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Show A MODERN HERETIC. Dr. Briggs Placed on Trial Today Defense. J New York, Nov. 4. The New York pA bytery assembled this morning in theScoj iresbytenan church for the purpose of t! : ginning the trial of Professor Charles ill Briggs, on a charge of heresy, based upJf language used by him in his inaugural ai dress in Union Theological seminary. Im-John Im-John C. Biiss presided as moderator. Thert is a full attendance. . . i One of the chief charges against Dr. Brigg is that he disputes the iafallability of thf Bible. The professor read a paper objectin; to the form of the charges preferred, btatin that the report of the committee whic formulated the indictment against hir charges offenses which are not ncn proposed - for trial. The committe charges him with uttering doctrinal teachl : ing respecting the miracles, the original coa. dition of man, etc., without attempting b prove the charge. This, Dr, Briggs said, did him a great in . justice and was apt to prejudice the decisioi of the members. He said if he ha-caused ha-caused widespread anxiety he va sorry, but in . his conscienci he felt no guilt in regard to disturbing the peace and harmony of the church. He fur ther added that the charges were genorai and obscure and irregular in form throughout. through-out. There is nothfngin the specifications that can be tested by thj defendantj He added that the extracts from his ad-dress ad-dress made on the occasion of his inaugura; as professor of biblical theology iu th Lnion Theological seminary, the fact! relied upon to sustain the ohargel were missing in the indictment. He sail also that the indictment .contained instnuJ tions wholly unwarranted. He denied thl he ever taught doctrines conflicting with thi, holy scriptures as the only rule of faith ani practice. 1 |