The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-05-26
THETRlALOTDR BRIGGS
Police on Hand to Assist the
Ushers In Their Work.
NoR1aHTs WAIVED Blythe ACCUSED.

The Assembly Convenes rs n Court-Pros-
ecuting Committee Presents the Charges
Against DIR. Driggs-Flve Hours Con-
sumed I'm His Reply.
WASHINGTON, May 25.-In anticipation
Of crowd to hear the Briggs case officers
Of the assembly and of the committee of
arrangements prepared to headlo It e1uit-
ably and satisfactorily. A small detail of
police were present to aid the ushers in
carrying out the arrangements. Long be-
fore the hour of opening the proceedings
every bit of available seating and standing
room was occupied. The pressure for adj
mittance was terrific.
Professor Briggs came up the central
aisle and took seat opposite and only a
few feet distant from DIR. Birch, chairman,
and Elder McCoOk, member of the prose
cutting committee. As he took his seat Dr.
Birch leaned forward and remarked to the
professor: Cooler than it was yesterday
Yes, yes" responded Professor Briggs.
When discussing the order of proceeding,
1t was stated that DIR. Birch would open
for the prosecution and Elder McCook
close. II am glad of that" said the pro-
fessor. II had rather you would have the
close"
Tho Assembly Convened rs n Court.
Moderator Craig, after prayer, formally
opened the assembly as n court, and the
preliminaries to the trial of the great her
esy case began. The judicial committee
unanimously recommended that the pros
ecuting committee be allowed one hour to
open It's case; that five hours be given to
Professor Briggs, and that the committee
be given two hours in which to close, to be
extended, II desired, to four hours
Raw Dr wv L. pirch nbo;,,,o,, 90 A.
prosecuting committee, took the floor.
After touching upon the history of the
case, he said in part:
we are here TO invoke this supreme
court to put an end to the dlssension and
disputation which the New York presby-
terry yainly endeavored to silence, first by
the dismissal of the case against DR..
Briggs, and second by the acquittal Of DIR.
Briggs, qualifying both the dismissal and
the acquittal by the positive disclaimer OF
any approval of the controversial state
ments of the inaugural address as to criti-
cal or theological views and manner of ex-
preston.
Alleged Errors Said to BE Unimportant.
The form in which the final Judgment
OF the presbytery was returned gives the
impression that the alleged errors of Pro-
lessor Briggs were unimpOrtant and that
no essential doctrine had been contra
dicted. The errors charged are funda-
mental. The charges relate
First, to the question as to the SUI
preme and only authority in matters of
faith and practice.
Second, to the question rs to the iner-
rancy or truthfnlness of the inspired word
of God
Third, to the historical validity of the
Old Testament
Fourth, as to the fullllment of Mes
sianic predictions question of supreme
Importance in it's bearing upon the view
which is taken of the truthfulness of
scripture and of the truthfulness of God
Fifth and lastly, there is the doctrine of
redemption, concerning which it has been
alleged that Professor Briggs teachings
have been especially erro neois and hurt
full"