The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-08-21
The Trustees Will Ask Permis.
sion to Mortgage the
Property.
SOME CAUsTIC COMMENTS.
Claim That the Only First Congre.
gational Society Meets in Golden
Gate Hall.

Deacon Morse is not the man to play a
losing game. Yesterday morning the
opposition" was ready to march up to
the First Congregational Church building
and take possession. In the evening they
were completely at sea.
The idea" observed the senior deacon
last night, that three members could
compel the trustees to open the church is
simply amusing. No such rule is to be
found in any manual of Congregational
law that l ever saw, ard 1 have seen many
The church will not be opened to serve as
theater of scandal and contention
The trustees held a meeting yesterday
afternoon, W. F. Whittier James Cole
man, w. ]. Dutton and Charles Merrill
all the trustees at present in town, being
In attendance. Trustee Dodge is now in
Europe, and there are two vacancies in the
board which should regularly consist of
seven members. The demand of the OPP
position for the reOpening of the church
on next Wednesday evening was read ana
unanimously refused.
The reasons given for the refusal were,
first that no guarantee was given that the
expenses attendant upon the reopening
existing circumstances and in view of the
fact that the Bay Conference is about to
rake up the former trouble at its coming
session, such reopening would be unwise
and inexpedient. This determination was
declared TO be final and a resolution to
that effect was adopted
The financial status of the society called
forth much discussion. There is at pres
ent an Indebtedness OF about $500 hang
Tfafr ha oh 7v1fa 1ef,,
income from any source, demands have
become somewhat pressing. Several
plans for raising money were suggested,
and the trustees at length decided 10 APP
ply to the courts for permission TO mort
gage the property. No notice was taken
of the present conflict between the two
factions IN the congregation the meeting
being purely business like in character.
Things are in queer tanele," COM
mented one of the church officers when
informed of what had transpired at the
meeting. "As l understand the situation,
about six weeks ago the deacons decided
to invite the Rev. DR.. Adams of St. Louis
to come and survey the ground, as it were,
with view to restoring harmony in the
church. Deacon Morse was asked to COM
municate with DR.. Adams, and in due
time received an encouraging reply. Then
this opposition, as they call IL, started in
mixing things up.
1.-THE church people have been meeting
in Golden Gate Hall, where they have an
average attendance of about 400. There
are about as many more m members who are
holding aloof waiting for things to settle
down. The opposition consists of about
forty persons, but they make up in venom
what they lack in numbers. The First
Congrega tional Society is tie one which
meets at the hall on Suffer street and
there IS no other organization entitled to
the name. Four of the deaoons the church
clerk, the standing committee and the
trustees are part and parcel of the Suffer-
street congregation. which will reoccupy
its church building when the other people
shall have done with their iantrums."
pillar of the opposition stated that the
subscription list mentioned in THE CALL
OF yesterday would commence its rounds
to-day, seven copies 20 be furnished to as
many persons, who will make a thorough
canvass for signatures. A movement is
on foot to bring about the resignation of
deacons, church clerk and standing COM
mitiee, after which new officers will be
elected to fill the positions of those now
considered Objectionable. This project is
directed against Deacon Morse in particu-
lar, since ne has been mainly instrument
tai in keeping the congregation from dis
banding by conyoking them in the Suffer-
street hall.
Il am satisfied with the action of the
trustees IN keeping me cnurcn closed,
said the senior deacon. when told of the
result of the meeting, sit would never do
to open it while DIR. Browns enemies are
carrying on in their present fashion. 1t
would keep the church in hot water ali
the time. There is no truth III the state
ment that DR.. Brown intends returning
hither.
HE is at present acting under contract
as supply for the Rev. DR.. Blanchard,
pastor OF the Church of the Covenant the
principal Congregational church in
Chicago, where he is meeting with the
most gratifying success. As soon as he
can leave Chicago ne will proceed to
Dubuque in order TO be formally received
into that conference, which is most
friendly to him. and has offered to admit
him into fellowship with its members. In
case the Bay Conference takes any future
action he will be represented at it's ses-
l.