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HOAVAr.I) STREET M. E. CHURCH.
"The Retrospect,"
A GLANCE
THIRTY YEARS OF THE HISTORY
OF
HOWARD STREET
MetfiQdist EpisGQpal Gfiarch,
OF SAN FRANCISCO.
Published by the Official Board WITHDRAWN
,^^ From the Family
History Library
A. BUSWELL & CO., PRINTERS AND BINDERS
vSan Francisco,
1883.
'/
FAMILY HISTORY LIBRARY V^
35 iNiORTH WEST TEMPLE-
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH 84150'
DATE MICROFILMED
OCT 4 1835 /
ITEM #_4
PROJECT and G. S.
ROLL # CALL # i^
Wi
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PRESIDENT- BOARD OF TRUSTEES
V^^/f",
ORIGINAL MEMBERS.
The following names appe
or oro-anizlno' members of the Church :
ir as original
M. E. Willing.
Seneca Jones.
Elizabeth Jones.
Wm. H. Codington
Clayton Tweed.
John Johnson.
Eliza J. Johnson.
Elizabeth Winters.
John Winters.
John Sims.
Elizabeth Christy.
T. H.
Horace Hoag.
James Christy.
Charles Merriman.
John Payne.
Wm. Hatzel.
Jas. W. Whiting.
Anne Whiting.
Ellen Freeborn.
Jndah Alden.
Samuel Perkins.
T. G. Merrill.
Hickey.
OFFICERS.
The following Is a chronological list of
official members from the organization to
the Dresent time :
TRUSTEES.
R. p. Spire.
Henry Read.
D. L. Ross.
J. B. Bond.
Wm. Phillips.
Horace Hoag.
J. E. Whitcher.
Seneca Jones.
Franklin Kinsman.
John C. Ayres.
John Paine.
Edward L. Smith.
Charles Merriman.
Wm. H. Codington,
Edward R. Samis.
L. S. Ely.
Robert Stitt.
Fred. A. Beardsley.
D. 0.
Edward McLean.
Chas. Goodall.
Henry Thomas.
J. W. Whiting.
D. S. Howard.
Samuel Hancock.
James Harlow.
Wm. H. Gawley.
Robt. McElroy.
R. G. Byxbee.
W. H. Howland.
John Curry.
S. S. Si^rague.
H. H. Noble.
Sam'l Mosgrove.
J. F. Byxbee.
John M. Buffington.
Andrew Nelson.
Sliattuck.
OFFICE KS.
STEWARDS.
M. E. Willing.
Seneca Jones.
James Christie.
Horace Hoag.
W. H. Codington.
John Paine.
Chas. Merriman.
Simeon Jenkins.
John C. Ayres.
E. L. Smith.
F. A. Beardsley.
D. B. Finch
Edward McLean.
M. C. Dodge.
Felix Sanchez.
Henry Thomas.
Chas. Goodall.
S S Sprague
H G. Blasdell.
D. S. Howard.
J. F. Byxbee.
Ames Arnold.
John A. Carter.
J. M. Buffington.
Wm. Bartling.
Joseph Knowland.
H. H. Noble.
W. F. Kellett.
E. L.
C. C. Lombard.
Sam'l Mosgrove.
J. J. Applegate.
Chas. Lenoir.
Andrew Nelson.
Daniel Grant.
Thomas Penlington.
J. R. Merrill.
Wm. Perkins.
J. B. Firth.
J. W. Duncan.
G. S. Keys.
Wm. Harover.
Geo. B Adair.
F. A. Nickerson.
Chas A. Sankey.
Geo. Penlington.
W. H. Porter.
T. O. Lewis.
J. W. H. Campbell.
Andrew Wilson.
Robert Gemmell.
Chas. Jones.
J. K. Jones.
Chas. B. Perkins.
Frederick Peterson.
J. C. Smith.
J. G. Whittington.
Barber.
OFFICERS.
CLA88 LEADERS.
Chas. Merriiiian.
Thos. Welch.
Robert Stitt.
Robt. McElroj .
Henry Thomas.
A. F. Hitchcock.
John Arnold.
James F. Smith.
D. S. Howard.
Saiii'l McHenry.
W. H. Codington.
H. Perkins.
J. W. Whiting.
Francis Mitchell.
E. L. Smith.
J. W. Bluett.
Chas.
Daniel Grant.
Edwin Cutting.
J. J. Applegate.
Mrs. E. Cutting.
Mrs E Firth.
Seneca Jones.
J. M. BufRngton
C. J. Moyes.
J. A. Bergner.
P. C. Miller.
Ezra Smith.
Mrs. T. O. Lewis.
E. V.Hull.
Alex. Head.
Henry Large.
K. W. Gress.
Jones.
PRESENT MEMBERS.
The folluwlnu" is? the list of ineinbci's at
the present time :
Appelgate, J. J.
Appelgate, Annie S.
Aclieson, Betsey
Anglein, Rebecca
Adair, Geo. B.
Adair, Mattie E.
Armstrong, Matilda
Allen, Charlotte
Anderson, Aurora
Allison, H. H.
Akeson, Annie
Allen, Maggie
Allen, Mary W.
Atthouse, Sarah J.
Ambrose, William
Ayers, Lottie
Bixby, John F.
Bixby, Maggie
Bixby, Edward M.
Biggs, Mehetable
Bartlett, Eliza
Bartlett, Eliza
Bartlett, Bertie
Balcom, Lydia A.
Bordwell, Helen
Bergland, Hans
Bergland, Annie C.
Blanchard, Candace
Bretteville, Harrison
Burleigh, Robertson
Burleigh, Margaret J.
Burleigh, Edward
Bergner, Annie
Black, Sara A.
Black, Hettie
Brow^n, Mrs. Bessie
Brown, Emma
Brown, Bessie
Brown, Harriet
Boyle, Nettie M.
Bell, Mary
Batchelder, T. N.
Batchelder, Mrs. T. N.
Batchelder, Clara Bell
Bowman, Mary E.
Bowman, Emma
Beach, Emma
Barker, Grace
Brundage, Mrs.
Bower, Adah
Bunyan, Edward T.
Buckman, Frank W.
Buckman, Nettie C.
Benzon, Fisher Xin
Boucher, Fannie
Beriy, Mary F.
Bell, Lucy Jane
Cady, Sophia
Campbell, J. W. H.
Campbell, Emily
10
PRESENT MEMBERS.
Curry, Juhii
Curry, Margaret
Cady, Mary C.
Came, Thos. W.
Caiiie, John
Cordey, John
Cordey, Mrs. J.
Cnnnnings, W. F.
Cannon, Mrs. J. 8.
Cook, F. C.
Cook, Mrs. M. N.
Cox, H. (D. D.)
Cox, Philip K.
Cox, Sarah
Cornell, Eliza
Cornell, Miss E. M.
Conley, Agnes
Cowan, Stephen
Chatfield, Sarah
Crall, H. J.
Crane, Frederick
Cease, Lodenia
Callow, Chas. W.
Caley, Robert
Cooke, James B.
Cloud, Andrew J.
Cloud, Mrs. A. C.
ClufF, Idarene
Darling, Richard
Dawson, George
Davis, Thos. B.
Donaldson, W. G.
Davy, Mariali S.
Dawson, J. W.
Draper, Emerson H.
Davis, VVm.
Draper, John H.
Dewitt, Sarah A.
Derosier, Charles
Dowd, Mrs. A. A.
Dawe, Annie N.
Dunnigan, W. G.
Damrell, Sarah
Donellon, B. C.
Donellon, A.
Davey, Mrs. Emma
Emory, Rebecca
Elford, Henrietta
Firth, J. B.
Firth, Eliza
Filebrown, Mrs. A. B.
Foster, Emily
Filben, Thos. (Rev.)
Ferguson, Thos.
Ferguson, Alice
Foss, H. M. B.
Fredericks, Emma
Friend, Elizabeth
Fay, Nellie
Goodall, Charles
Goodall, Serena
Gardner, Mrs. I. G.
Goodall, Rosa
Gordon, Annie
Good, Mrs. I. B.
Girvin, Hannah
Gress, K. Wellington
Graves, Sarah H.
Gliddon, Georgie
Grover, Thomas
Grey, James M.
Guthrie, H. William
Gardiner, Thos
Hancock, Samuel
Hancock, Mrs. E.
Hancock, Robert
Rowland, Mrs. E.
Rowland, Lucinda
Hessel, Mrs. G.
Hess, A. J.
Hanson, Elizabeth A,
Rare, Amelia
Hare, Emma
Hall, Sarah N.
PRESENT MEMBERS.
11
Heath, Eugenia
Hast}^, Minnie
Harris, Wm. J.
Harris, Emma Birdella
Harris, Clyde
Harris, Matthew
Harris, Jeannette
Hawver, William
Head, Elizabeth
Head, Louise E.
Head, Fred.
Head, Jeannie
Hoffaker, Sarah E.
Haylard, Peter
Hichens, Ellen
Haughton, Mary
Inman, William
Jantzen, Frederick
Jantzen, Caroline
Jantzen, Fred. J.
Jantzen, Wm.
Jantzen, Carrie
Jantzen, Dora F. C.
Jones, Seneca
Jones, Elizabeth
Jones, Joseph K.
Jones, Kate
Jones, Sallie
Jones, Charles
Jones, Emma
Jones, Chas. J.
Jones, Mary S.
Jones, Laura
Jones, John
Jones, Mary
Jones, Margaret
Jones, Kate
Jones, Eliza
Jones, Delilah
Jones, Annie
Jones, Tillie
Johnson, Elizabeth
Johnson, John
Johnson, Miss E,
Jocelyn, Mrs.
Jewell, Lottie B.
Jewell, Addie J.
Kinsman, Franklin
Kinsman, Eliza
Keys, Mary M.
Kennet, Wm.
Kennet, Sarah J,
Keys, Alice
King, Margaret
King, Margaret S.
Koster, John E.
Kanouse, Carrie
Koopman, Catherine
Kline, Elizabeth
Kline, Julia
Kentfield, Mrs. J.
Lindsay, Fulton
Lamb, Marietta
Lattimer, George
Lattimer, Sarah
Lattimer, Willie
Lattimer, George
Luders, Joseph
Lesley, William
Landis, Amanda
Lautermilch, Mrs. M. H.
Latham, Joseph
Latham, Mary
Lawrence, Mrs.
Large, Henry
Large, Mary J.
Linn, Mrs. M.
Lane, Mrs. Mary
Lane, Lizzie
Lubeck, Hattie
Lyons, Catherine A.
Lowel Emma J.
Lowrey, Amanda
Lowrey, Delilah A.
12
PRESENT MEMBEIJ
McElroy, Robt. (Rev/
McElroy, Amanda R.
Merrill, John R.
Merrill, Lucy B.
Miller, Peter C.
Miller, Mrs. P. C.
Miller, Jennie
Mackin, Mrs. A. M.
Minturn, Elizabeth
McFaden, David
McFaden, Eliza
McFaden, Efhe
Mitchell, Francis
Mitchell, James H.
Mitchell, Laura
Mitchell, May
Markley, Rosaline
Macomber, James
Moyes, Chas. J.
Mills, Mrs. H. B.
Mealey, George
McGladery, Miss
.Moore, James R.
Morritt, Mrs. W.
