The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-05-07
REV. C. D. BARROWS.
His Friends Assemble in Force
and EXOnerate Him.
Their Action, Though Unofficial Is Approved
and Ordered Spread on the Minutes
of His Old Church.

number OF the friends OF Rev. c. Dana Bar.
rows Iale pastor OF the First congregational
Church, met last evening at prayer meeting, 10
receive a report Of some recent actions taken by
certain of his warmest admlie rs, ano by some
members of the late Ecclesiastical Council that
was convened on October 6. 1890. and which ad-
iourned soon after, without Issuing letter OF
commentator 10 DR.. Barrows.
Rev. Dr.. Freeland, acting pastor of the church,
presided and alter brief prayer and eXhOrta-
iiOn on some passages OF Scripture. said there
was some special matter To be considered.
l. b. Benchley took the floor, aud made long
statement OF lie cause which had given occasion
for the meeting lie said the late council was
called for tie purpose OF investigating certain
charges made against DR.. BarrOws. and IL prom
ised 10 grant him letter of dismissal; but 1t adj
journed. 10 the surprise of every one, Tor
a week. During that period some malicious
statements were put in circulation, which
induced some members of the council to With
draw their names ftOm report IN favor OF grant
ing rIler TO DR.. BaTrows. They wanted some
light on tile matter, and while waiting the council
went out Of existence This result was great
surprise 10 the friends OF DIR. BarrowS, as they
were told that sixteen members said they would
have signed a report IN his favor. When this
action was known the friends OF the accused
began To take means to IND what reasons there
were in tie way OF the members OF the council
Der of specific charges was reduced TO six. Alter
most patient investigation TO get at The truth
or faisity OF the allegations and the friends OF
DR.. Barrows had received sufficient proof OF their
malicious nature and of his perfect lnnoeence-a
conferences was asked with Rev. j. h. Mclean OF
Oakland aud Rev. w. e. Pond.
At this point a Mr.. Spencer rose and asked
what reason was given for the conference; what
were The specific charges preferred against DR..
BarT0WS?
Mr. Benehley replied that lie aid not have The
documents with him, but Mr.. Spencer or any
member OF the church could see them. meeting
was had with MeSsrs. ReYs. Mclean aud Pond,
when the whole subject was discussed. Both gen
tlemen suggested that they could frame set Of
resolutions that would be acceptable to the
council and TO the committee that got the evil
dence. This was agreed to ana some reSoiu-
tons were drafted. The question of assembling
the members OF the council was approved by tie
members. They suggested that Il letter be sent
for meeting al the First Congregational Church.
TO be signed by three members of the committee
who Siffed the clarges made by Rev. Messrs.
Mclean aud Pond. The matter was placed be-
fore the officers OF the church, who made no OBJ
jeclonS, aud invitations were sent 10 assemble
last Monday. Twelve out OF the sixteen original
members attended the meeting on that day,
when tue resolutions were presented and we're
adopted. The present meeting WIS called Ia
order TO let the members Of the church know
what was done that they might know unOffciallY
the result OF their deliberations.
AT This point Mr.. Benehiey read the following:
The undersigned members and officers OF the
Fl TSt Congregational Church of san francisco, act
ing not any official capacity, desire 20 state that
the reports ana altcBdlionS cduStu recent
council called by our church 10 recede from It's
action in commenting our former pastor have been
carefully investigated, and we respectfully invite
you TO attend an Informal meeting OF the persons
composing the council, to hear the results OF our
inv stgatton, and to take such action in view of
them may seem just and wise.
The meeting is called Monday. May 4th at IL
O'Clock A. NJ, at the ibraryroom OF the church. en-
trance Mason street. Your travelling expenses viii
be paid, and your atIendaQce is greatly desired
L. b. BENcHLEY,
JOHN L. MERRILL,
i. II. MORSE
The undersigned having, at the request of the
brethren issuing the above invitation, carefully
cons dered the statements which viii be submitted
that the result of this meeting may be expected 10
be comforting alike to Ut. BarrowS his friends the
church and the brethren who may come together.
REV. j. X MCLEAN,
REV W. C. PoND
At the request OF Messrs. j. H. Morse. l.. b.
Benchley and John +. Merrill. members and
officers of the First congregational Church In
this city, acting, however simply as individuals,
the following brethren assembled at the First
Congregational Church in San Francisco on May
Attn al IL 10 o'clock.
