The record-union., 1893-05-24
Special to the REcoRD-UN1oN.

E1HCIltii " biC AAEIOlsl- NUN
WASHINGTON. May 23.-The morning
session of the Presbyterian General AS
sembly plunged into the Briggs question
Immediately after prayers. DR.. Young,
Chairman of the Committee on Bills and
Overtures, took the floor to present the
report. distributing a number of bills and
Overtures to several committees. Among
them were some bearing directly or in
directly upon the Briggs case before the
Judiciary Committee. Rev. Mr.. Booth
of New York entered protest against
the obvious attempt to influence the
Judiciary Committee by pouring in upon
it these oyertures for and against the case.
Professor Brown, a Briggs co-laborer
and sympathizer, said: "We have the
right to know the sentiment of the church
upon any subject before it, and the only
proper way to secure a knowledge of that
sentiment is through committees of the
assembly,"
DIR. Herrick johnson of the McCor-
mick Theological Seminary, Chicago, one
of the foremost Briggs leaders in the
body, spoke briefly, and Rev. Thomas G..
Hall of Chicago said: "Precedents and
practices in civil courts have no weight
with us. No court would have taken up
the prosecution of an innocent man.
Ecclesiastical precedents are overwhelm-
ingly in favor of the right of petition.
1t is right every citizen possesses" [Ap-
plause.]
The recommendation of the committee
was finally adopted by decisive vote in
the majority.
The report of the Committee on Home
Missions was read and adopted.
EX-Moderator Smith, President of the
United Christian Commission, organized
for work in connection with the United
States Army, submitted statement to
the effect that the commission must dis
courage the enlistment of sons of Christian
families into the army, unless some safe
guards that are now lacking are thrown
around them. Gambling in the army is
not prohibited either by law or regula-
ton, and is encouraged by the example
OF older officers and soldiers; the post
canteen affords an unrestricted oppor-
tunity for, and inducement to drink; the
architecture of the barracks places Chris
tian soldiers at a fearful disadvantage,
exposing them to the vices and indecen-
cles of irreligious members of the rank
and hle; Sunday work, not called for by
any exigency, is still required by the
army authorities; recommendations of
religious teachers in the army for the
benefit of the soldiers do not receive the
approval or consideration of the authori-
ties, in fact, they are discouraged. The
commission recommended that the army
orders of August 9th last on this subject
be revoked. and that chaplains be ap-
pointed for every regiment.
The recommendations OF the committee
were approved and the report received.
The special order for the afternoon ses-
sion was the report Of the Judicial Com
mittee on the Briggs case.
Immediately after the opening PRAYER
DR.. Baker, the Chairman, was recognized
and addressed the Moderator and AS
sembly as follows: 81 earnestly hoped
that but one report would be presented
by our committee, but in this have been
disappointed. But shall we not all re-
solve that whatever be the decision
finally reached we will, as loyal Presby-
terians, abide faithfully by the decision?
Let US resolve that we will sternly frown
upon and utterly discountenance anv
suggestion, from whatever quarter it
may come, of schism or division in our
church."
The majority report finds that the
appeal and specifications of error alleged
were filed in due time and submits reso-
lutions that the appeal be entertained,
three hours be allotted to hearing one and
and half hours to each party, and that
the Assembly then vote upon the resolu-
tion that the appeal be entertained by the
General Assembly and the case proceed
to trial in accordance with the provisions
in the book of discipline.
The report was signed by Baker Chair
man, Duffield, Hays, Leftwich, Maxwell.
Sanders, Peacock, Randall, Green, Nc
Dougall, Pershing, Fulton, Cummings.
Graydon and Orr.
DIR. Baker also represents the supple
mental report, giving the principal rea-
sons which influenced the committee in
reachings their conclusions.
The minority report was read by the
Rev. 5. j. Nichols of st. Louis. He said
he knew that, in making a minority re-
port, he and his associates were under
suspicion already as appearing to oppose
an appeal. This was not their attitude.
They are not antagonizing the claim OF
power III the Assembly 10 entertain an
appeal.
The minority report recommends that
the majority report be amended by sub
stituting the following: 1--WE find an ap-
peal in order, and recommend that the
parties be heard in accordance with the
provisions of the book of discipline. We
ask this for the following reasons: The
majority report prejudges the appeal by
advising the Assembly to do what the
book of discipline says shall be deter
mined only by parties that have been
heard"
This report was signed by Myers, Steb-
bins ami Nicolls.
The majority report fixed for the AS
sembly the very torn of verdict which il
was asked 10 reach. This the minority
thought was not regular nor the law. The
minority did not deem it proper to pre-
Judge the case, and therefore refrained
from bringing in their individual opin-
ions to influence the Assembly.
A motion that the case should not be
entertained was then adopted.
When a motion to adopt the second
clause, limiting the debate to three hours,
was offered, Cutcneon OF Detroit moved