Mincher, Isaac
Mincher, Mrs. I.
Mayhew, Ida
McGuire, Alice
Maulfair, Mary A.
Miller, H. W.
Marvin, Stej^hen B.
Morrow. Lizzie
McDonald, Neil T.
McDonald , Elizabeth
Melvin, Sophie
Maclay, Sarah A.
Noble, H. H.
Nelson, Andrew
Nelson, Elizabeth
Nelson, Emily
Nelson, Sarah
Nickerson, F. A.
Nickerson, Eliza
Nickerson, Agnes
Notley, Maria
N orris, Richard
Over, Andrew
Osgood, Charles
Ovens, William
Ovens, Margaret Jessie
O'Meara, Annie
Oyler, John W.
Peterson, Frederick
Peterson, Hannah F.
Perkins, William
Perkins, L^-dia
Perkins, Chas. B.
Perkins, Clara F.
Perkins, William F.
Perkins, Annie
Porter, Wm. H.
Porter, Margaret C.
Percy, Jane
Peacock, Amos
Peacock, Alzurah
Page, Deljjhine
Palmer, W. F.
Perry, Lois Acelia
Perry, Herman F
Pengelly, Richard
Pengelly, Lizzie
Priest, Alice M.
Philp, John
Pliilp, Annie S.
Pawning, Carrie
Patterson, Mary
Reynolds, Alice
Reynolds, Mary W^.
Rice, Mrs. A. W.
Reagan, John
Reagan, Aurelia
Reagan, Theresa
Roberts, Aggie A.
Rotrers, Bella A.
PIIESENT MEMBERS.
U
Richardson, Judith
Robertson, Archibald
Robertson, Mrs. A.
Robertson, Thos. J.
Robertson, Edith
Rovve, Katie
Rowe, Hattie
Rowe, Jennie B.
Reagan, Lillie
Riley, John F.
Stitt, Robert
Stitt, Joanna C.
Stitt, John H.
Stitt, Robert J.
Stitt, Annie
Smith, E. L.
Smith, Huldah G.
Sankey, Jeremiah
Sankey, Katie
Stringer, Ida
Salisbury, Mary F.
Scherer,' Eliza M.
Scherer, Mary
Stuart, Susan B.
Stuart, Frankie B.
Smith, Geo. W.
Smith, T. B.
Smith, Marian
Smith, Jeremiah
Smith, J. C.
Smith, Mrs. J. C.
Scott, Margaret
Scott, Belle
Simpson, Mrs. Abbie L.
Stuart, John
Shaw, Dillie
Snyder, Mrs. E. L.
Stayton, Sarah
Stodart, Mrs. S. A.
Silva, Julia
Stein, J. E. D.
Stein. Flora
Smith, Elvira R.
Sliields, Oscar W.
Smith, Stephen
Sephton, Henry
Sephton, A^ictoria
Shillcock, Hester
Showers, Andrew
Sinkinson, Elizabeth
Shepard, Matilda
Santee, Levi
Santee, Ina
Stoner, F. J.
Smith, Mary H.
Schultze, Julia
Spragae, Abbie F.
Smith, Mary
Townsend, Sarah
Thomas, Henry
Thomas, Mary A.
Tucker, Henrietta S.
Thompson, Martha
Turnbull, Maria C.
Terschuran, Mrs. M. J.
Taggart, Mrs. Clayton
Thompson, Annie R.
Telyea, Joseph
Telyea, Martha
Thornton, Richard
Tarpley, Lindsey B.
Tarpley, Mrs. S. C.
Tillson, Wm. H.
Tayhn-, Mabel
Tinnin, Belle
Teague, William
Vaughn, Harmon B.
Vaughn, Sophia
Whiting, James W.
Whiting, Annie
Whittington, John
AVhittington, Margaret
Whittington, John C.
Warburton, Mrs. M.
14
PRESENT ME3IBER8.
Walker, M)s. Jane
Williams, Mrs. H. E.
Williams, John A.
Williams, Sallie F.
Williams, John W.
Williams, Jane E.
Williams, Geo. A.
Williams, Mrs. G. A.
Williams, Mrs. J. F.
Williams, Nellie
Wilson. Andrew
Wilson; J. W. R.
Walker, W. H.
Winn, C. C.
Winn, Mrs. H. S.
Whittaker, Wm.
Whittaker, Nellie
Whittaker, Lottie
Wagner, Harr
Walkington, Eliza
Walkington, Estelle M.
Waddell, Robert
Watson, Jane
White, Lizzie
Worth, Nellie M.
Worth, Capt.
J. M. BUFFINGTON.
INTRODUCTION.
WilEX \vc resolved to observe a day of
thanksgiving for emancipation from the
tliralldom of a debt which had merciless-
ly goaded ns on in interest-paying until
its inflictions had become well nigh unbear-
able, we had no i)urpose of issuing a me-
morial volume, such as we now present to
our friends and the members of the church.
It was while we were in the midst of our
rejoicings, that a former pastor, who had a
part assigned him in the programme, sug-
gested that the '^ Milestone " [)aper fur-
nished by Robert. McElroy should be
embalmed in tlie ''art immortal," and giv-
en to all the church members. The idea
found favor with all who heard it, and it
was then and there resolved to print the
paper referred to in pamphlet form. Sub-
sequently a committee was chosen by the
official board to carry forwartl the pro|)osi-
tion, and the material which asked and
merited a place in the pamphlet began to
accumulate until it was far too formidable
16 INTllODUCriON.
for the form proposed, and the book form
was agreed ii[)on. Subsequent action by
the Quarterly Confei'eiice provided for its
[)ublication, and gave tlie committee full
power in the matter. A Conference His-
torical Society, which has for years been
pleading with the churches to furnish
sketches of history and incident, will rec-
oo-nize this as in keeninii' with its designs
and desires; and we assay this hundjle
effort with the hope that others of our
churches which organized early will fol-
low in some way that will furnish the
archives of the Society with the material it
seeks.
The services which called out the princi-
pal article contained in this little volume
were held in the church August 12tli, 1883,
and consisted of a Love-Feast service at
9.30 A. M., led by the llev. S. D. Simonds,
one of the earliest pastors ; a Milestone
service at 11 a. m., at which time Robert
McElroy furnished the address referred to
above, and which appears first in the series
of articles ; and an evening service of short
addresses by the former pastors [)resent.
Of the church decorations for the occa-
sion, a reporter of one of the city papers
says the interior of the edifice presented a
INTRODUCTION. 17
beautiful but chaste appearance. The base
of the reading-desk was enveloped with a
profusion of ferns, smilax, and flowers. On
the top of tlie reading-desk, In front of the
Bible, was a unique, gold-gilted vase of
fuchsias. On eacli side of the pulpit was
a slender tripod, adorned with variegated
flowers ; in niclies each side, in rear of
the pulpit, were exliibited deciduous green-
house shrubs. Immediately over tlie cen-
ter of the rostrum, suspended in front of
tlie organ gallery, was a beautiful life-
size, gold-mounted portrait of the Rev. J.
D. Blain, who was instrumental in the
erection of this church. The librarians of
the Sunday-school are credited witli the ar-
tistic taste revealed in the decorations. And
adds, only four members are to-day con-
nected with the cliurch that were members
when tlie churcii was erected in 1851.
Seated on the platform were the lie v. Di".
H. Cox, Rev. S. D. Simonds, Rev. J. A.
Bruner of Cliico, Rev. AV. S. Urmy of
Modesto, Rev. D. A. Dryden, Rev. Dr. F.
F. Jewell, the present })astor ; being the
only pastors alive (but one) of the four-
teen which have held the pastorate of this
church since its organization.
After the general opening. Dr. Jewell
18 INTRODUCTION.
s])oke feelingly of a number of congratula-
tory notes which he had been the recipient
of from sister churches, and more especial-
ly of one received from Brother Dille, pas-
tor of the Central M. E. Church. He deep-
ly regretted the absence of Dr. Briggs, late
pastor of this church, who was to have de-
livered a brief address, but unfortunately
his ministerial duties detained him. Kev.
D. A. Dry den compared the life of a
church to that of a child — its birth, pro-
gressiveness, and final maturity. Some at
birth are very feeble and poor, others of
more auspicious circumstances are born,
as it were, with a gold spoon In their
mouths. Mr. Dryden expressed a convic-
tion and belief as to the real source and
final pros[)erity of the Howard Street M. P].
Church, and credited the ultimate success
of the church to the late Bev. J. D. Blaln.
Bev. W. S. Urmy said : " It is a pleasant
thing to be here with you and unite In the
Jubilee services. Next Thursday will be the
16th of August ; thirty years ago that day 1
arrived In San Francisco from New York.
I recall with ecstasy the happy days spent
in our place of worship In Happy Yalley,
which stood near Mission Street, and not
near Market Street, as Brother McElroy
INTRODUCTIOX. 19
said tills morning ; it was in tlie liollow near-
er Rincoii Hill." He paid a compliment to
the pillars of the church for their support
during liis pastorate.
Ca[)tain Charles Goodall smilingly as-
cended the rostrum, and in n genial manner
said : "I am not an old member, although
not a young man — that is to say, not so old
in membership as some assembled here to-
night. It is a quarter of a century since I
became an official member of this church.
Brother Urmy, as he informs you, was a
young nuin then, with raven locks, which
have since whitened with advancing years.
We were just then coming to be prosper-
ous ; even then I know of a kind sister who
frequently came down to the Folsom Street
church with a broom, and even brought
candles. Our church was once so poor that
Dr. Bannister came into church on some
occasions and preached without breakfast.
These were hard times with us. The first
time I had the honor of forming an exten-
sive opinion of the benevolent qualities of
the late Kev. Brother Blain was in my of-
fice. One morning a bummer, or tramp,
entered and endeavored to negotiate the
loan of fifty cents, and the tramp was not
long in seeing the street; but what was my
20 INTRODUCTION.
surprise, ;i few minutes later, when he en-
tered with Brother Bhiin, who asked for
pen and ink, and wrote an order for the
aforesaid tramp to get a meal at the Hill-
man House.
" I remonstrated witli Brother Blain, and
informed him of the true character of the
individual. However, he said, 'I cannot
see a poor fellow being in want of bread.'
This tramp proceeded to the hotel and de-
molished a square meal, and then went to
Mr. Smith, the clerk, and demanded a
quarter cliange on the order, stating he liad
an order for a four bit meal, and did not
get a quarter's worth ; the result was, the
tranq) picked himself up in the street.
Rev. J. A. Bruner in a pleasing manner
informed the audience of the reception ex-
tended to him on his arrival from Marys-
ville. He was met by a delegation of mem-
bers, which consisted of Brothers Goodall,
McElroy, and Codington, who waited three
days for him and his family. "The churcli
was [)rosperous in these days," he said ; " I
learned to love it, and God was with us, as
he will be at the Grand Jubilee, when the
books shall be o[)ened to judge the world."
Rev. S. D. Simonds excused himself from
speakinu on account of the lateness of the
n
INTRODUCTION. 21
hour; "but," said he, "I will present a
specimen brick. You may have an eloquent
preacher or speaker — in fact, I like to hear
one myself ; you may have a profound
theologian ; you may have friendly socials —
but if you have not the grace of God in
your hearts, it availetli nothing."
