The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-05-19
BRIGGS TO ESCAPE
Presbyterian Assembly Not So
Orthodox This Year.
GREAT GROWTH OF LIBERALISM.
Lane and Union Summaries to Be Per-
mirted TO Remain Under Control
Of Their Own Directors

general assembly today the debate on
the proposed assembly control OF theo-
logical sezninaries connected with the de-
nouiaa ton was resumed. DR.. Mckinney,
whose speech last night was interrupted
by adjournment. answering the ohjec ton
that the plan proposed will act as bar
Tier 10 union with the Southern Prespy-
terrain church. claimed that the latter
church had taken more extreme action
than that now under consideration. II
was also claimed that the plan was fully
II accordance with the policy OF tae Pres
oyterian church. and those who object
were charged as saSsr-spiritual aGvo-
Gates.
Hon E. z. White. OF Columbus. uresi-
deaf OF the board OF directors OF the Lane
seminary. asked the assembly TO come 10
s. clear understanding OF the condition
OF affairs Il wEs urged that the last as
senoly had sent down oyertures TO the
seminary directors. and the answers that
had come bark had been regarded a
final and conclusive. and should be treat
Ell with respect On the contrary, the
committee has asked the assembly 10 &C.
cept its judgment and dictum in place OF
the mature judgment of the directors
OF the Summaries under the advice eff
counsel and thoroughly acquainted with
the facts After reviewing the positions
OF the seminaries and showing that the
plan IS fmpraeticable in regard TO soma.
dropped. he asked what the cause Of
distrust in the church had been, and
voice from the audience called: ''UDion
Seminary"
Yes" replied the speaker. "and be-
cause the Union did il therefore Princeton
must give bonds. But for this reason dis
credit should not be thrown upon other
seminary boards
Or. Whyte stated that there had been
changes In the constitution of Ohio. which
make n alteration in the seminary chart
er impossible without affecting all the ed
ucauonal Institutions OF the state Strong
objection was made TO the sta temsnt DR..
Young made yesterday. that GRO seminary
Is Presbyterian institution which cannot
make the changes proposed by the COM
mittee.
Thomas MacDougali of Cincinnati, was
introduced az a member of the committee.
Answering the question how the condi-
tons proposed by the committee could he
adopted by the seminaries, he cited the
case of Omaha seminary. which had put
them into its articles OF Incorporation. He
asserted that the funds of Union seminary
IN New York withheld under the charter
were as free from the control of the courts
of the Presbyterian church as the Stand
ard Oil Company is, and any type OF the
ology can be taught there which Is not
repugnant to the laws of the state of New
-
entity, and can have 10 standing in the
courts of the country. unless the right is
given Il by seminaries through changes
In the charter.
At the close OF the mornings session
adjournment was taken until Monday
morning, when the debate on the pro-
posed plan OF gathering the Summaries
into close and guarded fold viii De re-
sumed. The net result thus far obtained
has been TO divide the assembly into two
clearly marked parties and II Is judged
that the line of cleavage is near the num-
erical center of the body. It seems prob
able that the vote of four 10 one that vas
recorded last year Will he wiped out IN
| large part, and the dispTopOrtion great
ly reduced. The committee which is urg-
ing the adoption of the plan providing for
closer relations between the assembly and
the seminaries saw itself compelled, bX
the strength of the opposition which has
developed to import Thomas McD5ugal,
| of Cincinnati, a mem Der of the commit
| tee. 10 present the legal SIDE of the case.
| This ne did in a speech OF an hour ana
| a quarter, but he labored under a heavy
| handicap on account OF the pamphlet
which he recently published attacking the
| integrity and fai,hfulness OF the boards
! of home and foreign missions in New
! York for using funds given for MISSION
| AIRY purposes in the erection of large
building on Fi.th avenue. The z9erora-
ton of his speech was devoted 20 review
| ing prejudices created by his pamphlet,
| and the degree of his success VIII only
| be shown by the final vote.
There is a plan on foot 10 secure the
| adoption Of an alternative report replac-
| ing that of the committee. II is proposed
| TO recommend that. in view Of the answers
/ made by the directors OF the existing SEM
! inaries setting forth their unwillingness
| 10 make any charter changes. these sem
/ inaries be let alone. and that the re-
/ strlctions that have been devised by the
/ committe will be applied only TO insatu-
| tons that may be hereafter chartered.
| This plan VIII have strong backing and
! viii meet with good support. One strong
objection 10 the plan Of The committee on
/ seminary control Is that which involves
recourse 10 the civic courts Of the settle
/ ment Of ecclesiastical differences.
Thus far nothing has been heard Of the
! plans for the deposing Of Din Briggs.
1 which were said % be under serious con-
I sidevatio But the assembly is young
/ vet and those who were active IN the
| condemnation two wears ago are now a0-
! sent from the scene. II may be TIA
| these plans are now simply in allegiance
! 10 be sprung upon the assembly at later
| date.