The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1893-05-31
eRloos. TRIAL BEGINS.
Col. atecook and Dr. I.Ainpe Open for the
Prosecution nr. Brlexs Replies

Col. Mrcook and Or. l.ainpc Open Tor the
Prosecution Dr. Brlege Replies.
WASHINGTON. May 80. Monday MORN
ing opened the trial If Dr RriggA for
hercsy before the general assembly.
Almost every member was present and
the public flied the space allotted 10
them. Al the conclusion Of some
routine business. Col. MccoolS took the
floor and made the opening address for
tho appellants
He stated that tho appellants would
use certain designated parts o. the
printed document containing tho record
Of the cases minutes Of the presbytery
of New York, vol. Ia; stenographic
reports of the trial In the presbytcry
of New York, November o, 1879. to
January ., 1898; third edition Of the
''Inaugnral Address, nr Briggs
.'lYhithcr biblical study who
Wrote the renfatcmeh?" and pMho
Wrote Isaiah2n Dr. Briggs article IN
the Presbyterian Review for April,
1855; "Ncwman's Apologize Pro Vita
Sua;r Martineau's Seat OF Author
ity in Religion," Andovcr Re-
view. vol. IL, Kudnen's Prophets
and Prophecies In Israel, 1871
Following this Col McCook made n
brief but able argument against pr.
Briggs Ills speech was concisely put
and had much weight. He stated In
closing that the appellants hoped and
expected TO nse but little more than
half Of the time assigned 10 them BY
the committee, and he introduced DIR.
Lampe TO present the appellants open
ing argument.
Upon the conclusion of Col. McCook's
address, Rev, Joseph ], Lampe, DID,, Of
the prosecuting committee, argued nj
great length Is show the irreRularity
of the proceedings in the lower jndicin-
tory, holding that the charges that
were stricken ont should have been en-
tertainea. and that testimony was m
regularly admitted
II was 4o'cloelS when DIR. Briggs be-
gan his defense. He read steadily for
an hour, when the assembly adjourned
until s o'clock Monday evening. lIc
prefaccd his defense witha few prclimi-
nary remarks, In which he cautioned
the assembly that after the evidence
was all in apd, though wearicd by q
long discussion, they should not pass
upon each specification hastily
II speak, Z said the professor pathet-
ically, sfnr the appellces who may
argue before future assemblies; for
their sake do not establish an unfor-
tunate precedent
Prof. Briggs main attack was against
the doctrines alleged against him In
charges 4 md 2. which the assembly
Ind decided to consider! To many Of
his listeners there seemed underlying
his argument regarding the redemption
Of impcnitent souls, strong sympathy
for those who believe In such doctrines.
AT one point DIR. Briggs said
s.Gladly would 70 ont from the
Presbyterian church and preach the
theory Of regeneration Of those who die
In sin II | believed the theory, but do
not
He repudiated yehcmently the charge
that he doubted the fulfillment Of the
prophecies in the Old Testament. and
quoted from two OF his books to prove
Ills statements. He characterized DIR.
Lampea argument ON charges and Z
as exceedingly offensive
On the theory OF race redemption,
with which hcresy he Is charged, DR..
Briggs remarked that no theologician
who believed In the incarnation Of God
could fail to believe in slight meas
ire the former theory. DIR. Briggs an
gued that charges and could not
lawfully he brought under the jurisdic-
ton Of the assembly.