The San Francisco call., 1896-02-10
Young Henry Knapp Refers In.
directly to the Troubles
of the Church.
WITHDREW FROM THE SOCIETY.
Mrs. Brown Thinks Mrs. Cooper Should
Not Teach-The Council Will
Not Be Delayed.

The Assem- bly-room of the First Con-
gregational Church during the regular
session of the Christian Endeayor Society
was the scene yesterday afternoon of
lively tilt between DR.. Brown and one or
two of the younger members, the former
having all the best of it, in that he not
only carried his point, but was warmly
congratulated at the end of the session.
Attorney Nagle led the services, the
parable OF the man who built his house on
the sand being selected as the topic of dis
cussIon. The leader made few remarks
appropriate to the occasion and then in
vlted others to speak on the subject. DR..
Brown said few words fitting the lesson,
followed by young Henry Knapp.
"The lesson teaches US many things"
he said; none more pertinent than that
which is to be found in our own society. l
sometimes think that this society is built
on sand-that we can never succeed as
long as there is so much dissension and
aptagonism, and"
This society is all right, my boy,'
mildly interiected DR.. Brown. cit is
builded on the rock OF Jesus Christi
The unexpected interruption slightly
aged to continue his remarks, in the
course of which he made an indirect llu-
sion 10 the troubles now agitating the
First Church.
DR.. Brown turned sharply around, say
ing: NOW, stop that, young man. This
is not the time nor place for that sort of
thing"
But young Knapp was not to be dis
posed of in that fashion. He said few
words about his right to speak, when DIR.
Brown started the hymn, "Nearer, NV God
to Thee, " in which three-fourths of those
present Joined. Knapp jumped to his feet
and in voice that could be heared above
everything else, declared that he would
never attend another meeting so long as
DR.. Brown continued member of the So
cletv. With that he walked hastily from
the room followed by six or eight OF his
friends.
At the conclusion of the hymn another
young Endeavorer secured the floor. saw
inGamong other things that he thought
every member had q perfect right to talk
asthe spirit prompted him without inter-
ruption, and that he too would Withdraw
from the society for the time being. He
Immediately left the room followed bv two
or three of his friends.
During the young mans remarks one of
the lady members started a hymn, but
after singing bar or so and finding her
self alone, concluded it was best to allow
the young man to conclude his statement.
When matters had quieted down, Dr.
Brown again addressed the audience. He
said that he regretted the necessity which
compelled him to call the young man to
order, but in view of the existing con-
ditions of church affairs, such innuendoes
were clearly not to be borne in silence.
He loved the young man-had baptized
him, and what he had said was meant
L. \
also regretted the ill-timed remarks, as he
expressed it, of Mr.. Knapp, and said that
DR.. Brown was perfectly right in calling
him to order. AS presiding officer he
should have done so. He hardly thought
the young man intended to insult the
pastor. but was simply careless as to what
he said.
At the conclusion of the meeting DR..
Browns friends and many who have
hitherto opposed him in Christian En-
deavor affairs came forward and assured
him of their regret at the unfortunate
occurrence, and further stated that he had
done perfectly right in calling young
Knapp to order.
"Dr. Brown was perfectly right in what
he did" said Professor Lloyd, who at
tended the meeting. "Under the eircum-
stances he could not have followed any
other course. The young mans remarks
were evidently directed at him, which, to
say the least, showed very poor judgment"
Professor Lloyd occupied the pulpit of
the First Church at both morning and
evening services yesterday, preaching to
large congregations. At no time during
either service were the troubles which now
surround the church referred to. DR..
Brown kept his promise, made at the
meeting on Wednesday night last, not to
appear in the pulpit until he was cleared
of the charges resting against him. The
pastor and his wife occupied a pew in the
rear of the church, and, further than to
raise his voice IN song, took no part in the
services.
Mrs. Cooper was in a happy frame of
mind yesterday. Her bible class was even
more largely attended than on the pre-
ceding sunday, there being probably 40
presen' many of whom were strangers.
The subject for the day was the Sermon
on the Mount"
ait is strange" said Mrs. Cooper, show
very appropriate this was to the troubles
which now surround US. 1t so happened
that had the same lesson in 1887, and as
] was tired and weary after the weeks
trials | concluded to use it. There were
many notes made at that time which
suited the case perfectly, but, Tor fear
some would misconstrue my exposition OF
the subject into an attack, eliminated
the harsher passages.
Mrs. Cooper has up to date received $50
letters congratulating her on the firm
stand she has taken. Thirteen of these
letters came yesterday, in one OF which
reference is made to Mrs. Davidson's
earlier life The writer says that the
woman now in prison awaiting trial for
blackmail was of excellent family and was
always considered an earnest, devout
Christian. When a young woman she re-
ceived a blow on the head, which for a
time threatened not only her life but her
reason. Much of the trouble she has
brought on herself is attributed to mind
not wholly responsible.
One of the letters received yesterday was
from the miners of Virginia City, warmly
indorsing all that Mrs. Cooper had done.
Mrs. Brown thinks that Mrs. Cooper
should not continue to teach the Bible
class until her name is cleared OF the
charge made against her to the effect that
she forced the mother of three fatherless
children from her position.
1T would be in better taste," said Mrs.
Brown yesterday, "if Mrs. Cooper would
cease her relations with the Bible class
until she has cleared herself of the charges
made by an honorable woman. She in
sists on my husband, who is accused by a
most disreputable person, not occupying