New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-05-29
BRIGGS TRIAL OPENS TODAY
THE PROBABLE ORDER OF PROCEDURE.
THE SPEAKING LIKELY TO TAKE siAIEE'
HoURs-THE REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE
on BILLS AND ovERTUREs-
CHINESE EXCLUSION
,eY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIDuSEI

CHINESE EXCLUSION.
,sY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIDuSEI
wosMrc,or MAY o8-Like true Presbyteiians the
,om,se,onors IN tbe General Assembly rested today,
and those who were not occupying pupi's themselves
were listening to their fehow-me"pcrs' Inc parties
N the trial which Is TO begin to-ihorrow were resting
..noro,orv 70 the great argument upon who's, Issue
40 much denends not merely for the defendant IN
- ,t for the Presbyterian Church we'll.
Th I,d,o,o, Committee will report at the opening
sass,o, ,omorow morning the order OF procedure in
a.. ,rio, The first question to settle Will he the
ono relating 10 the amount OF time to be used by the
Zeal narties in interest. Then will come the
h,re in the order prescribed by the Book OF
ycJnre followed by the vote upon the specifications.
:, :, ssd that the committee will doubtless recommend
tx,asn hours for the speaking. OF this the prosecu'
zion will have four DR.. Briggs eight the commissioners
from the New-York Presbytery two. and the members
~ the Assembly If this order is adopted by
tho Assembly it probable that DR.. Lampe, member
n, the Prosecuting Committee will occupy the morning
session tomorrow. ard that at , 80 p. m Dr. Briggs
will begin his defence, speaking during the entire
afternoon and evening sessions, finishing probably
about noon on Tuesday. Then will come the members
of the Presbytery occupying the session OF Tuesday
afternoo1 and the commissioners will speak IN the
evening. 1t is not known whether vote Will DE
taken then on Wednesday morning.
The following is the order which must be observed
IN the proceedings, according 10 the BOOK OF Dsci-
pine l. The record in the case from the De-
ginning shall be read, except what may be omitted
BY consent. LAS the Prosecuting Committee and DIR.
Briggs have entered into agreement, this order
will be omitted. They have agreed to waive the
reading of the record, reserving TO themselves to
read such parts OF the same as they may deem
necessary in preserving their respective arguments)
9. The parties shall be heard the appellant opening
and closing. Q. Opportunity shall be given TO the
members of the judicatory appealed from. the New
York Presbytery, be heard. cat Pori land this was
taken to that all the members of The Presoy-
terry In New-York in the house at the time should
be called but It is said that this year the srcter
Interpretation of the law will be carried out, and
that only those members OF the Presbytery who are
commissioners will have opportunity to speak,
4. Opportunity shall be given TO the members of the
superior 1udcaory TO be heard. .. The votes shall
then be separately taken, without debate, on each
specification of error alleged. The question Shall be
taken In the form: "Shan the specification of error
be sustained"
Under the first ground OF appeal-rregularty Of the
proceedings Of the Presbytery OF New ork-there
twelve specifications. Under the second ground-re-
ceiving improper tesumony-there are three. Under
the third-declinng to receive important testimony
there are two. Under the fourth-manifestation of
prejudice In the conduct OF the case-there are SIN
Under the ffth-mistake injustice in the decision
there eleven.
Were 1t not that the General Assembly is so en-
crossed with the alleged heresy Of one of its minis
ters the report Of the Committee on Bills and over
lures, submitted yesterday would call forth great
deal OF discussion for 1t is in answer to the plea for
peace and work circulated last winter. and signed by
some 200 800 ministers and is also an answer 10
the circular sent out to the elders Of the Church by
A. ID. +. Randolph, of New-Iork, calling for IA de-
liverance the question OF the inerrancy OF 'he
Scriptures. The recommendation submitted yester-
day has not been adopted but there is little doubt
that it will be as the docket Is clear. 1t
bic r,af
nverance of the last touching the Inspiration OF
the Holy Scriptures. 1t also declares that the former
deliverance, which has caused so much DISCUSSION.
enunciates doctrine, but rather interprets anu
gives expression TO what has ever been Cherished ana
believed in as a fundamental truth and Is expressly
taught In the Presbyterian standards The COMES
sion OF Faith and the Larger Catechism are quoted
nc containing the statements to which reference was
made As 50 much discussion has taken place IN the
Church relative to the deiverance OF the Portland
Assembly, 1t is here given entire
The General Assembly would remind all under its care
tho. e. Is fundamental doctrine that the Ol and Ne"
rostaments are inspired and the irfable Word Of "od
Our Church holds that the INSPIRED Wod as II came from
God is without The assertion to the contrary can
not but shake the confidence people in the sacred
hooks. All Office in our church eolehhiy
,rofess In receive them the only iniallible rule OF
faith and practice. If they change their belief On th
mini, Christian honor demand; that they should WITH
draw from our ministry. They have no right 10 use the
ulpt or the chair the professor for the dissemination
Of their errors they deNlt with by the SLOW
process Of discipline. But If any do so act, 'hef ii
byteres should speedily inerp"e' and Zeal WIN 'ne
for violation their ordination VOWS Inc No" 'aAeh
a, tho becnnng is obligatory until the party taking IL
is honora bly, and properly released The Assembly, eno
uuon ALL ministers elders and PresbyeFies to De aiUu
70 TIE duty here imposeu'
Tho General Assembly appointed a committee on the
Chinese Exclusion question, Which has recomuenue0
The adoptioA of the following resolution
desif record
a., Of its deep gratitude for the favor eAtehueu
20 our missionaries and their work In emma Oy N,
Chinese authorities, and for the se'1eihen' VI
the difficulties which existed especially in the Shah lung
noynce also for very valuable AID which mas oee
,.n.e,ed bv the United States Minister, Hon. Chares
Dcnby, who the last eight years mas 'e'dn'u w w
friendship and esteem OF all Americans III Ohhs a " ~
Chinese Imperial Government
The committee consisting Of S. NJ. Cu'cheoh' NJ
H. stratton and Cyrus L. PershinS' recommended '"'
tho moderator and the stated clerks furnish copy
OF the resolution, which had been introduced DS 'i
Rev Gilbert Reid, of China, to The >eoreu"S VI
state. with the request that III Ills uiSo'cuo ~
,uhuit the same TO the Chinese authorities ana TO
the Hon, Charles DENLY lie 'iihe'e f
eamo before the Assembly In another way on sat
uray and the following letter was sent 10 inc
secretary of State, signed by DR.. Wills ". 'rais'
Moderator OF the Northern Assembly. ana Or. D. H.
Eryson ex moderator OF the Southern Presbyterian
Assembly
The undersigned committee Of the Assembly OF he
Presbyterian Church the United states oil America
now in In the city OF Washington. ana the rev.
j. H. Bfyson, d. D.. representing the Coinfn"eo VI
Foreign Missions Of the Presbyterian Chuieh Vi "c
Tinted States now session Macon Ga. would re-
sIect.uly direct the attention OF the Administration
through the Secretary OF State. the deep interest anu
concern felt by the members Of these churches oi inc
welfare OF their ministers aboring the mission hea Ill
China. Information received from representatives III
that country leads 70 fear that may be in peru Oh
their lives and therefore pray that possible pro-
vision made insure their safety in case this DANGER
Is realized.
In addition to this letter and resolution, com
miitee representing the two assemblies VIII cni OH
The President in regard TO the Geary law on tues