The herald., 1896-01-27
Should They be Seen in a Min
ister's Study
WHAT LOCAL DIVINES SAY
Rev. Burt Estes Howard Avoids All
Difficulty Very Easily
Rev. DIR. ncLean Never Receives Any Wis.,
itor at His Study-What Other Promi-
nent City Divines Say


of San Francisco, in connection with Mrs.
Davidson and her alleged attempts to
blackmail him, have had the effect OF
causing great many ministers of the gos-
pei, and those on the Pacific slope particu-
larly, to stop and think. Of course 1t is
not the desire to convey the impression
that ministers never stop to think, but DR..
Browns experience with one of his female
parishioners, who called upon him at his
study to secure spiritual comfort and con-
ISOLATION, and the resultant Developments
of the spiritual comfort and consolation
administered by the doctor on various oc-
casions in his study have been good grounds
to furnish the leaders of the Christian
tlocks of the Pacific coast with ample food
for reflection.
Many minister has stopped to ask him
self, ''1s it advisable to see female parish
ionsrs, or visitors of the fair sex who may
apply to me for spiritual comfort and con-
ISOLATION in the study of the church unless a
third party is present."
This peculiar case that has startled all
DIR. Brown had had q third party present
when he consoled with the fair Mi ss Over
man in his study.
A number Of local divines were inter-
viewed yesterday, and the question was
directly asked them it they considered it
safe to hold these spiritual conferences OF
two in the studies of their churches. The
ministerial answers given to the question
are both interesting and varied. Different
ministers look upon the matter in differ
ent ways and no two of them view the
question in the same light, for instance:
The Rev. Bert Estes Howard, who is the
pastor of one of the most fashionable
churches in the city-the First Presbyter-
ian-said: II have never had any experi-
do expect to. have avoided all compli-
cations of that character by maintaining
my study at my residence and never hav-
ing it in the church as is universally the
custom in California. In this way all
trouble is avoided. Any one calling for
me is compelled to ring the doorbell and
my wife answers it. / am saved great
one who desires to see me is. of course, ac-
corded an interview, unless he be book
agent. He is barred.
"Rev. DR.. James Eels, who was my pro-
professor in the theological seminary. and
whose advice l have always followed, fire.
quently said to our class: Young gentle
men, never have your stndy in your
church, That advice I found was most
sound, and in my opinion it would be wise
for every minister of the gospel to follow
it.''
Rev. C. C. McLain, D. D., minister Of
Simpson tabernacle, is one of the most en-
inent divines of the Methodist persuasion
in the west. His opinion upon all subjects
is eagerly sought after and has great
weight. DIR. McLain, when seen yesterday
afternoon by HERALD reporter at his resi-
dence, gave the following interesting state
ment in answer to questions asked him:
"Believing that minister OF the Gospel
cannot be too prudent. never receive any
caller in my church study, but all who de
sire to see me are made welcome at my
home at the regular hours named.
"There I converse with them privately
If they prefer or in the presence of wit
nesses as may deemed advisable.
II can see how minister could very in
nocently have lady call upon him in his
study at the church or elsewhere, but the
rule of my life has been in order to prevent
interruptions as we'll as be prudent not
to answer the summons at my study
door. l make this known Immediately
when 1 become the pastor of a new
charge, and insist upon not being inter
rupted when in my study. unless it be a
call of extreme Importance, and even then
some member of my family or the janitor
of the church will notify me, and then
take care that such a conference is pub
lic."
Rev. Daniel Reed, u. D., pastor of the
First Baptist church, is one of the most
elderly divines in the city. Dr. Reed has a
pleasant way of answering every question
put to him in an open and straight forward
manner without any attempts at evasion.
Yesteida afternoon he was seen, and
when asked as to what he thought about
receiving female parishioners or visitors
who applied to him for comfort, consoIa-
tion or advice in his study without the
presence of third party, he said:
"Through more than forty yeers of min
isterial service my habit has been to re-
ceive all who have called and to go to all
places where my service as minister has
been requested, and God has mercifuIly
kept me from temptation and my reputa-
ton from harm. trust him still and re-
ceive all who call at my study in the
church. Recent developments in San
Francisco make no difference with mo.
trust Gods promise My grace is sufficient
for thee.'"
Rev. j. j. N. Kennedy, pastor of Trinity
M. E. church, south, when called upon by a
Herald representative and asked the same
questions as we're put to his brother di-
vines, spoke as follows:
had visit from lady in my study, hav-
ing always received them at the parsonage,
and may add with due justice that in all
that time, I have never had a lady iii my
congregation who cared to call elsewhere
than at the parsonage. l see no reason for
changing the course have pursued during
the past years in consequence OF any dis
closures in the Davidson-Brown imbroglio
at San Francisco.
pEPGONAIS