The San Francisco call., 1896-02-13
been actively identified with church in
spected by all.
THEIR ACTION RATIFIED.
me PoWer of the Council Commit
tee Confirmed by the Church
Members.


There was more spirituality displayed at
tne prayer-meeting of the First Congrega-
tional Church last night than for several
weeks, and there was an entire absence of
mat unexpressed but still recognizable
acrlmony that has characterized these
gatherings ever since the reports alleging
immoral conduct on the part of the pastor
became public property. The attendance
was much above the average
Charity" was the theme of the Bible
verses read by Deacon Dexter, who pre-
sioed at the request of the pastor, made
during the afternoon. 1t called forth
much feeling comment, even the pastor,
VINO occupied place on the platform,
paying tribute to the diction and spirit
OF the passage.
When the devotional exercises were
concluded, Dr. Brown asked leave to make
motion, saying:
The reason make this motion was because
some think the motion of last Wednesday. was
detective and not because the action OF the
committee could be called into question. But
the question has been raised by one or two OF
those who have been asked to sit in the coun-
ell, and because it is possible for US TO quiet all
such questions.
l move that this church ratify and sanction
the action of the committee appointed last
Wednesday in sending out letters-m1ss1ye call
Ing council to investigate certain matters
mentioned therein.
He added that he had objected to the
use of the word "charges" in the letters,
but the committee had decided to retain it.
H then signed the letters-misslve under
protest, but stated that he would now
waive all his rights and would simply ask
that the committees action be ratified, as
he had no intention or desire to see the
matter delayed.
A discussion followed on the point
whether it was necessary to sanction the
action of the committee, but when the
motion was finally put it was carried
without a dissenting voice.
On Mr.. Litteield asking for report of
the action OF the committee Deacon
Barnard referred him to the newspapers,
saying: THE reports of the public prints
are substantially correct, entirely so."
During the thick of the debate G. P.
Woleott, who has on several occasions
acted the part Of the bull in the CHINA
shop, more 10 the dismay of his friends
than OF his enemies, in angry tones of re.
proach, remarked: 81 can't understand
how intelligent men could have been Sc
misled as to have used the word Charges >"
This evidently suggested an idea to the
pastor. Tor he immediately took the flool
and said: II sincerely hope we may vote
on my motion without unnecessary discus
sion. Ii there is going to be any differ.
ence / should be inclined to raise a more
serious question on the lines mentioned by
Brother Wolcott in reference to the woro
charges.
DR.. Brown, after the adoption of his mo-
ton. expressed his gratitude to Rev. w
w. Case ''for his courageous words of last
Sunday night He also thanked certain
papers, which he declined to name, as il
might be construed, he said, into special
plea, tor their present attitude. "Durine
all this storm OF accusati ton" he added
''they have said nothing against me-"
A question arising as to how the matter
was to be brought to the notice of the
council, Deacon Barnard moved that NJ.
+. Woodlands. young attorney, who was
vouched for being strictly non-partisan,
be appointed to present to the council on
behalf of the church all the records bearing
on this matter and to make any state
ments explanatory of the situation that he
might deem advisable. The motion was
adopted by q unanimous vote.
The meeting then adjourned after DIR.
Brown pronounced the benediction.