The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1893-06-02
PROCEEDINGS IN DETAIL.

Washington, June L. On the reconven-
ing of the presbyterian general assem-
bly,, the moderator announced the
names of the committee to formulate
the minutes expressing the sense of
the assembly as to the vote taken upon
the appeal from the New York pres
bytery in the Briggs case. Rev.
Thomas A. Hoyt, of Philadelphia, was
made chairman.
The committee to fix Briggs sentence
are understood to agree to recommend
suspension. They will report on the
opening of the afternoon session. 1t
is said Briggs refuses to make any
compromise. The assembly adopted
the. reports of the committee ON the
bills of overtures re-affirming the de-
liverance of the assembly Of 1893 on
the inspiration of the scriptures.
The committee on theological semi
naries presented a report on Union
Seminary, of which DR.. Briggs was one
of the faculty, disavowing all respon-
sibility for its teachings and declining
to receive any further reports from it
until it is brought into harmony with
the church.
The general assembly this afternoon
adopted the report of the committee
suspending Prof. Briggs from the min
istry Of the Presbyterian church.
Rev. John Dickinson, chairman of
the committee on theological seminar
les, submitted a report. The institu-
tons generally report prosperity. AS
to the Lane Theological seminary, the
trustees are compelled to abolish the
chair Of practical theology owing to
the reduced income, thus requiring the |
resignation of DR.. Roberts, who was
the incumbent thereof. In the list of |
professors the assembly finds the name |
OF Rev. Henry r. Smith, who in De-
eember last was suspended by the
of Cincinnati for unsound
ness of facts. THE board should have
accepted the resignation of Prof. Smith
or at least have relieved him from the
discharge of his duties" the report
says The assembly was therefore con-
strained to withhold its approval and
commendation Of Lane seminary until
the board reconsldered its action and
remedied the matter. The committee
recommends that the selection of Rev.
Briggs, DID. by the presbytery of
Newark, as director Of the German
Theological Seminary at Bloomfield, N.
J., be disapproved by this assembly. A
ong and excited discussion followed
'ut the question was finally put and
he report adopted by large majority.
" the afternoon session DR.. Craig conaI
'ened the assembly as a court to hear
he report Of the committee appointed
0 prepare explanatory minutes in the
Briggs case. Rev. Mr.. Hoyt, chairman. ,
allied upon DR. Baker of the sub-com-
nlttee sent to interview DR.. Briggs. In
is report Of the interview, DR.. Bakerl
aid that Prof Briggs stated his IRE
ocable deter mination to abide by the
he declarations made in his address !,
eIore the assembly in his defense,
nd to continue to teach the doctrines
here avowed. At the request of DIR. 7
aker. Prof. Briggs gave him an auto
raph letter making suoh statement, G
'hereupon DR.. Baker said the commit-
e took the action which Mr.. Hoyt "
ould now report to the assembly.
he report, after reviewing the pro- II
ed; This judicatory finds said final n
ldgment Of the presbytery OF New
ork to be erroneous, and 1t Is hereby :.
'yised. This general assembly finds :
Ie appellee, Charles A. Briggs. Mt
red, taught and propagated views.
'ctrines and teachings contrary to u
e essential doctrine Of the holy scrip y
re, and standards OF the said Presby-
rian church, and in violation OF the p
dination VOWS Of said appellee. which at
i'd erroneous Views and doctrines
rike at the vitaIs OF religion and have Il
en- industriously spread This as a
mbIy does hereby suspend Charles A. re
Eggs, the said appellee. from the Of 81