Rev. Dr. H. Cox succeeded Brother Peck
at this church, after persistent appeals from
Bishop Baker and Bishop Kingsley. Dr.
Cox spoke of the revival which followed
his wake to the church, and graphically
portrayed the number of hundreds tlnit
found sjrace at this selfsame altar. The
reverend o-entleman contlnuino; said : " I
never preached here without a breakfast
[and placing his hand across his body], nor
without a dinner either, wdiich I suppose
you all can guess [laughter] ; I always had
the greatest delicacies that California could
produce."
Dr. Jewell concluded the Jubilee by
briefly describing the pleasure he has de-
rived by five years' pastorate.
Some of the data furnished will be neces-
sarily du[)llcated, as the history of the
church and Sunday-school are separately
furnished and prepared by different hands.
Other portraits of those whose services
99
INTRODUCTION.
would plead for an appearance in the vol-
ume have been souglit but could not be
obtained. Tliat the unity and symmetry
which should characterize and would ap-
pear in a volume written by a single pen
are lacking here, we concede and yet do not
regret, as the purpose is to furnish incident
and give permanent record to events con-
nected with the early struggles and con-
quests of Methodism in San Francisco. It
is not intended for general circulation, but
rather to remain in the families of our com-
munion, as a hand-book and manual to
furnish inspiration and awaken gratitude
in the hearts of our church family.
To the members and friends of the How-
ard Street Methodist Episcopal Church
this volume is affectionately inscribed by
THE COMMITTEE.
R. Mcelroy.
Treasurer Board Trustees.
HISTORICAL SKETCH.
BY R. :S£C ELROY.
This society came into being in 1851.
Its early liistory was fraught with severe
struorole and o-reat uncertainty. At tliat
time San Francisco society was in a very
crude condition. It was made up of peo-
ple from every nation under the sun, most
of whom had no fear of God or disposition
to serve him. Indeed, the mass were whol-
ly given up to the practice of profligacy
and irreligion. The absorbing passion was
for gold, and perhaps there is no passion of
the human breast so absorbing and so in-
tensely demoralizing as this insatiate greed
for gold. It stoj)s not at any cost to se-
cure its object. It does not hesitate to sac-
rifice evervthino; that is noble and o^odlike
in man's nature to gratify its quenchless
longings. It reduces its victim to a cring-
ing sycophant or demonizcs him into a re-
morseless fiend. It robs him of all individ-
ual comfort, and makes him the veriest
galley-slave to toil. It wears out every
24 HISTORICAL SKETCH.
fiber of the body, every faculty of the
mind, and every heaven-born aspiration of
the soul. It engenders plottings the most
vicious, schemes the most unscrupulous,
and deeds the most dark and damning. It
is a stranger alike to mercy and justice.
It heeds not the cry of the needy, nor has
it any pity for the oppressed. It is sordid
to the last degree, selfish without the
thought of another, and stony as the very
adamant. Under its stimulus, virtue be-
comes a matter of merchandise, and every
lofty impulse of the human heart paralyzed
and dead. Where it reigns supreme all
honor is gone, all honesty at an end, all
virtue no more, and all veracity buried in
Lethe's deepest waters. Surely, no truth
of Holy Writ stands out in bolder relief or
is more fully drawn to the life than that
''the love of money is the root of all evil."
For gold most of the then population had
left their homes in other lands ; for this they
had sundered every sacred tie, had bid
farewell to wives and children, had aban-
doned churches and church relationships,
had sacrificed farms and homesteads ; and
so, when they reached this city, gold must
be secured— no matter how or at what cost
of brain or muscle, of personal dignity or
HISTOILICAL SKETCH. 25
self-respect ; no matter wliat violation of
conscience or wreck of moral principle was
deemed necessary to capture this beau-ideal
of all ambition — the sacrifice, however great
and terrible, was most freely made. Gold
must be had by fair means or by foul.
This was the ino-rain sentiment of the com-
munity. No wonder, then, that many who
in other lands had borne the sacred name of
(/liristian, and even minister of Clirist, now
abandoned themselves to all manner of fla-
orant sin, and became the vilest of the vile ;
no wonder that every street, both night and
day, resounded with swelling strains of
band music to lure the simple into haunts
of vice ; no wonder that open doors of gam-
bling-houses were seen on every hand ; no
wonder that faro-banks and games of
chance were as mucli a matter of open
business as were the sale of mercliandise
or the pursuit of any legitimate calling.
Nor was it a matter of wonder that murder
and robbery were of almost daily occur-
rence, and were looked u[)on as compara-
tively innocent amusements. Of course
these crimes were but a certain process of
making money, and was not making money
perfectly legitimate ? If a nnin would not
stand up -and deliver his money to the foot-
26 HISTORICAL SKETCH.
pad, wliy, of course he oiiglit to be mur-
dered for liis want of magnanimity. And
so natural law was constantly invaded, and
the natural rights of man Incessantly vio-
lated, all under the driving force of this ab-
sorbing passion for gold. How unfriendly,
then, Avas sucli a public sentin^ent to any or-
ganization whicli liad for its object the sup-
{)ression of vice and the reformation of the
vicious ! How utterly indisposed were a })eo-
ple ruled and entirely under the dominion
of so base a passion to aid any party in the
[)romotion of pure and undefiled religion I
Another reason which made cliurch work
in those days so exceedingly difficult was
tlie universal purpose on the j)art of the
people to leave the country just as soon as
they could wring success out of their oppor-
tunities. No one came to build up a per-
manent business or a permanent home.
Not a man could be found who did not in-
tend immediately after making his " pile "
to return to his home, be that home in
whatever part of the world it might. This
State was a mere place of sojourn, where
no one considered himself a citizen, and
wliere no anchor held his moorings. Just
as soon as the vessel was freighted, the cable
was loosed, the sails set and spread to the
HISTORICAL SKETCH. 27
breeze, and the prow turned toward the
port wlience she came. So was the popula-
tion ever shifting ; so were tlie elements
from which organizations were to be built,
if built at all, ever eluding your grasp, for
even the unsuccessful were constantly mi-
grating. From one mining section to
another, from city to city, from town to
town, and from cam[) to camp, so did the
human tide constantly surge. With pick
and sliovel, with pan and blanket, the
moving mass trod its weary way through
scorchino; heat and drenchino- rain, in eao-er
pursuit of the shining dust. No other
thought absorbed the brain but how that
dust could be amassed and carried back to
that home in the far East, where the wife
sat in lonely expectancy, and the children
left their play and asked in vain for him
who had been the joy of their young life
and the hope of their advancing years.
Talk to such an one about oro-anizino; a
church or establishing religious services in
the place of his sojourn, even though he had
a church letter in his pocket, and he would
turn a deaf ear to your entreaty, or solemnly
assure you that here he had no abiding-
place, and hence had no need for a church
liome in these ends of the earth.
28 HISTORICAL SKETCH.
But notwithstanding all these discourage-
ments, a few devout ones, under the lead of
Rev. W. Taylor, the pioneer Methodist
preacher of this coast, determined to organ-
ize themselves. into a society which should
be known as the Second JNI. E. C^liurch of
San Francisco. The organization, however,
was not complete until January, 1852, when
the Rev. M. C Briggs became its [)astor,
j^ and the Happy Valley schoolhouse, which
stood about where the Grand Hotel now
stands, its temporary habitation. The num-
ber of its original members was twenty-
three, four of whom remain with us till
this day. These are Brother and Sister
J. W. Whiting, and Brother and Sister
Seneca Jones. The others are mostly with
the Master in the skies, where they rest
from their labors, but have left the rich
fruit of their devotion for us to enjoy.
Foremost among this little band was Rev.
M. E. Willing, a local elder, who came to
this coast at that early day to represent tlie
book interest of the church. This mnn of
God was at once recognized as the lay leader
of the little society ; and by his wise coun-
sels and energetic measures, conduced very
much to its early prosperity. He was its
first class-leader, its first recording steward.
HISTORICAL SKETCH. 29
and its second Sunday-school superintend-
ent. His return to tlie Atlantic States in
tlie latter [)art of 1852 was a great loss to
tlie society ; but liis memory is still cher-
ished among us as a man who stood bravely
against the torrent of worldliness and lifted
liigli tlie banner of the Cross in the midst
of California's intensest Mammon-worship.
This little flock went to work with true
California energy to build up a church
whose influence would be felt for good in
the midst of the [)revailing ungodliness, but
their numbers were few and their means
limited. Their pastor was gifted with un-
usual ability, but other duties claimed a part
of his service, as he was also one of the edi-
tors of the " California Christian Advocate,"
the jHiblication of which began in October,
1851. He however gave the society all
the service possible, preaching with great
acceptability every Sabbath until about
the first of March, 1852, when he was
called East on a two-fold mission : first,
to attend the General Conference which
convened in Boston in May of that year ;
and second, to join his destiny to one who
has since been to him, through all these
thirty years of married life, a constant bap-
tism of blessedness, and to the church an
30 HISTORICAL SKETCH.
ever-increasing benediction. The little so-
ciety, however, was not left without a pas-
tor, for about that time the Eev. Georoje S.
Phillips came at the bidding of the authori-
ties of the church to this coast, and was im-
mediately placed in charge, to remain dur-
ing the pastor's absence. Brother Phillips
irave himself fullv to the work of the
church, and was exceedingly efficient in
both pul[)it and pastorate. Meantime, the
membership was increased by parties who
were constantly arriving from the East
with church letters, insomuch that the little
schoolhouse became too inconvenient for
the congregation, and the question of
church site and church building was
forced upon their consideration. A lot
on Folsom Street had previously been se-
cured for the society through the efforts
of Kev. W. Taylor, but it was then too far
from the center of population to be of any
service, and so the Board determined to se-
cure a site, if possible, on Market Street,
near the })lace of their meeting. Soon the
0})portunity arrived, and a large lot was
bought and paid for. This was situatec
on Market Street, and is a part of the
grovuid now covered by the Palace Hotel.
We all thouo:ht the church had secured a
HISTORICAL SKETCH. 81
[)rin('ely estate, but at tliat time tliere were
no clean titles in the city, as every inch of
available space was tlie battle-ground of
many conflicting interests ; and to niake
matters worse, there were but few clean
courts who would impartially adjudicate
these interests. Many of these were
so corru[)t that judicial decisions rarely
went in favor of justice, but the size of
the litigants' " pile " not unfrequently de-
termined the character of the decision.
Indeed, many of these decisions had no
stability whatever, for they were often re-
versed almost before the ink had dried
upon the pa[)er upon which they had been
written. It was very common for even
supreme judges to reverse their own de-
cisions, and not unfrequently was this done
on the most flimsy pretense and for the
most trifling reasons. It was therefore
soon discovered that, although the church
had honestly bought the lot and paid a full
price for it in gold coin, its title must be
questioned, and its trustees brought into
these courts to defend their right to the
pro[)erty. Not only were they sued at the
law, but those who held possession for
the church were summarily dispossessed
bv hired rowdies, who came airalnst them
32 HISTORICAL SKETCH.
with bludgeons and pistols. Possession be-
ing now gone, and that being nine points in
law, tlic case at once became exceeding-
ly dubit)us. However, it was stoutly con-
tested, both in State and United States
courts i"or ;i nundjcrof years, but at length
the old trustees, becoming wearied and worn
out with the fruitless and ex[)ensive litiga-
tion, abandoned the contest, and so this
princely property went forever from the
grasp of its rightful owner, and thus was
practically demonstated the fearful fact
that man unll rob God.
