The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-02-19

papers of December 81, 1885, to have written
as follows:
Mrs. Davidson's statement was not read,
however, the council being thoroughly
familiar with the subject-matter. The
speaker then continued:
A very important branch of the so-called
OveIman incident deals with the alleged Over
man letters, which were published in our
morning papers early in January OF this year.
Ihese letters as they appear there-bald of any
explanation, and in connection with the story
told by Mrs Davidson-must be conceded as
likely 10 Startle the feelings and stimulate the
lmagln ons OF many people, although they
are endowed with every conscientious motive,
and it is not to be wondered that some have
been unable to reconcile the astonishing
though ambiguous statements contained in
these letters with the innocence of the Rev.
DR.. Brown. But a complete refu tation of any
charge or intimation whatsoever con attained in
these letters Is promised, and it is expected on
the part OF Dr.. Brown to convince the world
that Notwithstanding anything contained III
them, he is an innocent man.
The second or so-called Stockton incident ap-
pears in one of the daily pers of January
l, 1896, whore Mrs. Davidson is reported to
have the following statement with reference to
the same:
one day in burst of indignation she told me of
another event in Dr. Browns life which convinced
1t was nothing less than attempted assault on
Mrs. stockton He was caught in the very act,
give up the sum OF 5000.
These matters Immediately became public
property through the medium of the daily
papers, and in the course of their dissemina-
ton throughout the community have gath
cred the usual burden of sensational incidents
and have been the occasion OF countless other
and additional rumors of different and various
kinds, some OF which Will no doubt dissolve
into the thin air whence they came on the con-
clusion and determination OF the alleged main
charge and accusation concerning DR.. Brown.
1ai n pfar yrrir
the pastor OF this church. the Rev. Charles O.
Brown, DID,, has knowingly departed from or
violated any divine law or rule of duty; in other
words has he been guilty OF the sin imputed to
him by these various matters and alleged
charges and rumOrS?
On December 20, 1895, DR.. Brown procured
the arrest of Mrs. Davidson on the charge for
which she is now in custody, and this in the
face OF the positive knowledge clearly and for.
chilly brought to his attention that such
course would bring down upon his head an over
whelming avalanche of counter charges and
accusations OF the character that have actually
come into being and enjoyed lively and
haTaSslng existence since that fateful Cay.
Immediately following the arrest DR.. Brown
made and secured the publication in the San
Francisco papers OF December %, 1895, of
statement.
DR.. Brown also denied that he had ever paid
Mrs. Stockton the sum of 5000 or any sum
whatsoever for the purpose of hushing up the
whatsoever concerning Mrs. Stockton. and
supports his statement by long affidavit OF
George D. Gear to the effect that said Mrs.
Stockton had sought to blackmail Dr. Brown
but that such effort had been unsuccessful
With reference to the payment of the $500
to Mrs. Davidson DR.. Brown claims that he
paid the money for the double purpose of Sc
curing positive and conclusive evidence of
Mrs. Davidson's guilt, and at the same time to
secure the name of the woman for whom Mrs.
Davidson was purporting to act as agent, as is
Indicated by the receipt.
There have been many rumors current in
this community and elsewhere OF so.called
divisions and dissensions within the church.
said to be the result of this unfortunate affair
Therefore / think it only just to say that the
members of this church have in general
merely held to their constitutional rights
Congregationalists we well know do not
think 1t wrong for one to hold and express his
honest opinions and convictions With re-
spect 20 these alleged divisions and dissen-
sions the fact is that opinion and conviction
differed as to the course that ought rightly be
pursued in the matter, and if in the anxiety OF
the hour expressions passed indicative of a
dissenting mood or bitter spirit we should not
fail to consider the ordinary character of hui
man nature and make the proper allowance
for the conduct of our brethren.
1t was natural, and perhaps on that account
not to be mentioned, or deplored tina In the
course of events the small spark first kindled
should have been strongly famed by the
furious treatment which the case has received
from extraneous sources until it reached q
blaze OF considerable proportions, and became
serious menace to the welfare of the church
and its people not, likely to be despised if con-
tlnued for any considerable length of time in
the future, for the conscences and feelings of
Christian people are especially tender and
easily susceptible to such attacks as have been
made upon their faith, so that they are unable
to endure delay and necessarily demand a
speedy clearing away of every imputation of
wrongdoing on the part of one of their num-
Der.
The larger proportion OF the church were
seemingly wiling to permit the case to take
what seemed to be a natural course, although
they were laboring under great distress on &C
count of the virulenee of the charges against
the pastor OF the church They recognized
that the matter was not ordinary one, since
the prime offender was resting in jail on
grave charge OF criminal import; and they
were impressed with the argument that the
rights OF the people OF the entire State de-
manded that no stone be left unturned where
by conviction of this person might rightfully
be had, II it should be fully disclosed that she
was guilty OF the extorton charged against
her. They were willing also that the pastor of
this church should have ample time and OPP
portunity in which to clear himself OF grave
charge or matter OF rnmor, which affected not
alone his immediate reputation and relations
to the people of this church but attacked the
very foundation of his life of usefulness and
service as minister OF the gospel.
Ihere are many others who held conseien-
tlous opinions, and were opposed to any delay,
ana those opinions have the respect OF every
air-minded person. They felt that the church
and the cause of Christianity was being vitality
injured by the delay, and that only an imme-
diate determination OF the matters or rumors
In circulation in the community would con-
duce to the welfare of the church directly
anected, and of every person concerned or In
teTested In the cause OF Christianity.
However, there was one point which ali
seemed to have had in mind, and that point
was reached when this council was called by
vote OF the church, and you gentlemen COM
pose that council called by pastor and people
TO investigate and decide upon matters current
in this community, of very grave and serious
nature.
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