The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1893-05-28
THIN TRIIL is POSTPONED.
Professor Briggs Case Goes Over
Two Days.
REASON GIVEN FOR DELAY.
Inability to Decide UpOnthe Time Nee
essary to Present the Case.
A Bitter Attack Made on the Episcopal
Church Incidental to Discussion OF
the Report on Church Unity-Pre-
ceedings of the Assembly.

WASHINGTON, May 27.-At the opening
OF the Presbyterian general assembly this
morning the chairman OF the Judiciary
committee announced that it had been
unable to get ready for the trial OF Pro
lessor Briggs at such short notice and
asked that it be put over till Monday
morning. The request was agreed to.
The postponement is said to be largely
due to the Inability of the parties to de-
eide upon the time they shall ask to pre-
sent their case.
The leading feature OF the morning ses-
sion was bitter attack On the Episcopal
church by Rev. N. A. Hollifield Of New
Jersey, incidental to the discussion on
the report on church unity. He declared
that the Episcopal church is the tbacs
door to Rome.'' The expression Of re.
gret at this by another delegate was ap.
plauded.
The question of the Geary law was then
taken up as a special order and rssOlu-
tons were adopted declaring that the
Geary law was IN contravention of treaty
obligations and in violation OF the funGa-
mental principles of our government and
urging its repeal. Copies were ordered
sent to Congress and a committee ap-
pointed to present them to the president
Rev DR.. W. @. Young of Kentucky,
read report with reference to the over
ture from the GAINESVILLE Presbytery on
the part that women may take in public
prOmiscuous assemblies. The COMMITTEES
reported that it regarded all prohibitions
OF the bible still in force, but recon-
mended that all such questions be LETT
to the determinations OF pastors, which
were adopted.
In regard to overture looking to union
with the southern church the committee
recommended that no action be taken.
Adopted.
Joseph S. Smith of Baltimore, chairman
of the committee on church unity recited
the progress made in conference with the
episcopal commission stating that while
organic unity could not now be expected,
there was a basis OF cooperation upon
which they could work.
DIR. Harsha, from the committee on
church Dollty reported action on a num-
Der of Overtures. With regard to two Of
them recommending a revision of the
book of discipline so as to define and limit
the authority OF the prosecuting COM
mittee, it is reported that in view of the
present condition of the church it was
not advisable to Iegislate upon these sub
iects at the present time which was agreed
to.
DIS. Young from the committee on
bills and overtures, reported on the over
lures from sixty-seven presbyteries re-
questing preparation OF new short form
Of the confession of faith and other re-
visionary authorization and unanimously
recommending that the matter be post
poned in view of the recent action OF q
majority of presbyteries not to legislate
on these subjects at present, which was
adopted. The report OF the committee on
systematic benefeence stated that the
I So
anceS IN the church over judicial trials
would injuriously affect the benevoleuce5
of denominations had fortunately not
been realized. The condition OF
all boards was most satisfactory.
The total receipts for the past year
were g, 799, 562, a net increase
of S178, 765 over the previous year. This
was high water mark in the history OF
benevolent es of the Presbyterian church
Which was adopted. DR.. Young, chair
man of the committee on bills and over
lures, submitted recommendations for
consideration in answer to the overtures
from the Presbyteries of Newark and St.
Louis with reference to a deliverance Of
the last assembly on inspiration Of the
Holy scriptures.
The committee appointed to wait upon
the president in relation to the enforce
ment of the Geary exclusion law, re-
ported at the evening session through
Elder CutcheOn. he stated that as the
committee learned it would be impossible
to have an interview with the pres
ident before next Tuesday, they deemed
it better to send communication
to Secretary Gresham, respectfully
directing his attention to the deep inter
est and concern felt by mem bepC of the
churches for the welfare of their minis
tiers Iaboring in the mission field t.
China. Information received from our
representatives in that country lead Us TO
fear that they may be in peril of their
lives, and we therefore pray that every
possible provision be made to insure
their safety in case this danger is real
lied. The assembly voted authority to
the commission to forward the commune
cation to the secretary OF state.
The report of the committee on young
peoples societies presented several days
ago was discussed and then adopted.
| Upon motion to continue the committee
DR.. Young delivered blow at the prac-
tice of continuing matters which seemed
to strike popular chord aud substitute
proposing a vote of thanks was adopted
unanimously.
Consideration of the report of the COM
mittee on home missions was then re-
sumed. The question under discussion was
whether the board should be instructed
to pay missionaries monthly instead Of
quarterly. The result was that tho mat
| ter was referred to the board with direc-
lions, if practicable, to make the change.
The assembly then adjourned until Nom
day.
hvTEpTCANv EsaDrTS1r Union