The San Francisco call., 1896-02-05

eiies vne Hau, packed up Dy O. coteIic VI lniu
entail deacons, may wreak his personal re-
Venge on a lone woman.
What matters it to the best interests OF the
nndTeh where W Mrs Davidson SPENDS the re-
the divine? Will it play any greater part IN
the erasement of the stains upon his character
anan 1ne truth or falsity of her charges played
or wlll play in her trial? These charges can
not De inquired into legally during her TRIAL.
Inc TWO offenses are in no way related, ana
en cne question as to whether OF not she Is TO ne
the investigation of Pastor Brown. And why
snould ne Tor moment refuse to Vacate the
sacred pulpit for time until by competent
decree he be recalled to his post, exonerated
ana possessing a clear conscience, II innocent!
but u appears that he insists upon sfanding
on his legal rights. The true Christian Is Will
ing 10 stand on Christ and trust TO GOD. MO-
manned rather than Christ, seems TO be the
model of Mr.. Brown, and he unsheaths and
would WELD his his sword when the one great
captain SAID, PUT up thy sword.
am not lawyer, outI venture the predic-
ton that after what has happened, If Mrs.
davidson be tried first, she will surely be &C
Quilted II ably defended; then woe to the
leader in the First Church. for what council or
committee would then have the courage to ap-
ply the brush?
Human nature is a well-known commodity,
ana easily weighed by one that studies 1t, ana
the brilliant lawyer studies it and understands
1t, and knows pretty well his jurymen and
in two spheres-in heaven and in SELF The
lawyer also lives in TWO spheres-in sell ana IN
the world; and while he often misses heaven,
he finds in that world many things mot
dreamed OF In their philosophy.
Again, would the loss of your present pastor
be an irreparable one? l confess that often
after hearing him and feeling the dearth OF
thought and spirit that permeated his dis
course, the question as to why went forced
itself upon me, and could see no reason ex-
cept the music. The preacher should improve
the mind or ennoble the soul or do both; butI
fail to see that Mr.. Brown does either, except,
perhaps, with the most plastic.
Some months ago was an observer at the
Monday Club OF the conduct OF DR.. Brown,
sympathy with the visionary doctrines OF the
latter, but was impressed with the gentle
manly and Christian manner inswhich he pre-
sented them, and in which he received the
scurrilous rantings of his critic until the latter
was Kissed and forced into silence by his own
people. He, OF course, claimed that the
hlsslngS and objections came from non
berg, who, he said, were interlopers, although
large sign in the hallway invited everybody.
His bolsterous conduct toward a gentleman,
stranger, in frontof me was shocking in the
extreme, The gentleman, touched at the in
suit OF DR.. Brown, was endeayoring to learn
from the chairman, DR.. Mclean, II 1T was the
wish OF the meeting that visitors should retire;
but DR.. Brown dominated over everything and
everybody for.the time, and several times told
the gentleman in stentorlan shouts unsulted
to any place but a prize ring to sit down. His
unchristian-like conduct led me TO say, on
leaving the room that though he might sport
q ID. ID. and the pastorate of a rich church, his
career or usefulness was nearly run. Like cer-
tain comets that swing into view, reach their
greatest brightness and sweep on, so he will
probably soon have to forego the baskings in
public favor, snd march on never to return.
Notwithstanding my views concerning him,
still, for many days after the scandal became
public, defended him, to the surprise OF some
of my friends, who expected l would be ready
to condemn. But whatever may have thought
he might have it in his heart to do, did not
believe that he could under the conditions
preceding and surrounding him so far disre-
gard the die tates of common-sense as to be
guilty of the crimes with which he was
charged, Notwithstanding his silly course in
certain things. Nevertheless, when the Over
man letters came out L collapsed, and shall
notreturn to his defense; for even though Moses
should arise from the dead, he could not at this
late stage.explain them in any way not con-
sistent with culpabiHty upon the part of DR..
Brown. For who has said they are forgeries?
And fthey are genuine, but untrue, who can
excuse the present conduct OF the man con-
cerned in harboring the libeier and conspira-
tor? And ii guilty, let him step down from hts
high place, fold his tent and silently steal back
into the wide world. and, if truly penitent,
start life anew. AS Mr.. Tubb says, his present
policy is suicidal. He reminds me of the man
that by means of a cowhide tried TO force his
wife 10 love him. How much more Christian
were he to say, '.Lord, thy will be done" His
attitude seems to smack of tyranny and
money, and that OF the committee of intimida-
tion.
You deserve great credit for your noble fight
and wish you, and thousands wish you, COM
plete success. But lock well to the rudder
Wednesday night; for l fear that the wheels
will be set, the button touched, .'click' will go
the machine, and brave Mrs. Cooper, the stand
ard-bearer OF right and uprightness, will be
crushed for the time; but truth crushed to
earth will rise again." ! trust that all your
friends in the church will rally around you
without fear on that trying night, and may the
Lord give you strength and courage to do his
bidding.
Please don't feel under obligations to an
swer. know your burdens are heavy. Very
respectfully yours.
Among the most recent letters addressed
to Mrs. Cooper is the following from a
Presbyterian clergyman who few years
ago was under clouG on charge of hav-
ing misappropriated the funds of an in
stitutlon with which he was connected;
and there is clear evidence in the letter it.
self that in sending it to Mrs. Cooper he
was actuated by strong fellow-feeling for
the accused pastor of the First Congrega-
tional Church:
by Dear Hrs. Cooper. desire to express my
high appreciation of your valuable services to
the cause OF human elevation along IKE lines
OF true Christian service, and TO express the
opinion that every step you take before the
public Is done from the promptings of sim
cere heart.
Notwithstanding this, am moved by a sense
OF duty to address you on the subject of the
controversy now growing up in the First Con-
gregauonai Church of San Francisco, in which
your pastor, DR.. Brown is the central figure,
and through the public press your dear SELF is
arrayed on the other side as the leader of an
opposing force.
have not had word or a line from any one
concerned in the matter, but have whole lot
OF experience as q central figure" hung up
as model by the public press, turned round
and round, exhibited by the 'spenny-a-line"
man, who writes for what he can get out of it.
Yourself, as well the public OF San Fran
cisco, California, and much of our Nation, call
to mind the contest through which passed in
On effort to maintain my name and profession
against an arrayed body OF clergymen.
Reporters are keen observers OF the under
currents and of the public mind and write up
as wanted. Many of them said TO me while so
writing, "You must understand that we have
no respect for those old chumps, but we are
writing for the public"
since resumed my profession two of them
came TO me and expressed regret for what they
said. One of them said, 81 then said privately
that there was but one fair-minded man there
and he was the man on trial"
Now, am q judge of newspaper reports
when Protestant minister of the gospel Is in
voiyed, and desire to say that not an iota of
credence should be given to what is said about
him In the daily press of San Francisco.
NOT line is written for the good of the public,
put for what can be made out. of it by the
writer and by the sale of the paper. have
watched with much interest the actions of
Dr.. Brown since this matter was made public
and feel that he is justified in the step he has
taken. | fully believe thatif treated fairly and
given time to reach the conclusion he will
ad 4..I-