Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1893-06-01

vote. Early in the discussion DIR. Briggs
had left the church, being very weary The
moderator put the question: "Shall the
specifications of error be sustained?" and
the first specification was read in sub
stance that the presbytery of New York
on objections made by DR.. Briggs required
the prosecuting committee to amend the
amended charges and specifications by
striking out charge four. 1t was declared
sustained by a viva voce vote. but division
was demanded, and resuIJed-ayes, 2o2;
nays, 100
Specifications second to twelfth inclu
sive, under the first ground of appeal, all
relating to irregularities in the proceedings
of the New York presbytery, were sus-
tanned seriatim, some by tally and some
merely by viva voce or rising vote. The
second ground of appeal alleged the re-
ceiving of improper testimony, and was
Assed upon three specifications. They were
all sustained. The third ground of appeal
alleged manifestations of prejudice in the
conduct of the case" and of its six specifi-
cations the Briggs men carried two and
came within two votes of carrying another
These charged prejudiced statements and
action on the part of members OF the New
York presbytery and did not touch the
ques ton Of heresy.
The fifth and last ground contained
specifications of error" and 1t charged
"mistake or injustice in the decision" The
specifications charged error in the failure
to convict the defendant on competent
charges, the facts being admitted by the
defendant; that the Judgment was not war
ranted by The law and evidence; that the
Judgment is, in fact, an approval of the
views embodied in the inaugural address;
that the judgment Is vague, unjust and mis-
leading. that the presbytery was moved by
1nsworn and improper testimony; that the
judgment is contradictory In form and eff
feet. The votes on these specifications
were taken without a division, resulting in
declaration that each and every one had
been sustained.
This part of the proceedings having been
disposed of Rev. w. c. Young, of Ken
tucky, moved that the roll be called and
the assembly vote upon the main question,
aShall the appeal be sustainedt' which
was adopted. Before beginning the roll
call the moderator said that votes to
sustain in part would be counted as part
of the total TO sustain the appeal.
The roll was then called in the midst OF
| an almost p-iaful stiffness. The vote was
announced Mt lob by the stated clerk as
| follows: Whole number of votes cast.
400; to sustain the appeal. 29s; to sustain
o. in part. SIS; total to sustain the appeal,
| SS3; not to sustain, lie.
After the result had been announced
/ Rev. J. T. Smith, of Baltimore. moved the
| appointment of a committee of fifteen COM
| missioners. of which the Rev. Thomas A.
| Hoyt, of Philadelphia, shall be chairman,
| to bring in an explanatory minute. This
| was carried, and the assembly adjourned
| for the day. The explanatory minute
| will express the sense of the assembly as to
the action that should be taken upon the
| Judgment of the presbytery of New York
| whether it shall be reversed or modified
and what penalty shall be imposed against
DR.. Briggs, if any.