The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-09-11
REV. DIR. MEREDITH
Will BE Called TO the First Con.
gregational Church.
The Question CT Prohibition Brought Up in
the Meeting, and the Candidates Views
Given by the Moderator.

The devotional exercises at the First Con-
gregational Church were made shorter than
usual last night for the reason that bust
ness of an important nature was to be
brought before the members of the church
which called for their immediate considera-
ton. The attendance was large and the
interest manifested was great, and when
Ira P. Rankin as moderator took the chain
the members felt that there was respon-
sibility to be met, and every one was pre-
pared to act.
OBJECT OF THE MEETING.
Mr.. Rankin said that every one present
knew the object of the meeting, which was
to settle upon the name Of some suitable per-
son to call to fill the vacancy in the pulpit
that now existed. He spoke of the recent
temporary service of DR.. Meredith and the
unanimous Endorsement that lie bad received.
not only fIom members OF the First Congre-
gational Church and society, but from dis
tinguished clergymen belonging to other
churches. Among those mentioned were
Rabbi Voors anger of the Synagogue, Rev.
DR.. Reed, rector of Trinity Church, and
others. The selection of a pastor for the
First Congregational Church was not mat
ter that affected the interests of that church
d1uEt- us llluueBCc hUuIu DC 1Olb 1AoAAi
Oregon to Southern California. Mr.. Rankin
repeated his conversations with DR.. Mere
dith, and said that ii was going to be a very
difficult matter to get Dr. Meredith from his
Brooklyn church. and that, in order TO do so,
not only must the unanimous strength OF the
church be brought into requisition, but out
side influence must be brought to bear.
TIE MOTION TO CALL.
Rev. Dr. Warren said that in order to
bring the matter properly before the meeting
be would make a motion that call be ex-
tended 10 DIR. Meredith to fill the vacancy.
This was seconded by Mr. Vascoucelles ald
the matter WAS then open for discussion.
THE PROHIBITION QUESTION.
DR.. R. Il. Mcdonald moved to amend by
allowing the whole matter to lay over for
one week in order that the members might
have an opportunity to confer among them
selves. This meeting with considerable OPP
position, DR.. Mcdonald pressed his point
the more vehemently, saying that DR.. Mere
dfth was not in favor of prohibition. and he
wanted a man who stood upon nc equlyocal
ground on that subject. lie SAID That DR..
Meredith was opposed 10 the introduction OF
tile temperance question III the cnufcn, ana
that while he believed that prohibition could
be enforced in small places where the senti-
ment prevailed, he did not believe that Il
could be enforced in large cities, and that II
the attempt was made IN New York or
Brooklyn the effect would be to break down
the courts. The doctor spoke at consider
able length upon the subject, and urged that
the matter be laid over for one week.
PROHIBITION a FALLACY.
Mrs. Sarah 3. Cooper oombated Dr. Nc
Donald alb initio. From some notes she had
prepared she argued the absolute fallacy OF
attempting to enforce prohibition by legis-
lative action. Her idea is that the rising
fdran lao duo Tod m
abhor and detest the rum-seller, and that
with this sentiment created the entire abo-
lition of the rum traffic would be but mat
ter of time. For the present she thought
that the traffic should be so hedged IN by
high license and restricting and retaIlatoEy
Jaws that the evil would be made unprofit-
able, and would be restrained from the
license and freedom it now enjoyed.
WHAT PROHIBITION HAS DONE.
DR.. Mcdonald said that local option had
done good work in twenty three States, and
was beginning TO give history OF what had
been done in Maine. Iowa and Kansas,
when Mr.. Vascencellos called him to order,
and reminded him that the meeting was not
for the purpose of discussing temperance
questions, but for the purpose OF sending
call for a pastor.
Rev. DIR. Wiley said that while he felt as
DR.. Mcdonald did, and Endorsed All that
he said, and would vote for prohibition,
yet he was willing to lay his peculiar ideas
aside and join in unanimous call for Dr..
Meredith.
THE CALL UNANIMOUS.
There was great deal of earnest discus
sion with reference to the matter, all Of
which was in the best of humor, when
finally DR.. Warren called for tie previous
question, which was made by calling for
rising vote. The result was that it was
unanimously resolved BY the church to ex-
tend the call to DIR. Meredith.
DR.. Warren then moved that the society
be requested to join in the call. This was
seconded by half dozen members. The
result was the adoption of the resolution.
A dOxology was then sung and the meeting
was declared adjourned. A sort Of sociable
followed, during which Mrs. Cooper and DIR.
Mcdonald were mutually congratulated for
the mastery manner in which each had
handled their WeapOnS of WOrdY warfare.