The record-union., 1893-05-25
Special to the REconp-UNIoN.


WASHINGTON, May 24.-The Presby-
terian General Assembly resumed its
session this morning.
The Committee on Aid to Colleges
recommended that the proposition of
Arthur Brown to donate 100 acres of land
at Salt Lake City as site for the location
of the Westminster College Of Utah be
respectfully declined. Adopted.
The report of the Committee on For
eign Missions stated an effort would be
made this year to raise 81, 100000
A recess was then taken till 2:3O.
At the afternoon session Moderator
Craig convened the assembly as a court.
DR.. Briggs assembled the platform amid
intense quiet, and made brief prelimi-
nary statement regarding the time he re-
quired for argument.
DR.. w. +. Birch, Chairman of the
Prosecuting Committee, then took the
floor. After touching the history of the
case, DIR. Birch said: 1--WE here invoke
this supreme court to put an end to the
dissension and disputation which the
New York Presbytery has vainly en-
deavored to silence. The form in which
the final judgment ofthe New Y orll Pres
bytery was returned gives the impression
that the alleged errors Of Professor Briggs
were unimportant, and that no essential
doctrine was contradicted. There has
been a tendency to minimize the full
force of the indictment. The errors
charged are fundamental"
In reply to the argument that an appeal
cannot be taken from the verdict of ac-
quittal, DIR. Birch said HE who teaches
that the power of the General Assembly
can be nullihed by the will of single
Presbytery lifts the banner of treason
against the Presbytery and the church.
Your appellant beseeches this venerable
court to exercise its authority in a crisis
so momentous as to make every plea tor
delay of judgment out of order.'
At BIB o'clock DR.. Briggs arose to re-
ply to the opening of the Prosecuting
Committee and to protest against the en-
tertaining Of the appeal by the General
Assembly. DIR. Briggs went on to argue
that the form of appeal was incorrect, and
that there were many things in it which
must be removed before the assembly
could entertain it. He also pointed out
matter included in the appeal which he
said rendered it invalid. "A much more
fundamental question at stake" said DR..
Briggs, than any principle of law or
doctrine yet discussed is that whether the
Presbyterian Church should be con-
sidered merely voluntary religious
society of the Church of Jesus Christ. 1t
Is the civil law of the land that no man
should be twice tried for the same offense.
Is hn 1,rsf
Ignore or violate well settled principle,
found by centuries of observation and
experience to be essential to the we'll
being OF the people, without sufficient
cause? If this appeal is sustained it
would become an unfortunate precedent,
which would be followed by public
prosecutors, who would magnify their
office and bring differences of opin-
ion and establish new and easy
way for ambitious litigauts to secure
authoritative decisions by the General
Assembly in many matters which are
now regarded as legitimate matters of
private opinion, and thus imperil the
constitution by an unending series of
heresy trials, and result in changes in
the doctrine and law of the Presbyterian
Church. The General Assembly could
not lawfully revise or amend the consti-
tuition by final judgment in heresy trials.
Public prosecutors are pushing the Pres
byterian Church into a very inconsistent
and dangerous position. They are en-
deavorlng TO secure new definitions of
the dogma by a final Judgment in a
heresy trial, when they ought to aim to
secure them by overtures in accordance
with the provisions of the form of gov
ernment." Dr. Briggs spoke an hour and
half, and then yielded for a motion to
adjourn.
BAPTIST PUBLICATION SOCIETY.
DENVER, May 24-rhe American Bap-
list Publication Society met this morn
ing. After addresses of welcome and
responses, the usual committees were
appointed. The Board Of Managers sub
mitted report of its work during the
year, showing collections S6S3. .OS3 and
net assets S9S4, ,324. More than $1,000, 900
copies OF books, pamphlets and tracts
were printed during the year.
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH.
CANTON (O.), May 24.-The General
Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran
NANAANA4 Va y AAlltAltd NOilN6 6lbu LDlS even
ing for a session lasting from ten DAYS to
two weeks. The most important matter
to come up for consideration will be the
rewriting of the Lutheran smaller cate
chism. The opening session consisted OF
a synodical sermon delivered by the
President, Rev. DR.. J. A, Clutz of Atchi-
son, kaS. His discourse was an able ex-
position of the faith OF the denomination.
CUMBERLAND PREsBYTERIANS.
LITTLE Rock (Ark.), May 24.-The
General Assembly of Cumberland Pres
byterians met this morning. The dele
gates to the last quadrennial meeting of
the an-Presbyterian Council reported
their work. The proposition to consoIi-
date ministerial relief and education was
tabled, and resolution abolishing the
office of General Superintendent of Sun
day-schools was defeated.
SOCIAL AND PERSONAL