Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-05-27

inclined to the belief that il would be better to
proceed at once to trial. He, however, had
been convinced by the arguments Of DIR. John
son. which. he said. had not been met by
any one on the other side. What was
the use of the synod or any inferior
judicatory? Why not in every case leap the
synod? The very importance Of the case, which
was urged as reason for taking up, was q
reason why they should proceed with caution.
They were urged to do what they came
here to do. They had come here to con-
slider this case. They were considering
the case, and if in their judgment
it was best to refer it back to the synod and
they did 80, they would have done their duty.
There one pledged to entertain the APP
peal He hoped they would remove all ground
for complaint against the action of the assem-
bly,. He thought the element OF time an
important one. He did not believe the major
ity of them bad come prepared to give
the days, perhaps weeks, necessary for the
trial Of the case. The synod would know that
they would have to try the case and would be pre-
Jared. Then when it came before the assembly,
If it did come next year, they would be ready
for it. The truth, he said, was not in danger.
been stated. Then what was the reason for
delay?
THE CLOSING SPEECH.
DR.. George D. Baker, chairman of the Judi
cial committee, was given the floor to close the
debate. The question, he said was not whether
the prosecuting committee had the right Of
appeal. They were all substantially agreed to
that. He believed that there could be no ques-
ton as to the right of the assembly to enter
tain the appeal. The only question was whether it
was eXpedient for this assembly to entertain
the appeal or to have it referred back to the
synod of New York. He believed the words
of the book of discipline had been framed SO
as to permit appeals to the assembly in just
such cases rs this. He believed they should
settle the distractions in the church as speed
lily as possible. He felt more and more
convinced that DIR. Briggs interest would not
suffer in the least by having the case heard
now. Why could he believe that the next
assembly would be any fairer to him than this?
He urged that they should quiet the church by
PREPARING FOR THE VOTE.
1t was o'clock when Dr. Baker finished and
the stated clerk read the resolution, which was
the subject Of debate, providing that the ap-
peal be entertained and that the case proceed
to trial.
DR.. Maxwell said there were commissioners
here instructed by their presbyteries one way
and whose convictions were the other way.
They wanted a rule from the moderator.
The moderator said all they could do was to
do their duty as it was approved by their con-
| sciences.
CERTAIN QUOTATIONS RULED OUT.
Inc moderator salu tnat Dr. DrlgSS naU
stated to him that the quotations Of DIR. Duff
field from his writings did not ngree with his
own recollections of his writings. He ruled
therefore that they shonld not. as there was a
difference in these statements made from men,
DRY. consider at all the quotations made by DIR.
Duffield.
LAID ON THE TABLE
DR.. Ketcham then offered his amendment
providing for reference to the synod.
A motion made to lay it on the table and
| it was carried by large majority.
Then the resolution to entertain the appeal
WAS put on its passage.
Several points of order we're raised, but finally
| the yeas and nays were called on the resolution.
THE APPEAL ENTERTAINED.
The vote resulted in the adoption of the reso-
luton to entertain the appeai-ayes, 400; noes,
AS
! While the vote was being counted DIR. Duff
| field was given the floor and stated that the
quotations he had made we're from DR.. Briggs
book, "Whither?'
DIR. Briggs wanted to speak, but the mod
| orator required him to speak through him, SO
through the medium Of the moderator DR..
Briggs said that the questions did not fairly
| represent him, as they were taken out Of their
| context.
The judicial committee was instructed to re-
| port an order of procedure tomorrow. The
services tonight will be devoted to ordinary
business The assembly adjourned then till
o'clock.