The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-06-07

sion.
WAsHINGToN, May 3O.-This was the
second day devoted to the actual trial of
Prof Briggs before the general assembly
on the charge of heresy. 80 far from
diminishing. the interest in the case would
seem to be on the increase Notwiih-
standing the many counter-attractions in
connection with Decoration day there was
vet large crowd early on hand at the
New York-sve. presbyterian church. and
when the days session began the galleries
were crowded as usual.
When DR.. Briggs, IN closing his defense.
solemniy challenged the court to Judge
him justly the scene was most impressive,
and even the most unrelentinR snti-Briggs
men in the assembly admitted that the
alleged hereto had made a wonderfully
strong presentation of his case. For a
considerable portion of his time he fol-
lowed the same lines of argument that he
used before the New York presbytery with
such omissions and additions as were nee
essary to make it timely and pertinent.
His argument as he presented il was
not one that gave any chance for orator.
cal effort. 1t was a carefully prepared
technical paper, which entered deeply
into the intricacies OF the case. Much Of
the address was taken bodily from the
Defense. and this DR.. Briggs had his
friend, Dr. Brown Of Union, read for him.
DR.. Brown is a man of fine presence and
magnificent voice. While be read the
man whose orthodoxy is tie great Ques-
ton now before the presbyterian church
sat back IN q chair upOn the platform and
took little needed rest.
The day was almost devoid of ANYTHING
like sensational features. The nearest APP
prOach to this sort of thing was when Or.
Briggs quoted a sentence from DR.. Lampe's
address of yesterday, and characterized it
as rank heresy, II there was ever heresy
DIR. Young's Report
At $50 Moderator Craig opened the
business session with prayer and the
minutes of yesterdays proceedings were
read and approved. Or. Young chair
man of the committee on bills and over
lures, reported that the committee re-
quested that the answer to the overtures
regarding the deliyerance Of the assembly
of 1892 upon the inspiration of the bible.
made last Sunday, be returned to the
committee This was ordered and then
DR.. Young presented a substitute This.
be said, was the unanimous expression of
the seventeen members of the committee
present. the largest number at any meet
ing yet held.
The Rev. w. c. Lagner of Mt. Morris.
H.. called the attention of the assembly
TO the fact that this was Decoration day
and gave notice that be would ask the
moderator at some convenient point IN
the proceedings TO entertain a motion that
fifteen minutes be given TO an appropriate
recognition OF the day by singing of
national hymns, a prayer or remarks
The moderator said he would bear in
mind the suggestion ana then convened
the committee as a court in the words of
the form of government, announcing
that the body Is about To pass to the con-
sideration OF the business assigned for
trial and TO enjoin on ths members to
recoilect and regard their high character
rs judges OF q court of justice and the
solemn duty in which they are about to
Act"
DIR. Briggs Resumes.
DR.. Briggs then resumed his argument
in defense of the charges made against
him. II is the knowledge of God and His
will, said DR.. Briggs. which is necessary
to salvation, not the knowledge of
geography or chronology, nor exactness
In names and persons. The knowledge of
God necessary TO salvation does not imply
that the words containing this knowledge
are inspired. The prosecution seems to
think that the whole OF scripture Is the
word OF God. and that everything In it is
divine and infallible. But the confession
does not say this and evidently does not
mean this We must study the varying
phases of the three standards so a. TO get
q doctrine that will be consistent with the
phases Of them all Il is evident that this
must be so constructed as 10 enable us to
saw that the bible contains the word of
God as well as to say that the bible is the
word. We must endeavor as students of
the Westminster confession to study the
original phrases Of our confession az set
forth by Wallace. and also to bring out
the historical meaning of the word of God.
The Defendants Doctrine.
Ny doctrine can be stated thus: There Is no
authority in the scriptures or in the creeds OF
Christianity for the doctrine Of immediate
santifcstion at death. The only specification
TO Christian orthodoxy is progressive sanctih-
cation.
Granted that am wrong in my interpreta-
ton of the doctrine Of sanctfcstion at death.
does the pFesbytsrisn church recognize this
principle as an essential 20 the church? IL 30.
no man can become presbyterian minister
Who does not hold to the doctrine of immedi-
ate sanetifcati0n 81 death. IL this idea obtains
IL will be destructive TO the peace and prosperity
Of the church. 1 do not think the superior
courts will sustain this idea II they do the
Christian people will regard them a. breaking
the bonds OF oatholicity.
Continuing with his argument as TO
what sanctification really is, DR.. Briggs
said that IL was not merely q cleansing
from the sin, but the adoption OF habits OF
purity.
There Is not single passage In the bible
which treats Of the immediate specification OF
the soul st death. or that the conception once