The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-05-25
PRICE TWO CENTS
DIR. BRIGGS ON TRIAL.
THE ALLEGED HERETO SPEAKS Nv
HIS OWN BEHALF.
His Argument Directed Against the Rcgu-
larity of the Present Proceedings-Pro-
ceedings OF the Body.

WASHINGTON. ID. c., May A-The
Presbyterian General Assembly was called
to order at $50 by Moderator Craig. and
was opened with prayer by Professor
Roy, Of Chicago. At o'clock the gal
leries were well filed with visitors, who
had evidently come to remain throughout
the day, holding their places that they
might obtain a view and hearing Of the
proceedings In the Briggs case during the
afternoon session.
Or. Young's sessional report from the
committee on bills and overtures. as to
the distribution OF overtures among the
several committees. went through with
out objection. Sixty overtures relating TO
the new creed, and twenty proposing
changes In the present Confession of
Faith were sent TO the committee on
bills and overtures for answer. Responses
TO kilograms Of congratulation and fra
ternity. received last week, were read by
the stated clerk.
To the General Assembly OF the Pres
byterian Church. South. at Macon, Ga,
the following was sent: The General AS
sembly OF the Presbyterian Church. In
session az Washington. responds cordially
20 your fraternal message: "There is one
body and one spirit, even as ye are called
i'm one hope of your calling. one Lord,
one faith. one baptism. one God and
Father Of all. who Is above all and
through all and In you all"
Reports from committees consumed tho
remainder OF the morning session. The
committee on aid TO colleges reported. and
the report was accepted. recommending
that the proposition OF Mr.. Arthur Brown
To donate 100 acres OF land In Salt Lake
city as site for the location Of the
Westminster College" OF Utah, 'be re-
spectfully declined"
In anticipation OF a crowd % hear the
Briggs case, officers Of the assembly and
Of committee OF arrangements prepared Ia
handle Il equitably and satisfactorily.
The pulpit and space I'm front were re-
served for the officers Of the assembly,
parties 10 the case. chairmen OF the varl-
Gus committees I'm connection with the
meeting OF the assembly, eX-moderators
and elders. over eighty years OF age. The
last five pews OF the body OF the church
were given over TO visitors, clergymen
pre- ferred, and the gallery TO ladies who
were not admitted 10 the main floor A
small detail OF police were put on To ald
the ushers I'm carrying out these arrange
ments AS on yesterday, long before tha
hour Of opening the proceedings. every
foot OF available seating and standing
room was occupied. The pressure for ad'
mission was terrific. but the arrange
ments were fairly well carried out. Rev.
George -. Baker. chairman, reported that
the judicial committee unanimously re-
commended that the prosecuting commits
tee be allowed one hour TO open the case,
that five hours be given 20 Professor
Briggs, and that the committee be given
two hours I'm which TO close. TO be ex-
tended II desired TO four hours. The re-
port was accepted. and It's recommends
tions carried out as far as allowed
Dr. Birch opened the case. Dr. Briggs
spoke an hour and a half, and then al
ten minutes 10 five yielded for motion
10 adjourn. The assembly will reassemble
at o'clock tomorrow, and "a hair hour
later be convened as court and proceed
with the Briggs case.
Dr. Briggs argument was chiefly OF a
legal character and was directed against
the regularity OF the present proceedings