New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-06-02
DIR. BRIGGS SUSPENDED.
JUDGMENT OF THE ASSEMBLY.
INDEFINITELY DEPOSED FROM THE PRES.
BYTERIAN MINISTRY.


DENcE OF REPENrANcE-THE ASSEMBLY
REPRovEs LANE AND TERMINATES
FRIENDSHIP WITH UNION SEMI.
NARY PROTESTS FROM
THE MINORITY.
Washington, juno LISTING as the supreme
court Of the Presbyterian Church in the United
States of America. the General Assembly to-day
formally suspended Dr. Charles A. Briggs from
the ministry of the Presbyterian Church until
he shall give satisfactory evidence of repentance
TO the General Assembly. The reason for this
action. as given by the Assembly, is violation
by him Of his ordination vow, and the judgment
is based upon the verdict given last night -
the result of the hcresy trial.
OTHER IMPORTANT MATTERS.
The Assembly had before It several import
ant topics to-day 1t adopted the report Of its
Committee on Theological Semindries, which rec
commended Withholding approval and commenda-
tion OF Lane Seminary until lis board Of trustees
has reconsdered its action in retaining Professor
Henry Preserved Smith in its faculty after his
suspension. The reference to Union Seminary Is
more decided 1t reads thus:
Because OF the strange and antcd action OF the
directors retaining Brgg, se his appointment haa
been disappo,ed by the Assembly and because OF the
refusal BIZ the director, the single point IN
dispute between Assembly and the beard and because
the attempt nv the boai aud on IL, own motion ana
against expressed desire OF the Assembly TO abrogaA
compact 1870, the Assembly disaNow, all fesfons'
Lili,y fol the teaching of Union Semaay and declines
receive any iepor from it, boud until satisfactory
relations are established. The Assembly. however.
chcrishcs the hope that cnoits will be made and VIII
cordially welcome effort 10 bring mon seminary INT"
such relationship with itself will cable the Assem-
bly, the institution again to students for the
ministry.
Your committee would fIther recommend that tho
Education be cnoned TO give aid N such sdentS
only as nay attendance upon semnaries appro,e6
by the Assembly.
Your committee would also recommend the
election OF the Rev. Charles A. Briggs, d. D.. By the
Presbytey OF Newark director OF the German Theo
logical Seminary Bloomfield, ~ j.. be dIsapproved By
the Assembly.
One would think that two reports important
as these would be sufficient for a single session,
bat the Assembly had delayed its regular business
owing TO the judicial case which has occupied 80
much time, and the inerraney question had to be
settled before adjournment.
INERRANCY OF THE SCRIPTURES REAFFIRMED.
The Committee on Bills and Overtures pre-
sented the following IN answer to the overtures
from the Presbyteries Of Newark and st. Louis
and the memorial sent out by A. ID. r. Randolph,
of New-York and signed by more than 300 officers
and members Of the Church, with reference to the
Portland dclverance the inspiration OF Holy
Scriptures.
The G,n,rp \-semtlr ra1iims tha l'crne Of the de-
li,eiancs OF ~ eeniy 49,, ,ouehne the In pira
tion OF Holy scripture, viz In1t the original Scriptures
Of the Old and New Testaments beng inimediatey ii
sprcd without error and in so doing declares
that deiy cnuncates no new doctrine, ana
no orthodoxy but nterprcs and gives
expression to what has always been the belief OF the
Church. taught the Westminster Confession OF Faith
PROTESTS FROM THE MINORITY
A great many other topics of unusual interest
werc taken ND to-day, brit the greatest import
anc.. is attached TO the three 70 which reference
has been made The suspension of DIR. Briggs,
the action in regard TO Union Seminary, ana
the question Of inspiration. The minority did
not allow the recommendations 10 become the
law Of the Church without vigorous opposltlons
and two protests were presented and signed ~
nearly all those who had voted in the minority.
The following is the protest presented by Dr.
Sprasuc, of Auburn, in regard to the sentence
against Dr.. Briggs:
We. the undersigned, ministers and elders in the
Presbyterian Church in the United states OF America
declare our hearty belief In and love for the Holy
scriptrrc. # the Old and New Tcstaments and
entire loyaty to principles Of the Presbyterian
Church. desire respectfully record our solemn profess
against suspension and the proceedings
leading TO the verdict in the against the Kew
OF 1898:
First. As involving in judgment acts of doubtful
constitutIonaliiy
second As seeming to sbidge the liberty of opinion
hitherto enjoyed under our standaid, oy omce'o'are"
in the Church.
Third Tending we believe. to the encouragement of
the thorough study OF the Bible and revccnt sdvancs
In apprehension of divine truth.
Fourth, As innIcting what we cannot but feel Is an
Injustice ON q Christian scholar OF acknowledged high
character and learning well the Presbytery OF
New.York which fully acquitted him OF the charges
alleged against him.
The resolution offered by DR.. lIerrick Johnson
in behalf of himself and Others was as follows:
The undersigned respectful and earnest protest
against the action the Assembly which declares the
ncrrancy Of original autographs OF Scripture to bs
the faith Of the Church We protest against this
action
First-Bccause it is insisting upon certain theory
OF inspiration when Standards have hitherto only
the fact Inspiration SO far the original
manu- script from God. undoubtedly 1t was without
error Iut we have means of determining how far
God controlled the penmen in transcribng from docu.
uents matters purely circumstantia
Second-Bccause It is dogmatzing on q matter ct
which necessarily we have no positive knowledge.
Third -Recau,e is insisting upon an Interpretation Of
or standards which they never had borne and which on
their face Is impossible No man subscribing to his
belief in the scripture the Word OF God. the only in
farlblc rule faith and practice, has his mind the
Original autographs"
Fourth-Because IL Il ec,'ns "P d" imaginary bioie -
A, fest Of orthodoxy IL an inerrant original Bible "
Vital to faith cannot escape the conclusion that
Inc, rant present Bible is vital to faith.
Fifth-Because It is dsparagng the Bible we have and
epdancerng its authority under the pressure Of prev.
hostile criticism. IL like hyng shelteP
m an original autograph when the Bible have in
hands today Is npregnabc defence. Believing these
prcsent scriptures be the very Word OF God" im
medlaely Inspired by Cod kept pure In all ages and
..our only inia bic rule Of faith aud acce,' notwith
standing apparent discrepancies in matters purely
earnestly protest against the hrustins
Of this new Interpretation OF standards upon the
Church TO bind eonecienees enforced subscp
ton 10 its terms.
To this protest the committee, Of which Prests
dent Warfeld was chairman, appointed to prepare
an answer recommended the adoption Of the fol-
lowing, and its report was accepted:
As already announced by this General Assembly. the
OF the Portland Assembly and the deiveances