The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-05-30
He Eadeavors to Show the Accused Is Guilty Of
the Charges and Ought to Have Been Con-
victed By the New York Presbytery.
DR.. Briggs Occupies Three Hours Of
Eight Allowed Him for His Defense.
He Charges the Appellants with Being Skill
full Jumpers and With PeryertiDg the Facts
in Their Attempt 10 Cruelty Him.


WASHINGTON, May "a. - The greatest
ecclesiastical trial of modern times. as il 10
termed, was begun to-day in the New York.
avenue Presby teriaD Church. when DIR.
Briggs, the Union Seminary professor, faced
his accusers and his five hundred judges.
The General Assembly Of the Presby terisn
Church in the United States of America
sat as high court. The court represented
nearly million Presbyterians in this
country. who recognize the supreme au-
thority of the General Assembly in ecclesi-
astical matters. The issue is one which q
large portion OF the church and q large ma
iority of the General Assembly evidently
regard as one of the gravesr that has ever
arisen In the church. To their minds. the
most serious consequences will eDsue If the
church does not, through its highest au-
thority. pronounce its ansthema against
DE-. Briggs who is accused of denying the
incrrancy of Holy Scripture and teaching.
as true. doctrines which they consider con-
Trajectory of Scripture and OF the Confess
sion of Faith to which he subscribed when
he was ordained az minister.
There was O large attendance at the
church. people orowding into the galleries
oha OsOA OhOAOoNhAns Oh thO opoOo oCe
aside for the com mmissioners. The proceed
ings, however, were not at all lively. for
tho arguments were made exceedingly
formal in character. The principal argu-
ment for the prosecution was made by Rev.
Joseph j. Lsmpe. ID. ID. who finished in the
afternoon, having spoken three hours and
quarter. Professor Briggs then began
lis answer. to which seven hours had been
allotted, and continued It at the evening
session. He will conclude tomorrow. and
then Colonel MoCook will close for the
prosecution. 1t is scarcely probable that
vote on the question OF sustaining the ap-
peal will be reached before Wednesday.
The closest attention was given Dr.
Baker, chairman of tho judiciary com.
mittee. when he rose from his place on the
platform TO make the report OF the CON-
mittee as to the disposition of time In the
trial. Tho arrangement contained In til q
report, be said, was entirely agreeable TO
both sides. The appellants would open
and close the case. four and half hours
being allowed them, while the appellee,
Dr.. BrigQs would De allowed seven hours.
The New York Presbytery. from whose
Judgment the appeal was taken, would be
allowed two hours. with each speaker
limited to ten minutes. and following them
the members of the General Assembly
would be heard for two hours under the
ren-minute rule. Then the vote would be
taken upon each specification. Dr. Baker
said the appellants would introduce in
their opening case all matters they intend
ed to present No new matter would Do
introduced.
After some desultory discussion on the
conduct of the debate the report was
adopted unanimously. and the moderator
arose and cautioned the commissioners as
to the manner of their bearing during the
trial. At 1905 Colonel McCook took the
platform. and the great trial might De
fnrp lxr ~ hnu haaO IlN a n
that time was merely to notify the court
and appellee of the citations and refer
ences which the prosecution expected TO
use In presenting their case. This was
TO present the appellants opening argu-
ment.
DIR. LAMPE's ARGUMENT.
DR.. Lempe said that in accordance with
the Book of Discipline the appellants
assign five grounds IN appeal. namelys
IrregularIty in the proceedings of the Pres.
bytery of New York, receiving improper
and declining TO receive important testi-
mOny. manifestation of prejudice in the
conduct of the case and mistake or injus-
tice In the decision. he proceeded 10 dis
cuss the first ground from purely legal
stand point, and laid much stress on the
fact that DIR. Briggs objected To gong to
trial on two of the eight charges against
him In the presbytery because he had never
t8uHuE tlo QOCITiuco Will WHICH uc WAS
charged. Continuing. he said:
Why, then, did he consent TO go on trial on the
remaining chargesi Was IL because he has taught
the doctrines therein alleged IL that is the rea-
son, then why did be plead not guilty 10 the re-
naming chargesl If he has not taught any az
the doctrines alleged in the amended eight
charEes; way not go on trlal on an elght OF thein
or else disclaim having committed the ofenses
contained In all eight OF themi plea OF not guilty
is not sufficient evidence In a mans defense.
Dr. Briggs not only believes the doctrines he
breaches. but he propagates them. In reaching
a verdict no body OF Presbyterian ministers
elders need feel ashamed 10 avow the doctrines
of the Bible. IL is a gell-known fact that DIR.
Briggs entered q plea OF not guilty. In spite OF
the fact he has persisted IN making
whole church. He has disclaimed moth
ing, but has reahirmed the doctrines
he avSwed IL, has inaqgnGs d ne
the next wOrldi IL Is neither candid nor honest.
The case was thrown out OF court because they
feared the final judicial arraigument. We are
now TO show that the final Judgment rendered by
the New York Preshytery is not in harmony with
the Bible. That verdict was unjust
DIR. Briggs has taken the matter into his own
hands and he claims the right, under his c0nsti-
tuition, tO preach anything and everything. DIR.
bIiggs 8 seachihgs conner Win oolh the scrip
ture and tho standards: they touch matters
which vitally essential TO Presbyter.ans
whose faith and practice are based sole
ly on the authority OF Holy Scripture.
According to his views. must recognize the
Church OF Rome great fountain OF divine
authority, able 10 give men. without or above
assurance This would be n complete abandon
ncnt OF the reformation position. and for the
Presbyterian Church il would mean den0miDa-
tonal suicide. Whether or not DIR. Briggs would
regard this in any sense a calamity cannot 10
determined with certainty. for he regards Ii TO
be the duty OF the hour To destroy all denomina-
tional barriers which separate ''Protestants. ana
20 form an alliance between Professionalism and
Romanism and oil other branches OF Christen-
dom."-QGotation from the wr1tin<z - -.
Briggs.
The positions taken in his inaugural certainly
entitle him 10 the dignity OF chief apostle in such
a movement
DIR. Lempe affirmed the inerrscy OF
the Bible. saying il is impossible for
God 10 lie The word of God Is
truth from the beginning. "ro sum
up" he said, 1.-The teachings of DIR. Briggs
constitute an offense against the Book of
Discipline. IL they are To be accepted. We
shall have TO relinquish our belief that the
Bible Is the word of God but believe. IN
stead. that 1t simply contains the word OF
GodD
AT the afternoon session DR.. Lsmpe took
mp the charge that Or. Briggs taught the
processes of redemption extended TO the
world 10 come In tho cases of many who
died in sin. aud asserted that this doctrine
was oAense according TO the Book or
Discipline. for the following three reasons;
First-Tha doctrine Is contrary 20 the Bible
and the eiandards- IL is injected into them at
tie Dchest OF "A naturailatic principle OF psychOl-
-. H. H. l. -.