The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1893-05-24
addrea.ol lho mOderator and assenlbly

us follows;
II had earnestly hoped that but one
report would be presented by our COM
mittee, but in this | have bean disap-
pointed. ] presume the failure was in
evitable. take great comfort in the
thought that this ia something better
than even un0nilnity, and that some-
thing is fidelity to conscience. 1t ls
fidelity to conscience that has com
PEELED the minority report, While we
speak the truth with all boldness, let
us speak it ever in love, and shall we
not all resolve that whatever be the de.
cision finally reached, and God alone
knows what that decision is to be, we
will, as loyal Preshyterians, abide faith
fully by that decision, Let us resolve
that We will sternly frown upOn and
utterly discountenance any suggestion
from whatever quarter il may come OF
schism or division in our dear church,
Recalling our ordination VOWS, let US
submit ourselves to one another in the
Lord, Loyalty abiding the decision
which shall be reached by our constitu-
tional methods, "
THE MAJORITY REPORT.
Thereport was as follOws;
Inthe case OF the Presbyterian church
in the United States OF America against
the Rev, Charles A. Briggs, D. D., be-
ing an appeal to tho general assembly
tor the decision and final judgment OF
the presbytery OF Now York, the judi
cial committee begs leave respectfully
to report that they find:-
l. That the appellant in this case is
the Presbyterian church IN the United
States OF America, represented by its
prosecuting committee, appointed by
the presbytery OF New York, and US
such is entitled to conduct the prosecu-
ton until the final issue be reached.
2. That the appeal and specifications
Of error alleged have been filled in duU
time.
3. They therefore submit resolutions
that the appeal be entertained, That
three hours being allotted to such hear.
ing, viz: one aud one.half hours to each
party, and after hearing from tho NOM
bers OF the assembly, three hours being
allotted to such hearing, the assembly
shall then vote upon the following re-
solution:
Resolued, That the appeal from the
decision and final judgment OF the
presbytery OF New York, rendered
January 8, 1903, bc entertained by the
general assembly, and it is ordered that
the case proceed to trial in accordance
with the provisions OF the book OF dis.
cipline.
The report is signed by the following
members OF the committee; George D.
Baker, chairman; John 7. Dufield,
John s. Hayes, james 7. Leftwtch,
James NJ. Maxwell, D. j. Sanders, John
Pearce, ]. b. Randall, Edward 7. Green,
Thomas McDougall, Cyrus L. Perishing,
W. NJ. Fulton, George W. Cummings,
II. NJ. Graydon, James L. Orr.
DR.. Baker also presented a supple
mental report giving the following prin-
cipal reasons which influenced the COM
mitteo in reaching the conclusions de-
Clared:
First-The book OF discipline pro-
vides in express and unambiguous
toLliS ASt on NPPSuA dlLoIIlY AtOA bho
presbytery to the general assembly.
Such an appeal directly to the general
assembly Is, therefore, plainly permissi-
BILE when the gravity Of the issue and
the circumstances Of the case render it
advisable.
Second-~In the final decision Of the
grave issues involved in this case, and
It is only the general assembly which
eau give this decision, it is eninently
desirable that the assembly making
such decision should as far as prac-
ticablc be representative Of the entire
church. To keep the church in con-
tinued agitation and uncertainty for
another year when it is within our con.
stitutional prerogative to determine
the matter in the present time, is in
our judgment to unjustifably evade the
solemn duty in the providence OF God
devolved, upon us, and would mako US
responsible for the prolongation OF a
condition OF affairs in our beloved
church, which imperils its purity and
peace, and hinders it in the fulfilment
Of its legitimate mission.
Mr. McDougall did not sign the sup
Elemental report.
THE MINORITY nrPoRT.