Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-06-01

the case had been issued he was satisfied that
on the merits Of the case he could not stand
with DR.. Briggs on much Of the ground he had
chosen.
Rev. John Il. Ttusseil Of West Chester added
his testimony to Dr.. Briggs orthodoxy, as he
had met it a. . student under him and . reader
Of his books.
Elder Henry Parsons Of the same presbytery
argued that the burden Of proof rested with
those who would vote to sustain. The pro-
sumption is in favor Of the justice Of tho YER
dict Of the prssbytery.
Rev. John 8. Penman, recent graduate Of
Union and nowfrom West Chester, argued that
DR.. Briggs had not violated his ordination
vows The men who had studied under DR..
Briggs would arise en- masse to assert that he
had made the word Of God living trnth and
power to them.
Rev. Thornton NJ. Niven Of West Chester
said that a verdict Of acquittal would warrant
the faculty Of Union in all disseminating the
same doctrines that minimize the authority of
the Scriptures
When New York had all been heard from DR..
Craig said that 1t would be we'll If the other
synods would each select two or three speakers
to express their views instead Of continuing this
seemingly endless discussion.
MOTION TO VOTE sIDE-TRAcKED.
Elder McDougal moved to proceed at once
to vote, waving all further speaking, but the
motion was side-tracked and never put.
Rev. J. E. Andrews Of Bellefontaine, Ohio,
argued to sustain the appeal on account Of the
considerations should be left aside.
DR.. Hugh W. Guthrie of Chillicothe, said
that he was fully convinced Of the righteousness
OF the position Of the appellants. That Of the
appellee was untenable as judged by the con-
fession and word Of God
DR.. John P. SCOTT Of Cincinnati considered
the question not one referring TO the character
OF the accused, but as to the orthodoxy Of his
views. He was convinced that the inaugural
was contrary to the standards Of the Presby-
terrain Church.
Elder Thomas McDougall Of Cincinnati made
sharp attack upon DR.. Briggs for his views as
to the authorship of. the Book Of Isaiah. DR..
Briggs by his statements had called into ques-
ton the veracity Of Christ, who said that Isaiah
wrote the book.
DR.. Storrs Of Orange, Nj. rose to point of
order and called upon Mr.. McDougall to show
quotations to support his statements, for he
was charging DR.. Briggs with blasphemy.
LIVELY SCENE.
This gave rise to the iveliest scene yet wit
messed In the assembly.
The members came very near to calling the
veracity of the speaker into question. and
dozen men were on their feet at the same time.
Order finally restored and Mr.. Nc
Douaall wac permitted to finish his remarks,
which were bitter in the extreme.
y u,
assembly, argued that the presbytery had erred
in acquitting DR.. Briggs and that the church in
future must, as in the past, limit freedom Of
thought to non-essentials.
Elder VIM. A. Eudaly Of Cincinnati said that
he had come prejudiced and still was prejudiced
Briggs believing in the Bible only in accord
ance with his own Interpretation.
Rev. Peter Robinson Of the same presby-
terry attacked DR.. Briggs views. as to the au-
thorship Of the books Of the Old Testament
that are the subject Of discussion.
THE TIME EXTENDED.
At 5o'clock, the time set for the adjournment.a
motion was made and carried extending the
time for half an hour.
Rev. JAS D. Williamson Of Cleveland, said
that many men had entertained the same
views as DR.. Briggs and yet had not been
charged with heresy.
Rev. Thos. II. Kohr Of Cleveland said that
justice and brothery love were in favor Of the
appellee.
that the most important thing to do was to
VOTE and he urged that they get to a ballot
before all the commissioners had left town,
Rev. VIM. F. McCauley Of the same presby-
terry argued that not to sustain the appeal
would be to leave all the questions in the air
and undecided.
Elder James W. Stokes said that when he went
back to Dayton he wanted to know whether he
would have Bible that he could believe with
out some one to explain what was not essential.
He would, for that reason, vote to sustain
Rev. J. r. Mitchell Of Lima, said that the
presbytery OF New York had spent Q month in
considering the case while the assembly had
only given it two days before going to q roll
call. The chances were that the presbytery
had not erred.
DR.. James A. P. McGaw Of Maumee, said
that he would vote not to sustain because be
thought the presbytery had committed no
error.
Q WILL VOTE TO SUSTAIN.
DR.. D. S. Tappan Of Portsmouth will vote to
sustain because he did not think Dr. Briggs
could preach the doctrines contained in the
inaugural and keep his place in the church
Elder John A. Donaldson Of Steubenviile will
also sustain the appeal. because he does not
think DR.. Briggs explanations are satisfactory
Rev. p. W. Knowlton Of Wooster, said that
the higher critics would be hailed as a victory
by all who seek to disprove the divinity and
authenticity Of the Scriptures.
Elder Jas. l.. Moore Of GAINESVILLE will vote
to sustain because of the PRINCIPLES that under
lie the question at issue.
Rev. E. N. Condit of Willamette, Ore, said
that he could see no such mistake in the action
of presbytery as to warrant the sustaining of
the appeal.
At this point in the proceedings an adjourn
ment was taken until 7:45 p.m. and the session
was closed with prayer by DIR. Graham.
Suppose DIR. Briggs is Right.
From the Philadelphia Press
1t may be necessary for a church to part
company with its leading scholars, to close its