Goldsboro weekly argus. [volume] (Goldsboro, N.C.) 1885-1909, 1893-06-01
NORTHE RN PRESBY1ERIANS.
the B.iggs Heresy Case on trial, on
Appeal from the Presbytery of New
York - preliminary proceedings
Great Interest Manifested

WASHINGTON, May 23.-TLe
Judiciary Committee reported in
favor OF hearing the Briggs case
and the trial was at once CONS
menced, the reading of the papers
in the case occupying an hour and
half and exhausting all of the
afternoon session that remained.
The expectation that action
would be taken upon the Briggs
case drew to the New York Avet-
nue. Church this afternoon a larger
crowd than was present at any
time previously. The galleries
and even the stairway were packed
to suffocation. The platform was
filled with distinguished visitors
and members of the Assembly
A mong them was Senator Cullom.
of Illinois. DR.. Briggs made his
first appearance on the floor of the
house. He occnpied chair on a
low platform Immediately in front
of the pulpit and to the right of the
Moderator. Just to his right and
in front of the Moderator also, sat
Rev. g. w, F. Birch, Chairman of
the Prosecuting Committee, while
in the main isle, Just behind Drs.
Briggs and Birch, sat j. j. Nc
Cook, a leading member of the
Prosecuting Committee. Briggs
sat quietly throughout the prelimi-
nary proceedings, apparently uns
mindful of the tact that he was the
observed of all observers in this
distinguished body. AS DIR, Baker
read from the report, DIR. Briggs
from time to time took notes as
quietly as if, instead of being the
central figure, he was at most the
counsel of a man under religious
Indictment. Before the reading of
the report began, McDougal!, of
Cincinnati, moved that the case
before the Assembly take preced-
ence of all other business, and this
was speedily carried. The yener.
able DR.. Smith, of Baltimore, prob
ably anticipating an outburs+.
sought it advicable to pour oil on
what he thought might develop into
troubled waters. For this reason
he suggested that all expressions OF
approval or disapproval be pro
hibited. Moderator Craig em'
phasized this suggestion and called
for absolute quiet, SO that the men
upon whom such great and tres
mendous duty involved, might be
able to hear calmly and dispassios
nately all that might be said.
In the name OF God and the
Presbyterian Church." said DR..
Craig" "I beg you to keep perfect
quiet. I should be mortified beyond
the possibility of expression if any
man were to be disturbed by any
evidence of disapproval. 1 won
der if it be in my power to stamp
it out with ruthless hand"
DIR. Baker, chairman of the
judicial Committee. was then re-
cognized and read his report, OF
which the substance is in the reso,
ution presented for action by the
| Assembly as follows:
"Resolved, That the General AS
sembly finds that due notice of app
peal in this case has been given, an6
that appeal and specification of err
rors alleged to have been filed in due
time and that the appeal is in order
in accordance with provisions ol
the book of discipline.
| Resozved, That after the iudg-
ment, notice of appeal, and specifi
cations of errors alleged have beer
read, and the parties have beer
heard, viz: The prosecuting com.
mission and the Presbytery of New
York, as to whether said appea
shall be entertained, three hours
being allotted for such hearing, viz,
one and oneshalf hours to eaci
party; and after the hearing. from
members of the Assembly-thre'
hours being allotted for such hear
ling the Assembly shall then vot'
upon the following resolution:
aResotved, That the appeal from
the decision and final judgment 0
the Presbytery of New York, ren
1oa gTonnorv Qth 1909 he ontnr