The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-02-19

motion brought up in reference to the calling
of this council and no such thing as set
forth in these last remarks has ever peen
limited at in any of our motions. me mora
character and mi isterial standing OF the
pastor were the only things mentioned
think the church members can act On my re-
lations with them. am sure that the church
would rise in indignation II you were 10 lhNes-
tigate my pastoral relations
Dr. McLean-This is the crucial point on
which everything turns and needs 10 De ue-
cded now. 1t may be well for the council 10
deliberate with DR.. Brown, Mr.. Woodlands ana
the committee of five to ascertain Just what
the church desires us to do. The church mas
the right TO interpret the matter
A motion to lay the whole matter on the
ia Bile was carried, and another motion 10
consider only the questions of moral char
acter and ministerial standing shared the
same fate. ,
Rev. Dr. Hoyt moved that the council
adjourn 10 the library to deliberate with
the committee of the church. DR.. Brown
and Mr.. Woodlands TO ascertain what was
IN the minds of the committee and the
church when the letters missive were
drafted. This was carried, and after an
executive session of one and quarter
hours those engaged in the conference re-
turned and the council adjourned until
1880 P NJ
When the evening session opened Rev.
DR.. Hoyt lead IN prayer, asking the
guidance of Jesus Christ in the approach
ing work OF the council. The minutes OF
the afternoon session were read, corrected
and adopted, and then Moderator Mclean
spoke as follows:
1t is not the province of this council to con-
slider what is the best kind OF investigation 10
mold. The charter of our existence is IN the
letters missive. We have SIMPLY been trying
to define the language of the letters-misslYe
and get at what was expressed by those VINO
drew them up. 1 hope this will be entirely
understood. The letter may be defective. l
have
ing to do with. We can only do the thing
that our churches sent us here to do.
Rev. Mr.. Tenny then read the report of
what was decided upon at the conference
before the afternoon adjournment. 1t was
as follows:
WHEREAS, At conference with the council
with the committee of the church winch
drew the letters-missive, with Mr.. Woodlands,
the authorized representative OF the church,
and DR.. Brown, the pastor, 1t appears,
First-That the question of asking the coun-
Gil to investigate the pastoral relation of DR..
Brown to the church was not discussed at the
meetings OF the church which authorized the
calling OF the council
Secondhand DR.. Brown himself signed the
letters-missiye with the understanding that
such investig alton was not in the scope of the
council.
Thlri-That the natural and ordinary inter
probation OF the language OF the ietters-mis-
sive would include this as part OF Its work,
therefore,
Resolved, That the council interpret the let
terS-misSlVe as calling only Tor the lnveSt1ga-
ton of the charges current in this community
affecting his moral character and general
ministerial standing
This report was adopted and DR.. Pond
moved the appointment of a committee to
receive and formulate any charges against
the moral character of DR.. Brown. In ex-
PLANTATION of the motion he said:
81 mean to receive from any source
whatever such charges or information as
bears on this matter"
The motion was adopted and it was
decided to have the committee consist of
three members. Before the committee
could be appointed DR.. Brown made the
following remarks:
should like to ask this question. Whether
the motion now passed is in It's nature manda-
tory-whether this committee must receive
charges OF any kind from any person, no matter
what his character?
DR.. McLean-The limitations will be made
later.
The moderator then asked for nomina-
tions for the committee. Dr. Pond ana
DR.. Moore were named, but both declined
to serve. DR.. Hoyt, DR.. RAIDER and Z. c.
Williams OF Oakland were finally selected.
DR.. Mclean then asked:
Is 1t the will OF the council to limit OF define
the duties of the committee with respect to the
charges and the character of the testimony it
is proposed to consider and substantiate?
DR.. Freeland-That is the duty OF the COM
mittee
DR.. Tenny-I object 10 that in Interpretation.
Dr. Pond-They are to receive the charges