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

affect the moral character and ministerial
standing of DR.. Brown. That is to say the
| question is raised:
| First-Has he been guilty of immoral con-
| duct, such as necessarily affects his standing
| both minister of the gospel and an honor
able man and member OF this community?
Second-Has his ministerial standing with
| reference not only TO the other churches of
| this country, but with reference also 10 his
standing minister in this community and
| TO this church and people, been in any wise al
fected by these so-called charges and rumors?
In other words deem it to be the duty of the
council under the letters missive to consider
and pass and advise upon every matter, thing
or point which if left unsettled can or would in
any degree reflect upon DR.. Brown and materi-
ally bear upon his usefulness in this COM
| munity or elsewhere as preacher of the VOID
of God.
DR.. Brown is entitled to and should be pre-
sumed innocent until proven guilty before
this council, and no point should be omitted
which is vital to his usefulness here, in the
event OF this presumption being found to be
one OF fact. You must look to every posi- Bile
result in favor of or against DR.. Brown, and be
prepared 10 make every matter and thing per-
| tanning to these alleged charges, accusations
or rumors plain and as clear and translucent
as the light OF summer day.
There have been rumors prevalent to the
effect that DR.. Brown influenced the selection
of the churches and members composing this
council. The facts are that DR.. Brown did not
influence in any way the action of the board
OF deacons or any member thereof and was not
even present at the session OF the board at
u.
Portland and Los Angeles churches were sug-
gested by DR.. Blown. but events show that that
suggestion was not acted upon.
1t is believed that the only other suggestion
made was with reference to the Sacramento
church, in which case the members OF the COM
mittee had already and in advance OF DR..
Browns suggestion decided to invite that
church, and upon the recommendation OF
other ministers of this City, together with
their own Impressions OF the fitness OF that
selection. These rumors are utterly without
| /
entirely satisfied with the selection made, and
that no more representative selection OF
churches and delegates could have been made
for the purpose of forming this council.
In conclusion, l wish 70 make 1t clear that
am not here TO make any formal charges, nor
to particularly represent any so-called faction
or shade of opinion in this church. The church
elected me to represent it as whole, and ii is
my hope to be able to stand fairly and i'm
partially for every kind and character OF opin
ion and belief existing in this church that
needs representation or spokesman before this
council. My duty is to see, so far as it lies in
my power, that justice is done to pastor and
people in this trying hour. The church has
placed me in this position gentlemen, to assist
you n your deliberations and IN the eXamlna-
ton OF the various matters that may be pre-
sented for your consideration while in session.
And may all that we do or say have the ap-
prevail not alone of our own consclences, but
may the smile of divine favor rest upon and
1llumlne that course which we shall pursue.
On motion OF DR.. Williams the state
ment was received and ordered filed with
the scribe of the council.
Rev. Mr.. Hatch introduced the fol-
lowing:
Rescued, That, as respecting certain am
biguitfes in the letter-missive, the council
accepts the Interpretation of those who issued
the letters-missive in considering the scope OF
its investigating power. IL seems there are
two lines presented here from the suggestions
the alleged immoral conduct and ministerial
standing, and, second, ds to the pastoral rela-
lions and such things as would tend to vitlate
those relations.
A discussion ensued, and the resolution
was amended as follows:
RESOLVED That as respects the letter-missive
the council adopts the Interpretation of those
who issued the letters-missive, as shown by
the statement OF Mr.. Woodlands, and considers
that 1t shall investigate the moral character,
ministerial standing and pastoral conduct and
pastoral relation OF Pastor Brown.
Before the amended resolution was
voted upon DR.. Brown arose and spoke as
follows:
May ask what my rights are here? Have
not the right TO be heard at any time without
the consent of the council?
DR.. McLean-The council will have to de-
eide that. Presumably you have the right to
be heard. The council should define and not
DR.. Brown want the council to consider
that stand before you, not only as the ac-
cused person. but as my own counsel. That is
ond resolution | am of the positive opinion
that the church has not delegated to you any
right to investigate what is covered by the
latter part of the resolution.
The second part of that resolution would
place in your hands a dragnet that would
enable your body 10 go into the Heron and
Strauss affairs. i ask you to consider my posi-
ton. / do not believe the church has placed
any such power in your hands.
DR.. McLean-The council would like to know
from whomeyer it can what it is expected to
do. We have asked such definition from Mr.
Woodlands, and Mr. Hatch's resolution simply
provided that We accept that Interpretation.
l understand that DR.. Brown challenges the
Interpretation of Mr.. Woodlands
DR.. Brown-Mr. Hatch rightly interprets Mr.
Woodlands, and distinctly challenge that in
depreciation.
pretatio can be considered as dragnet to
draw into this investigation the Heron and
Strauss incidents. l nave stated what the
charges that expected to be heard.
There are other rumors that have grown out
of these two incidents and which were evil
IDENTITY in the minds of those who drafted the
letters-missiye. Ii there are matters brought
in that do not pertain TO these main charges
they should not be considered, but il they
do concern these main charges or have any
connection with them they ought to be inves-
tigated.
Mr.. Hatch-I would amend By making it read
to hear also any charges growing out of the
main charges which would tend to affect the
existing pastoral relation. That would prevent
the council going into anything old or that did
not pertain to these matters.
DR.. Mooar-There are three distinct points to
be considered. First the moral character of
DR.. Brown man, then his ministerial stand
ing in general, and third, his pastoral rela-
tons to this particular body OF Christians who
compose this church. There is doubt shout
the third point, to which | understand DR..
Brown objects.
DR.. Brown am very sure that in the re-
marks made by Mr. Woodlands he does, not
represent the First Congregational Church. I
have been present and participated in every