The pastor, Brother Briggs, returned
from his Eastern trlj) after six months' ab-
sence, and resumed his labors in the charge,
In connection with his substitute, who sdso
ren)ained his assistant to the end of the
year. The General Conference which had
recently held Its session in Boston had cre-
ated two Conferences out of the Oiei»;on
and California Mission Conference, and
henceforth both the Oregon and Califor-
nia Conferences were to l)e \esfed with
all the rights and prl\ileges of the oldei'
Conferences, and Bish()[) Ames, who had
just been elected and ordained by this (ien-
eral Conference, had been ap[)ointed to hold
the first sessions of these new Conferences.
HISTORICAL SKETCH. o3
Accordingly, tli<^. Bishop reached this city,
in pursuance of liis work, in January, 1853. \
He was joyfully welcomed by every Meth-
odist on the coast, as his arrival was an
epoch of momentous interest in the his-
tory of our little Zion. He preached his
first sermon in California on January 24th,/
in tlie Happy Valley schoolliouse, and the
service was one of intense interest to all
present. The Bishop at this service ad-
ministered the sacrament of infant bap-
tism. This was the first child baptized in
the society. Only think of InfatLts in Cal-
ifornia in the first month of 1853 ! The
family was an exceedingly scarce institu-
tion in this community in those days, as
most of the })opulation were exclusively
men. On this day the Quarterly Confer-
ence was held at which tlie first Board of
Trustees was ap[)ointed. It consisted of
Seneca Jones, Charles Merriman, Horace
Hoag, John Payne, W. H. Coddington, J.
W. AVhiting, and James Christy. Four of
these are still living in this city, and two
still members of the church. This (Quar-
terly Conference also licensed the first
preacher, and reconnnended him to the
Annual Conference. His name was John
Bennum. This brother was one of God's
34 HISTORICAL SKfc:TCH.
choicest gems, for he was not only very
gifted, but exceedingly sweet-?pirlted and
thoroughly consecrated to the work of his
Master. He was received by the Annual
Conference and sent to a circuit In tlie
mines. He h;id not labored long, how-
ever, before lie was drowned In atteni[)ting
to ford a swollen stream ; and so lie was
not, for God took liim.
The first session of the California Confer-
ence convened in the Powell Street Church
February 3rd, 1853. When the appoint-
ments were announced, this charge was left
to be sup[)lled, which was a great disap-
pointment to the people, as they had fully
expected the return of their [)astor. Brother
Brlo-s^s. He however was sent to the
stronger church on Powell Street, and this
little vine had to wait for several weeks for
a vIne-dresser to be Imported from the
East. The importation, however, arrived,
and it [)roved to be Eev. N. P. Heath, a
man of fine talent and thorough devotion.
He at once set on foot measures to secure a
house of worship, as there seemed no [)ros-
pect of p»ermanent success without this.
U[) to this time the society had been like
IS'^oah's dove, with no place whereon to
light Its weary feet. It had migrated be-
HISTORICAL SKETCH. 35
tweeii the Happy Valley school house and
Music Hall, a public building that stood on
Bush Street where now stands the Occi-
dental Hotel. The new pastor determined
that this migration should cease by the so-
ciety utilizing its lot on Folsoni Street, by
building a church thereon. This, however,
was an unwise decision, for the lot was
situated amid sand dunes, with scarcely any
population about it. If the church, located
tliere, should have any congregation, the
[)eople must come from a longdistance, and
wade through almost impassable sand drifts
at that. But notwithstandino' these serious
objections, the plan w^as carried out, and
#5,000 were borrowed, at three per cent per \/
month interest, with which to build the
church. The pro[)erty wms mortgaged for
that amount, and from that moment its
troubles began. The house was finished
and dedicated on ffanuary 7th, 1854, and
reo'ular services commenced within its
walls. There seemed, however, little else
than constant discouragement, for the con-
gregation was very small, and the •iJ'lSO per
month interest money which had to be met,
together ^^ ith all other current expenses of
the church, weighed so heavily upon the
society that it came very near disbanding.
36 HISTORICAL SKETCH.
The little band worked nobly, and did all
in their power to meet their ever-recurring
obligations ; but the load was too heavy, and
had not the Missionary Society come to
their rescue, the whole [)roperty would have
been sacrificed and tlie society driven to
[)ieces.
Rev. Dr. Bannister, of precious memory,
served as [)astor during the Conference
year of 1854, and nobly did that royal man
endure the privations to which he was sub-
ject, that perchance he might save the honor
of the cause.
In 1855 Kev. D. A. Dryden was appoint-
ed pastor, but as he was unable to live on
the wind, he remained In the charge but a
little time, and during the balance of the
year the pul[)it was filled with preachers
who (r-Axe their services ""ratultously.
Meantime, the class meetlno-s were resfu-
larly ke[)t up, one of which, under the lead-
ershi}) of Robert Stitt, was held at the
residence of Franklin Kinsman, whose house
was ever open, like that of Mary and Mar-
tha, both to the man of Nazareth and his
followers. Father and Mother Kinsman
still linger among us, listening patiently for
the footfall of the messenger who shall
bring the Master's call for them to go up
HISTORICAL SKETCH. 6i
higher, where silvered hairs sliall be clianged
to golden locks, and where the wrinkles of
age shall fade into the bloom of eternal
youth.
In 1856 Rev. N. P. Heath was again
sent to the charge, and the Parent Mission-
ary Society of the M. E. Church made an
appropriation of -$1,400 to pay the mortgage
and save the property from execution ; and
thus was this society kept into being and
its property rescued from the sheriff's hani-
mei". But Brother Heath oidy remained
in the charge long enough to consummate
this business, when he bade farewell to Cal-
ifornia and returned to the East, where he
did efficient service for a number of years,
and then went to behold the W'Onderful
revealments of the Heavenly land.
Rev. W. S. Urmy, who at the Conference
had been stationed at Alameda, was brought
from that charge to take the place of
Brother Heath, and fill out the balance of
the year. The society now being free from
debt, and the terrible cloud which had so
long hovered over it and threatened its
very existence having passed away, the
charge at once entered upon a career of
uninterrupted [)rosperity. In the mean
time, the population in the vicinity of the
38 HISTORICAL SKETCH.
churcli had materially Increased, and the
streets approaching it had been rendered
quite accesslbl-e by grading and side walk-
ing. Also several members from Powell
Street charo;e had moved into the neIi>'hbor-
hood, and become identified with the work
here. Among these were Captain Goodall
and his family, whose praise has since been
in all the churches, and whose generous
deeds are constantly bringing out the true
luster of their character. The young pas-
tor gave himself vigorously to the work,
and tlierefore the congregation grew, and
the spirituality of the devotional meetings
greatly increased. The year ended with
much |)rosperity, and the outlook was
bright indeed. At the Conference of 1857,
Brother Urmy was returned, and served
with acceptability and success during the
year. The class and prayer meetings were
exceedingly profitable, and much revival
interest prevailed. Several conversions oc-
curred, and some were brouo'ht into tlie
fold at that time who remain with us till
this day. Among these are Ca[)tain An-
drew Nelson and family, whose faithful
services along all these years have added
both to our material and spiritual prosper-
ity.
HISTORICAL SKETCH. 39
At the Conference of 1858, Rev. J. A.
Brunei- became tlie pastor. He at once,
by tlie urbanity of his manner and the
sweetness of his s[)irit, woji all hearts to
himself, and gained a power for usefulness
which resulted in o-reat o-ood to the cause.
Many were the tropliies wM)n to God during
that year of excessive labor and earnest
toil. Xo [)eo[)le ever worked in greater
harmony with their pastor, and no pastor
was ever more fully imbued with intense
love for perishing souls. Well do I remem-
ber how earnestly he wc[)t between the
porch and the altar, and how greatly he
travailed for souls. The result was a glo-
rious revival, which added many to the
church, some of whom became tlie most
efficient laborers that 'ever came within
our portals. Among these were Daniel S.
Howard and eTohn Cady of precious mem-
ory, and scores of others wdiom I might
mention. Greatly to the regret of the en-
tire church. Brother Bruner thought that
his wife's health demanded her removal
from the city at the end of the year, and
so his pastorate did not embrace the full
constitutional term.
The Conference of 1859 gave us Rev. S.
D. Simonds for our pastor. He was no
40 HISTORICAL SKETCH.
Stranger to the cliurcli, for lie had previ-
ously lived several years In the city, and
had done valiant battle for God as editor of
the '* California Ciiristian Advocate" In
the times that tried men's souls. So ear-
nest was he In attacking vice through the
columns of his paper, that he himself was
attacked by a hired would-be assassin.
The wretch's bludgeon, however, failed of
executing his murderous purpose, and so
the man (^f God was saved to exercise
pastoral care over this church that had now
grown into a prominent position of useful-
ness. Brother Simonds began and prose-
cuted his labors with great industry and
energy, preaching, praying, and visiting
from house to. house Incessantly, and suc-
ceeded during the two years of his pastor-
ate In Increasing quite largely the number
of his personal friends and the friends of
the church.
At the Conference of 1861 Rev. J. I).
Blain assumed the pastorate. His appoint-
ment was an exceedingly fortunate one for
the society, for he came to us determined
to give us the full benefit of his great abil-
ity. This ability did not consist in wonder-
ful pyrotechnic displays of pulpit eloquence,
and yet he was eloquent ; nor did It con-
HISTORICAL SKETCH. 41
sist in massive demonstrations of logic, and
yet lie was logical ; but it did consist in the
wonderful symmetry of liis character, where-
in all the forces of his nature were so ad-
justed as to be worked to the highest degree
of usefulness. He had untiring industr}^ :
time was too precious for him to squander
a single moment. He had intense devotion
to his work; all his thoughts centered on
this. He had common practical sense to
the hio-hest deo-ree ; there was nothino; vis-
ionary or unfeasible about his plans, but
these were laid in the highest wisdom, and
when brought to their practical working,
develo})ed into the most vital efficiency.
He had the most perfect knowledge of hu-
man nature, and knew just how to touch
the secret springs of every person with
whom he came in contact. He was, there-
fore, a born leader of men. His will was
indomitable, his enero-y unflaooino-. He
knew no discouragement, and could brook
no failure. When once his plans were set-
tled, his impetuous nature took them up
and worked them out with the resistless
energy of a Niagara. He was a man of
exceeding suavity of manner. Insomuch that
he had a kind and ])leasant word for every
one. He readilv remendjcred all faces and
42 HISTORICAL SKETCH.
all imiiies, jukI hence always recognized all
whom he had once seen. He was particu-
larly CJirefid to interest liiniself in strano;ers,
and none sucli came to his church without
a personal salutation from him before leav-
ing the sanctuary. He also went from
house to house, through street and lane, in
quest of lone and homesick ones. Was it
any wonder, then, that his church at once
filled uj) to overflowing? Was it any mar-
vel that seats, and aisles, and altars, and
pulpit had not space to accommodate the
crowding mass who came to his ministry?
