Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-05-26

the PRESBYTERIAN General Assembly was
called To order this mOSning the church
was filed with people eager TO hear the
proceedings in the Briggs case. AT $50
the moderator opened the assembly with
prayer. and after the disposition OF
some routine business, presented re-
port from the Judicial Committee re-
commenting that the six complaints OF
]. j. McCook and others against the
New York Synod, growing out OF the
trial Of Prof. Briggs, be referred TO a
judicial commission for trial. The
recommendation Of the committee was
adopted.
DR.. Baker then reported the action OF
the committee upon the Overatures re-
lating to appeals direct from the synod
10 the general assembly. The com
mittee said that inaSmuch as these
overtures had 10 do with the case now
pending it seemed only fair that the
report on them should be made before
the case should be determined. AT the
same time, recognizing the fact that
there was no opportunity at this time
for the discussion 10 was recommended
that the report be placed on the docket
unless the assembly was ready TO vote
promptly on 10. Oyertures from twenty
nine presbyteries asked specific action
on the case now pending; those from
fourteen others asked change In the
book OF discipline to prevent any furture
appeal being taken direct from the
presbytery 10 the general assembly.
The committee recommended the
adoption Of the following resolution:
''Resolued, That a Presbytery has the Un-
doubted right of petition 70 the General
Assembly, as to all matters relating 70 the
polity OF the church; but an overture from
q Presbytery, advising the Assemo oily what
action should be taken by said Assembly 10
8 pending judicial case, is an Irregular and
unprecedented ecclesiastical procedure.
Every Presbytery has the right and the Op-
portupitv 10 have its opinion on pending
judicial case expressed through It's COM
Tnissioners on the floor Of the Assembly, but
IL has not the right by overture TO try 70 in
fiuence the decision Of the Assembly on any
handing judicial case. We therefore rec
ommend that all such Overtures, in so far
as they relate 10 the action Of the Assem-
blv in the case now pending before IT, be
laid upon the table We further recon-
mend that part of said Overtures relating
10 a change in the Book OF Discipline. so as
TO provide that no cases may IN the future
be taken by appeal directly from the Pres
bytery TO the General Assembly, be refer
red 10 the Committee on Church Polity."
The Assembly aDparantly was ready
10 act upon the report, for motion to
accent il and adopt the recOmmenda-
tions was promptly made and adopted
with no dissent.
The report OF the General Asssmbly's
committee on Presbyterian exhibit at
the Worlds Columbian Exposition,
George T. Morrow, chairman, shows
that the exhibit has been partly INSTALL
ed At a cost so far Of s., 500. a prOmi-
pent feature of the exhibit is an hiStOr-
zeal pamphlet prepared by Rev. II. ID.
Jenkins, ID. D., which will DO distribut-
ed during the continuance OF the Fair.
The committee says that, in case the
Fair shall be opened on Sundays, in ac-
cordance with the directions OF prev
ious assemblies, the church'S exhibit
will be closed on that day. The COM
mittse recommended that the appoint
ment OF the committee 70 complete the
installation OF the exhibit, and see that
a. is uroDerly cared for during the ex-
position, and to make final report to the
assembly OF 1894.
Stated Clerk Roberts offered q resolu-
tion appointing q committee consisting
of Rev. DR.. Craig (the moderat0r). Her
rick Johnson, Of Chicago, aud Baker,
Of Philadelphia, aud Elders Ketchem,
of New York, and Law, Of Colorado, 10
Visit the proper officials and learn
whether or not IL Is their intention TO
observe the requirement that the
Worlds Fair should be closed on Sun
day. The resolution was adopted. Dr.
Roberts said the Worlds Fair ground
wao a bonded warehouse, and that il
was entirely competent for Secretary
Carlisle 10 close the gates and turn the
kew on Saturday nights.
Moderator Craig then resolved the
Assembly into q judicial court, and DR..
Briggs resumed his speech In defense OF
the action OF the New York Presbytery
in the case of tue prosecution against
him. and the opposition TO the enter
taipinR of the appeal from the judg-
ment OF the Pres0ytery thereon.
After briefly resta.ing the points
made Yesterday, DR.. Briggs said;
The Presbytery Of New York, the
largest in the Presbyterian Church, after
a long and patient consideration Of the
merits of the case, gave verdict or &C
ouittal Would the General Assembly De
willing 70 give the same amount or time
and the same degree Of patience 10 the con-
Alteration Of the merits Of the case II the
anDeal should be entertained The Gen
era Assembly is composed OF more than
500 members from all parts OF the United
states. 1t is likely that so numerous q
body will be more equitsole court than
the PresOytery OF New York Let any
cne consider the situation or affairs
In the PRESBYTERIAN Church since
tbe process was begun against DR.. Briggs
and honestly ask whether the General
Assembly is likely to be in more judicial
frame OF mind than the Pres0ytery Of
New York. III the General Assembly
should entertain this appeal 1t would be
necessary TO consider the merits OF the
case with the utmost care, with evident
impartiality, with entire freedom from
marty prejudice and with unwearied pa
hence for several weeks, or you could not
win public confidence in your justice or
puolic respect for your decision. II you
evarride all the provisions OF the constitu-
tion and maxims Of civil law, the usages of
civil and ecclesiastical c OurtS in order 10
sntertain an appeal and then rush to a
hasty decision you will strike q deadly
blow at the constitution and the discipline
Of the Presbyterian Church.
He then reviewed the history OF the case.
iA-ouRh its various usuages inlPresDytery
Ia General Assembly, showing the dis.
sal Of the charges in 1891, aud an &C
NJ in 1892, BY a court which showed
Aently, 20 say the least, that they
nhiased ia favor Of DR. Briggs, and
RRder the s. pal pressure Of