The San Francisco call., 1896-02-27
The Excited Pastor Makes 2
Very Humble Apology and
so Restores Peace.
NEW EVIDENCE Is INTRODUCED
Mrs. Thurston Tells Her Story-Archie
Mcmillan Makes a Plea to Be
Heard.

carnival between the adherents of DR..
Brown and those opposed to him.
1t all came about in the cross-examina-
ton OF Mrs. Thurston. That lady bad
made very damaging statements relative
to the alleged relations existing between
the pastor and Miss Overman, during the
recital of which DR.. Brown, his wife and
Miss Overman appeared to be very much
amused.
DIR. Brown asked Mrs. Thurston if it
were not true that she had great deal of
trouble with her hushand-in fact, if she
were not extremely jealous of the atten-
tions which he is alleged to have showered
on his lady acquaintances. The iudge-advo-
cate objected TO this sort Of cross-examina-
ton, but said that if the council desired to
hear it he would not oppose.
DR. Brown, his face white and livid with
rage, apparently, leaped TO his feet and
said:
at is strange that objections continually
come to the questions asked by the de-
fense, but no limit is put upon the prose-
cution. l wish to go on record here now
as saying that the moderator and one or
two members OF the council have at times
been unfair toward me"
alton, rose TO his feet, and making a step
forward, asked if DR.. Brown meant TO i'm
ply any wrongdoing to him.
The pastor said that he had nothing to
take back, but to the contrary would in
sist that the moderator had been unfair.
Then followed wordy war, in which
every member of the council participated.
The venerable moderator insisted that
DR.. Brown answer his question and then
called upon the council to institute an i'm
mediate investigation as to the truth or
falsity of the insinuation. Resolutions
and counter resolutions were offered, some
sustaining DR.. Mclean and others assum-
ing more conciliatory tone. In the general
hubbub some one suggested that it would
be rather queer proceeding for an investi-
eating council to Investigate itself.
Mr.. Dodge thought that a mere express
sion OF confidence in the moderator from
the council was sufficient proof that DR..
Browns insinuations of unfairness were
groundless. Any action, therefore, in the
way of an investigation, might cause some
people to think that DR.. Brown was at
least partly right.
DR.. Brown attempted TO make another
speech when the Rev. DIR. Mooar of OAK
land interrupted him saying, This man
has taken up too much time of the council
already. 1 move that we proceed With the
investigation"
The excited pastor said he was not sure
that he wanted the council to go on, but
a few moments later somebody threw oil
on the troubled waters and peace reigned
again.
DR.. Brown hoped that the council would
recolect the fact that he had been under
a terrible strain for the past sixty days
and was not altogether responsible for his
words. He regretted very much the un-
pleasantness that had occurred and asked
that all be forgotten and forgiven. He as
sured the moderator that he had the high
est possible regard for him as man who
wanted to see only justice done and hoped
that he would not treasure up the angry
words which had escaped him.
DR.. Mclean. evidently much relieved at
the turn affairs had taken, said that
he too regretted the unusual scene, and
begged to assure the pastor of his personal
regard and also his desire to act in all
matters coming before the council Justly
and fairly.
During the discussion the friends and
enemies cheered and Missed according to
their several moods. In the midst of the
exciting interchange of words Archie Nc
MILAN, whose name has been unpleasantly
associated with that of Mrs. Stockton
sprang to the platform and in tones which
could have been heard a block away de-
clared that he lad something TO say about
Dr. Browns peculiar actions. The mod.
orator. however. persuaded him TO leave
the room, assuring him that at the proper
time he would be heard.
And so ended the most dramatic Incl
dent of the entire deliberation, not except
ing Mrs. Blanchard s hysterlcal display
last week.
Bv far the largest crowd of any gathered
TO hear the deliberations of the ecclesiasti
cal council assent bled in the lecture-room o
the First Congregational Church yesterday
attracted probably by the announcement
that Mrs Mary A. Davidson, the pastors
chief accuser, and incidentally his allege'
blackmailer, was to testify.
But the morbidly curious who had hopee
TO hear racy exposition OF an lncioen
capable of the broadest criticism, II true
were doomed to disappointment.
Mrs. Davidson did not appear before tn
council, and what is more disappointing
TO some, probably never will. Walter Gal
lagher is no longer the legal adviser OF th
accused woman and this refusal to repea
in church what had been sworn to In opeI
court is credited to George knight, wh'
has undertaken to handle her cause oe1or
the Superior Court There was quie'
rumor floating around the church TO TN
effect that the pastor friends had hrougn
about this condition of things, but THIS
bitterly resented by them.
Judge Advocate Woodlands said that II
view of Mrs. Davidson's non- appearance
he was forced to do the next best thing
and that was to read the testimony givef
in Judge CampbelPs court. DR.. Brown
wished to know in the event Mrs. DAVID
son changed her mind concerning her ap
pearance before the council if she would b.
allowed to do So Wood hams said YES. bu