The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-01-09
MISS OVERMAN IS WRITING A STATEMENT.
son will be resumed before Judge Camp.
bell this afternoon at clock.
THE DEACONS CONFER.
They Believe DR.. Brown Innocent
and Will Stand by
Hinn.

After DR.. Brown had received the pTofuSe
congratulation and assurance OF his
parishioners that they regarded him as an
upright and innocent man, the deacons of
the church, who had previously arranged
for the meeting, congregated in the upper
study of their pastor, and locked them
selves in securely from the outer world,
leaving nun Der of anxious and solicilous
friends downstairs waiting to hear the re-
suit Of the conference.
Those who remained in waiting for
what they supposed would be verdict
had to content themselves with looking
up at the light that struggled through the
blinds from the interior. and many Specu-
lations were INDUCED in regarding the
ultimate conclusion of the pillars OF the
Congregational church. The anxious ones
wandered around chatting and drawing
conclusions from the evidence that has
appeared in the daily papers of this City.
Suddenly the light went oct and there
was a general scramble for the side en-
trance, which Mrs. Brown had taken the
precaution TO lock after the main body OF
the participants in the prayer meeting
had filed out previous TO the adjournment
OF the deacons to the rector's study.
In moment the deacons came down
stairs. headed by J. J. Vasconcellos, who
was getting down to the ground floor at
the rate of three steps at time. His face
bore the happiest expression, and Dr.
Brown, who followed him, was beaming
over with contentment. He Immediately
came to Mrs. Browns side, took her arm.
pressed it to his side affectionateiy, aud
left the building before his supporters had
all reached the floor from the staircase.
All of these gentlemen showed by their
bearing that something pleasing had &C.
CURED. and they acted more like holiday
party than body of men holding
session over the scandal that burdens their
minister. 1t is probable that no more con-
tented people ever came from a deacons'
meeting in that house OF worship.
They departed from the church in diff
ferent directions, and all were ebulIient
with JOY.
81 have nothing to say of what &C.
Cured" said Deacon Dexter when APP
preached regarding the result of the meet
ing, land l do not care to discuss it. l
am a good-natured man, and that is the
reason of my apparent happiness. | am
always this way. 1 can't help being good
natured. Yes, it is true that we have great
faith in DR.. Brown, and we will stand by
him to the very last
did the matter of prime interest in the
doctors reputation come up, and were
Mrs. Davidson's charges discussed in any
way?"
No. Not in the slightest. hope you
will excuse me. my good and Christian
brother, l cannot talk to you of this mat
ter. We did nothing. We believe in DR..
Brown. 1 hope you will permit me TO bid
you goodnight" With that Deacon Dex-
ter extended his hand and disappeared
down Mason street.
Deacon Vasconcellos was inclined to be
little more laxative than his associate.
He had gone up to the corner of Post
street with DR.. Brown to chat with the
minister, but was met coming back toward
Market.
I'VE didn't say word about this scan
dal in the meeting. Il does not Justify
any comment. DR.. Brown is prosecuted
and maligned man and the law must take
its course. We can do nothing until the
trial is over
'What will you do then?'
There Will be nothing to do. He will
be proven innocent and he will then proba-
bly, explain the whole matter as he said
tonight in his address at the prayer meet
ing. Not single member of the Congre-
gational church believes him guilty of
these ISLANDERS heaped upon him by bad
people. He is upright and holy, and with
the help OF God and his own strong will
he will prove it."
Did not the deacons express confidence
in him at the meeting tonight"
We have always believed in him and
always will. Did you not see the way all
received him >"
The doctor appears to be in q very
happy frame of mind
Yes, he knows we have faith in him.
and that every member of the church
loves him as righteous man. How ter
rible 1t is to have such vile ISLANDERS put
upon such a conscientious Christian
But he is innocent-he is innocent, and in
time he will rise from the whole affair and
show his goodness"
]. II. Hatch said that the sentiment of
the meeting was TO stand by DR.. Brown.
He said that no action would be taken
relative to an investigation or a church
trial at present
J. II. Barnard would not discuss the
matter at all. The other deacons were
equally reticent.