The San Francisco call., 1896-05-07
The Summary Action Is Not
Appreciated by the Oppo-
Sition.
WITHDRAWAL OF THE BROWNS
The Meeting Last Night the Last
That Will Be Held in the Old
Sacred Edifice.

The old First Church, for more than a
score of years the recognized leader of
Congregationalism on the Pacific Coast, is
to be sold at auction to the highest bid
der.
At least so much was decided on by the
trustees OF the church and society at a
meeting held Tuesday night. The result
of this star chamber proceeding is seen in
the following resolution, which was read
to the congregation last night. 1t was
not that they were expected to ratify it,
but the step was mere formal notification
thatthe place of worship which they had
known for so many years would be closed
to them forever:
WHEREAS, The present financial condition
and future financial prospects OF this church
and society offer no promise of improvement
with the church building in its present local
ity, therefore be it
Resoiped, That it is the opinion of the board
of deacons, the standing committee and the
board of trustees that the church building be
at once closed and all expenses discontinued,
except for janitor TO take care of the build
ing; and that the church building be sold
with as little delay as possible and the pro
ceeds applied to the erection of new build
ing in more favorable location; and to this
end be it =
ResoIued That the trustees of the church be
requested to dispose OF the property on the
southeast corner of Post and Mason streets
Immediately, and with the proceeds purchase
a lot at some more eligible location to be de-
eided upon by conference with the mem bers of
the church and society, ana erect suitable
building thereon, TO be completed at such cost
as will enable the church to comm ence wor-
ship therein free from all debt
Deacon Morse read the resolution with
as much concern as though he were refer
ring to an event of every day occurrence.
AT the conclusion he proceeded, with tears
in his voice and merry twinkle in his
eye, to tell his listeners something about
| the church, its record and his connection
with it. He regretted sincerely the neces-
sity which forced such step, but was sat-
istied that all serious minded people would
concur in the action. Mr.. Morse failed to
| say, however, Why such a step was neces-
sary, though he created the impression
that it was due to the financial condition,
as expressed in the resolution. Later Mr..
! Morse said that if Brown had been left in
peaceful possession the First Church would
have prospered almost beyond human
conception.
| He endeavored to create the impression
that his unfrocked friend was the only
minister, in good standing or bad, who
! could have brought order out of chaos
The action of the trustees in determining
to sell the church property shows that
Brown shorn of all Congregational rights
Is as strong In one quarter at least as
when he first appeared as pastor.
Deacon Morse led the prayer-meeting
last night. There were few PRAYERS and
hymns, and then he read the resolution
passed by the trustees in secret confer
ence. The question was not submitted to
the church. They accepted it without a
word OF protest except from most unex-
pected quarter. Attorney Nagle, Browns
close friend and adviser, made an abortive
attempt to have the church remain open
until the sale was perfected. Some argu-
ment ensued, and then Morse put the mo-
ton of Nagle. 1t was promptly voted
| down. There will be no more services
| unless legal proceedings are adopted in
the First Church so long as it remains on
! the corner of Post and Mason streets.
The senior deacon read the following
communication asking for letters of dis
missal:
SAN Francisco, May 6, 1896.
! To the First Congregational Church OF San
francisco; We, the undersigned members of
this church, desire letters of dismissal and
recommendation to any evangelical church to
which in the providence of God we may be di-
rected. Yours in the bonds of Christian fell
lowship, Charles o. Rrown, Mary n. w. Brown
Valentine C. Brown, Vincent w. Brown.
Morse then read what purported to be
the resignation of Deacon Vasconcellos,
filed with the board April %, Immediately
after Browns official decapitation. 1t was
laid on the table, taken up again by
Browns friends, and then, in spite of the
feeble protests of Mr.. Vasconcellos, was
definitely and finally sat upon. Mr.. Vas
concellos IS still deacon in the First
church.
With the disposition of this piece of
business and a few more prayers, the
meeting adjourned. Sexton Pike is now
without an occupation and the pastors
study door is padlocked inside and out.
1t is probable that when the trustees
come to make the sale sthey will find a
umbling- block in their way. James
Neason gave formal notice of protest by
inquiring into the right of the trustees to
debt $4,000, and the property is estimated
to be worth $135, COO.