Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-06-23
A LAYMAN's OPINION
In Regard to the Briggs Trial and It's
Results.

In Regard to the Briggs Trial and It's
Results.
The lecture room Of the First PRESBYTERIAN
Church, Newark N. j., was crowded to its full
est capacity Tuesday night with those interested
in the Briggs trial, and anxious to hear John Y.
Foster express his views as to the action Of the
late general assembly. The meeting, says the
Advertiser. was purely informal one. as Mr.
Foster merely spoke in reply to the earnest
solicitation Of personal friends. He said in
part:
The assembly whose sessions have just closed
was thoroughly representative Of the Presby-
terrain Church of the United States. 1t con-
tanned many men Of scholarship and intellect
and its average ability was probably as high as
that of any which has preceded it. All Its life
and earnestness we're focused about the trial
ought rather to say mistrial-of DIR. Charles
A.. Briggs; and In considering this one must
nrst consider the complexion of the assembly
itself
1t was divided into three distinct parties
first, those relentless implacables who came
already determined on convicting Dr. Briggs;
second the ultra conservatives, conscientious,
no doubt. but imbued with the idea that Prof.
Briggs teaching assaiied the fundamentals Of
biblical teaching, that he was a hereto and
should be disciplined accordingly; and, lastly,
all his ideas, but thought it wiser to tolerate
difference OF opinion when essentials were not
mentioned. They we're not strong in numbers
but Of a very high grade Of scholarship, and
considered liberty of biblical research far better
than its prosecution.
From this background there stood out two
prominent figures Briggs, a man Of profound
scholarship, but having, l may say, the in
science OF learning; accustomed so long to deep
and profound study along certain lines that he
Rr,w intolerant Of opposition. All agree as to
his learning and beautiful Christian character;
but. as for tact. he had no more than q child.
The moderator, whose hand guided the helm
was the observed OF all observers. He was q
man who desired to be fair. ard was only unfair
by reason Of his environment
THEIR MINDS MADE UP.
The whole machinery Of the assembly was in
the control Of men whose minds we're already
made up-but, mark you, say honestly-be-
fore they began the trial, and thus the proceed
ing was nOn-judicial. No Jury has ever been
polled from mon who, as these did. openly
avowed their intention Of voting one way. 1t
was reported even that the sentence had been
decided on four days before the trial closed.
The prosecuting committee, too, was composed
Of men learned and brilliant, but aggressive,
rather than just and seemingly imbucd through
1t all with some personal motive. Even while
acknowledging the unfairness OF some of the
specific charges. they voted to sustain them all.
The Judicial committee in the consideration of
the case practically decided the whole thing,
exceeding its constitutional powers and calling
forth the protests OF many OF the conservatives
themselves.
The argument began on the question as to
whether the appeal BIO entertained. and after
DIR. Birchs speech DR.. Briggs arose to reply
and declared in the most emphatic way his be-
lief In the Bible as the infallibie rule Of faith
and practice and in the standards OF the
church.
After the appeal had been entertained Dr.
Lamre in his address charged Briggs with be-
heving doctrines which he had over and over
again denied. The moderator decided it was
right to arraign man for what he swore he did
not believe. and even the protests of such con-
servatives as DR.. Duffield were unavailing. DIR.
Briggs WAS not moderate in his speech. but he
felt tina. his Christian character had been as
sailed and the time for moderation had passed.
DIR. BRIGGS PUPILS.
In the speeches which followed the strongest
evidence, to my mind-and on which should
have voted for DIR. Briggs, il for no other
reason-was the testimony Of his former pupils.
every one of whom declared that he had seen
the Bible through DR.. Driggs teachings he
had never seen 1t before. and had gone out
from DIR. Briggs influence to q useful and
powerful ministry. As to four OF the six
charges, DR.. Briggs declared he had never. and
did not then, believe or teach, as the prosecu-
ton said he did. but he was condemned on
them nevertheless.
These are my individual impressions merely,
and may say that went to Washington with
one purpose only-to preserve peace the unity
OF the church and the essentials OF faith. As
to my opinions, / shall never hesitate to express
them; and, say most emphatically. do not
believe Jesus Christ came to establish any
system Of religion. II he were here now, he
would not be debating on theology but, AZ of
old, would be among the poor and lowlv. strug-
Cling to elevate and ssve. do not believe in
ritual or creed. except that it conserves the
faith. consider the Bible to be true, not be-
cause Moses wrote the Pentateuch, or Isaiah
the book that bears his name. but because it
teaches me my faith and brings me nearer
God.