Had such uot been the case, humanity
would have been untrue to herself ; for
generally is it the fact that, however de-
graded men or women become, however
sunken in vice or hardened in crime, kind-
ness and sympathy will awaken in their sin-
seared hearts love and respect for the one
who bestows the boon upon them. Nor
was it surprising that the trustees, driven
by this state of facts, began to devise meas-
ures for the enlarn^ement of their church ,
accommodations. This they could not do l^
upon their [)resent site, and so a change of
location was forcetl upon their considera-
tion. It was felt that the time had come
for Methodism in this city to take an a<>:-
HISTORICAL SKETCH. 48
gressive step, and plant lierself in a position
where she couhl more fully exercise the
wonderful appliances of her economy foi"
the ofood of men. The church, althoui>;ii
growing and pros[)erous, although full of
hope and courage, yet it was com[)aratively
poor and moneyless. And while the trus-
tees were determined on forward measures,
yet the ways and means became a matter of
serious question, for we had not a single
rich man among us and not an advance dol-
lar in the treasury. We Inid only our
church property as a capital with which to
begin the new enter])rise. And yet so great
was our necessity for larger facilities to
carry on our work, and so unbounded was
our confidence in the skill of our pastor to
[)ush forward the enterprise to a successful
issue, that we determined to embark at once
in the undertaking. Accordingly, in Au- (
gust, 1862, this lot was purchased at a cost
of some 115,000, |8,000 of which was ad-
vanced by four brethren with which to
make the first payment. Measures were
inaugurated to sell our church property at
once, and in a little time a })urchaser was
found at $8,000. This money was returned
to the brethren who had made the first pay-
ment on the new lot. We also sold Dortions
44 HISTORICAL SKETCH.
of the new lot, wlilcli gave us money enough
to pay the bahmce that was due on its [)ur-
chase. So that the case then stood tliat we
had our present churcli and parsonage lot
in exchange for church and lot on Folsoni
Street. Tlie purchaser of our Folsoni Street
property insisted on liaving immediate pos-
session, and so we became for a little time
homeless but not friendless. The Howard
Presbyterian Cliurch were then worshiping
in a small house situated on the corner of
Jane and Natoma Streets, and they very
generously offered us the use of tlieir prem-
ises. This kind and fraternal offer was
thankfully acce[)ted, and our church and
Sundaj'-scliool services w^ere transferred to
that temple.
Meanwhile, the parsonage was removed
from the old lot to tlie new, and the work
of erecting this cluirch commenced. So
limited were our means and so small our
resources, that we at first determined to let
contracts only for the basement. The brick-
work was assigned to Brother E. B. Sam-
mis, and the carpenter-work to Brother
James Harlow ; both of wliom belonged to
the Board of Trustees, and therefore had
more tlian a selfish interest in the enter-
l)rise. These brethren were faithful to
HISTORICAL SKETCH. 45
their trusts, and worked with great vigor
and dispateli, so that not many weeks
ehi[)sed before tlie basement was ready for
occu[)Jincy. It was covered over witli a
temporary as[)lialtiim roof, and our Israel
removed tlie Ark of tlie Lord witliin its
w^alls. To connect tlie old with the new,
the seats from the old church w^ere brought
down and })laced in position, and served a
useful [)urpose in the basement, until the
Central Church Avas built, when they were
transferred to that house^ and thus gave
ocular demonstration of their Itinerant ])ro-
clivlties. During all tliese weeks, the [)as-
tor had not been idle: for in addition to
performing all his pulpit and pastoral du-
ties, he w^as incessant In soliciting and col-
lecting money to carry on the enterprise,
and so successful was he in this department,
that no laborer on this temple ever went
an hour unpaid wdien his money was due.
Having now a commodious and comfortable
basement to winter in, we rested from our
material labors, and gave ourselves more
fully to the spiritual services of the church.
The winter was passed with much profit to
the [)eo[)le, as all the services w^ere most
intensely Interesting. Sinners were con-
verted, and saints were greatly strength.-
46 HISTORICAL SKETCH.
eneJ and built up in holiness and godly
living. A constant baptism from the excel-
lent glory rested upon all who came within
our borders, and a divine afflatus filled the
temple continually. We needed no further
demonstration that our offering was ac-
c(?pted, and that our enterprise had won the
divine approval ; and so it was determined
that when the spring had opened and the
rains ceased, the enter[)rise should be
pushed to its completion. Our pastor
nerved himself to the task, and resumed the
Avork of soliciting funds ; nnd many a weary
day did he tramp these streets, and many a
night did he return to the parsonage foot-
sore and w^orn, but p.ot discouraged. The
Board of Trustees stood nobly by his side,
and held nightly sessions, lasting often till
midnight, in devising schemes and suggest-
ing plans for the advancement of the work ;
and so we builded the walls, working in
great harmony and with great heart, until
all was completed. And then the ladies
undertook the work of upholstering and
furnishing, and magnificently did they suc-
ceed. Herculean work did they perform,
insomuch that at one fair at Piatt's Hall
they made over '$5,000 for the treasury.
"^ The temple was dedicated on the 18th of
HISTORICAL SKETCH. 47
October, 1863, Rev. Dr. J.T. Peck preach-
ing the sermon ; but the joyfulness of the
occasion was marred by tlie knowledge
that one, wlio liad been most active and ef-
ficient in promoting tlie enterprise, biy
bleeding and dying at his liome, and could
not mingle in the services of the hour.
Daniel S. Howard, one of the trustees, who
had o'iven his time and moricv and wonder-
ful energy, from the moment the scheme
was inauo'urated till the finishino- touch
was given the edifice, had but a day or two
before met witli a fearful accident through
a runaway horse, by which both legs were
broken, and tlie nervous system so shocked
that death resulted October 20th, 1863.
We brought his precious remains to this
altar, and his was the first funeral eulogy
pronounced from this desk. Sad, indeed,
that it so soon should be consecrated to such
service! But Brother Howard was ready;
Oh, how ready I He had been steadily
growing in grace, becoming sweeter and
purer in spirit, receiving greater manifesta-
tions of divine glory, for the entire year
preceding his death ; and when the sudden
call came, he simply responded, " Yes, Lord
eTesus, I come quickly." Twenty years
have flown since that time, but his name is
48 HISTORICAL SKETCH.
green and fresli In the memory of his asso-
elates of that day, and it cannot fade from
the records of this cluircli while a l)rick or
stone of the tem})le remains. Nor will his
work then cease, for the i-esults of liis earth-
ly labor can only be gathered when the har-
vest is o'arnered in the skies.
Another of the trustees who had been
specially jictive in the promotion of the
work, and had in fact been the master
builder of these foundations and walls till
the topmost stone was reached, Edward B.
Sammis, was attacked with bronchitis and
hemorrhage of the lungs, and was com-
pelled to leave the coast and return to his
home in Brooklyn, New York, just before
the dedication took place. He lingered for
a few months after his arrival there, hover-
ing on the brink of death's dark river, when
the seething billows arose and swe[)t him
into that world beyond the flood, where the
temple is already built and the laborers are
at rest. Our love for this peerless man
was so great, and our respect for him so
profound, that a special minute was made
on the records of the Board, regretting his
departure and conveying to him our most
tender sympathy and Christian regards.
But a hlohcr record has been made of his
HISTORICAL SKETCH. 49
glorious deeds, and his name is all glittering
with golden light as it stands upon the fore-
most page of the Lamb's Book of Life.
Nor should we fail to mention other
names whose owners were conspicuous in
their labors for the interests of the church.
Such men as Frederick A. Beardsley,
James Harlow, and Samuel S. Sprague
were ever ready to aid in the promotion of
its welfare, nor did their attachment cease
till the Master beckoned them to the skies.
They were exceedingly efficient in that de-
partment of the work that each was best
fitted for. Harlow was wise in counsel as
to all mechanical matters, Sprague earnest
and untiring in collecting church revenues,
Beardsley always on the alert to advance
church interests in whatever form possible.
And so they labored in the Master's vine-
yard till the evening hour came, when they
quit the field of toil for the sweet rest of
heaven. AVe mournfully laid their ashes
in earth's last receptacle, where they await
the reconstruction touch of the resurrection
morn, when they shall rise, fashioned after
the similitude of Christ's glorious body.
The Conference came which ended
Brother Blain's constitutional term before
the church was dedicated, and it was
50 HISTORICAL SKETCH.
aoreed that the charire should be left to
be supplied, and Brother Blain take a su-
pernumerary relation without an appoint-
ment, so that he might act as the supply
under the appointment of the Presiding El-
der. In this way he remained the pastor
of the church for the third year. This
was thought indispensable to the safety of
the enterprise, inasmuch as there were
many unpaid subscriptions that he only
could collect. At the dedication all bills
were brought in, and the whole account
was made up. It was found that we had
expemled some |>65,000, 114,000 of which
we still owed. The people had done so
nobly that we had no heart to press them
further for money, and so we concluded to
carry this debt till the money forces of the
cliurch had recuperated sufficiently to war-
rant another effort being made. So the
money was borrowed— "1^10,000 on mortgage,
and 'f4,000 on the trustees' note — and all
bills were fully paid. Being treasurer of
the Board through the whole enterprise,
and knowino- whereof I affirm, I can truth-
fully say that no banking institution ever
met its obligations with more promptitude
than did the trustees of this church during
all its building oj)erations ; nor was there
HISTORICAL SKETCH. 51
jiiiy moneyed institution in tlie city that had
a better credit tlian it for the amount it
needed to borrow.
Relieved of tlils intense money strain.
Brother Blain now gave himself fully to the
pul{)it and the pastorate, preaching with
great acceptability, and leading on the host
with large success. He retained his hold
on the affections of the people ui) to the
last of his ministry in the charge.
During the last year of Brother Blain's
administration measures were taken to in-
augurate a new church to the westward,
whither a large population had settled.
The Howard Street Board accordingl}' j
leased a lot on the south side of Mission » ,
Street, between Sixth and Seventh, and
built a chapel thereon for Sunday-school
and church purposes. A Sunday-school
was at once organized and officered from
members of our own church, and James
F. Smith was its first superintendent. He
was assisted by a corps of as earnest Sun-
day-school workers as ever engaged in
that most laudable enterprise, and it was
not lonix before they had "'athered into the
school from the surrounding community a
large number of scholars, so that scarcely
a year of existence had elapsed before the
FAMILY HISTORY LIBRARY
52 HISTORICAL SKETCH.
school numbered its hundreds of intensely
interested and earnest workers. At the Con-
ference of 1864, the enterprise shaped into
a church organization, and took the name of
the Central M. E. Church of San Francisco,
and Brother Bhiin was appointed its pastor.
We gave to tliis enterprise some fifty of
our membership, and a large share of finan-
cial and sympathetic aid. Tn fact, it was
our own cliild, and why should we not
cherisli and nourish it till its own strength
should allow it to go alone? That branch
has since o;rown into a strono- and sturdy
tree, and is now producing abundant fruit
to the glory of God. Of course, to reach
its present state of prosperous usefulness,
it lias liad many severe struggles, but its
brave and sturdy ones have undauntedly
carried the work forward with true Chris-
tian heroism and great self-denial.
