The San Francisco call., 1896-05-12
DR.. BROWN A SICK MAN.
The EX.Pastor Suffering Severely
Erom Nervous ProStra.
ton.
Permission to Sell the First Church
Property Is Requested by the
Trustees.

The Rev. DR.. Charles o. Brown is verv
sick man. The stormy weeks of the un-
savory church trial, the warily qualified
verdict of acquittaI on the most serious
charges against him and the subsequent
reversal of that seemingly merciful YER
dict at the Bay Conference meeting by the
very men who had formulated it at the
council-all these events have combined to
unstring the pastors nervous system in a
manner which is causing his adherents
much alarm.
''Dr. Brown is suffering from an aggra-
waited form of nervous prostration, said
one of the officials OF the First Congrega-
tional Society yesterday, "and l cannot
say when he will be himself again. He
keeps entirely secluded from every one
outside of his family and the small circle
of his most intimate friends. So keenly
does he feel the need of rest that some OF
the church officers, myself among the
number, are not sure where he is.
Under these circumstances it is u seless
to talk of an Independent church, with
DR.. Brown as its pastor. For the present
he is physically incapable of undertaking
the management of congregation. If be
were 10 inaugurate such a movement ne
would fling himself into it heart and soul,
and probably work himself to death. A
large proportion of his late parishioners
are anxiously waiting for him to found a
church, in order to place themselves once
more under his spiritual direction.
perhaps $50 would about represent the
number of the church memb bers who side
with him. These comprise the greater
part of the sure, solid resident mem bers.
The so-called opposition was composed in
great measure of transient and non-sus-
tanning mem bers, who had no deep attach
ment for either church or pastor.
''As to the prospective sale of the church
property, find some degree of misappre-
hension in many quarters.
In the first place the pulse of the pew
holders was taken, and a large majority
was found to be in favor of selling the
building and lot. Then a business meet
ing of the church officers was called. The
board of deacons and trustees and the
standing committee of the congregation.
after mature deliberation decided to close
the church and put the property on the
market. Thirteen votes were cast, and of
these only one was against the plan.
"For the present. then, we are ewaiting
the outcome of DR.. Browns illness. If he
regains his health l regard it very prob
able that his people will gather around
him again. But v,e can make no plans
yet. All we can do is to indulge in con-
lectures and hope for the best"
In pursuance of the action taken at the
meeting before mentioned a petition was
filed in court asking for permission to sci
the church property.
At the time when the church building
was erected, in 1870, the locality was con,
sidered most desirable, being then an aris-
tocratic residence section. Latterly. how
ever, business houses have commenced to
spring up about the church, and the char
acter of the vicinity has been considerably
changed. At the same time the value of
the church lot from business standpoint
has vastly increased.
If it can be sold for anything approach
ing the valuations set upon adjoining
freeholds the proceeds of the sale will be
amply sufficient for the purchase of a
much more eligible site and the erection
of magnificent church thereon, leaving
a good balance in the church treasury.
The trustees are quietly looking out for a
good location, and it is thought some def
mite steps will soon be taken.