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

of uneasiness if he challenged their right
TO proceed with the investigation. The
pastor dlsclaimed any such intent but in
sisted on his right to know everything
that had been done at Mondays meeting.
The secretary then read the minutes of
the proceedings, showing that the matters
discussed had been confined to the course
of procedure in the trial and that a COM
mittee of two had been appointed to re-
ceive and formulate charges. DIR. Brown
objected vigorously to this last, but when
assured that no action had been taken
withdrew his remarks.
The pastor then sprang another little
alarm by asking DR.. Pond if Mrs. Sarah B.
Cooper had not approached him with evil
dence calculated TO influence his mind.
He intimated that if this was true he
would certainly object to the reverend
gentleman continuing a member of the
council.
DR.. Pond, however, cleared the atmos-
phere by admitting that Mrs. Cooper had
done the things suggested by Dr. Brown,
but that he had not even considered them,
consequently his opinion was not in the
least biased.
The event of the day came when Attor-
ney Woodlands as representative of the
church gave his Interpretation OF the let
ters-missive. He referred to the Overman
incident and the Stockton episode, and
how it came about that DIR. Brown paid
$500 to secure evidence against Mrs. Davi i'd
son.
DR.. Brown objected to the second
clause of Mr.. Woodlands statement relat-
ing 10 charges current in the community.
he SAID 1t was dragnet and should not
have been inserted. The attorney replied
that II things grew out of the main charges
rejecting on the character of DIR. Brown
they should certainly be investigated, be-
cause no one wanted any after-talk.
Nearly every member of the council had
something to say on this point, though DR..
Mooar seemed more vigorously opposed
than any to limiting the scope of the in
vestigation.
He said that three points were involved
in the letters missive; first, the moral
character of DR.. Brown; second, his min
lsterlal standing; and third, his pastoral
relations with the church.
After an hours argument for and
against Mr.: Woodlands suggestion. in
which DR.. Mclean, DR.. Brown, DR.. RAIDER
and Rev. Mr.. Tenney took an active part,
the council adjourned to the library to ar
rive a some conclusion satisfactory to all.
The deacons, DR.. Brown and Mr.. Wood.
hams were asked to participate in the de-
hberatlons. AT the expiration of three
quarters of an hour the council returned
to the lecture-room, DR.. Mclean announc-
ing that ommittee OF three had been ap-
pointed TO correctly interpret the letters
missive.
AT the evening session Mr. Tenney.
chairman of the committee, made a report
in effect that the letters missive called
for an investigation only as to the moral
character and ministerial standing of DIR.
Brown.
The pastor had gained the first point.
and the smile which lighted his face when
this announcement came showed that he
did not undervalue its importance.
Messrs. Hoyt, RAIDER and Williams were
appointed committee of three to receive
such charges as members CT the church
and outsiders might desire to prefer
against DR.. Brown.
Mr.. Hoyt as chairman announced that
the committee would meet Immediately
after the council and again this morning
al 8 o'clock. prepared TO receive and Law
before the council all matters pertaining
to DR.. Browns character.
The result of the first days proceedings
OF the council may be briefly termed de-
clded victory for DR.. Brown. He carried
every point that he made, and was sus-
tanned in all his objections. Persons hav-
ing charges TO prefer against him must
present copy OF the same to him, in or
der that he may be able to make proper
defense.
He is to enjoy all the rights of de-
PENDANT in legal proceedings and to offer
such testimony in rebuttal as he may have
In word, DR.. Brown has drawn first
blood.
This is the happiest day of my life, he
said. II am confident of success, though
L am aware that periured testimony will be
offered
The council will meet to-day at and
80 p. NJ. 1t is probable that morning ses-
slons Will also be held after to-day.