The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1896-01-12
o IT

For the second time within a few
months san Francisco has given the
world a church scandal. For theesecond
time the fact has been established that
the eneIaies Of the church are from with
in. not from without There Is no scon
so effective as a statement OF facts. The
satire OF an IngersOll pales its fire before
the cold glare OF truth. The Rev. Charles
o.. Brown Is an Insignificant factor in the
problem recent disclosures a present
d. That a man should fall Is an inciden,
growing out OF the frailty OF human
nature, That 8 Christian clergyman
shoulp tive in s1n. presenting the eom
pantcn Of his orgies 10 his Christian
flock, is The elimination q human de-
prayiu. Lack OF discretion s a mis-
fortune. but hardy a sin. 5ut the ac-'
eumulatioa Of evidence shows either CUNT
or a lack Of discretion that unhts sIr.
Brown for the companisaship a Christian
church surrounds its pastor with Who
can limit the influence for eva that must
arise from a contemplation by the young
members Of his congregation OF the per
sistent transgression OF one in whom they
had unbounded trust?
It is natural and In some respects COM
mendable in the deacons Of a church TO
stand by their pastor when he ome
under the fire Of criticism. But all men
holding positions OF trust are required
to exercise the faculty OF reason Be
cause they want a thing so does not
make it so. The fear that a scandal Will
hurt the church does not impair the force
of facts. A great deal is demanded OF
n clergyman who claims the right 10
direct his people into the paths OF recti-
tude. He should not only be free from
%grievous sin. but he should be above rea-
sonable suspicion. He must surround
himself with people whose lives are
known to be without serious rep-oa-h.
II his instincts are such that lie cannot
school himself to comply with the coudi-
tions upon which his usefulness depends
he should retire from the ministry. Or
binary men may live two lives, but a
Christian clergyman is limited 10 one.
When he becomes a religious teacher he
assumes a great responsibility. II the
immutable church does not stand or fail
with its teachers 1t sways with them.
The truth may remain after its apostle
a time impaired. 1t Is not easy to trace
the responsibility for the lowering OF the
standard among Christian ~clergymen
which has become distinctly observable
in recent years. The exceptional conduct
required at one time OF spiritual guides
no longer seems to be an essential to
success in the pulpit. Whatever may
be the cause OF deterioration, one condi-
ton seems indispensable. The Christian
clergyman must retain the respect Of
both church-goers and non-church-goers.
Church member must show by their
lives that there is virtue in their doc,
trines. No man would have fallen into
the way Of life evidence shows that Mr..
Brown has followed with the knowledge
in his mind that he would be judged BIZ
impartial judges. Such a man must
have assumed that his clerical garb would
not only ward off suspicion, but serve as
an armor Of steel when the attack should
come. Good sometimes comes through
what seems to be evil. II the fall Of an
unworthy teacher results in a higher
standard OF his calling the present de-
plorable San Francisco scandal will not
have been without good results.