The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-05-19
pRESBYTERIANS IN COUNCIL.
n HUNDRED IND FIFTH SESSION
or THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

washingtou-rroE BriEss md His Sup
,orter. Conspicuous In the Gathering
President I.incoin's Pew mn object OF In.
tere-t-Dr. Young, the Retiring Modern.
tor, In IIi- Sermon A~ntaronize- the Views
at rro'. Briggs, and Declares that the
ui,;c ~ the Consultation OF the Church.
W,arrSGToS. May 1S-The General Assem-
blv o. tho Presbyterian Church. which con-
yercl here to-day. was n striking'y different
Ird rom that which met in this city in 1882.
M,hg' timc the Church was divided into old
ard n, " school factions. and the assembly OF
1S5, was Of tn" new school only. All the
church,, in this city. with one exception. then
hs!onrc to tho new school branch. That was
,ha examination out OF which grew New York
hvenaa Church. in which the General Assem-.
Xiv met to-day. DR.. Albert Barnes. who has
been called the forerunner OF Prof.. briggs.
heinz considered as unorthodoS In his
aov upon tho question OF tho atone
men, ms il the latter upon the question OF the
inerrancy aud inspiration OF the Scriptures.
vas the Moderator OF the assembly in 1852.
He preached u sermon entitled Our Posi-
t,on," containing roferences TO slavery which
rave great offence to the Southern dele gatcs.
Bu, there were no burning issues before the
assembly. and It's sessions passed of peace
ably and quietly.
Tho scene in New York Avenue Church this
morning was inspiriting. Every nook and
Granny was nlled. and had the capacity Of tho
eburch been twice as great. 1t would not have
accommodates all who desired TO lie present.
Doubtless tic most prominent in the gather
ing OF to-day were thoss connected with the
famous Briggs case in Its trial before the New
York Presbytery. an appeal from whose judg-
ment has been taken to the General Assembly.
First and foremost of these. OF course. was
Prof. Briggs himself. aggressive and confident
A. when. on the day Of his inauguration in
1890 as Professor OF the Chair OF Biblical The
oloey IN Union Seminary. lie startled tho
Church with an expression OF his views con-
corning tile integrity OF the Bible. the author
ity OF reason and the Church. the superiority
Of the Christianity OF Newman and Martinoau
over that of Spurgeon. and on progression or
probation in the future state. OF his support
ers there were the Revs. Francis Brown. also
Of Union Seminary. and George D.. Alexander.
George 1. Spinning. and Charles /. Thomp-
son, all Commissioners from New York Pres
bytcry.
Dividing with this combination tho attention
OF the spectators were members OF tho COM
nittee who prosecuted Prof. Briggs before the
Presbytery. 1t included the Revs. 9. W. +.
Birch. Joseph ]. Lsmpe. and II. F. Sample,
Prof. ]. ]. Stevenson OF Now York University.
and Elder j. J. McCook. The latter Is one Of
the famous family OF Fighting McCooks."
which sent nine brothers into the war Of the
rebellion. two OF whom survived. He is .
cousin OF Gen. Arson G.. McCook. Secretary OF
the Senate and a distinguished lawyer Of New
York. He is an elder In DR.. John Halls church.
There was another Prot Briggs. also from
New York. but hailinG from Buffalo. As far as
the East Is from tho West. SO far Is Prot. Hor-
ace Briggs from Prof. Charles Briggs in his
theological views. being strictly orthodox and
at the same time one OF the kindliest men in
the assembly. Almost equally prominent
with Prof. Charles BrigRs was the Rev. DR..
Henry Preserved Smith OF Lane Theological
Seminary. Cincinnati He has recently boon
tried on charges similar to those made
against Prof. Briggs. but. unlike him. con-
victsd in the Presbytery. An appeal has been
saksn to the Ohio Synod. where It will be
heard In October.
The literary lights Of the Church shone IN
full Measure upon the assembly. There were.
besides those mentioned. Prof. ]. b Randall
Of tho Latin Department. Lincoln University:
the Rev. J. Aspinwall Hodge. D. D.. Of Hart
ford. Conn. author OF What is Presbyterian
2" elected recently to tho chair of the
English version OF the Bible. which appoint
msnt the General Assembly will DO asked to
confirm: II. II. Patterson. editor Of the Presby-
terrain Journal Of Philadelphia. and author OF
the famous Portland Inerranoy Deliver
an attack upon Prof. Briggs's teach
inGs: E P. Whallen. editor OF the Herald and
Presbvtn. Cincinnati: DR.. Herrick Johnson OF
Mccormick Theological Seminary. at the head
Of the delegation from the Chicago Presby-
terry. and DR.. Mcclure. one OF DR.. Johnson's
colleagues. Acting President Of Lake Forest
University.
Colored Presbyterians were sprinkled about
over the church. A leading Com missioner OF
that race is tho Rev. John A. Savage from Cape
Fear presbytery. North Carolina. He is n
graduate OF Lincoln College. and now Stated
Clerk OF his Presbytery.
Young and old were represented by the Rev.
H.. Angler OF Boston. the oldest living
grad uate Of Union Theological Seminary. with
one exception the sole survivor OF the class OF
1880. and tho Rov. ". II. Cornanf. who repre-
scented tho extreme of location as well as age. |
being Commissioners from Spokane Falls.
Wash. In personal appearance DR.. An
gler resembles the English Premier. and Is To-
cally known as tho Gladstone OF the Boston
Iresbyterians.
While tho commissioners were gathering |
1.-THE galleries and corridors were filed to over
Rowing long before the hour fixed for the
opening Of the assembly, they found much to
engage their interest In tho church Itself. The
New York Avenue Church Is eminent among
places OF worship in the Union as having had
among its pew holders several Presidents OF
the United States. as well as for the ability
and high character Of it's pastors. 1t came
Into existence in 1850. from tho union OF the
hecond and i street churches. Its first pas
tor was the Rev. Phineas u. Gurley. D. D.. who
remained with 1t until his death In 1868
ne has been succeeded by DR.. S. s..
Mitchell. DR., John T. Paxton. and DR.. William
alvin bartlett. Mr.. Gurley was Presi-
aeht Lincoln's pastor. and preached the
,uheFai sermon Of the martyrod President.
Almost the FIRST object in the church to strike
u eye on entering is q black walnut pew ON
.ne north side OF the centre aisle. the only one
oithat color In the room. all the others being
o'oaH. 1t the pew which President Lincoln
oeeuhied when in attendance. and was re-
paced In anticipation OF this meeting OF the
assembly. The action was taken at tho an.
huai meeting o! the church In March last, at
which time DR.. Bartlett said:
Hh4E~