The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-01-05
BROWNS RESIGNATION.
The Pastor VIII Not Occupy the
First Congregational Pulpit
TO-DAY.


Dr. Browns name did not appear on the
bulletin board that stood in front of the
First Congregational Church yesterday.
The subject of the Sunday discourse, how
ever, was announced. The fact that the
pastors name had been removed was
probably the foundation OF the rumor
everywhere heard during the day that
DR.. Brown had resigned his charge.
DR.. Brown refused 10 affirm or deny the
rumor that he had severed his connection
with the church. 1t is pretty generally
understood, however, that he will ulti-
mately retire.
The officials OF the church will take no
steps toward an investigation of Dr.
Browns conduct until after the trial of
Mrs. Davidson. Should he resign in the
mean time, a church Trial, so tar as the
First Congregational Church is concerned
VIII be unnecessary. And in case DR..
Browns letters were withheld, it would be
difficult for him to get another church
There Is strong element in the church
thar has always been opposed to Dr.
Brown, and the late scandals have only
famed the flames Of their opposition, and
u Is quite certain that unless Dr. Brown
resigns charges of immoral conduct Will
De preferred against him by some of his
old-time antagonists. All the mem bers OF
=
the selection and dismissal OF 4 PASTOR
and the opponents of DR.. Brown feel that
that they Will have no difficulty in oustlng
him should he persist in remaining.
ID. Gilbert Dexter, one OF the prominent
members and deacon OF the First Con-
greSaUOuaI Church, said that ii Dr. Brown
had resigned he would have known some
thing about it. He had not heard WORD
from the doctor on the subject ana was not
inclined 10 discuss II. In TACT, he refused
10 be interviewed on the Brown DAVIDSON
Overman-Stockton scandal at all or any
phase OF il. The deacon IS very much as
tressed over the whole affair.
Deacon Z. II. Hatch said: I'm case
charges are preferred against COngrega-
tlOnal minister he must be tried by BODY
of Congregational ministers. We have
such q body in this City. 1t IS called the
Bay Association. There has never been
such a case. however. and DR.. Brown will
certainly save Us from anything of that
kind. His good sense viii tell him that
his usefulness here has been impaired and
that things cannot 20 on as before"
Mr.. Hatch has not seen Dr.. Brown since
the uDpleasantneSs in the church began.
Deacon !. II. Barnard said he had not
heard of DR.. Browns resignation. He did
not know whether the doctor intended to
resign, and declined TO say whether his
resignation would be requested. He de-
Clared be had not read the papers and
knew nothing OF any disclosures affecting
the past OF Miss Overman. When told of
the charges of her former husband he said
that he did not believe there was any truth
IN them.
A meeting OF the official board of the
First Congregational Church was held at
the church editice on Wednesday night
The meeting was strictly secret in its
nature and the members of the board are
very reticent concerning what took place
II Is understood, however, that the scandal
in which the pastor is involved was dis
cussed, but that no formal action was
taken.
The official board of any Congregational
Church is composed of the deacons of the
society and IL has supreme authority in
matters pertaining TO religion as distin-
gulshed from financial interests. The
finances are controlled by the board Of
trustees.
In the present instance the official board
includes Messrs. Kerr, a. J. Dewing, J.
Howard Barnard, ]. J. VasconcelIos, T.
II. Hatch D. Glib Dexter, /. H. Morse
and L. B. Benchly, and of these at the
present time Messrs. Morse, Benchly and
Kerr are out of the City.
Professor R. r. Lloyd of the Pacific Uni
versity will occupy the pulpit OF the First
congregational Church to-day.