The San Francisco call., 1896-05-11
BAY CONFERENCE SCORED
Captain Jennings Pamphlet At
tacks DR.. Browns
Enemies.
CoARsENEss" OF THE COUNCIL
The Deposed Pastor Declines to Preach
at the Methodist Church
Yesterday.

DR.. Brown did not preach at the Cali
fornia-street Methodist Church yesterday.
At the last mouent it was given out that
he was not mentally able to undergo the
excitement incident to such an important
event. All the pastors friends were
present, however, in anticipation of
their favored leaders appearance in the
pulpit DR.. and Mrs. Brown came early,
occupying seats near the rear of the
church.
The regular pastor, Rev. DR.. Goodwin,
preached from First Corinthians, thirteenth
chapter, twelfth verse, "For now We see
through a glass darkly.''
The speaker said if there was a future
state, another world, it was natural and
proper to discuss our relations to that
state or world and to each other there.
He then gave some reasons for the
heavenly recognition and personal fellow
ship in the next world. Relative to the
relationship there, the speaker said there
was nothing earthly or sensual in it. There
were no births or deaths, no husbands and
no wives in an earthly sense. All con6i-
tions which could create jealousy or envy
or strife must end here. He declared that
love for parents, children, brothers, sis
ters or friends would continue in an inten-
sified form.
After the sermon Browns friends gath
cred around their ailing idol, offering SYM
pathy and support. DR.. Goodwin passed
among them practically unobserved.
When the hand-shaking was at its very
height Captain Jennings, one of Browns
followers. handed around scurrilous
pamphlet addressed to the members of the
First Congregational Church and signed
by" Member" Later Captain Jennings
admitted that he was the author of the
sheet, and that DR.. Brown was in no sense
responsible for its birth. Captain Jen-
nlngs' effort is In part as follows:
To the Members of the First Congregational
Church and Others: The question of the guilt
or orinnoeence Of the pastor of a church has been
adjourned over by his resignation, from his
few friends within, to the consideration of
larger number without. There is also a large
number OF people in the world of good and
honest hearts waiting for a more definite re-
suit OF the matter. While they do not enjoy
that spiritual enfranchisement called con-
version, they yet extend a friendly aid TO
religion and its visible objects and hope to en-
JOY Its spiritual rewards
The united prayers of Christians with the
honest desire OF those in the world have
marvellous power with God especially where
the honor OF his ministering servants is con-
cerned. Let US have the courage to ask in a
proper spirit for full exposure of any guilty
one. and God. who is just, viii also confirm the
complete innocence OF the guiltless. The max
ing of this request is justified by the action of
the Bay Conference. Prove your innocence or
stop preaching, was their command. 1t is
hopeless to ask from body manifesting such
a summary spirit such consideration OF the
subject as IL requires.
Considering the situation, the rising genera
tion will feel grateful TO the accused, whatever
may be the result of future disclosures, for his
action IN the matter. Without unseemly def
ance, but as OF one conscious of having done
no wrong, with dignity and meekness re-
sumed the Work SO dear to his heart of preach
ing the unsearchable riches of Christ Many
away comforted and edited. Do men ga ther
grapes of thorns or figs OF thistles? With
few members within the denominational
lines and vast body of generous and impair
tlal minds without, we have Drs. Case, Ollie,
Goodwin and others who have already ex-
pressed their warm desires and OF their people
10 God, and their names are dear to every one
that is above the union of church and state in
the fact that they were his associates in de-
manding historical truth in the public schools.
Inc lines OF llylng, moving men do not lead
them always beside green pastures and still
waters. AS they have incurred the hatred of
that great secret power behind the throne, so
they must be ready for his attacks
An INSCRIPTIONS journal is secured. Its
emissaries invade the places made sacred by
prayer and Christian communion. Complaints
are enlarged, conspiracies encouraged and as
occasion offers the infirmites of all held up for
the amusement of the public. In an assembly
Of delicacy and refinement a chilling blast is
thrown over all by the known presence of q
deadly foe. Where all are united and see that
the feelings of their brethern are hurt in this
covert manner there is a remedy-it is force;
where faction has been developed there is
none. Ii the truth should be told, it is so dis
torted that, like loud-mouthed blessing, it
brings but curse. Fully 80 per cent of our
trou bles can be traced to this source. When
once any number of the community resort to
such allies TO gain an end, Christian manhood
and union depart. In such q case it is hope
less, without saving clause in its constitution
for discipline.
We are indebted to the coarseness of the
council in holding an open session without
any warrant therefor in the New Testament.
II we are forbidden to expose needlessly the
infirmi tiles of On individual, how much more
those of a community of the church of Christ
The plea was that justice might be done. Did
they draw inspiration from the lobby that
came not to see justice done? but to see a min
lister disgraced? The effect was to hinder the
course of justice, for its friends were never so
aggressive as its enemies. 1t hurt the feelings
of those of all denominations and others that
are friendly to religion, and furnished amuse-
ment and scorn for its enemies. Whatever
suffering they have caused they will also reap
in this short life.
Our Lord will resent such an infiction on
the tender sensibilities OF his friends as unto
himself. The prohibition is In the spirit of the
New Testament and the apostles affirm IL is as
far as possible between brethren in secular
matters. If 1t should cause the religious world
at large to put Its lace against the practice,
some good will have been accomplished. It
also developed incompetence in arraying mem
bers of the same church one against the other
as witnesses in the presence of both factions,
producing feuds not possible 70 allay The re-
suit is pastor with shattered health and
church nearly equally divided in two fac
tions. This is well, since the quality of their
principles and lines OF their methods are so
strongly marked. The victors bowling to the
mandate Of the Bay Conference and following
leader who has created disunion and sorrow
wherever she has made permanent abode.
Accepting in behalf of her followers without
word of protest the vilest assistance brought to
her aid with whom creeds are distractions
and suspicion is belief. Over the doors OF that
monument of ambition with its chamber OF
horrors is left this inscription, Eye who enter
these walls leave reputation behind, for it is
worthless here"
The employment of two journals with their
accepted methods throw discredit upon any
Individual or community; one of great power
and enterprise, the other with less ability but
venomous Both destroying the peace of a re-
hglons community, under the specious plea OF
purifying Its morals. Business men of this
CITY, familiar with the rise of the more promi-
nent one, can best answer that at some future
tlme when they can cease 10 speak of IL with
Dated breath. The Endorsement of such meth
ods Dy any religious community brings pun
lshment Tor itself. At the same time IL gives