New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-05-27
DIR. BRIGGS PUT ON TRIAL
THE APPEAL ENTERTAINED.
A SENSATIONAL DAY IN THE GENERAL AS.
SEMBLY.
THE VOTE AGAINST THE PROFESSOR 40 TO llo~
A RUMOK THAT HE WILL LEAVE
THE CHURCH-THE TRIAL TO
BEGIN TO-DAY.
BEGIN TO-DAl

"A RUMOk THAT NE WILL LEAVE
THE CHURCH-THE TRIAL TO
BEGIN TO-DAY.
[Br TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE
Washington May 26.-1he Rev. DR.. Charles
A. Briggs, Of Union Seminary, has been placed on
trial BY the General Assembly of the Presbyterian
Church in tile United States of America. Tho
Judicial Committee will report course Of pro-
cedure tomorrow morning, and tho now famous
heresy trial will begin at once. The long debate
on preliminary questions ended this afternoon
with vote in favor of entertaining the appeal
from trc NcwYork Presbytery by the Prosecuting
Committee Of 40 to I45.
WILL DIR. BRIGGS LEAVE THE CHURCH,
The hotel corridors are full Of rumors based
upon the action Of the Assembly this afternoon.
A member OF the Judicial Committee Is the author.
y for the statement that because of the large vote
in favor Of entertaining the appeal, Dr. Briggs will
withdraw from the Presbyterian Church when his
cas-. is called for trial tomorrow morning. 1t ID
said that the Theological Seminaries Committee
will report instructing the Board Of Education to
refuse aid TO students in theological seminaries in
which there are professors not approved by tho
General Assembly. This would apply to Union
Seminary, rs it's directors have retained DR.. Briggs
in spite of the vote Of two years ago.
The proposed action is said to he due to Dr.
Erggss threat in his speech before the Assembly
yesterday that lie would continue to teach theo-
logical students, whatever the acticn Of the pres
cnt Assembly. The decisive action already taken
and proposed is rapidly crystalzing the two
parties in the Assembly.
1t is understood that many who voted to en-
tertain the appeal would have preferred to have
it 20 to the Synod for trial. As 1t il, the trial
will begin in the Assembly tomorrow morning.
II is said that than weeA may be needed.
but with the heat becoming more and more in
tense it is probable that all proper haste will
he employed. The Prosecuting Committee can
finish its side in three hours, Or. Birch, the
chairman says, but Dr. Briggs, il is said, desires
thee or four days.
MEMORABLE SCENE.
In the middle Of the speech by Dr. Dufield, Of
Princeton, Dr. Briggs rose TO a question of privi-
lege charging that the speaker was raising ques.
tons which lie could not answer. The scenes
during the next five minutes have probably never
been equaed in the history Of the General As
sembly. DR.. DuHield stood on the pulpit plat
fern beside the Moderator, and on :he raised
platform in front stood the appellee in the case.
demanding recognition. DIR. Craig said quietly
that If DIR. Briggs suggested 10 him in single
word that he thought Dr. Dufleld was mistaken
in his statements lie would require the speaker
to omit that part Of his speech. The Princeton
professor denied that he was expressing an opin-
ion he was simply quoting from DR.. Briggs's own
writings. In q minute or two he was again
called to order and soon ended his speech.
DR.. Raymond, of Albany, rose to continue tho
debate. speaking in favor of sending the appeal
to the Synod, but Dr. Briggs refused to let the do
bate proceed. demanding bis right before the Gen.
era Assembly to correct the misunderstanding
and misstatement of his views Dy DR.. Duffield,
who, he ssid. had taken his language out Of its
Speaking pleasantly but firmly. the
Moderator requested Dr. Briggs to be quiet, say.
ing that he would give him the time after while.
if the house were quiet to make his statement.
DI. BRIGGS APPEALS TO THE ASSEMBLY.
All this time the Assembly was in the utmost
members insisting tha, Dr. Briggs was
ont of order. and DR.. Briggs maintaining that he
should DO heard then. Finally he appealed from
the Mod'TatOrs ruling to the house, standing with
ills back to the Moderator. His friends urged that
he should be heard, and those opposed to his
views clamoIcd that the Moderator should restore
order. The point at issue being that DR.. Briggs
was not a member of the house. and not construct
vely in the house at the time, Dr. Dufield with
.rcat magnainnity said that he would appeal to
the house in DR.. Brggs's behalf. DIR. Craig stood
irm in his decision that DR.. Briggs must take his
seat. but that any friend of his on the floor could
;all In question any settlement that had been
made. The Moderator added that he had tried
10 get friend of DR.. Briggs to help him, but had
failed to do So
Have no right to appeal to the house p said
Dr.. Briggs.
You are not party in this house at all,- re.
piled the Moderator.
Il am sir. according to the book" DR.. Briggs
replied. but he resumed his seat with no further
The applause which greeted his address of
Yesterday was trhing compared with that called
Dut by this incident. Men Who have been ip
many Assemblies could not remember a parallel.
TIE day, however. was not devoid of Incl.
dents of deep. not to say sensational. interest.
MR.. HALL PLEADS FOR HIS FRIEND
The Rev. Thomas C. Hall. of Chicago, spoke
his morning in behalf of his friend Dr. Briggs.
declaring that if he we're the worst hereto on
,artN his constitutional rights should be main.
ained If the went to the Synod, all would
be- well if the majority trampled on the rights
,f the appellee, they would raise sprit OF
.ebeion. lie pleaded for jnstice and peace Mr..
Hall reminded all who know DR.. John Hall, of
lew- York, of the distinguished father of the
speaker. In speech pathetic in its earnest
less he pleaded that the regular course should
,e pursued.
Thomas McDougall, of Cincinnati, argued that
he court here to discharge its duties as
;eneral Assembly. Why should they not try
he case? The appellee had claimed that his
life could not be placed i'm jeopardy
vice. This was not political gathering. but
IN assembage with constitutional rights and
lad eha< a..
vas referred back to the Synod he would waive
lis constitutional rights.
mol" exclaimed DIR. Briggs from his seat.
Il thought you would say that" continued
lr McDougal. :" II this case goes to the Synod
lis friends will assert the constitutional rights
II the appellee. and claim that he cannot b
ut in peril of his life twice"