement by DR.. Lanpe in his argu-
meut yesterday was that the faith of
the Christian church was based solely
upon Scripture.
Are you ready to accept that? am
not; my faith is based upon the Lord
Jesus Christ and him alone.
At the afternoon session DR.. Briggs
continued his defense.
81 now wish, - said he, "to set forth