Evening journal., 1893-05-31
DECIDING BRIGGS FATE
Big Theologians Now Weigh
ing Him in the Balance.
DECLARES THE BIBLE is ERRANT


Before Jesus Christ; Before God to
Judge Him.
WASHINGTON, May 31.-Before pro-
ceeding to vote to-day upon the ques
tion of sustaining the appeal from the |
Judgment of the New York Presbytery |
in the case of Professor Briggs, the
merits of which they had been consider
ing the past two days, the commission
ers of the general assembly of the
Presbyterian Church engaged in half
hours devotion.
Briggs Powerful Clos ing.
Il now wish, said DR., Briggs, in clos
ing his strong defense yesterday ''to
bring forth my position. l shall adhere
to the policy which have thus far fol
lowed with regard to errors in Holy
Scripture. / have refused to accept the
dogma that the original autographs were
inerrent. | have maintained that there
are errors in the text which we have, in
the best texts we can get by the science
of textual criticism, and that it is i'm
probable that the original texts, if we
could discover them, would be much diff
ferent from those we have in that re-
gard. But have refused to affirm that
these were errors in the original
autographs, because it is unscienti6c and
it is unscholarly, and it is against the
truth-loving spirit of Christianity to
make aifirmations of dogmas where we
have no certain evidence. have always
refrained as far as possible from point
ing to errors in the present text of
Scripture. But every Biblical scholar
admits them"
"rhe doctrine of progressive santi6ca-
tion after death harmonizes Christian
faith with Christian ethics. and both Of
these with the ethics of humanity
and the ethics of God. It enables us
to comprehend the whole life of man, the
whole history of our race from its first
creation until the day of doom, and all
the acts of God in creation
and providence under one grand
conception, the divine sanctifcation of
man."
This concluded the argument Of DR.,
Briggs on the charges, and he stated
that he would discuss certain matters
which had been introduced into the
court to influence its decision by DR..
Duffield He did not think that Dr.
Dufiield had meant to do this wrong
fully, but nevertheless an injustice had
been done.
Turning to the assembly, and raising
his hands solemnly, DR.. Briggs concluded
his defense as follows
II have endeavored to explain my
views l hold them sincerely and with
all my heart. / hope they are set forth
in Holy Scripture. know many Of them
are set forth in the Westminster con.
fession. l challenge you before God to
Judge me rightly and conscientiously.
challenge you before God to judge me
according to the record. l challenge you
before Jesus Christ to do me justice in
your judgment"
Entering the Last Stage.
DR.. Briggs was absent this morning.
His faithful and devoted wife, however,
occupied her accustomed place in tbs
north gallery. directly over the space
upon which, for the past few days, the
eyes of the Presbyterian Church had
been focused After an opening prayer
and the reading of the minutes, MOdera
tor Craig, at $50 a. m. convened the
assembly into a court and the last stage
but one of the famous case of Professor
Briggs was entered upon.
Fifteen minutes were exhausted in
desultory discussion of the order of pro
cedu-e. the result of which was that thl
assembly ordered the roll to be called
The commissioners as called were to give
the reasons for their votes, speeches t.
be limited to three minutes. While thi
preliminary was being settled DR.. Brigg
quietly came in and took his seat.
Could Not Relieve the Old Book Errant
Under the call of the roll Rev. D. N
Freeland, of the East Florida Presbytery
was the first to respond He had dee
regard for the honored professor,
said, who was a member of his owl
parish, but he could not side with hiT
in his claim that the Bible was errant
He held to the old creed and if the tru
blue flag must 60 down he would 6
down with it.
Mr.. Freeland was followed by Rev.
T. Smith. Of Baltimore, who expresse
an intention of sustaining the appeal
ne Had Openly Confessed.
DR.. Leftwich, of Baltimore, said th
appeal should be sustained because Il
presbytery acquitted Professor Briggs
the charge of error upon a charge whiC
he had frankly and freely avowed befol
this assembly, that of errancy in the ori
inal text of scripture.
New Castles Representative votes gain
Briggs.
Rev John S. Honk, of New Cast
Presbytery, and Rev. Joseph T. Kelle
of Washington City Presbytery, said thu
would vote to sustain the appeal.
Rev. Anthony G. Junkin, of L
Angeles, said every doubt had be-
scattered to the wind by the admissions
the defendant. Hls error, in the speaker
opinion. was the doctrine of naturalist
out of which grew most of the errors nc
affecting the church.
Unpreiudiced But Decided.
Elder William H. H. Hamilton,
Oakland Presbytery, said he had come
Washington absolutely unprejudic
but he was afraid the church would
in an uncertain condition If the apps
were not sustained
Anybody Could DO as They Pleased
The burden of the remarks of Rev.
n. Newell, of San Jose Presbytery, "