The herald., 1897-10-30
In the Famous Case of
Rev. DR.. Brown
BAY CONFERENCE WAS RIGHT
IN PASSING ITS SENTENCE or
SUSPENSION
The Bitter Dose Is Sweetened by Ex%
preston Of Hope of an Amicable
Arrangement
Associated Press Special Wire.

Associated Press Special Wire.
CHICAGO, Oct. 29.-Rev. Charles q
Brown, d. D., still stands suspended
from the ministry. The Bay confer
ence was declared today by the mutual
council of the Congregational church to
be justified in it's action in suspending
him.
At the same time, the finding of the
council vindicates him OF the original
serious charge, and urges that the con-
ference and the minister strive to ad-
just their differences. The vital point
Of the finding reads as follows:
1--WE find that, while the Bay confer
ence, in it's action, fell into some irregu-
larities of procedure, we are still led
upon the whole to justify said action Of
the Eiay conference in suspending DR..
c. O. Brown. L. D., on the ground of
charges seriously affecting his ninis-
terial standing
This clause reads: "On the ground
of unministerial conduct" when the
resolution was adopted about midnight
last night. The partial copy of the
resolutions given out today had it so,
but the council then went into execu-
tive session again, and the friends Of
Dr.. Brown-notably DR.. Wallace
fought for a inilder wording. The dis
cussion lasted into the afternoon, and
the change in wording was made.
The verdict is victory for the Bay
conference, with a palliative for DR..
Brown. His position at the present
time is strange one. He is suspended
from the Bay conference on the Pacific
coast. This finding has been justified
by the appellate body. His ministerial
standing is affected Still he may re-
main as pastor Of the Greeen-steet
church, Chicago, as long as the church
cares to have him. He may remain a
member of the Chicago association as
long as the association cares to welcome
him into the fold. No steps were or
dered taken to notify the Chicago asso-
citation of the action today, and it will
remain officially ignorant of it until
somebody cares to bring the matter to
its attention.
DR.. Brown proposes to keep right on
with his work in the Green-street church
until he is forced to drop it, The end
ing of the council opened with long
preamble rehearsing the calling of the
COuhSll, I'D pleiil VI IllCctluS, duO luc
proceedings. Then come the following
findings
One-We find that the result of the
San francisco council declares that the
evidence before it does not sustain the
charge preferred.
| Two-We find that while Bay con-
ference, in it's action, fell into some ir-
regularities of procedure, we are still
| 1a6 the whn1a n iIIcfifv said
tion of the Bay conference in suspending
Rev. c. o. Brown, d. D., on the ground
OF charges seriously affecting his min
| isterial standing.
Three-But we hope and advise that
in view of the excellent ministerial SER
vice of Rev. c. o. Brown and the suffer-
ing endured by him, Bay conference
and Rev. c. o. Brown together, may
find some way of securing relief by
council or otherwise of the disabilities
resting upon him by the action of Bay
conference.
| The charges seriously affecting his
ministerial standing" are those of pay
ment of hush money to Mrs. Davidson,
threatening of witness against him,
and conniving at the absence Of wit
ness.
The findings were read this afternoon
at the New England Congregational
church.
A subcommittee drew up the pre-
amble during the morning, and then the
council went into executive session to
adopt the resolution as whole.
The discussion as to the wording fol-
lowed. When the doors were again
thrown open, DR.. Brown and his prose-
cutors ranged themselves along the
wall, and the assistant moderator, Rev,
Nehemiah Boynton of Detroit. who pre-
sided, spoke. He announced that there
were but three things on the order Of
business, the reading Of the finding.
prayer and adjournment.
Rev. Dan e. Bradley of Grand Rapids.
the scribe, read the findings. Mr.. Boyn-
ton then led the meeting in prayer, and
announced that the conference had dis
| solved.
The aged DR.. Mclean, who is regarded
as DR.. Browns chief adversary, said
that he was satisfied.
| "The verdict was just" said he. 1--WE
will do all in our power to come to an
amicable arrangement and understands
ing with Brother Brown"
|