Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-06-01

m. convened the General Assembly into
A court. and the last stage but one OF
the famous case Of DR.. briggs was en-
tered upon.
The Com missioners as called were to
give the reasons for their votes,
speeches 20 be limited 70 three minutes.
While this preliminary was being set
tied. DR.. Briggs quietly came 10 and
took his seat. Under the call OF the
roll Rev. ID. n. Freeland, Of the East
Florida Prssbytery, was the first to re-
spond. He had a deep regard for the
honored Professor, be said, but be could
not side with him in his claim that the
bible was errant. He held 70 the old
creed and II the true blue flag must go
down he would go down with It,
Mr. Freelsnd was followed by Rev.
]. L. Smith, Of Baltimore, who ex-
pressed an intention OF sustaining the
appeal.
DIR. Leftwich, OF Baltimore, said the
appeal should be sustained, because the
Presbytery had acquitted Prof. Briggs
OF the charge Of error upon a charge
which he had frankly and freely ayowed
before this Assembly, that Of errancy
IN the original text Of Scripture.
Rev. John S. Honk, OF New Castle
Presbytery, and Rev. Joseph I. Kelly,
OF Washington City Presbytery, said
they would vote TO sustain the appeal.
Revs. Wm. II. Single, Of Canton, and
Gilbert Reid, Of Shantung, both Of the
Synod Of China, spoke in favor OF not
sustaining the appeal, Mr.. Reid eonelu-
ding his remarks with the question;
"Ii Or. Briggs is hereto, where isl
Princeton theoloRy?" Laughter. He
found no great difference, he said, be-
tween the views OF DR.. Briggs and
other teachers OF Presbyterian doctrine.
Shortly before noon when Kansas had
been reached In the call Of synOds the
Moderator arose aud said DR.. Briggs is
very weary OF this proceeding and he
has asked 70 be excused by the Modera-
tor from further attendance as party.
81 eheerfully grant his request"
DR.. Briggs then left the church amid
a buzz from the galleries. He looked
tired and sad and seemed glad TO get
away.
In the midst OF the roll call the Gen
a,l Assembly at 1890 took its custo-
mar recess HRttl-2.30.
THE AFTERNOON SESSION.
Upon reassembling, Rev. John Pugh,
OF bloomington, said that while full OF
tympathy for the defendant, he was
compelled TO say from his deepest con-
Victions and best Judgment, that the
address OF DR.. Briggs was the most
magnificent specimen Of special plead
ing he had ever heard. Fer nearly
seven hours be had spoken without
meeting squarely any OF the issues in
volyed or clearing up the obscurity
with which they were surrounded.
Rev. G.. X. Mcclure, d. D., Of Chi
cago, held that II the Assembly voted
10 sustain the appeal the church would
commit itself to cOgditionS which II
was not prepared TO accept at the pres
ent time, and which would be hurtfnl
to PresbyterianiSm.
"The first four grounds Of appeal are
technical, and have no place In the
course OF this trial: sweep them away,
was the ringing declaration with which
DIR. Herrick Johnson, OF Chicago, be-
gan his expression OF opinion. He said
the explanations OF the defendant aS 70
the meaning Of bis doctrines was TO be
accepted as long as his moral integrity
was not in question. To do otherwise
would be 10 stamp him not only as q
false teacher, but hypocrite as we'll.
DIR. johnson said be would vote for the
same kind OF judgment the New York
Presbytery passed, without approval
Of the doctrines taught.
Rev. Thomas c. Hall, the tall young
minister,of Chicago, who has been so
Jealous a supporter Of Or. Briggs, said
that II it was a breach Of contract TO
hold certain opinion he should have
been told so when be was ordained. He
held the views which were In danger OF
being cast out to the confusion OF the
church.
George Rutherford, of Peoria, H.,
said that for the Assembly TO cast out
OF its communion such a staunch Pres
byterlan as Prof. Chas. A. Briggs would
be a sehiSm.
DIR. BRIGGS SENT FROM GOD.
81 believe that fifty years from now"
said Rev. Frank G. Ellet, Of Flint,
Mich, I'VE will see that Or. Briggs was
sent from God to make the church
evangelical. The reformers in ali ages
have antagonized the church. l be-
lleye he Is opening door out Of which
may come broad evangelical Presoy-
tsrian church. which we have not now. "
The debate continued, with the ms
jority OF the speakers against DR..
Briggs, though be found = number Of
warm supporters.
? Elder Thomas MeDOugall, Of Cincin-
natl, precipitated lively scene upon
the floor, une0ualed in the course OF the
trial, except when DR.. Briggs chal-
lenged the truthfulneSs OF statement
made by DR.. Dufiield. McDougall is a
radical opponent Of DR.. Briggs, and
speaks with an inclsive sggreSSiveness
that easily evokes antagOnism. If IL
be in order" he began, "in a PreSby-
terian Assembly, in this high court,
would like to ask il the Omniscence, the
yeracity, the character or God AL
mighty, of the Lord Jesus Christ may
be questioned. God Almighty has said
that Isaiah said thus aud so. DR.. Briggs
has said 10 God Almighty that Isaiah
did not write half the book that bears
his name. The Lord Jesus Christ said
in the New Testament that Isaiah
wrote the book bearing his name. DR..
Briggs says"
DR.. Henry NJ. Storrs-"Mr. MOdera-
tor, cal the gentleman to order. Any
man IS entitled to be defended against
attacks upon his character. Did DR..
Briggs say any such thing?"
Mr.. McDoagall-"Why, DR.. Storrs,
YOU viii Nc on page
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