The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-04-22
UNFIT FOR THE PULPIT


oaa Hs1neasse. April a--The Hay CO.
forenco II CungruGBuo0al sinister, IN
ssasioa IN Oakland, voted q ADOPT reBe-
lutions suspsnding Rev. Dr.. c. o. Blown
from ths conference until he has cleared
his character. The vote was = 70 =. Dr..
Browns son became greatly excited W0en
che result was made known, and denounc-
ID DR.. Mclean IN unmeasured tofmB- He
even trfed 70 assault hin. but waD held
back BY bis fr1endA.
At tie oonfersnce today Bruwn was
strongiy asraignsd b. . numbsr Of mdn-
lstegA Haach. minister Of ths Bsrke-
lay church, odd ct the council he
had stood BY Brown and had held the
council back from condemning Brown too
otrongiy. Now. however. be was thorough
~ convinced Of Browns gait Of untruth-
fulness and Improper conduct. and Of his
general unworthiness to preach Rev.
Mr.. Freeland, Of Oakland. said man who
pays blackmail changes the presumption
In his case from innocence to guilt Rev.
Dr.. Mclean thought DR.. Brown should not
be allowed to preach. and Judge Haven
moved that Brown be suspended from the
ministry until such time - he cleared
his character. A long discussion follow
ed on this. Rev. Philip Combs said
the ministers were trying 70 net aside
their own verdict. given through
the council. because Brown had not re-
ceived the verdict In . proper spirit
Deacon Brown took the platform He
said that public sentiment must not inter-
fere with the deliberations Of the church,
for In this case the public was not the
Judge The council had found that there
was not suflctent evidence to convict DR..
Brown, and he wanted to know how .
conviction was to be had now, when there
was no new evidence.
DR.. L. J. Mclean followed In . severe ar
raignment Of the accused pastor. He
said that he could deliver himself Of all
he had to say In twelve minutes or In thir-
~ minutes. The conference granted to
him and to DR.. Brown unlimited time In
which to speak. DR.. Mclean said:
II went into the council. Of which had
the honor to be the moderator. with the
thought that DR.. Brown would b ac-
quilted OF the charges against him. AZ
the trial went on sickening feeling crept
into my heart. and ~ the evidence COM
tinued II grew and grew and grew. until
II seemed cooled about my heart like some
black and damning serpent The proceed
ings today are . logical sequel Of the work
Of the council. That council was not cali
ed to Judge Of the innocence or Of the guilt
Of DIR. Brown. 1t was formed to Inquire
into the charges and report to the church.
We found that the grosser charges were
not substantiated by the evidence. Nor
were they disproved BY the evidence.
There we're many doubts generated there.
not by our actions. but by the evidence OF
DR.. Brown. and By the disappearance of
the witness who could have thrown con-
siderable light on the susbject. The find
ings Of the council left three grave doubts
Tho disappearance OF Mrs. Tunnel certain
" looked a. II It had been connived at In
the house Of DR.. Brown We gave him
- "a
the mantle Of charity ~ far - possible.
The findings Of the council have been
before the public for month. They leave
grave doubt of suspicion on DR.. Brown,
and that II what was intended. The menu
bers OF the council said that doubt over
hung their minds regarding the payment
Of money to Mrs. Davidson. When an en-
tirely dissredited woman went 70 him and
demanded thousands Of 0ollArs from him
he could not give It. but Whsn she re-
turned a. the harbinger Of the glad news
that the other woman would remain silent
Tor 500 the money was quickly forthcom-
Ing. to obtain evidence 80 DR.. Brown SAIL.
Again. he sent money to Mrs. Tunnel
when he could III AFFORD It. He sent her
rs Ia all. Did not this look a. II there
were something that he was afraid would
come to the light OF day?
The council gave him the benefit Of the
doubt. mixed with charity. The ministers
extended too much mercy. Their findings
were garnished with too many pearls, and
the pearls were thrown where II has been
said pearls should never be thrown. The
thanks We received for our work has been
characteristic In this respect.
Tho suspension OF Dr. Brown would be
withdrawal OF our confidence In him,
but II would be right and not unusual IN
such case. 1t II sad thing to see q
mans career 20 checked. but all this busi.
ness has been very painful. While the
condemnation y very severe 1t il no more
severe than the findings Of the council
warrant"
Dr. L. L. worts almost created Z sensa.
ton He said that he did not know
whether or not DR.. Brown was guilty, but
that he was ready TO extend to him his
hand and help him prove his innocence II
he asserted II. DIR. worts continued. a. he
picked up the Bible: Here is the book Of
revelation. II Dr. Brown Is an innocent
man let him step on this platform and,
placing his hand on this holy book. lItt
the other to heaven and tell us he is inno-
cent l viii believe him, and will extend
10 him my right hand In clasp OF BROTH
erly love. I am sure We all will"
Every eye was turned in the direction
OF the accused pastor. but not q muscle
OF MS race changed to show what his feel.
ings were II was trying ordeal for him
but the suspense lasted only a moment
and then the speaker went on as follows.
II DIR. Brown has made a rnis,,ke IL,
him confess II. and am sure he Will he
forgiven. His brothers viii pick hin, IN
and help him into the right path once
more"
One or two speakers followed. ana /. pa
Cess was then taken un.n 7:s0 O'Clock in
me evening. In the evening after enr
sioersble discussion. DR.. Brown took the
stand and made an eloquent plea. He
said:
we are nearing the close Of a remark
able debate. the issues OF which I would
nave you remember In the sofemni,y az
this hour are life and death We held a.
s'ced opinions on matters I am not here
10 impusn the motive of any brother
whose voice has been raised Oh this plaf
form. but ! have wondered II Aems OF
them. had they been In my place. would
have liked me to speak as they have done
shah take up the findings OF the coun-
ell. and then VIII take up the resolution.
The utmost chat this conference naa
do is TO leave the verdict where the conn.
eli left x. and TO leave TO the curative e.
feet of time 10 heal ~ the bruises 4, has
created l tail to see the propriety Of
my brother from the Plymouth church
owning here now to try and induce this
Bay conference 10 ind me guilty, which
ne failed to 10 when cioseted In the coura.
ell When YOU tonigsst have cast your vote
whether you condemn or scqust you viii
have olot;ed cut the distinction hetwe.,
CongregasionxESm and Presoytersanssr,
and you will have established precedent
nnheard 81 In our church. TIE council
has always been q court OF final appeal
and q was never intended 70 ESTABLISH /.
permanent judiciary.
Had the members os that council
thought me guilty. they should no, have
clothed their verftci in saeh Ambiguous