St. Paul daily globe., 1893-05-23
Che Briggs Question Comes
to the Front in Lively
Fashion.
A General Parliam sntapy
Wrangle Occurs Among
the Delegates. "a
Many Commissioners Try to
Get the Floor at the o
Same Time.


the half hours devotional exercises with
which the second weeks session of the
Presbyterian general assembly was ush-
cred in this morning. The report OF the
committee on Sabbath observance. or
which Col. Elliott F. Shepard was chair
man from Its inception, submitted It's
fifth annual report. which was read Dy
Elder w. r. Worrall, of the New YORK
Presbytery, Col. Shepard's private sec
retary. The committee expressed sor-
row at the death of Col. Shepard. Tne
effort to secure the opening of the
worlds fair on Sunday was recited,
closing with statement Of the vote in
congress against it. The report then
proceeded:
The Importance of this action can
scarcely be eoverestimated; 1t Is greater
triumph than appears on the SURFACE.
1t has given expression to the voice OF
the people. The strength of the Sab.
bath sentiment has been tried ana
proven. The people are unwilling 10
lose the Sunday rest. The question OF
Sabbath observance has been very VIDE
ly discussed. The foreign element has
been advised respecting the American
Sabbath and its stronghold upon our
people. The
Friends of the Sabbath
in Europe are rejoiced, and their hands
are greatly strengthened. But 1t Is
matter of profound regret that In all
this contest the friends of Sunday CLOS
ing, however, received little or no ala
from the secular press. 1t has been itl-
possible. save In few cases or notable.
Importance, to secure the insertion OF
judicious articles in favor of closing,
while whole columns have frequently
appeared against it. If we have sue
ceeded it is only because the Lord or
the Sabbath is on our side. Otherwise
there have been prodigiouS odds against
us. The widespread interest which has
been awakened on the subject OF SAD
bath observance through the long aglta-
ton of the question OF Sunday closing
at the exposition has opened the way
as never before in the history OF our
country tor the circulation of Sabbath
literature. This is rare opportunity.
the like of which may not occur again
in wears, to disseminate through all
parts of our country, and even into Tor
eign lands, healtEful knowledge or
the advantages of the Sabbath day:
The committee recommended the
adoption of resolutions deplorlng the
death of Col. Elliott f. Sheppard; de-
claring that the opening of the worlds
fair on Sunday would be a fiagrant
breach of faith; calling attention to the
formation of an ASSOCIATION to protect
the weekly day of rest, and commend
ing the work of the American Sabbath
union.
The Briggs Question
then came to the front at bound, and
it did not mitigate the results OF the
short struggle to know when 1t was over
that it was chiefly the result OF a mis-
understanding. DR.. Young, chairman
of the committee on bills and 0yertureS,
announced what had been done with
number of overtures from the presby-
terieS-twelye of them, relating to the
Briggs case, having been referred to the
commi tee on judiciary.
DR.. Young had scarcely ceased speak
ing when DR.. Herrick johnson, OF Chi
cago, inquired what had become OF the
overture from his presbytery in the
Briggs case, which overture besOught
the assembly to refer this celebrated
case back to the synod of New York.
DR.. Thomas C. Hall. of Chicago, in
sympathy with Dr.. Briggs, made a
speech in favor of sending all reselu-
tions in the Briggs case to the Judiciary
committee, as all would eventually go
there. Then Elder Eudaly, of Cincin-
natl, got the floor and stated that the
assembly had to do simply with the law
as it is, not as it ought to be. There
was a general parliamentary confusion,
various commissioners attempting to
get the floor, amid which the announce
ment was made that the Chicago over
ture had gone to the judiciary commit
tee. While the moderator was attempt
ing to put the question, DR., johnson
remained upon his feet, calling repeat
edly, Il claim the right to be heard"
his words being received with applause.
Commissioner Cutchings, of Detroit,
stated that there was an overture from
his presbytery, and i'll view of that fact
he supported the motion to refer all the
Briggs overtures to the Judiciary COM
mittee.
He Complained
that the moderator had not permitted
him to speak, although he had been re-
peatedly upon his feet. MI. CutchingS
said he would appeal from the decision
of the chair, and was applauded.
DR.. Young, from the platform, as
serted that the moderator could not see
every man who ought to be seen, and
| plause of the antl-BriggS people.
Mr.. Cutchings, who is physically one
of the largest men on the floor. retorted
| that the failure to see him was possibly
| due to the fact that he was so small.
Moderator Craig said it made no diff
| ference how many times Mr.. Cutchings
| had been on his feet so long as he had
not caught the eye of the chair. He
| added: 81 never knew of such an out
| break while vote was being taken,"
| and this remark was received with loud
applause.
Inc reference of the overtures to the
! judiciary committee was carried, and
| then DR.. Craig stepped to the front of
| the platform. What he said was short
and sharp. Don't you try to over
whelm us with such points at this stage
| of the game" said he, emphasizing his
he held in his hand. This was greeted
with cheers, and the incident ended for
the time. ts-
Rev. George l.. Spinning, of New
York. read the report of the committee
| on board missions among the freedmen.
The recommendation Of the committee
were adopted. Moderator Craig then
announced the remaining committees
relating TO the records OF the synod.
Among the chairmen of the several
synods by committees are the following
Iowa, f. E. Thompson; Minnesota,
George w. Bainum; North Dakota, w.
w. Holloway; Oregon. I'll. q. Pollock
South Dakota, j. B. Hobart; Washing
ton, James N. McDifford; Wisconsin,
Ii. Milton Shields.
Another Outbreak
| on the Briggs case occurred lust before
the morning adjournment. DR.. Young,
chairman of the committee on bills and
overtures, returned to the platform and
stated that the two overtureS from the
presbyteries Of Chicago and Detroit,
which, he said, had been described by
Dr. johnson and Elder Cutchings as
| haa rinr dirantlv nnnn the Rripps casa