The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1893-05-24
THE PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY
The Ministers Finally Plunge Into the
Briggs Question.
HIS FRIENDS STANDING FIRM
They Want the Same Impartiality Shown
by the Session That is the Right of
Every Citizen.
is FRIENDS STANDING FIRM
Associated Press.

Associated Press.
Washington, May 23.-The morning
session of the Presbyterian General AS.
sembly plunged into the Briggs ques.
rion Immediately after prayer. Dr.
Young, chairman of the committee on
bills and overtures, took the floor to
present a report distributing number
of bills and overtures to several COM
mittees. Among them were some bear
| ing directly or indirectly upon the
Briggs case before the judiciary COM
mittee. Rev. Booth, of New York, en-
tered a protest against the obvious at
tempt to influence the judicial COM
mittee by pouring in upon it these
overtures for and against the case.
Rev. Brown, Briggs co-laborer, and
sympathizer said:
1--WE have right to know the SEN
timent of the church upon any subject
before 1t, and the only proper way to
secure knowledge of that sentiment, is
through the committees of the assem-
bly,"
DR.. Herrick Johnson, of Mccormick
Theological seminary, one of the fore
most Briggs leaders in the body, spoke
briefly, and Rev. Thos. B. Hall, of Chi
cago, said:
"The precedents and practices In
civil courts have no weight with us.
No court would have taken up the
prosecution of an innocent man. Eccle-
siastical precedents are overwhelming
ly in favor of the right of petition. It
is right every citizen possesses. ZAP
plause.)
The recommendation of the commit
tee was finally adopted by decisive
vote in the majority.
Ex-Moderator Smith, president of
the United Christian commission organ
lied for work in connection with the
United States Army, submitted
statement to the effect that the COM
mission must discourage the enlist
ment of the sons of Christian families
into the army, unless some safeguards
now lacking, are thrown around them.
Gambling in the army is not prohibit
ed either by law or regulation, and en-
couraged by the example of older Off
GERS and soldiers, the post canteen af-
fords unrestricted opportunity for in
ducement to drink. Sunday work is
not called for by any exigency till re-
quired by the army authorities. The
recommendation of religious teachers
in the army for the benefit of soldiers
did not receive the approval or consid-
Grafton of the authorities. The recon-
mendation of religious teachers for the
benefit of soldiers did not receive the
approval or consideration of the au-
thorities. In fact, they discouraged it.
The commission recommended the ar
my orders of August 9Th, last, on this
subject, and that chaplains be appoint
ed for every regiment.
The recommendations of the COM
mittee were approved and the report
received. The special order for the af-
ternoon session was the report of the |
judicial committee in the. Briggs case.
after prayer, DR.. Baker
chairman, addressed the moderator and |
assembly as follows:
81 earnestly hoped that but one re-
port would be presented by the COM
mittee, but in this have been dis
appointed. But shall we not all re-
solve that whatever be the decision
inally reached, we will, as loyal Pres
'yterians, abide faithfully by the de-
,ision. Let us resolve that we will
trongly frown down and utterly dis
any suggestion from
whatever quarter it may come, of
'chism or of division in our dear
hurch.
The majority report finds the appeal
nd specifications of error alleged
1ere called in due time and submit in
he resolutions that the appeal should
e entered and hours be allotted to the
caring and one and-half hours for
he assembly; then the vote upon the
rooiutiOH lHdl tHc appear Dc tuleiSu D.,
y the general assembly and the case
roceed to trial in accordance with
ne provision of the book of discipline.
The minority report was read by Rev.
]. Nichols of st. Louis. He said he
new that in making a minority report
e and his associates were under sus-
icion already as appearing to oppose
ne appeal. This was not their attitude.
hey were not antagonizing the claim
power in the assembly to entertain
he appeal. The minority report recon-
lends that the majority report be am 7
nded by substituting the following:
I'VE find the appeal in order and rec I
nmend that the parties be heard in
,cordance with the provisions Of the
ook Of discipline. We We ask this for
lie following reasons: The majority re-