The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-01-31

til he speaks my lips are sealed. Mrs.
Stockton, | think, is still member of the
church and in good standing. 1 will not
say anything more than this"
A prominent mem Der of the First Church
received letter yesterday from another
member OF the church in which occurs
the following:
Kissed in the presence of her pastor without
one word of protest from the pastor, it would
be well TO know to what depths the adherents
OF DR.. Brown will go.
Another communication that pass ed be-
tween mem oerS of the church contained
the following with reference to Mrs.
Cooper and her action Wednesday night:
God bless her for the Christian spirit, the
true words and the noble courage of her con-
victions that was displayed in the part she so
heroically took at the meeting last night.
A third epistle from one member to an
other read in part as follows:
She has done service that win tell for right
eousness and the kingdom of Christ in this
City. 1t must have caused her great sacrifice
almost supreme in itself-to appear and
speak so firmly and SO eloquently for the
church in such a presence and against such q
tide. The divine power is on her side, be as
sured.
In none of the ABOVE cases would the
recipients divulge the names of the writers,
but in all the cases they were male mem
bers of the church.
For the first time since the scandal be-
came the absorbing theme of public
interest a Congregational minister has
censured DR.. Brown. though it is in q
mild, regretful sort of way.
what do you think of the position as
sumed by DR.. Brown" was asked of the
Rev. Mr.. Flawith, pastor of the Fourth
Congregational Church, yesterday. His
reply was as follows:
In the first place, wish to express my
sorrow for the entire affair 1t is hurt
ing Congregationalism. 1 sympathize with
the First Congregational Church. and wish
their troubles could be settled speedily, for it
is hurting my own work.
do not want to say anything that will hurt
DE- Brown, yet fear he is doing an injustice
to himself
He may want to send Mrs. Davidson to San
Quentin, but he has himself and the church TO
save. DR.. Brown / consider is right in quoting
Beecher as precedent, provided his church
will stand by him as Plymouth did by Beecher.
But II the newspaper reports are true and
the church shows signs of dIsintegratIon and
discord, feel it unwise for him to persist
concede the claim of DR.. Brown that there
might be things which should be kept secret
no open investigation until after Mrs. David
sons trial is ended. Yet that could be done
and his church saved by a little sacrifice on
his part in not occupying the pulpit until he
is cleared of the accusation now resting against
him.
l suppose DR.. Brown will do as he likes any
how, but he will certainly gain more friends
in his own church by following such a course
as the masses of the congregation demand.
think then his members would be patient and
forbearing enough to wait until the civil trial
ends
do not fear any i'll effects for one moment,
provided that the church and all concerned
face the situation nobly. frankly and boldly
The First Congregational Church will hold a
more influential position than it eve has. The
whole Christian atmo sphere will lie purer,
the Christian churches will be more con-
SpprafQd-trIlSf m he O rrf, n in
stead of trucking to the morbid tastes of the
people for revenue they will see as they never
did before. possibly, that righteousness really
does exalt; and to make progress slowly, and
spiritually, is the safest in the end.
Among the ministers this affair is already
doing good. At the last meeting of the Mon
day Club Dr.. French read an essay which was
more caustfc in its terms against the selfish
ness and worldliness of the church than Pro-
lessor Herron's statements last spring. before
tins same club. Dr.. Heron was more mild,