The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-01-13
DR.. BROWN breaches.
His Sermon an Apology for Appear
Ing In the Pulpit and Plea for
Suspension of JUDGMENT

Suspension of Judgment.
Rev. DR.. c. o. Brown occupied the pull
pit of the First Congregational Church
yesterday and conducted the services as
heretofore. He utilized his sermon as
combination apology and plea-apology
for appearing in the pulpit under the pc
euliar existing circumstances and plea for
a suspension OF judgment on him until
such time as he or his congregation might
think it advisable to hold an investigation
OF the charges made by Mrs. NJ. A. David
son, the alleged blackmailer.
There was well-filled auditorium, COM
prising large number OF strangers, drawn
thither in evident expectation OF hearing
something bearing on the great scandal
DR.. Brown opened the services by an
nouncing the hymn in u clear, firm voice.
After prayer and another hymn he read
from memorandum various announce
ments of meetings in the church during
the week and then began his sermon
choosing as his text the thirty-irst verse
from the fortieth chapter Of Isaiah as fol-
lows:
But they that wait upon the Lord shall re-
new their strength; they shall mount up with
wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be
weary, and they shall walk and not faint.
All Scripture, he claimed, was based on
the actual experience of mankind II
want you TO follow me in the philosophy
OF the text l have chosen" he said. I'VE
are to wait upon the Lord in the time of
our trials, not necessarily in idleness. But
sometimes 1t may mean Just that. When
you come to see you are surrounded with
evil 1t is not for you to rebel. You need
not try TO build a bridge when, ike the
Israelites OF old, you come TO a Red Sea-
W All There IN
all our lives that compare with that Red
Sea. There are more camps of the Egyp-
tlans than those that were overwhelmed
in the Red Sea.
Such trials are for divine purpose All
one can do is to wait after one has done
They that wait shall renew their
strength:
He then cited Joseph and the "vile
charges" that were brought against him,
and his subsequent victory and triumph
over his enemies. David, Ahab, Paul and
Daniel were referred to as having had sim
liar experiences, as having borne their
troubles with courage, fortitude and pa
thence, and endeavoring during the period
they were under q cloud to do good to their
fellow men. He continued:
These men had not rebelled against God
! They continued in patience and silence. They
| recognized these things were of divine crea-
ton, and they waited and renewed their
strength and in Gods time their bonds broke
and they came forth triumphant.
Darkness is upon the deep, but the ship has
not gone down. Keep your hand upon the
helm. We are TO walt upon the Almighty and
wait with prayers.
At every stage of the journey of life there are
pitfalls and there is many a victory in pa
Hence. Iqulte agree with Mrs Browning, who
in one OF her great poems says: al work with
patience, which is always power"
Other great examples of the exercise of
patience and subsequent great victories
were then cited, his closing words being
They that wait upon the Lord shall re-
new their strength"
When the pastor left the pulpit at the
close OF the services many OF the cOngrega-
ton came forward to greet him, and thus
tactfully express their confidence in him
ladies' and gentlemen alike. But in the
faces and manners of most could be dis
covered that excess of cordiality that ind-
Gated the unuttered but oppressive sense
OF something to be ignored. This over
done genlality was particularly noticeable
in the pastor himself
One of the male mem bers of the congre-
CATION was inclined to be too sparing of
the pastors power of fortitude and failed
to rest his eyes full upon the clergyman's
face. But the quick perception and adroit
tact OF the doctor did not fail him. despite
the group of ladies and gentlemen who
surrounded him. Look me SQuarelv in
the eyes he distinctly and quite dramat-
ically admonished his diffident friend
and the latter did so.
An attempt was made to interview the
Goctor after his greetings were over, but
he fed into his study, remarking that he
was under orders not to talk for publica-
ton. 1t was desired to ask him if he had
determined to ask for an investigation,
and If SO when it was to take place. Sew
eral of the prominent members of his con-
gregation have signifed their determine
ton to ask for an investigation should the
pastor not anticipate them, and in Justice
to the reverend gentleman it was deemed
proper under the circumstances to give
him the opportunity of announcing to the
public his proposed course in the matter.
He was found again later in the ante
room to the Sundav-school room, but be-
fore any question could be put to him he
dashed into group of ladies, and, not de-
string to unnecessarily embarrass the
preacher by asking pointed questions in
the presence of his lady parishioners, the
interviewer discreetlv desisted.