The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-05-28
PROF. BRIGGS CASE.
Presbyterian General Assembly
Postpones Hearing.
IT WILL COME UP ON MONDAY
4 Lsttss - Secretary Gresham Oppss-
Ing b 0sary Law-Kepsrss Of Com
otttses sn Chureh work.

WssHryeroS Cry. May 27.-As tse
opening OF the Presbyterian general as
semo!y this morning the chairman Of the
judiciary committee announced that the
committee had been unable 70 get ready
for thet trial OF Prof. Briggs at such saor:
notice. and asked that i: be put over till
Monday morning. The request was agreed
TO. The p~ostpouemcns is said to be
largely due TO the inability Of the parties
to decide upon the time they shall ask 10
present their case.
The leading feature OF the morning ses-
sion was a bitter attack on the Episcopal
church by Rev. n. A. Hoiiifieid, Of New
Jersey. incidental to the discussion of the
report on church unity. He declared that
the Episcopal church was the back door 10
Rome. An expression Of regret At this by
another delegate was appiauded.
The question OF the Geary law Mas then
taken no as a special order and discussed
till the midday adjournment. The assem-
bly, adopted resolutions declaring the Law
in contravention OF the treaty obligations
and in violation Of the fundamental pr:n-
cipies o; our government and urging its
repeal. Copies we're ordered sent to con-
gress and . committee was appointed 70
present them to the president.
Rev. DR.. W. {. Young. of Kentucky,
read q report with reference TO the over
ture from the GAINESVILLE presbysery on the
part women may take in public pro-
miscuous assemblies. The committee re-
ported that it regarded all the prohibitions
of the Bible a. still in force. but recon-
mended that all such questions be left to
the Discrimination Of pastors. Adopted.
In regard to the overture looking to a
union with the Southern church the ON
IDittee recommended that no action be
taken: adopted.
Rev. Joseph Smith, of Baltimore. chair
man Of the committee on church unity.
recited that progress had been made in
the conference with the Episcopal COM
miftce ard stated that while organic
unity could not be expected. there was a
basis OF cooperation upon which they
could work.
DIR. Harsha, from the committee on
church policy. reported action On . num-
Der of overturcs. With regard to two of
them recommending revision Of the book
OF discipline. so as 10 define and limit the
authority Of the prosecuting committee. it
was recommended. in view Of the present
condition of the church. that IL was not
advisable TO iegislate or three subjects At
the presen. time. Agreed to.
DR.. Young, from the committee on bills
and o~vertures. reported on Oyerturcs from
sixty-seven presbyteries' requesting the
preparation of q new short form Of confess
sion of faith and other re~visionary author
i~zation. unanimously recommending that
the matter be postponed. in view Of the
recent action Of the majority of prcsby-
teries, and no legislation on these subjects
at present. Adopted.
The report of the committee on sys-
femntic henefcence stated that the fears
that had been felt IN some quarters tina;
tho disturbance in the church over the
judicial trials would injuriously affect the
tenevolenccs OF the denomination had
fortunately not been realized. The condi-
ton of all the boards vas most swatisfac-
tory. The total receipts for the year just
passed were s., 1896. a net increase of
Sis. So over the previous year. This was
high water mark in the history OF the be-
nevolences of the Presbyterian church..
The report was received and adopted.
DIR. Young. chairman OF the committee
on bills and oyertures. submitted recon-
mcndations for consideration IN answer to
the oyertures from the presbyterics OF
Newark and st. Louis with reference to
the deiiverance OF the last assembly on the
Inspiration Of the holy scriptures.
The committee appointed TO wait upon
: lac president in relation TO the enforce
ment of the Geary exclusion law reported
At the evening session through Elder
Cutcheon. lie stated that as the commit
tee learned il 20 he impossible TO have
an interview with the president before
next Tuesday, it deemed il better to send
a communication to Secretary Gresham,
respectfully directing his attention to the
deep interest and concern felt by the mem.
hers o: churches for the welfare of their
ministers iaboring in the mission field in
China. Adding:
Information received from our representa-.
tiyeS In that couairy lead us to fear that they
may be "a nsris Of their lives. aad We therefore
pray that every possible provision DC made To
insure iheir safety in ease this danger is real
iset.
The assembly voted authority TO the
committee 10 for Gard the communication
TO the secretary of state. The report o..
the committee on young peoples societies.
presented several days ago. was dis
cussed and then adopted. Upon a motion
to continue the committee. pr. Young
delivered q blow at the practice OF continu-
ing committees. which seemed 10 strike n
popular chord and q substitute proposing
thanks was adopted unanimously. The
consideration OF the report of the COM
mittee on home missions was then
resumed. The question under dis
euSsson VAS whether the board should
he instructed 10 pay missionaries monthly
instead o, quarterly. The result was that
the matter Is referred IN the board With
direction. that If practicable. 10 make the
change. The assembly then adjourned
til Monday.