Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1893-05-26
The Presbyterian General Asse mbly.

The specter Of the Briggs case was ever
present, all through the business transact
ed By the Presbyterian Assembly at the
opening session at Washington Monday.
BY far the most prominent epiosde of the
days proceedings, was the report OF the
Committee on Sabbath Observance, IN
which report the Worlds Fair Commiss-
toner's were severely handled for their pro-
ject of keeping the Fair open. Great en-
thusiasm prevailed " h n, ,dy acclamatlCn the
melton was carried 10 withdraw the Pres
byterian exhibits if the Fair opened up on
the sev enth day.
The first outbreak that hit corner Of
the Briggs case occurred that morning
when a rebuke was delivered by Modera-
tor Craig for slight disorder that occur
red shortly after the session began. ''Su ch
outbreaks are unnecessary at this stage"
remarked the moderator in his reproof TO
the Assembly. The scene referred to, de-
scribed by the moderator as an outbreak
was a somewhat loud demand TO be heard
on what was seemingly only technical
question.
The moderator's remarks might be inter
peted as meaning that there would, to Sc
his own expression, be stage before Ion g,
in which outbreaks would be expected
1t is peculiar fact that most of the
younger men are under the Briggs standard,
notable among them DR.. Merle Smith, who
created a sensation by his defense of DR..
Briggs in his sermon Sunday morning at
the First Presbyterian Church, which was
tersely replied to by the pastor, DR.. Byron
C. Sunderland. In an interview DR..
Sunderland said he had nothing to say
as to the remarks he made at the close of
DIR. Smiths sermon except that
he thought he did his duty in calling his
congregations attention to some remarks
of DR.. Smiths with reference to the Briggs
case. Dr. Sunderland may in few days
issue statement which will clearly define
his position and tend to correct any mis-
construction of his motive in answering
Dr. Smith at the close of the sermon.
A rumor is current that Mis-. Cleveland
is displeased with DR.. Sunderland'S action
SUNDAY, and conJsinplateS rcsigning from
his church. No confirmation or denial of
the rumor is obuainable, and If suca Is the
truth it would look as though the Presi-
dents wife sided with her old New York
pastor, DR.. Smith, in his uphill fight for
DR.. Briggs.
At no time since the Presbyterian Gen
eral Assembly began its sessions has there
been so large an attendance at there was
Tuesday afternoon. 1t was generally
known that the report of the Judicial Com
|
order, and this was sufficient to pack the
house almost to suffoca.ion. DR.. Briggs
made his first appearance on the floor.
Mr.. McDougal, of Cincinnati, moved
that the case before the Assembly take
precedence of all other business and this
was carried. The venerable DR.. SIN ith,
of Baltimore, suggested that all express
sions of approval or disapproval be pro-
hibited. Moderator Craig emphasized
this suggestion and called for absolute
quiet, so that the men upon whom such
great and tremendous duty involved
might be able to hear calmly and dis
passionately all that might be said.
DR.. Baker, chairman Of the committee,
said he was disappointed that more than
one report had been presented, but took
comfort in the thought that fidelity to
conscience was better than unamity. 1t
was fidelity to conscience that had COM
PEELED the majority to report, and also, he
said, the majority report.
The majority report recites the case Of
the church against DR.. Briggs as being in
the nature of an appeal. The Judicial
Committee have examined the papers and
| find the appeal in order and recommend
that it be entertained and issued and that
the case proceed to trial.
DIR. Baker also presented supplement
| tai report giving the reasons which in
huenced the committee in reaching its
conclusion, among which is mentioned
| that it is desirable that the grave issues in
The case should be decided as far as
practicable by representatives of the en-
tire church.
The minority report was read by the
Rev. S. J. Nicolls, D. D., of st Louis. He
said he knew that in making the minority
report he and his associates were under
suspicion already as appearing to oppose
| the appeal. This was not their atti tude;
| they we're not antagonizing the claim of
power in the Assembly to entertain the
appeal The minority report recommends
| that the majority report be amended by
| substituting, ave find the appeal in or
| der and recommend that the parties be
heard in accordance with the provisions of
| the Book of Discipline"
At this point Prof. Briggs rose as if to
| address the Assembly. Immediately a
| buzz of comment swept over the house
while he and the moderator engaged in an
| heard at that time. Prof. Briggs yielded
| to DR.. Craig and resumed his seat. This
| was the prelude of an incident that Great
| ed some comment on the floor. The mod
crater said:
II would suggest in the interest of
| brotherly kindness and peace"
"Say justlce," exclaimed voice from
the gallery, which was said to be that of
| Prof Henry Preserved Smith, of Cinein-
natti, who is under condemnation of the
| CINCINNATI Presbytery for preaching sim
| liar to that OF Prof Briggs.
| "You wait" retorted Moderator Craig,
sternly. "Don't you put words into my
| mouth. | speak for brothe rly kindness
/ oh tn.t
for out of them comes justice" The mod
orator then said that Prof. Briggs had ask
| ed him the privilege of speaking, but
that he had insisted that the professor had
no right to speak at that time. DIR. Craig
| said, however, that there would be a time
| when his brother, Prof. Briggs, should
| speak.
| The moderator then announced that, n
| accordance with the Book of Government,
| the Assembly would be turned into judi
| cial court ofthe Lord Jesus Christ, and,
| following the rules of procedure, called for
! reading of the judgement notice of ap-
peal, the appeal and the specifications OF
| the errofR alleged. This was done by
| Stated Clerk Roberts, the reading occupy
| ing more than an hour snd halt, exhaust
| ing all the remainder OF the afternoon ses-
sion. The great audience sat more quiet
| ly luIOuSuOut tuc VI COL tCpOlnloi1 Va AC-
| gal forms than they probably would have
done under the most eloquent sermon. The
| court then adjourned until 2:30 Wednes
| day afternoon and the General Assembly
until $3.50 4. n.
After the adjournment the moderator
called Prof Briggs and the Prosecuting
| Committee in conference and asked them
what length of time they desired to occupy
| on the question. Prof. Briggs asked for
five hours; the Prosecuting Committee
said they we're in the hands of the Assem-
bly,, but desired Prof. Briggs to have all
the time he desired. DR.. Craig did not
feel warranted in accsdirg to Prof. Briggs
| request.
The capacity of the church was over
taxed Wednesday afternoon, when the
Presbyterion General Assembly met as a
court to hear the Briggs heresy trial.
The Rev. George ID. Baker, charm an,
| reported that tho Judicial Committee
| unanimously recommended that ths Prose
cutting Committee be allowed one hour to
open its case; that five hours be given to
Prof Briggs, and that the committee be
oiyen two hours in which to close, to be