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

proceed to business. What is the first business
that comes before us? The moderator pre-
sumes Il will be the reading OF the letter
missive. The sole charter under which this
council can act is the letter missive. No other
matter can be taken up except what is men,
toned therein. That letter Will now be read
by the scribe.
Scribe Hatch then read a copy of the
letter mlssive, as follows:
The First Congregational Church Of San Fran
cisco. Cal, TO - Church, -, sendeth
greeting:
WHEREAS, Several charges affecting the moral
character and ministerial standing of our pas
stor, the Rev. c. o. Brown, ID. D. are current in
this com munity and have been spread broad
cast through the public press; and whereas,
he has requested this church to call council.
10 be convened at the earliest possible day,
we, therefore, respectfully invite your attend
ance by pastor and delegate at a council TO be
held in the lecture-room of the church on
Tuesday, February 1S, 1886 al . O'Clock p M
to thoroughly investigate all matters pertain
ing thereto, and advise US accordingly
Wishing you grace, mercy and peace. we are,
fraternally yours, C. 0. BRowN DID,
J. II. BARNARD. Secretary of Committee.
DR.. Brown wish before the business of the
council proceeds to make inquiry with regard
TO the preservation of my rights From ae-
counts in the public prints | note that what
purports to have been meeting of this council
was held yesterday afternoon. l would like TO
know If such meeting took place.
Moderator McLean-There was no meeting of
existence IL n
til 2 o'clock this afternoon.
DIR. Brown wish to state that this council
has no right to hold eny meeting. l know nv
rights and the meeting that was held yesterday
afternoon Is thing unprecedented in Congre-
gationalism.
DR.. McLean-Dees the moderator understand
that you challenge the right OF the council to
go forward?
DR.. Brown--No sir. But was told by one OF
the members of the council that the council
was to meet III Deacon Bsrnard's Office. l have
never before known OF meeting OF a council
or any part of it before its regular session.
think that all that was done there should be
stated here, that l may know that my rights
were not in any way inrerfered with or in
iured.
DR.. Pond-l move that the secretary OF the
informal meeting held yesterday be directed
to read the minutes of that meeting
Secretary Hatch-There was no organization
yesterday. The meeting was called to order
by DR.. Mclean, and after a while a secretary
was chosen, who was instructed to note down
Tor the use OF the council what passed infor-
mally at this meeting, and these were the min
utes that were noted down. [Readsl:
ut was decided, first, that when the council
was called to order it should be called infor
mally to order by the Oldest settled pastor. in
this case DR.. Pond. A scribe pro TEN. shall
then be elected and complete organization
effected 1t was voted that the opinion of the
council is that of a majority of the churches
represented in the council; that a vote to he
passed must be favored by majority of iudi-
viduals, and that quorum is to be taken ac-
cording TO the custom of the church. Voted
that the expense of the council should he
divided among the churches participating
and that Mr.. Woodlands be asked to secure a
stenographer.
The next vote was that it was the sense of
the meeting that the council should have fniI
control OF the room where it meets to admit
whom it pleases during the sessions of tho
council; that the sessions might be held in the
lecture room OF the First CONGREGATIONAL
Church.
Voted that the committee of the church
should be requested not to raise any objections
TO the proceedings OF the council, and that a
committee of two be appointed to formulate
charges against the accused pastor
Voted that the scope OF the Investigation is
to be determined by the letters and mfssives 9
interpreted by Mr.. Woodlands, who represents
the church. %
Voted that no attorneys as ATTORNEYS should
be admitted into the conduct OF the case. no
information OF this meeting be given ont ey
cept that methods of procedure have been
discussed; that the sessions of the councii
shall be held each day at 30 P. NJ, and : 70
p. NJ
DR.. Brown-There is one statement in that
report to which should enter very serious
obJectlon--that a committee OF two should bo
appointed to formulate charges. The records
OF my church will show that the ueubers of
my cnurch have never made or presented any
charges against me. The First Congrepar ionai
Church on five votes was overwhelmingly with
me, and there have been no charges made
Inc Word "eharges" was occasionally put in