The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-04-16
Mr. BROWN IS SURPRISED.
His Criticism Of Professor Her.
ron Checked by a Storm
of Kisses.
MINISTERS IN A TURMOIL.
Exciting Scenes at Yesterdays
Meeting of the Congre-
gational Club.

The Rev. c. o. Brown told Professor
George Heron that he was an anarchist
yesterday afternoon, in the auditorium of
the Y NJ. G. A. The pastor of the First
Congregational Church was checked from
carrying out the rest of his programme,
however, and criticizing the teachings of
the professor of Applied Christianity in
detail, as he had intended.
The clergy of all the Protestant denomi-
nations in San Francisco had been invited
by the Congregational Monday Club to be
present at Professor Herron's lecture on
"The Christian State" and so many pas
tors had accepted the invitation that the
body of the auditorium was filled and
number of late-comers were standing at
the back of the hall. On the platform
were Ira P. Rankin, the moderator of the
club; Rev. Mr.. Flawith, the secretary, and
DR.. Mclean. Mr.. Rankin introduced Pro-
lessor Heron, who was received with APP
plause. He is a quiet, earnest-looking
young man, with a dark beard and crop
of dark hair, and the gravity of his
appearance was accentuated by the fact
that he wore spectacles.
The professor read his remarks, which
were taken from an essay in one of his
printed books. The object of his essay
was to prove that too much individualism
and narrowness have led to the construc-
ton of a social system which is not ac-
cordlng to the law of Christ "God ap-
pointed this nation to fulfil the righteous
ness of his kingdom" he read "but in
sense we are fallen people. Except this
nation be politically born again and
awaken to a regenerating national con-
seriousness of God it cannot receive his
kingdom. 1t is idle to place the guilt
OF the nations sin on other political
parties and other denominations. Upon
US all rests the guilt of our nations wrong
doing"
The speaker said that he saw no other
hope for the nation than religious re-
vival such as the world had never known,
a revival in which the teachings of the
Sermon on the Mount should become the
guide for politicians and business men in
their public dealings one with another,
even ii the men themselves had not be-
come sanctitied. The professor added that
all denominations should work together,
instead of against one another.
THE things upon which we disagree,
oh, how insignificant are they compared to
the things upon which we do agree. In
spite of all, we can say Professionalism IS
losing and Romanism is gaining ground in
the United States"
That's not true" exclaimed DR.. c. o.
Brown, who was sitting near the platform.
There was visible sensation among the
audience at these words, but Professor
Heron continued calmly: "In spite of
all statistics Romanism is gaining. | tell
you, friends, that God will curse this
divided Christianity"
At the conclusion of the lecture the mod
orator announced that the members OF the
club would proceed, as usual, to discuss
the paper. DR.. Brown at once rose to his
feet with a manuscript IN his hand, and
asked for leave to be heard. Rev. Mr..
Kimball then made motion that DR..
Brown be granted the platform for ten
minutes. This motion was put to the
meeting, and amid applause and Kisses the
moderator declared it carried. DR.. Brown
triumphantly assembled the platform
and began: by the force of circumstances
l am put in a peculiar position. If the
utterances of the hour were the sole stand
ard by which we were to judge the speaker,
l might modify my opinions of him, but
the lecturer himself would not wish to be
judged by one hour. 1t would be put on
record that the Bay Association refused
his presence"
Further remarks were drowned in a
storm of hisses which only subsidized when
Rev. DR.. Mclean said: 81 rise to point
of order. 1t is q rule of our club that dis
cussions shall be confined to the paper"
of applause.
"Mr. Moderator" cried DR.. Brown, "the
applause comes from outsiders who are not
even invited"
Cries of 81 was invited" were heard from
all over the hall, the pastors of other de-
nominations evidently being intensely
surprised at DIR. Browns accusation.
at is rule of this club that we discuss
the paper only" cried DR.. Gilbert Dexter,
and this statement was received with APP
plause from members only. At this point
a gentleman in the audience, William Cas-
SELL made frantic efforts to secure hear
ing, but was suppressed, as he was not
member of the club. OF the members who
were on their feet DR.. Williams managed
to get the first hearing with a motion that
at the next Monday meeting DIR. Brown
be permitted to discuss Professor Heron
politically, socially and personally.
And vote for an adjournment" cried
Rev Wikoff, ''let the club say what it
wants"
Almost the entire strength of the club
arose at this, each pastor striving to OBJ
tain an opportunity to say what he
wanted but it was a non-member, Rev.
Mr. Mari, who obtained hearing with
the suggestion that some one in the au-
dience should be invited TO offer up
prayer for the cooling of feelings. This
proposition was not carried out, but amid
the prevailing clamor, the moderator
heard some one Directing to his decision,
allowing DR.. Brown to speak. "My rul-
ing is objected to, exclaimed Mr. Rankin,
clutching at chance of restoring peace.
Il ask those who objected to granting DR..
Brown 10 minutes, to RISE
Mr.. Moderator, there are number OF
people standing who are not members of
the club" said DR.. Brown, indicating by
swing of his hand some people at the back
OF the hall, who had not been able to secure
seats. Most of these offending outsiders
simplified matters by Withdrawing i'm
mediately, and on the count being taken it
was found that twenty-five members of
the club objected to the ruling against six,
who supported it. Consequently DR.. Brown
had to withdraw from the platform. Be-
fore doing so he hurled the following
Parthian shot at the public in general. II
anticipated this, and l thank you for your
advertisement of my next Sundays ser
mon. l will then and there review the
teachings. of DIR. Heron, whom l esteem
to be an anarchist" With these words
DIR. Brown withdrew, to the accompani-
ment of cries of "Shamer' and loud
Kisses.
DR.. Williams then began the usual two
minute discussion by expressing admira-
ton for the paper, but there seemed to be
a prevailing impression that the meeting
had halter adfourn A