New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-05-23
THE BRIGGS CASE ON NOW.
40 CONE BEFORE THE ASSEMBLY, TO-DAY.
pRESBYTERIANS. WHILE WAITING FOR THE
COMMITTEES REPORT. DISCUS DIR.
SERMON
Try TELEGRAPH TO TIE TRlBUNE.1
SMITHS SERMON


Is approaching. Everyone seems TO know juN what
will take place. and vet lie watches the gathering
clouds with expectancy mingled with dread. lie feels
sure that the storm Is just about to burst and
while fearing the results. longs to the explosion
The feeling OF suspense somewhat relieve to-day
BY the announcement that the Judicial Committee
would submit lis report at . 80 D. m. tomorrow
Halt sn hour Is allowed for the committee. which
will simply give the chairman time TO read the
report, when will doubtless be made the order Of
the day FOR Wednesday. This will give the saints
on each side time TO prepare arguments I'm behalf
Of the faith once delivered their ancestors Four
to one against DR.. Eriggs j. tn. Judgment of I'm
advocate Of the professor when asked today regarding
the strength In the Assembly.
Washington is accustomed TO large conventions
and TO lively debates in Congress that the meeting
Of the 900 Pr,Sbyterians in the Assembly wouli
scarcely cause ripple II not that the feel
ing when mas been growing more intense throughout
the country during the last year or so. is SO con
ccnirated here that scarcely 20 to church
with the assurance that they will hear
reference to the Briggs case The experience In
old First Church yesterday has scarcely parallel.
The dramatic incident IS the talk OF The city to-day.
DIR. W. VI. Smith, early friend OF Mrs. Clevenrd
with his wife. has been the guest Of the President
during the last week In the Presidents pew with
Mr. and Mrs. Cleveland yesterday Mrs smith.
In the pulpit with DIR. Smith DR. sunderland.
for forty years the pastor and the Rev X. v Holmes
his young assistant
Il
servatve OF the conservatives and during the anti
slavery days his church gave forth 10 uncertain
sound Before the war it is said that he declared
he would define his position the slavery question
II IL split his church into fragments. Because OF
his intense convictions political questions.
prise has sometimes been expressed that Mr.. Cleve-
land should attend this church. Dr. Smith Is a
director OF Union Seminary, and is strong de
fender Of DR.. Briggs DR.. Sunderland Is OPP
poncnt. His text was: We that strong ought
TO bear the infrmities Of the weak" and his sub
ject "Evangelzaten OF the Masses lie de
pored the spirit OF controversy over doctrines now
current I'm the Presbyterian Church. I'D urged his
hearers to engage in Christian WORK. lie wanted the
extreme men OF both parties 10 60 To he rear and
let moderate men come TO the front Following
this seemingly harmless plea came the sensation. DR..
Sunderland. before announcing the closing hymn said
81 enjoyed Mr.. Smiths sermon. but there
important omission. He neglected TO state the
OF the discussion and distraction in the Presby
terrain Church at this time. The why the
Church has failed accomplish much as 1t ought
to do / want here and to state. That cause
Is DR.. Briggs. would not be IN that mans shoes
Oday for all the world"
The Doctor began in calm tone. but his voice
rose he proceeded, and he twice laid the cause
OF the disturbance In the Church at the door Of Dr.
Briggs. Many think that DR.. Smith extremely
unwse 10 refer to the question before the Assembly
Others think that DR.. Sunderland aggrieved though
be might have heen would have been more disnfed
had he let the remark Visitor pass unchaenged
Nearly every man. and woman. too, In Washington
who has interest in the discussion seems to wear
spectacles. blue red. Plain glass IS at premium.
The assembly listened this afternoon to a discussion
which displayed far more warmth than seemed neces-
sary considering the trihng issue at stake. Dr.
Young the ex-Modeator and the chairman VI the
Committee on Ellis and Overtures. read list Of
which he suggested should be referred To
one or another committee. DR.. Herrick Johnson
Of Chicago. thought that crtain overtures referred
TO the Committee on Church P0lity, which has to do
with the standard OF the Church. should go before
the judicial Committee because some OF them con |
tanned matters OF prime importance at the present
time DIR. Young replied that those overturfs which |
are specific In character referring to the before
the Assembly the briggs Case-althouch that was !
not mentioned BY name. should properly go to the |
Judicial Committee. and he had 50 recommended; |
while the ovcrtures general In character and involv
inr changes in the standards shoud properly 20 to
the Committee Church Petty. and that course has
beer recommended.
A motion was made that the recommendations be
adopted. As Dr. Craig the Moderator, rose to put
the question. DR.. Johnson. his colleague in Nc
COrmick Seminary. said
Mr.. Moderator, have the Moor ana Insist upon
being recognized"
Although Dr. Craig had stated the question and
was about to call vote. the Moderator SAID
Do you think so ~
aYcs do" replied DR.. johnson.
"Weu If Won think so' said DIR. Caig "you are
Mise. You have the floor
Dr. Johnson then argued at length on the position
he had taken stating that the Prcsbytery OF chicago
desired TO have the case in question referred back TO
the synod OF Newiork and he had seen no reference
to this Presbyterys action in the reference made by
Dr. Young. DR.. Young replied that the reference
Of the Chicago Presbytery would come In due ume'
II was stated subsequently, by the Rev. Ihomas u
Hail. also of Chicago, that the paper to when Dr.
Johnson referred was not the one uPoh WIN" III
Young reporting.
Continuing DIR. Johnson said that the voice OF the
Church should be heard by the Judicial Committee
before its action reported to the Assembly Dr.
Young assured DR.. johnson that all papers spechc
In character referring to the case under dScuSsio
would be referred to Judicial Committee, and that
In. overtnre of Chicago would be sent there An
hour later DR.. Young read the overture ana theh
said that it referred only to changes In the DOOR,
and had been inadvertently but incorrectly oScilDeu
nv Dr. johnson, he should withdraw his promise 10
send II to the Judicial Committee. An amendment
was made that q copy should be sent to the com
,ri,tee hut ON motion OF George f. sterry, Oh new
York the amendment laid on the table.
Mr. CutcheOn, OF Detroit, had endeavOred 10 ca'o"
the Moderators eye while the question oil reference
was being TAKEN and after the vote had peeh "eciu"
n. arose and in a speech bristng with Indignation
assured the Moderator that his rights hao oeen
frsmpled upon. The Moderator sald 'ha' lie .
had hia eyes on man larger In stature even 'h' ''
Cu,cbeon. namely Thomas c. Hall. and he had been
pnable to recognize him. although he knew MS "or'"
and had appointed him every important committee
The Moderator also made an explanation OF IFS posi-
ton and In a not TO be misunderstood he saw "
,hns who had raised the opposition to his ruling ana
10 the votes OF the majority 49,. 1900
Don't undertake at this stage OF the game 10 o>e'
wheIm us , ,d,.,
The Board OF Education and the Board OF Freedmen
A"N - -, ,-s.nblv ,odav Tomorrow
,,o,,,,o and evening Home Missions Will nave inc
no,r The sabbath Observance Committee reported
calling attention TO the dcsth OF Colonel h"o'V -
sbep,rd. its chairman; commencing Tue -N"''i' !"
sabbath Union. Of which he was president anu -
commanding that the third SUNDAY In June oe So
-, &C a dov of special prayer for the better 90
pnancs of The sabbath and that the aci'onl uao Ia.
x,,S., ia removed from the ColuniDap f.'Po'"'