Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1893-06-01

WASHINGTON. May 26.-The real
fight in the Briggs case has now been
begun and the indications point to
condemnation OF the New ork pro-
fessor by an Overwhelming majo ,itv.
There seems TO be a feeling among the
great body of Jurymcn OF the assembly
that DR.. Briggs is clearly guilty of
heresy and that an example must be
made of him. One of the prominent
adherents Of DR.. Briggs has declared
that he was convinced that the minds
of a great majority of the
assembly were already made up.
He admitted that the outlook
was anything but bright, although the
unexpected might develop. The crush
to get into the New York Avenue
Church was even greater than last
week. At the half-hour devotional
meetings all the prayers uttered were
for divine light in solving the great
question before the assembly. The
service was conducted by Prof. J. M.
Coyner of Los Angeles, who read the
first chapter of Hebrews. Col. McCool1
of the prosecuting committee was the
first of the leading figures to
arrive. His ass Ociate, Rev. Mr..
Lampe reached his seat just as
Moderator Craig opened the assembly
with prayer. While the minutes were
being read Rev. G. W. f. B rch, chair
man of the Prosecuting Committee, APP
peared, carrying his familiar bag, and
took his seat. At this time Rev. DR..
Frazier of Newark was the only Occu-
pant Of the Briggs table, but before
the reading of the minutes was con-
cluded the defendant enveloped in a
dark OvercOat and accompanied by
Prof Francis Brown of Union Semi
nary, entered and prepared himself
for the days session.
After the minutes had been apprC~ed
DR.. Herrick johnson, chairman of the
committee On Columbian Worlds Fair
exhibit, stated that the committee, in
view of the action of the assembly,
was in a paralyzed condition. If the
exhibit was TO be removed from the
grounds, as indicated by the vote of
the assem- bly,, the committee must be
backed by the financial responsibility
OF the body. To remove the exhibit
and return the subscriptions to the
fund for installation would require
about $3.50. There was 81,
on hand. After some discussion it was
voted to refer the matter to the COM
mittee on finance with power 10 act.
DR.. Young, Chairman of the Commit
tee on Bills and Overtures, reported
upon q number referred to that COM
mittee. Answers to the most import
ant were:
That inasmuch as the Presbyteries
voted against the overture on vacancy
and supply sent down by the General
Assembly of 1892, it is deemed inoppor-
tune at this time to overture the Pres
byteries again on that subject
That the synod of Utah be erected,
with the Rev. r. G. McNiece as Tenn
pOrary Moderator, and the synod of
Montana be erected, with the Rev.
Andrew Wormser as Temporary Mod
orator.
These recommendations were
adopted.
A memorial of 365 officers and men,
bers, asking an Interpretation of the
deliverance of the Assent bly, of 1892
upon the inspiration of the Bible, was
reported by DIR. Young, with the rec
ommendation that it be considered
answered by the reports f the commit
tee made Saturday afternoon. 1t was
SO ordered, and that report was made
the second special order of business
OIL oCL OiiC SlooC VI lsS j iolSlui IcboC-
The closest attention was given DR..
Baker, chairman of the judiciary COM
mittee, when he rose from his place on
the platform to make the report of the
committee as to the disposition of time
in the Briggs trial. The arrangement, he
said, was entirely agreeable to both
sides. Four and half hours
was allowed the appellants 10
open and close the case. DIR.
Briggs is allowed seven hours to
reply and the New York Presbytery,
from whose judgment the appeal was
taken, is assigned two hours, to be
used in ter-minute speeches. A vote
will taken on each specification. Lr.
Baker said that no new matter would
be introduced.
After some desultory debate on 1.-THE
conduct of the debate" the report was
adopted unanimously and the Modera-
tor arose to caution the commissioners
as to the manner of their bearing dur
ing the trial.