Just before the lease expired to the Mis-
sion Street lot, the northeast corner of
Sixth and Minna Streets was purchased for
its permanent habitation, and the chapel
was moved to tliis lot. It was a magnifi-
cent selection, as the lot was eighty feet
front and one hundred feet deep, and being
on a corner afforded very fine lighting
facilities. Its frontage was also on a pros-
HISTORICAL SKETCH. 53
pective business street, and needed only
time to develop Into a magnificent property,
which should not only form ample church
accommodations for the society above, but
also afford a grand opportunity to line Its
front below with a row of stores, whose
revenue for all time could have been used
for church extension or other evano;ellzlno^
movements. But, as Is generally the case
with church enterprises, the society was
too poor to wait for this surely coming
financial opportunity, and so the lot was
sold for the same amount that It cost, and
Its present site was purchased for a smaller
price, and the little cha[)el again put on
wheels and removed to tlie new purchase.
Here it remained till the present edifice
supplanted It. And so has this society
moved onward and upward In tlie increase
of its church appliances, and the magnitude
of its glorious career of human elevation
and human salvation. And so has the How-
ard Street Church supplemented Its own
direct efforts by the wonderfully energized
Industry of this Its most queenly daughter.
And who can tell the magnitude of Its use-
fulness by foundlnii* this new evanoellzlni''
agency? None till the books ;ire opened at
the last assize, wlien tlie sum of human
weal and woe shall be revealed.
54 HISTOKICAL SKETCH.
Among those who greatly aided us in
this work were some outside friends — out-
side so far as actual church membership is
concerned, but outside in no other sense, for
they were in the congregation as regularly
as any of us ; they were also at all social
and devotional meetings of the church ; yea,
they were members of the Board of Trus-
tees, and participated most fully in all our
plans for our material advancement. Tliey
were foremost in the extent of their sub-
scriptions, and lavish in the fullness of their
contributions. And so did William H.
Gawley labor in the outer court to build
the tem[)le. And so did Robert G. Bixby
furnish a large share of counsel and of cash.
And in later time William IL Howland
gave us much valuable aid. These names
will remain emblazoned upon our record as
those who evinced by their noble acts a
great love for our Methodist nation, and a
great disposition to assist in building us a
sanctuary.
The Conference of 1864 gave us Rev.
Dr. eT. T. Peck for our [)astor. His first
year was quite successful, and resulted in
canceling the floating debt of $4,000. It
also added to the church over one hundred
probationers as the result of a gracious re-
HISTOKICAL SKETCH. 00
vival. Pie was reappointed in 1865, but
(lid not remain in the charge more than
half the year, his wife's health necessitat-
ing his return to the East. After his de-
parture, the church was placed in my
charge, and the pulpit was mostly supplied
with what ministerial help we could con-
veniently secure. The social meetings were
well attended, and the spirituality and prof-
itableness of those meetings were matter of
universal comment. During this year the
organ was purchased and placed in the gal-
lery, at a cost of some $2,500. But the
money was not raised to pay for it, and
therefore the debt was increased by that
amount.
After the departure of Dr. Peck, it was
thought by some that the salvation of the
church depended upon the importation from
the East of some distino^uished Doctor of
Divinity, who should be able to cope with
the giant evils of this coast, and so a com-
mittee of correspondence was appointed by
the Board. One of our trustees was o-oin"-
East at that time, and he was requested to
visit the centers of population and see what
could be done. Suffice it to say, that after
much correspondence with various parties,
the Bishop took the matter in his own hands
bb HISTORICAL SKETCH.
and sent us one whom we had no previous
thought of. And so at the Conference of
1866, Rev. Dr. Cox was announced as our
pastor. He met with a warm rece})tion on
the part of the church, and was awarded a
hirger salary than any man who had pre-
viously served this people. He entered
u})on his labors with much vigor, and pros-
ecuted them with great industry and suc-
cess. His prayer meetings soon became
the rallying point of Israel's hosts, and the
lecture-room was thronged to its utmost
ca})acity at every weekly meeting. He re-
mnined in the charge three years, and dur-
ing that time increased the membership
largely, added the basement to the parson-
age, paid the entire debt that existed when
he came, both funded and floating, frescoed
the walls of the auditorium, and filled the
windows with stained glass, so dark that
one on entering the edifice imagines it more
a Mausoleum than a Christian tem[)le,
where the li^ht of the livino; God is shin-
ing.
In 1869 Dr. Cox was succeeded by Rev.
L. Walker, a young man of brilliant parts, so
far as his intellectual status was concerned.
He continued to do efficient service in the
charge for two years ;uid a half, when he
HISTORICAL SKETCH. 57
was turned aside from his appropriate work
by his love for fast horses and financial
speculations, and so was his power for use-
fulness blasted and his ministerial life made
a wreck. His stranded bark lies beached
on the sands of time, a fearful warning to
those who would come down from the lofty
pinnacle of the Christian ministry to toy
with the world's baubles. During the last
half of the third year of Mr. Walker's
term we were again left without a pastor.
The working force of the church, however,
had now gained such completeness of dis-
cipline and such strength of labor that no
material damage came of the deprivation.
The tribes of our Israel went on with the
battle against sin and her cohorts, with
only the Lion of the tribe of Judah as our
leader, and the Lord of hosts was with us,
and the God of Jacob was our refuo-c
Prayer and class meetings were well at-
tended, and the people grew mightily in
the fellowship of the Spirit and the com-
fort of the Holy Ghost. The Word was
preached by invited guests, and so the pul-
pit was made attractive by variety. Mean-
wliile, our former pastor, Eev. Dr. Peck,
who had now become one of the Bishops
of the churcli, was looking shar[)ly for a
58 HISTORICAL SKETCH.
man who should be fully furnished in all
respects to be an ensample to the flock.
He was stimulated in this service, not mere-
ly by an impulse to do his duty as a general
superintendent of the church, but by the
great special love he bore this people. He
was, tlierefore, the more intensely solicitous
tliat no mistake be made in the selection
that liad been confided to his hands.
We trusted him and were not disappoint-
ed, for at the Conference of 1872 Kev. Frank
F. Jewell was announced as the chosen lead-
er. He came to us in the vigor of robust
physical health, and in the fullness of the gos-
pel of peace. At once all the appliances of
the church felt the spring of a new enthusi-
asm, and all departments of our Zion bounded
into more intense activity. Crowds began
to throng our aisles, and sacred fire burned
u[)on our altars. The three years of his
sojourn were years of ever-increasing pros-
perity to this Zion, wherein both the ma-
terial and spii'itual interests of the church
were wondrously advanced. Ten thousand
dollars' wortli of improvements liad been
added to tlie i)roperty in a new organ-loft,
and certain chano:es in basement and Sun,
day-school room. Tliis amount, together
with the ])reviously accrued debt of ^4-
HISTORICAL SKETCH. 59
000, made us again in need of #14,000.
The whole amount was generously sub-
scribed, but for the want of sufficient vigor
on the part of the collectors, some of it re-
mained unpaid, and so about f3,500 debt
was carried over to the next pastorate.
Dr. Jewell left the charge under a full tide
of prosperity, his congregati(»ns filling every
nook and cranny of this spacious auditorium
even up to the hour of his departure.
The Rev. Thomas Guard came to us in
1875. Lono^ before his arrival his s^reat
reputation as a pulpit orator had reached
us, and public expectation was on the qui
vive. He had previously occupied the
pulpit of the finest church in American
Methodism, and his fame was in all
thoughts and on every tongue. We need
not deny that we, as a people, felt some
vainglory in having such a star — nay, such
a sun to shed its refulgence athwart our
way. We were not a little surprised when
he came, to find him the simple, childlike
man that he was, for his was a nature of
the finest sensibility and most guileless
character. Like a nicely attuned instru-
ment is adjusted to the most exquisite har-
mony, so every fiber of his being thrilled
and teemed with eloquence. And then
60 HISTORICAL SKETCH.
this was not so much the eloquence of rosy
words as tlie beautiful and forceful expres-
sion of most massive and sublime thoughts.
But Dr. Guard lived in too high a sphere,
moved in too vast a mental and spiritual
realm, to be thoroughly appreciated by this
sordid, muckrake-loving world. His was
not, therefore, a ministry of every-day
practical life, but was one of great ideal
beauty to those who could follow him in
his flights of fancy, or linger with him on
those supernal cliffs whither his peerless
imagination continually soared. And so
during the three years of his ministry, the
peoj)le were instructed and delighted rath-
er than that the material interests of the
charge were advanced. Money was too
material for such an administration, and
yet money was a desideratum, and had to
come, if not from legitimate resources^ still
come it must even from the Shylock's coffers.
So this edifice was again mortgaged, and
we were again within the iron grip of the
interest-gatherers.
The Conference of 1878 sent back the
first pastor again, and Rev. M. C. Briggs,
D. D., was once more installed. When he
tauo'lit us the way of life some twenty-six
years before, he was only plain Brother
HISTORICAL SKETCH. 61
Briggs, {IS Doctors of Divinity were un-
known to California Methodism tlien. But
now tlie D. D. came witli him, and we
stood in awe of it, but we soon learned
liow little titles affect character, after all,
and were not lono; in realizino; that the same
Brother Briggs of other years was here —
here to preach the same old gospel of the
grace of God, here to tell the old, old story
of redeeming love, here to pray and sing
and shout and crowd on the column of the
Lord's advancing host. His tliree years
were years of incessant hibor ;ind vigorous
toil. Well done will the Master say when
the reckonino; comes.
Brother Jewell w^as returned to us in
1881. The first year of his present term
resulted in a o-reat inoatherino- of souls
C5 O O
through the assistance of that wonderfully
efficient evangelist, Kev. Thomas Harrison,
and the refurnishing and replenishing of
the church throughout, at an expenditure
of some f3,000 ; all of which was i)aid
when the work was done. This second year
of his administration has canceled the en-
tire debt of the church, and we are once
more free from the death-grip of the mort-
gage. We surely have cause for gratitude,
and do rejoice most heartily that our year
of jubilee has fully come.
62 HISTORICAL SKETCH.
And now, had we such power of discern-
ment as would enable us to look back along
the track of all these years, and gather up
the results of all this labor; could we take
in the good that has been done and the evil
that has been prevented ; could we see
the tide of life that has been invoked and
the torrent of death that has been stayed ;
could we realize the number of hearts that
have been comforted, the number of bright-
est hopes that have been inspired, the num-
ber of straying feet that have been turned
from the broad to the narrow way ; could
we know the extent and power of influence
that has been exerted on the public senti-
ment of this community during all these
years of strange and stirring history — we
would then be thoroughly furnished with
factors sufficient to solve the problem,
whether this labor has been in vain, and
whether the organization of this society
was not an event of the most stupendous
magnitude. Nay, more : could we look out
on the on-coming ages, and behold the
future of this church in the scope of its
evano-elizino; movements along jill those re-
volving cycles, until the millennium shall
dawn ; could we see the trophies it shall
win, the laurels it shall bind on Imman-
HISTORICAL SKETCH. 63
uel's brow, the victory on victory that
shall be inscribed on its banner as it floats
grandly in the midst of all moral conflicts —
yea, could we go further and push our
raptured gaze beyond the confines of time
into the vast mysteries of eternity ; could
we look into the holy city where the man}'
mansions be, and where the white-robed
throng is before the throne : could we listen
to the harpers harp and tlie chanters chant;
could we gaze on the bespangled multitude
which no man can number, and behold
amono' those shininor ranks those who have
gone up from our midst, and who were our
companions in labor and sacrifice ; could
we see hundreds upon hundreds who were
converted at our altars, and sanctified in the
midst of our solemn feasts ; could we be-
hold them there so free from sin, so filled
with ra[)turous delight, so safe forevermore
in the presence of him who redeemed them
and made them joint-heirs with himself to
the inheritance of the skies — we would then
have some faint idea of the lirandeur of our
investment and the magnificent outcome
of our toil. Nor would we fail to realize
the immensity of that glorious sea of results
which began in the trickling rill of 1851,
and, thrilled by the ra[)turous vision, In the
64
HISTORICAL SKETCH.
fullness of our joy would we exclaim,
" Halleluiah, for the Lord God has done
wonderful thino's for our Zion."
