The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-02-01
CHAMPION MRS. COOPER.
Her Friends lndignant-Mrs. David
son In Jail Writes to the Kin
derRarten Leader,


The friends of Mrs. Sarah B. Cooper are
indignant over the manner in which she
was insulted by the followers of Dr. Brown
at the prayer-meeting on Wednesday
night. They claim that the kissing was
unealled for and outrageous, and are very
much wrought up over the incident. They
will at the prayer-meeting this coming
Wednesday evening introduce a resolu-
ton denouncing those who participated IN
the affair.
The latest issue of the Pacific, the coast
organ of Congregationalism contains as
its leading editorial the following written
by DIR. Mooar, member of the Bay Asso-
citation committee appointed to investigate
the reports of immoral conduct made
against DR.. Brown:
Perhaps it may be said of those who have
made 1t [the report of the joint committed that
they have done what they could and no more.
The original hope of the pastor in his asking
from the Bay Association the appointment by
that body of three brethren, to whom he could
sacredly confide for the time being his personal
defense, whether that hope was reasonable or
not at first, soon became practically impossi-
BILE. For the three were increased to FIVE, at
least, and then the officers of the First Church
were associated with them, and the enlarged
body became obviously too large for conf
dental committee, and by its very compost
ton was unauthorized to pursue an orderly or
adequate investigation.
The committee, therefore, have sensibly de-
clined TO hear what in the circumstances
would be only q one-sided presentation of the
matter. They have simply appealed to the
public to do what they themselves propose to
do-continue confidence in the integrity OF the
man until reasons for the lack of confiden ce
shall be made clear in competent council.
The fact that fifteen such gentlemen should
make this latter affirmation without dissent
ing voice is certainly remarkable. 1t does not
by any means solve the difficulties, but it
should give measure of restfulness to those
who are very anxious for the good name of our
churches.
Mrs. Davidson yesterday addressed the
following letter to Mrs. Sarah B. Cooper:
Mrs. Cooper-DEAR MADAM: I have read all
the papers say OF you since my arrest. am
truly sorry that one who by his position at
least should be a champion in the cause of
truth and virtue is now arrayed against them.
And it was no surprise to me when G. o. Brown
refused to give you a hearing for the reason
that you are in opposition to him, as right and
virtue are opposed to falsity and vice.
| therefore honor you for the stand you have
taken and am sure it is upon the broad plat
form which was instituted by the great pro
mulgator of the second commandment ''Thou
shalt love thy neighbor as thyself."
Strange as it may appear the observance of
this commandment alone has placed me where
/ am, and no one knows this better than c. o.
Brown. Yet no one could less appreciate the
whether Mrs. Cooper or Mrs. Davidson-less
than this same c. o. Rrown.
Therefore we meet on common ground, and
not in the environment OF narrow PERSONAL
ties or popular prejudices, to discuss those
broad truths which form the tap-root of moral
ity so essential to the developm ,nt of the
church. the state and the home. Evolution is
generally accomplished through suffering and
through the dim lenses of our experience we
see that divine surgery was needed to cut on t
the hidden ulcer which was fostering and rot
ting beneath the garb of priestly sanctity,
which might, in time, innoculate the entire
youth and virtue of the First Church.
M q fnrt
sBe sure your sins will find you out" and as
C. o. Brown dictated the words of the paper
which he babe me write and which was his
doom, "By thine own words shalt thou be
God chose me to execute his wrath and in
the mystery of his workings a most extraor-
binary result followed The Lord tells us mot
to fear, though it was some new thing that
had overtaken us, but to count 1t all joy" etc.
followed the text he hath given US and am
willing to suffer as the instrument which acts
in the removal of evil in G. o. Brown and in
those he said were co-offenders with him.
About nine years ago | gave myself wholly
to the service of God. Ny prayer was then as
it is to-day. that be united to Christ as the
branch to the vine. My prayer was heard
then, as 1t is IN prison to-day.
On the oath day OF November, and aye to the
10Th of December, about six weeks ago be-
Heved in the peuitence of c. 0. Brown For
more than one year he had made me his conf
dant. First by relating series of Temptations
and trials, and getting me to pray for and ad-
wise him. Daily and many times each day
told them to my blessed Lord.
At times felt almost overwhelmed by his
continual coming, and told him that he must
go to others in the church, but he always said
81 know you live near the Lord and always
feel secure with you and q sense of relief when
have talked with you" So, Il / may use the
expression, 1t prayed upon my confidence. In
return had but little confidence in him. vet
kept on praying and advising him, yet never
anticipated that he Yielded to the temptations
which he seemed to deplore.
At last the guilty pair-C. o. Brown and Miss
Overman-were traced to Sixth street, corner
of Bryant November "a, 1894, and then were
Miss Oyerman acknowledged all the story
and gave every detail of her relations with G.
o. Brown She was my Sunday-school scholar.
and with many tears she confessed the terrible
story.
For three months suspected by her letters
to and her talks with me that possibly things
would reach this condition But when called
C. O. Brown to my room he told me even more