The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-05-22
STARVED WHILE At
The SEMINARY
Probationer Brasefield Told
by God to, Oppose the
Presbytery.
An Active Young Preacher DE-.
clares His Position Without
Mincing Words.
His Congregation Wants Him Or.
dainei, but There Are Pastors
Who @ jet
OAKLAND OFFICE SAN FRANCISCO CALI
9O8 Broadway. Nav 81.


908 Broadway. May 81.
H. D. Brase6eid. pastor of the Union
street PresDy Church. has thorny
path ahead OF him. The story Of his con-
fiict with Mo ierator Perry regarding his
acceptance by the presbytery, published
in The CALL, created great interest and
will be finally decid ed in the fall.
Mr.. Brasetield took the church when it
was partially disorganized and split into
factions. He was allowed to preach there
by the presbytery, upon the understand
ing that he would complete his theologi-
cal training. He has given great salts
faction and his congregation is anxious to
have him become their permanent and
fully ordained pastor.
At the meeting Of the presbyt terry many
objections were made to his ordination
because he had not complied with the
Presbyterian polity. Mr.. Brasefield
caused the moderator much uneasi ness
last night when in defending his position
he said: According to the general opin-
ion. one would suppose that instead OF be-
ing a candidate for ordination / was one
for San Quentin" This evoked a vigorous
protest, but the young minister was per-
mitted to proceed. He told of how he
had applied at a previous presby terial
meeting for a license, and how he had
been permitted TO preach at that time.
He continued: II have found out that to
talk with man is mistake, so talked to
God. Against my conscience L had to
take into my head and heart while at the
seminary things that did not help me to
save souls but that caused me to doubt my
Bible. One day in February | spent in
- Of IN h0Iyy
spirit not TO be had in any seminary. l
asked God then If should remain longer
at the seminary and he clearly told
me no. | had 10 leave the seminary
owing to Improperly cooked food secured
at the Cooperative Club at IL cents day.
l came over here and got food that would
sustain life and yesterday l rode ten
miles on my wheel in forty.five minutes,
and with proper food l can work ski cen
hours day with any mau. l returned to
the seminary and told the faculty plainly
that must have certain food il l was TO
keep up my strength. They placed me OH
the sick list, but / was not sick but lacked
proper food to nourish me. When l went
before this presbytery for examination |
did not make any arrangements as some
know of, to have some brother get up after
a few questions had been asked and move
that be passed; but l stood ready, and
do now. to answer your qestlons for six
hours ii you see tit.
II have found that it IL better to trust in
God than put my faith in men, even OF
men in this presbyiery. l may have
violated some law of the church, but the
president of the seminary said that had l
requested / should have been excused
from the examination. Whatever this
presbyterv may finally do | stand before
it and God and know that have his COM
mendation though l may have your con-
domination. l have never moved to break a
10 and have done everything above board.
have awaited before God and have been
led by his voice. am nothing, as have
given myself entirely to God to De used as
he sees fit.
II am ready to take the exam ination for
the full three-year course, or even the
four-year, If necessary, and ask nothing
except what the examination may show /
am entitled to. / am ready to stand by
the result. In law q student Is never
questioned as to the time he has studied,
but is passed on an examination of what
he knows. The presby terry will surely con-
slider the heart of the man. am ready to
be examined"
The Union-street Church is heartily in
favor of having Mr.. BrAse6eld fully Or
dained for it's pastor. They say he has
built it up financially and spiritually, has
la bored faithfully and has accomplished
much work. They have informed the
presbytery that if his ordination is refused
the church will be ruined. II is under
stood that Rev. Dr. Coyle and Rev. s. S.
Palmer are heartily in accord with Mr..
Brasefield, and so it hrs been considered
adv:sa Bile to lay the matter over for few
months.