The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-02-08
DIR. BROWNS CHURCH TRIAL.
The Preacher Was In Trouble Once
Before, at Rochester. Mich

San Francisco. Feb. THE deacons OF
the First Congress t!oual church have lost
no time IN preparing for the council which
will try Rev. DIR. Charles O. Brown The
situation has already been caRvasssd. and
the leading features OF the ecclesiastical
tribunal have been decided upon by the off,
GERS 20 whom has been given the power
or selection. The council will consist Of
TWO representatives from ten Congrega-
t.onal churches. and also one or two prom
:nont Congregational ministers who have
a. present no charge. The Invitations to
take part In the trial as constituents of the
council VIII be sent to the invited churches
today or at the latest tomorrow. The coun-
Gil .in meet In the First Congregational
church. and on Tuesday. the 18th, Rev.
DR.. Charles q. Brown viii meet his ac-
eusers In public trial There Is a pos.s-
billy that the council viii be organized
on the 18th Inst, but the probability Of this
is very small. as the session of the Monday
Club vii take place on that day. The dea-
cons OF the First Congregational church
have decided TO issue the invitations or, as
they call them. the letters misslye. within
two days. These letters must be presented
10 the congregations OF the various church
es nj the prayer meeting next "Wednesday
night. Each congregation may In It's dis
erection accept or reject the Invitation. but
decision must be made on that night.
il VIII then be too late in the week TO or
ganize the council. as each minister VIII
be busy in preparation for the work %
Sunday. For that reason the council will
not be called 90 order until the follow
tng Tuesday. There seems 10 he some con-
fusion In reference 10 the character OF the
council. Such a tribunal may be composed
OF the representatives OF few or many
churches. IL may have six members or
nifty, at the discretion OF those who call
It. Each church will send the pastor end
one other deiegate 20 be chosen by the
congregation. Eight OF the churches
which will be represented IN thss Council
have already been selected, and the others
ere clearly enough indicated 20 make the
question OF their selection almost a GER
fainty.
The approaching ecclesiastical trial of
DIR. Brown 10 not his first ordeal OF the
Kind. In 1872 the pastor OF the First Con-
sregationai church was tried by council
Of churches which was called at his re-
quest. and which. after due elaboration.
exoneratei him from the charges made
against him. The accusations which were
then made were conveyed In an anony-
nous letter. the authors OF which. 1t is
claimed. was discovered This affair would
possess little significance AZ the present
time were IL not for the fact that many
believe that never before in his ministerial
history was Rev. Or Brown accused 81
en- o1ense OF any sort. The facts OF the
trial. which was held IN Rochester. Mich.
In 1872 aid not become public property in
this city untn yesterday. when II became
known that Congregational minister here
had IN his possession 4 letter bearing On
the case. The existence % this letter was
kept profound secret BY those who knew
it. and even now the person who received
II will not give L 70 the public. The letter
IL IN the possession OF Rev. pr. w. II.
Williams Dr Williams received the letter
fram a friend who ~ = Congregational
minister III Chicago. That gentleman re-
fers TO some trouble Dir brown had while
paSt3r OF a Congregational church -
Reehestr-. Mich. nr. Williams 10 supposed
90 have received his Chicago letter about
january Is last. He win not say when
he received a. He refuses 90 allow u 20
he published. or 20 let any one read IL.
Tie ls no; yet prepared 20 say whether the
letter will he suhsiitted Ia the proposed
council thar e. 90 try pr. Brown. lie very
-,o~itfveiv asserts that the letter contains
y, details about the Michigan troubles OF
Dr. Brown. In fact. It's pnhlieAn'son would
or,v neealexsly drag himself and Its author
frto the scandal here.