The San Francisco call., 1898-04-25
THE POLICE
 IN CHURCH Rev. MT. Davis Crea tes a Lively Scene in
 Church. Attempts to Interrupt the Pastor, but Is Soon
 Quieted.
The Sight of a Police Serg cant Causes Mrs. Davis to Go Into a
 SwoOn.

OAKLAND, April 24.-Sergeant Peter son of the police department was called upon during the opening exercises of the Central Christian Church tonight to put out the Rev. Edwards Davis, the former pastor, for raising a disturbance Mrs Davis tainted and a genuine sensation followed. AS soon as his wife recovered sufficiently MT. Davis, his father, moth CT, wife and a half-dozen of his support CTS withdrew.
 The Christian Church has arranged for a trial of the charges of the retired pas tor by representatives of the First Church in this city, two churches in San Fran cisco and the Alameda and Berkeley churches The meetings are to begin to- morrow night, and would have been kept quiet but for MT. Davis actions. This evening early he demanded of MT. Saw yer that a public announcement should be made from the pulpit before the church officers. If it were not, he de- clared that he would make it himself
 MT Sawyer said he would do nothing of the kind that he was paid to run the meeting and it would be run without in- terruption, and if MT. Davis attempted to speak he would have him put out. Mir. Davis replied that there should be six good strong, men to do the ejecting.
 Just before the service, MT. Sawyer
 
 make the announcement of the coming trial They agreed that he should, stat ing that MT. Davis had asked that it be announced When the regular announce ments were made this was included as a request from Mir. Davis. The song was given out, and as the pastor sat down Mir Davis arose and attempted to deny that he had asked for trial. MT. Saw yer insisted that he should not be heard but MT. Davis tried to talk at the same time. Sergeant Peterson, who sat in the
 
 stepped forward at this exciting time and introduced himself. Mrs. Davis tainted and the evangelist saw that he was out witted. He turned his attention to his soon had her out of the hall. When seen on the street. just as he came from the meeting, MT. Davis said:
 II never saw anything so outrageous in my life. When I attempted to defend my self they called in an officer. Of course, could do nothing, for 1 was disturbing a reIigious service an and II, he would. have ago I returned to Oakland after two months evangelistic engagement to de- mand specific statement of the ambiguous charges through the mouthpiece of MT Sawyer. The week passed, and Saturday night 1 received word from said party that an investigation might be had. The officers were not consulted in the matter until later But meanwhile the preacher detective had arranged with an enemy to select my judges.
 ms morning received letter from lady member, asking me to take no action to-day as the investigation should be averted, while she at the same time was visiting the parties to be invited I would not trust the character of my own holy mother in the hands of some she had selected. hereby publicly state that am willing to stand examination before the elders of the Central Christian Church, and to abide the action of the congregation If public announcement is made with that in view. but am not go- ing to be Investigated by a committee ap- pointed by a set of enemies, and be judged by a general assembly to which MT. Sawyer has sent out the investiga- tions. So many of the members of the church have become disgusted with the star-chamber council, that I would not be surprised to have it proved that I had horns and hoofs. The elders of the church have not been present for weeks, Deacons Magill, Griffith, Tate and Me Arthur have all resigned. l will not fight with fragment. It may investigate. But 1t will not investigate me until such a committee shall be arranged by the church and its officers in a proper way"
 The investigation will commence Mon- day night behind closed doors.