The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1893-05-27
THE TRIAL Will PROCEED
By a Big Majority the General As
sembly Comes to That
Conclusion.
DR.. BriRgs' Doctrinal Teachings
Will Again Be Put to
the Test.

Presbyterian DsIsEa atss Worked Up to .
High Pitch Of Excitsmsnt by tho
p, Disoussion.
WASHINGTON. May 2G.--By vote Of 400
70 l46 the Presbyterian general assembly
this afternoon decided to entertain the ap-
real In the case of DR.. Briggs. and
the assembly will 90 on wish the
trial tomorrow morning. The roll
oall on the resolution WAS taken
amidst an almost painful silence. during
which tho defendant watched with fsverish
anxiety the progress of the vote. All over
the house and In the galleries the vote was
followed intently. While the roll was
being called Moderator Craig yielded tho
chair to Ex-Moderator Wm. G. Roberts.
aAd himself voted aye.
ThrouRhout the long debate Of the morn
ing there were. many evidences Of feeling
and several Of the speakers took advantage
Of the opportunity 70 arraign defendant.
otherwise express condemnation.
for the time being that they were members
of the ooart Of Jesus Christ" II was an
interesting spectacle and a scene never 10
bs forgotten.
AZ ths request Of Rev. Dr.. Nioolls, Of ST.
Louis and Elder Pershing. they were re-
tired from judicial commission In the case
and Rev. w. b. Reynolds, Of Minnesota,
and Elder Law. of California. were ar
pointed IN thsir places. Rev. Hoyt WAS
added to the committee to visit Cleveland
on the matter of traffic in firearms in the
western Pacific.
The main questions: 'Shall the appeal
by ths New York presbytery be made TO the
general assembly direct. instead Of hrst 60
ing to the synod to be entertained" was
taken up. DR.. Ketehum. of New Jersey,
favored sending the case back to the synod.
and said that ~ the end Of the debate he
would make motion to that effect. Elder
MeDouaall. of Cincinnati. stated that by
an arrangement with the chairman of the
judiciary committee he was charged with
the duty Of opening In support of the mo-
tion TO entertain the appeal, and SO took
the platform. A storm of protests arose
against this, led BY DR.. HeEriok johnson,
of Chicago. s go
Elder NcDougall refer ed TO. certain re-
marks which Briggs made in his own de-
fense, and said he offered, II the case is
sent back to the synod. to waive his oonsti-
| tutional right.
No" said Briggs, intsrtupting. :,
You will get the case back TO the synod
and then you will insist upon all constitu-
tional rights that you can think Of
~
and now and then . mnrmue Of surprise
swept over the assembly: Briggs asked for
cries of NO." and "Hear him." Briggs
was given one minute and explained that
he had not offered to waive any constitu-
tional rights. but said be would leave the
settlement of those rights to the decision
of the synod.
Dr. Fulton. of Philadel phia, was person.
ally sure that, although the assembly
might have . ma jority in favor of trying
the case here. public opinion IL overwhelm-
inRly against such conrse. DR.. Hays. of
Danville, KY. made a strong Argument in
favor Of the present consideration OF the
case. DR.. Herrick johnson. of Chicago,
said the only Interpretation OF the rules of
the church was to send it back TO the New
York synod. Dr.. NcGaw. Of Toledo. said
the question WAS what course should
be taken TO seoure Isacs at the earliest
the case to the synod. Elder Thomas
Kune, Of Chicago, favored sending the CASE
to the synod. Elder Hinckley, Of Phila-
dolphia. discussed the views held by DR..
Briggs and denounced them. Rev. Thomas
G. Hall. Of Chicago. made an earnest sp-
peal in behalf of Dr.. igss.
Elder Cutohson. of Detroit. was the fist
speaker of the afternoon. He 10 one OF
Prof Briggs warm supporters and insisted
that the case should be considered on the
single question of appeal. "he venerable
DR.. Duf1ield. Of Princeton college. said he
scholarship and Christian character Of DR..
Briggs. III his logical faculties are equal
to his scholarship ! do not know his equal
in the intellectual world of America at
| least"
When DR.. Duflield finished the most sen
sational scene of the day and assembly
ensusd. In the oou.ss OF the venerable
DOCTORS remarks his statsment of Prof.
BriRgs' teachings was questioned by several
commissioners. and the professor himself
gave uttsrance to an 1prssssion which
could mot be understood BY the reporters.
almost into direct contact with Prot.
Briggs. who. with flashing eyes, had sp,unR
10 his feet demanding to be heard.
A storm of dissent and cries Of 'order"
! i'm mediately broke over the assembly. A
scene of great excitement and disorder On.
burus IAAuiAys AEs lSIAIHo VOSA AAD bent
and the storm subsided. passionate
address against the plea OF DR.. Briggs WAS
made by Rev. VIM. G, Young. of Danville.
KY, moderator of the last assembly. AZ
ter further argument debate was declared
closed. Judge Purnell, OF Baltimore. then
offered his motion to remand the case to
the New York synod. This vas defeated
by viva vooe vote and again by rising
vote. The question then occurring on tho
| resolution of the Judicial committee that
tho appeal 10 entertained, the ayes and
noes Were demanded and ths roll call be-
gan. The result of the vote was announced
as follows: Yeas 4Q9, nays LAG.
The judicial committee WAS instructed to
prepare . programme for procedure in trial
Of shs appeal. and tho assembly decided to
proceed with the trial tomorrow morning.
Al the night session tho fret order Of
business WAS tho report OF the committee
] on The board Of church erection. Among
the recommendations was one 10 the effect
that NOT less than $780, 600 10 NECESSARY for
! the work OF the board this fiscal year. After
remarks the recommendations Of tho COM
| mittee we're adopted. The report OF tho
committee Oh the board OF publication and
sunday school wo:k was then read and
adopted.
DENVER, May 26-In the Baptist meeting
to-day the delegates 10 she missionary oOn-
ventton heard the centennial committee.
DIR. Nabie rspo. tad more than $1,000 OO0
raised. This was . gratifying surprise.
The remainder Of the session was spent
with interesting addresses. and afterwards
| and info NAL raOsnliOn V0o tOndeFed ShV