Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-05-16
THOSE SUMMARIES
Burning Question for the Pres.
byterian Assembly.
E.uO OF THE PROF. BRIGGS TRIAL.

How the Proposal Was Received to Give
the Asss mbiy Complete Control of Theo-
logical schouls-Four Small Colleges
Consent, the Others Not Eeceicitrans
Mildly Refuse, Among Them Princeton
and Mccormick.
PITTsBURG, May 16-Thc commission
ers Of the general assembly of the Presby-
terrain church are arriving here rapidly
and talking over the business that will be
attended to by the assembly. The most
important subject to come up is that Of
the control of the theological seminaries.
which was brought to the front in the
last assembly by the condemnation Of
Professor Briggs, who was charged with
heresy in his teachings. The question
discussed is the response of the theologi-
cal seminaries to the requests of the last
general assembly. These requests are
regarded by the country at large as al
most mandatory, and were in brief that
the seminaries should be under the direct
control Of the general assembly.
Training Schools Too Independent.
1t was the Endorsement by the schools
IN which they taught of Professor Briggs,
of Union, and Professor Henry Z. Smith,
of Lane, after these men had been dis
credited as teachers by the general assem-
bly,, that aroused the last named body to
a realization of the growing independence
of these training schools for the ministry.
While posing as Presbyterian schools,
supposedly orthodox and receiving sup.
port and patronage "a SUCH, the semi
naries might, if the action of trustees and
faculties was uncontrolled, depart radi-
caliy from the Goctrinal views o. The gem
eral assembly. which are supposed to be
representative of the entire country.
That was the view taken by the assem-
bly,.
What tie Assembly Demanded.
Accordingly the last general assembly
formulated requests i'll about the follow.
ing language: That the scminarics should
amend their charters with a clause dcclar-
ing that they held their property in trust
for the general assembly of the Presby-
terrain church. That no election of trus-
tees, directors, or other governing Cticers
Of scminaries should take effect until ap-
proved by the general assembly. That
the election, appointment, or transfer of
professors should be submitted to the ap-
proval of the general assembly. That the
seminaries change thci- charters with q
clause declaring that in the event of the
misuse or diversion of the funds or the
property the general assembly should
have power to provide against such abuse
by appealing to the civil courts.
Some Summaries Inclined to Straddle.
To each of the eleven seminaries OF the
church these propositions were sub
mitted, and a committee of ministers and
los .al To fb,,s l.
| in the right way. For some reason de.
Termination of the question was general
ly deferred until the last minute before
this years general assembly. Owing to
the lateness of their consideration and
the disposition shown by some of the
seminaries to straddle, aiming to give no
offense to the general assembly while
still retaining their autonomy, the fate of
the assemb!y's requests is not very clear.
1t is evident, however, that they have
| failed of complete acceptance.