SENECA JONES.
First Superintendent Sunday School.
PASTORAL REMINISCENCES.
A vast congregation assembled at the
cliurch in tlie evening to continue the Jubi-
lee services. The interest was intense and
the services extremely entertaining, as sev-
eral former pastors were present, who
would convey to the audience something of
the days of Auld Lang Syne. First
amono' these was introduced the l\ev. I).
A. Dryden, who said :
My pastorate in connection with this
church, over a quarter of a century ago,
when it was known as the Folsom St.
Church, was a brief one. I shall claim the
privilege of making my remarks correspond-
ingly brief. The inner-heart history of
this church during that time will never be
written. It was anything but a time of
jubilee. It was a struggle for life rather
than a time of triumph ; there was more of
Gethsemane than of the Mount of Trans-
figuration. Like individuals, churches have
tlieir birth, childlnxKl, and maturer growth.
Like individuals, some are born healthy
6Q PASTOliAL REMINISCENCES.
and strong, with all the potencies of a rajv
id, vigorous growth, and sturdy maturity,
and favored with all the conditions of ^uch
growth. Such Folsoni St. Church was not.
It was born feeble — some thought prema-
turely — had a sickly childhood, environed
by adverse conditions which often threaten-
ed to cut short its career. Durino- the
year 1855 was perhaps the severest strug-
gle for life, at least it was severe enough.
Congregations were very small, member-
ship few, rather poor. Income from every
available source sadly below even the most
rigidly economical expenses ; crushed down
under a heavy debt, with constantly accumu-
lating interest. The heart struggles of pastor
and a few noble souls are known only to the
Good Master. Surely there were no visible
signs then of the powerful manhood into
which the feeble child has grown. And
who knoweth to what extent, under the
brooding providence of God, the baptism
of these days of trial may have con-
tributed to this growth ? Not always in
prosperity does life take its deepest roots,
either in the church or the individual.
In looking back, even from this night of
jubilee, I can realize it was n privilege to
have had a share in those adversities, per-
PASTORAL REMINISCENCES. 67
haps realize it more now than then ; for in
truth the old Adam in me did not so much
consider it a privilege then.
In one important respect this church has
been specially blessed. During all its
years of feebleness and struggle it has had
nursino: fathers and mothers who have nev-
er despaired or abandoned their child. Such
was John D. Blain, whose memory is fresh
with all of us to-day. As Presiding Elder
at that time, 1 do remember well how I
was nerved to new endeavor by the magic
[)Ower of his cheerful courage, and unflag-
ging zeal and energy. For every desperate
extremity he seemed to evolve some new
expedient. But I believe that, under God,
the church owes its continued existence and
g'owth to present robust maturity to the
persistent faith and persevering endeavor
of a few noble men and women, some of
whom I could name. A venerable few are
here to-night, who have stood by their
church through all its vicissitudes from the
cradle to its present prosperous surround-
ings: surely they have a right to a full cu})
of rejoicing in this jubilee. Others, too, I
could name who are not here in bodily
j)resence. They have [)assed over and en-
tered the New Jerusalem. But I have felt
68 PASTORAL REMINISCENCES.
to-day tliat they could turn aside a little,
even from the f^lories of the church tri-
umphant, to be present in spirit with us
here.
Kev. W. S. Urmy said :
It is very gratifying to meet with you
on this happy occasion, and 1 sincerely con-
gratulate you on being free from the lieavy
burden which, as a church, you have been
so long bearing. It was my pleasure to
serve some of you, with others who have
gone joyously on before to the better land,
many years ago, and the memories of those
days are full of interest; but as the time is
limited, it will be possible to mention but a
few of tlie facts and incidents of my too
short pastorate over this society.
I arrived in California on the 16th of
August, 1853 — nearly thirty years ago, and
the first service I attended in San Francisco
was held in Music Hall on Bush street near
Montgomery — the temporary home at that
time of this congregation. The sermon
was by Bro. N. P. Heath, who was then
serving his first term with you. I remem-
ber a little after attending a Sunday school
held in a school-house, in what was then
called Happy YaHey, the school-house be-
in <>• then somewhere near what is now the
PASTORAL REMINISCENCES. 69
corner of Mission and Second streets. This
visit was In company with Bro. Vf. H. Cod-
dlngton, who was then, I think, superin-
tendent, and who afterward served in tliat
capacity with mucli acceptability and suc-
cess during my j)astorate, and for many
years besides.
I joined the Conference in February, 1854,
and was first appointed to Coloma, where
gold was first discovered ; then to Columbia
and Sonora, in company with J. W. Brier ;
tlien to lone, and in 1856 to Alameda, with
Bro. Chas. H. Northup as my colleague.
Willie preacliing there the work was divid-
ed, Bro. North up taking the southern part
of the work, leaving me to fill Alameda and
Clinton, or what is now East Oakland. At
that time Bro. D. Deal was at the Bethel ;
his brother. Dr. W. Grove Deal being in
charge of the school at Alameda. Bro.
Deal wished that I should be chano-ed from
Alameda to the Bethel, so that he might
fill Alameda and thus assist In the school.
But Bro. Bhiln, who was then Presiding
Ehler, wished to place me at Folsom street ;
Bro. Heath, who was filling his second term
In this charge, having become discouraged
and intending to leave.
One Monday mornlno', in March. 1857,
70 PASTORAL REMINISCENCES.
tliere were a number of preachers in the
Advocate office, wliich was tlien on Clay
street. Bro. Deal w^as iiro^inor Bro. Blain
to j)lnce me at the Bethel, and Bro. Blain
objected to this, and said : " I want you to
2:0 to Folsom street." I think I said,
" AYell," and thus my appointment was
fixed, and on the next week I went to work.
The members of the church were much
discouraged ; thouo-h the debt, which was
much more burdensome than the one you
have just so wisely paid, had been removed
by aid of a large missionary appropriation.
There was a proposition really entertained
to sell the church for school purposes and
disband : but we tried to look on the bright
side of things and build up the cause, and
the members taking hold with a will, we
were soon out of the trough of the sea,
and then had plain and pleasant sailing.
Some thought I was quite a young man
to be placed in so responsible a position,
and oood Bro. Burns, of Powell Street
Church, said to me one morning, at Allen
& Spier's store, in a joking manner, '' Go
ahead now, Bro. Urmy, and beat Dr. Scott."
The sarcasm of the remark received point
from the fact that the Doctor was then at
the height of his fame as pastor of Calvary
PASTORAL REMINISCENCES. 71
Cliurch, then situated on Bush street, just
behjw Montgomery.
The prayer-meetings increased in interest
and in the number attending, and from thir-
teen, which we tliouglit a good number,
Ave soon went up to tliirty or more. The
class-meetings also became seasons of great
spiritual profit, and it was necessary to
have three or four where before one an-
swered.
At one of the prayer-meetings an inci-
dent occurred of rather a startling nature.
Bro. McPhun, Avho then lived on First
street, had come to the meeting with his
wife, leaving the children at home, the resi-
dence being back of a small store which they
then kept. When the meeting was about
half through the door opened, and Bro.
McPhun, turning round, started up in af-
fright, and making the exclamation, " Holy
Mother," commenced to walk over the pews
back of him. I looked toward the door,
and saw a chihl coming in crying, and with
its night dress all covered with blood. The
meetino; suddenlv closed. It seems the
children had supposed some one was about
entering the house, and going to the front
door had found it locked. In endeavoring
to break through the window this one had
cut itself quite badly, though not fatally.
7Z PASTORAL REMINISCENCES.
Member after member now joined and
some were soundly converted, among them
Bros. Nelson and Peterson. The Sunday
scliool increased in size and interest ; im-
provements were made, a brick wall being-
built in front of the lot and a sidewalk laid.
The exterior of the building was painted,
and the interior whitened ; and from that
time, for several reasons, the prosperity of
the charge was insured ; the principal fac-
tor in the success being the firmness and
persistence of the members, the living part
of whom it may not be permissible for me to
personally refer to, but it will not be out of
place for me to mention Saminis and Beards-
ley and Howard and Sisters Augusta Town-
send and Stringer, and others of j^recious
memory, who so nobly toiled and paid and
attended with i-ight royal perseverance, un-
til a success was assured which we are now
enjoying the results of, and the future out-
come of which no man can imagine.
Capt. Charles Goodall said :
AVhen this church was built there were
in a very marked degree four characteristics
shown in a single individual, viz. : /^iefy^
loisdom^ energy, and perseverance. The
individual possessing these four desirable
qualifications for such a work was the Rev.
J. D. Blain.
PASTORAL REMINISCENCES. 73
The first — piety — meaning obedient love
of the will of God, and zealous devotion to
his service.
If I am any judge, after knowing a man
intimately in sunshine and storm, in sickness
and health, in prosperity and adversity,
as I did know Brother Blain, he was en-
tirely devoted to whatever he thought was
the will of his Maker ; and no matter what
it cost him if he saw it was his duty, he was
sure to do it.
The second — wisdom — which we under-
stand to be the use of the best means to
attain the best ends. This was shown in
his management of the business of disposing
of the old property and securing the new.
Third — energy — the capacity and will to
pursue in a strong and vigorous manner
whatever his duty called him to.
He was strong and vigorous, both in body
and mind, and full of the resources of good
health, common sense, keen and clear of
intellect^ a true embodiment of a ('hristian,
and every inch a man.
Fourth — perseverance — continued pur-
suit or prosecution of any business or enter-
})rise begun.
After the decision of himself and officinry,
he h^t't no stone unturned.
74 PASTORAL REMINISCENCES.
Going from house to house, merchant to
merchant, business man to business man,
mechanic to meclianic, and all trades, avoca-
tions and callino^s that could be reached.
Rebuffs abashed him not ; he would be
heard, and generally accomplished his ob-
ject.
He thought it was just as much serving
God and preaching, with the plan of the
church in his hand and arguing for a sub-
scription, as it was to be in the pulpit with
the Bible before him explaining and eluci-
dating the scriptures.
It enabled him to make personal applica-
tion to individuals, which was his strong-
forte. He would not be put off ; where
others would be bluffed off in dismay, he
would come off trium])liant with a subscrip-
tion.
Besides these virtues that characterized
the Pastor, there were in the official Board
and membership, a faith in the result, and a
unity of action that was begotten thereby,
and that was a harbinger of final triumph.
Tug of war — up guards, and at them.
It is said, separate the atoms which make
the liammei\ and each would fall on the
stone as a snowflake ; weld it together, and
wielded by the firm arm of the quarry man,
it will break the massive rocks asunder.
