The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-02-19
The Pastor Objects to the Inter
probation of the Letters.
Missive.
MISS OVERMAN IN ATTENDANCE
A Committee Appointed to Receive
Charges-Many People Fail to
Gain an Entrance.

The ecclesiastical council called to pass
on the charges of immoral conduct resting
against DR.. c. O. Brown, pastor of the
First Congregational Church, began its
official existence yesterday at clock.
After five hours consumed in motions,
resolutions ana condensation and an
almost endless interchange of ideas, in
which DR.. Brown was not infrequently
heard either in protest or commentator
the council perfected permanent organi-
cation, limited the scope of their investi-
cations and then adjourned to meet to-
day at , clock.
Long before the hours named in
letters-missive for the converting of
the council people began 10 gather
at the Mason-street entrance. They
clamored for admittance, but two big
policemen gently, though persuasively,
refused to hearken to their appeals. The
protestations of the anxious ones came
nrst in whispers, then in sidetalk and
finally in a clamorous demand that the
gates be open. But the guardians of the
peace had other orders.
In the MEANWHILE o'clock had arrived.
and in the lecture room where the council
was to convene some thirty or forty per-
sons were gathered, including the prInci-
pals OF the great scandal and those who
have battled most earnestly and fearlessly
for the good OF the church.
DR.. Brown, accompanied by his wife ana
MISS Overman, was among the first TO
enter the room. They looked calm and
confident, and apparently in good humor
with the world. Attorney Maggie arrived a
lew moments later, taking chair Just be-
hind that of DR.. Brown, and across the
aisle and one row back of them sat Mrs.
Cooper and her daughter Miss Hattie
Attorney Bartnett occupied chair on the
right OF Mrs. Cooper. Rev. John w. Ellis
OF Oakland came IN shortly after the
council convened, taking a seat near DR..
Brown, the two holding frequent and
earnest whispered conversations.
Miss Overman, who, Tor time, was the
observed OF all the observers, was pro a bly,
the happlest-looklng mem Der OF the pas
tors little party. If she was nervous or
fearful OF the coming ordeal, or if the Tun-
nell letters, which she will be called upon
to explain, gave her any uneasiness, her
face gave no out outward evidence of it.
Miss Overman was dressed in a handsome
suit of black and wore neat little bonnet
with green trimmings.
Just before the council came to order
Rev. Mr.. Halleck, pastor of the First
Church OF Tacoma, entered the room, and
making direct for DR.. Brown and his party
spoke few encouraging words to each.
DR.. Halleck succeeded DR.. Brown at Ia
coma, and is in one sense an old friend of
all The principally interested parties.
Prompt to the minute the members COM
posing the council filed into the lecture
room from the library. Temporary or
ganization was effected by eecting DR.. W.
c. Pond chairman and Rev. George B.
Hatch scribe. Rolleali showed the follow
ing members present:
Plymouth Church, San Francisco, Rev Dr.
Williams, Deacon s. f. Bufford; Bethany
Church, San Francisco, DR.. ". c. Pond and
a. P: Ruthaf; Third Congregational Church,
DR.. William RAIDER and J. D. Mckee, First
Haven; Plymouth-avenue Church, Oakland
DR.. j. K. Mclean, Professor George Mooar
First Church, Alameda, Rev. W. ". Scudder
Jr., L: j. Dodge; First Church. Berkeley, Rev.
G. b. Hatch, Thomas Addison; First Church,
Sacramento, Or. II. n. Hoyt, NJ j. Curtis
First Church, Stockton, Rev. R. H. Sink, J. c,
Tenney, William Ross.
The council then went into permanent
organization, electing DR.. J. K. Mclean
moderator, A. L. Barker assistant moder-
ator, Rev. g. B. Hatch scribe and Deacon
Butford assistant scribe. With this for
mahty completed the doors were opened
and the anxiouSly awaiting throng al
lowed TO pour themselves into the lecture
room. Five minutes later there was not a
vacant seat TO be had.
DR.. Mclean read the one hundred and
twenty-second psalm, followed by an
earnest, fervent prayer, in which he in
voked the earnest blessing of Almighty
God on the First Church and the liberia
lions OF the council. The moderator then
announced the organization OF the council,
concluding with the remark that the sole
charges to be considered were embodied in
the letters-mlSsiVe.
The first sensation, if such it might be
termed, came when DR.. Brown addressed
the council saying that he questioned
their right to meet before the appointed
time. He had read in the newspapers
that they had held long consultation the
evening before and he wanted it distinctly
understood that he protested against such
action.
DR.. Mclean then asked with some show