J a Benton, Rev. d. L. Ro!hbone,
gall. Rev. w. C. Pond, f. z. Flint, 5. q.
Goodhue, David Booth, Thomas Z. Kennedy.
Abel Wilton, w. n. Tracy. These persons
were all members OF The Ecclesiastical Council
called by the First Congregational Church 10
advise in reference 10 a dissolution OF the pas
toral relation between Rev. c. ID. Barrows, DID,,
ana that church, and all those who at the time OF
beTs OF IL we're invited TO be present
The meeting was organized by the election OF
| Rev. w. ii. McDoHgall Secretary. 1t was
distinctly understood that this was no attempt
10 Teconvene The council as such, which would
manifestiy be impossible but to enable these
| friends OF Dr. Barrows 10 lay before tie brelh-
zen who composed that council important facts
recently brought TO light and 10 secure such &C
ton AS these facts might justify.
The allegations and reports detrimental to the
good name Of Rev. DIR. Barrows as Il minister
and q Christian, which. remaining unlnResti-
gated, and even uncontradicted, caused the coua-
ell 10 withhold letters Of commentator 10 DIR.
| BarruWs were then taken up one by one and
the gentlemen at whose request this meeting was
| beIc presented statements and aihdavits, in view
OF which. alter careful consideration. IL was
unanimously
ResoiUed ~ That IN virtue OF the evidence pre-
scented TO US By the brethren at whose request
are assembled, we are justified III regarding the
allegations against the moral and
| Christian character OF DR.. BarrOWs disproyed.
RsSolUed. (2) That TO other criticisms passed
| upon his conduct rs pastor and CHRISTIAN. while
We cannot authoritatiFey deny tbs statements nor
! finding explanations OF them which enable still
TO believe in brothers CHRISTIAN character and
his desire and intention TO be faithful minister OF
| Christ.
| the malice and depravity which could set afioat
those reports in relation to our brother which have
been proven to be utterly without foundations but
we shall never cease TO regret that they could not
have been met at the outset with denials public,
explicit and indignant as to have left no room for
mistake; and were not refufed by means OF an i'm
mediate, open and thorough investigation We
have now, however, been made sure, through a
theate from his attending physician, DR. l.. s Fox
| OF Lowell Mass, that Dr. BaTrOwS, after having
started for this city with reference TO such inYest
cations soon after sending mis- resignation was
called back by this physicians Imperative advice,
because his physical aud mental condition
such as rendered him totally unfit 10 undergo the
strain which such a visit this city would involve.
Aud this has been his condition ever since.
ReSolved "a, That we express to Dr. Barrows his
family and his friends cur sincere sympathy In the
physical weakness and pain ami the great sorrows
! and anxIeties by which they are overborne: and
hearts offer earnest that they
may find ia the cOmpanionsbip OF Christ that com
fort and support which can sweeten even so bitter
REV W. G. PoND Moderator.
REV. W. II. MCDoUGALI, Scribe.
| John +. Merrill moved The adoption of the
above reports and resolutions; also that they be
| spread uuon tie minutes OF the church.
Rev. J. Ii. Warren seconded the motion and
| made feeling speech IN praise OF DIR. BaTFows.
| lie had been with him often at home aud abroad,
and never saw anything TO cause him TO change
his mind as TO the Christian character OF his dear
brother. IL was a pretended friend OF DR.. Bar
] rows aud OF his family VINO had done tile great
| injury by making these cruel charges before
large assembly, things worse than any that ap-
| peaTed in print Dr.. BaTrOws said he was hort
hed al hearing the charges, but could not reiute
them. He had urged tie members 10 come for
ward aud dIsclaim the charges and 10 say that he
might have used language While under great eX-
element that could be Withdrawn. lie had writ
/ ten him twice but no response was made. He
closed with ferVent appeal to the meeting TO
Mr.. Spencer spoke briefly In opposition to the
meeting taking auy action or 10 having the
church records incumbeFed with the reports.
! The act was wholly unofficial. as the council
was abolished and there could be nothing done
| now with their deliberations. Who says G. ID.
| BarrOws is exonerated? What business have
! we TO do with IL as a church? DIR. Mclean and
| Pond are no better authority now than Brow n,
| Jones or Smith. There was a good deal said
| about affidaviis They are not testimony. He
could go OIL and get any number OF such docu-
ments for anything, but as testimony no court
| would receIvo them. He objected 10 doing this
| kiad OF dark work ana would not give his vote