PASTORAL REMINISCENCES. 75
Divide tlic waters of Niagara into distinct
and individual drops, and tliey will be no
more than the falling rain ; but in tjieir
united body they would quench the fires of
Yersuvius, and have some to spare for the
volcanos of other mountains.
But he has o-one and thev have o-one.
The strong and manly bodies of Blain,
Sammis, Howard, Harlow, Beardsley, Gaw-
ley, and Sprague, of them that helped to
build up this edifice, are no more on earth ;
they have gone, as have also Peck and
Guard, the learned and eloquent preacliers
whose efforts we shall always remember.
Six trustees and three preachers have gone
to join the innumerable company whicli no
man can number; they liave washed their
robes and made them white in the blood of
the Lamb.
To-day they see and know what we are
doing; they join in joyous jubilee as we
raise it here ; it is answered and echoed in
henven; we cannot hear their voices (except
in memory), but they can hear ours. If we
live and die as they did (and I have faith to
think we shall), we shall join with them.
"We shall meet, we shall .sing-, we shall reiyii
III the land where the saved never die ;
We shall rest free from sorrow and pain
With them in the sweet bye and hye."
76 PASTORAL REMINISCENCES.
Kev. J. A. Brunei' said :
I remember that on a certain Thursday
night, October, 1858, witli wife and cliil-
dren, landing from the Sacramento steam-
er, we were met by representative men of
the cliarge, Wm. H. Coddington, E. Mc-
Elroy, and Capt. Charles Goodall, who for
three successive nights had been awaiting
our arrival at the wharf. We were hospit-
ably entertained at the home of C'npt.
Goodall until the parsonage was ready for
occupancy.
Though strangers to all, our rece])tion
was hearty, and our intercourse with the
society and congregation cordial without
exce[)tion during our stay.
Entering into the labors of my faithful
predecessor. Rev. W. S. Urmy, I found an
ap|)reciative people prepared of the Lord.
Our official meetings were earnest, broth-
erly, harmonious : no overshadowing power
dictating the regimen : we all strove togeth-
er in love.
Every man was loyal to the interests of
the charo:e, readv to do, willino; to work
and to contribute.
A noticable feature of the society was its
social atmospliore, more apt to be found in
small cliurches, vvliere eacli and all may
PASTORAL REMINISCENCES. 77
have recognition Jind brotherly attention ;
wliere equality largely prevails, and a com-
mon interest unites hearts and hands in
earnest church work.
My new little study in the rear of the
church, a part of the parsonage, was com-
fortable, quiet, shut in from the bustle and
noise of the city. It also accommodated
business meetings and class services, which
were earnest, spiritual, and well sustained.
From a brief journal kept at the time,
I am able to sketch some of the facts of
spiritual life and progress at that time.
Dec. loth, 1858. At our Wednesday
night prayer meeting, towards its close,
Hiram E an interesting young man,
came unsolicited, and kneeling at the altar
gave God his heart, and became a new crea-
ture in Christ Jesus.
The following Sunday this young man
spoke excellently in class, saying : " This
Sabbath is worth more to me than all the
days of my past life."
Jan. 19th, 1859. God has, in answer to
prayer, begun a gracious work in my
charge. The society is striving after a
closer walk with God.
Last week a young man entered into
perfect love. This week a sister who had
78 PASTOKAL REMINISCENCES.
lust tlie blessing of purity many years ago
in Maine, had it restored. She seems the
most active member of the charge.
Every evening professors and penitents
kneel at the altar for pardon or purity.
Last night two men found Jesus, and pub-
licly acknowledged the gift of God. One
of them is our organist. May the gracious
work deepen and extend.
Jan. 2.3rd, Sunday morning. On Thurs-
day and Friday evenings, from ten to thir-
teen presented themselves as seekers of
pardon. Satan strove hai"d to bafHe, but
both evenings the Lord saved souls. Some
six or eight have found peace.
Jan. 24th, Monday. Yesterday my faith
claimed the promises in behalf of God's
work in our midst, and it was honored.
Jan. 28th. At no time since comin<); to
the State have I felt such yearnings for
sinners. Yesterday my heart v/as much
drawn out in prayer and tender regard for
souls.
Last night, after a short sermon b}/ Bro.
Thomas, a filled altar attested the fact of a
deepening and widening of the work.
Jan. 29th. To-night Dr. Peck preached
to a large audience, the altar was filled,
several found peace, and six offered for pro-
bation.
PASTORAL REMINISCENCES. iV
Jan. 30th. This inoriilng I was enabled
to press the subject of a present salvation.
After sermon Bro. E. Thomas consecrated
the elements for and assisted in our first
monthly communion. Some who lately
found the Savior were deeply affected.
In the afternoon at the Sunday School,
before the opening prayer, I asked "how
many children and youth desire remem-
brance in prayer?" A number of young-
ladies and many of the children rose.
Twenty adults were present in my Bible
Class, some of whom were lately converted.
Wednesday and Friday, 9th and 11th
Feb., were observed as days of fasting and
prayer for extension of the work.
Sunday, 13th Feb., baptised four young
men, and received four young men into full
membership.
At close of sermon the whole congrega-
tion knelt in silent prayer.
Bro. R. McElroy then concluded with
appropriate petitions.
The presiding Elder, Rev. M. C. Briggs,
called with me to see our well attended
Sunday school. At close of evening service
all except two persons remained for the
prayer meeting.
Feb. 19th, Saturday afternoon, forty per-
80 PASTORAL REMINISCENCES.
sons present at 2 o'clock, to hear Bro.
Briggs' first sermon at our second quarterly
meeting.
The next morning at 9 o'clock held Love-
feast. The scene was thrilling, in part from
the number of nationalities represented in a
company of perhaps less than one hundred.
The story of salvation was told, not only
by Americans, but subjects of the British
crown from the Provinces, from London,
various parts of Great Britain ; men from
Germany, Sweden, Norway, Denmark : the
Russian from St. Petersburg ; the darker
Spaniard from Malaga, each and all s[)oke
the language of Canaan and rejoiced to-
gether in Christ Jesus. The occasion will
never be forgotten. Some of those who tes-
tified that day to the power of saving grace
have long since })asscd to their heavenly
home. Among the number, Capt. Daniel S.
Howard, who gave his heart to God in our
midst during the revival, was a power for
good In every department of the church ; a
burning and shining light, until years after-
ward he was suddenly called to his heavenly
rest.
So also, the venerable Cady, who so
heartily embraced the great salvation, and
as a patriarch exemplifying the spirit of his
PASTORAL REMINISCENCES. 81
divine Master, until several years since he
was not, for God took him.
The following entry in my journal indi-
cates the progress and results of the work
up to that date :
Feb. 25th. Six weeks since I began a
series of meetings in my charge which have
continued every evening until the present.
About 20 persons or upwards have pro-
fessed conversion, the principle part of
whom within the first two weeks. Also,
some 12 or 14 joined by letter, which in-
creased the society of Folsom street charge
from 70 to 100 or more. The Sunday
school has also doubled.
I have said that the charge were ready
and willing workers. The benefactions of
the church were all represented at the close
of the year.
On Sunday morning, July 31st, after a
sermon by Bishop Baker, in less than 15
minutes we raised f 600 — being in full of all
indebtedness for parsonage, improvements,
etc.
The following contains the last mem-
oranda from my journal of that year:
Aug. 7, 1859. Held our fourth quarterly
meeting. l\ev. M. C. Briggs preached
morning and evening, and administered the
Lord's Supper.
82 PASTORAL REMINISCENCES.
During the year not one of our number
have died ; no one been expelled ; no church
trial; no complaint; no appeal. The Lord
be praised !
Such is, in brief, a sketch of my happy
twelve months' pastorate with this loving
people ; at the close of which against their
earnest protest I felt it duty, for the sake
of the health of my family, to occupy a new
field of labor. How swiftly those years
have sped away ! Though a goodly pro-
portion of the old Folsom street member-
ship continue, a new generation has grown
up around them ; another house of worship,
spacious, commodious, contains the largely
increased society and congregation ; hun-
dreds of new Sunday school scholars attend
the exercises of faithful teachers, and join
in glad hosannas to the Great Head of the
church.
Rev. S. D. Simonds said :
I suppose that in these Jubilee services
some personal references are expected. In
common with most ministers and all thought-
ful men, in all ages, I have deeply pondered
the question of human responsibility. I
came early to the conclusion that the uni-
versal law for each, man or woman, was to
do all the o:ood which the environments of
PASTORAL REMINISCENCES. 88
each rendered possible to be done. To do
good of every possible sort, both to the
bodies and souls of men, is the life of re-
ligion. AVithout this all ])ietj is pretense ;
all faith but the faith of devils.
This sense of responsibility led me to
the Christian ministry, and as far as possi-
ble with my surroundings kept me in it to
the present. The Christian ministry, how-
ever the declaration may excite surprise in
the minds of mere naturalists, is the great-
est source of blessing to the world. Un-
less the light of spiritual truth and the
affection of goodness and purity be in the
mind, there is no power of self-help with
man.
It takes a soul
To move a body. * * *
It takes the ideal to blow a hair's breath off
The dust of the actual. * * *
Life develops from within.
I have had the largest sympathy with re-
formers, so called, but who has not marked
their distressino; failures. Reformers o-en-
erally have the greatest need to be reform-
ed. Their shadow o'oes backward and not
forward on the dial of progress.
The fact is, nothin<>; in this world o-i-ows
except from seed. And the seed of human
84 TASTOliAL KEMIN1SCENCE8.
grow til is the word made flesh, then glori-
fied, or miide spirit and life. That word
preached unto men brings divine light and
divine love into the human soul as an orcra-
nizing force, and renders all progress possi-
ble, and great progress in civilization cer-
tain. Soon the German nation will celebrate
the four-hundredth anniversary of the birth-
day of Martin Luther. Well and nobly
should it be done ; for Martin Luther gave
them the Bible in German, which has done
more for the nation than all her needle and
Krupp guns. And its light is but just
dawning. It will go on blessing the land
while time shall last. Similar has been the
power of the English Bible to advance and
bless the English and American peoples.
The word is the cloud by day and the pillar
of fire by night by which the modern Israel
of all humanity journeys to a glorious Ca-
naan of a perfect civilization, and each obe-
dient soul comes to glory. The negations
of ludjelief and the dark tyrannies of ser-
vice are but eddies in the stream, and parts
of the onward movement before it is under-
stood.
It was my most earnest effort for years
to promote the spiritual life of the people.
I never speculated. I never lost myself
PASTORAL REMINISCENCES. 85
In forms. I tried to avoid beatliii;- tlic air
with common-place expression. If I was
not understood by others — for rarely Is ad-
vancing thought accepted at once — I under-
stood myself to herald forth the light of the
new day on which I felt the world had en-
tered. And yet It was the Old World In-
terpreted by the demonstrations of experi-
ence, and In the light of that spirit which
was promised to guide Into all truth. If
the Lord Jesus said more than eighteen
hundred years ago, "I have many things
to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them
now," was It not time to walk In the light
of the Holy Comforter, even the Spirit of
truth?
Let your minds glance over the two
great dispensations, the Mosaic and the
Christian : the first, Intensely external and
natural ; the second, natural with inspira-
tions of the Spirit. Both equally divine,
but one of law, the other of grace and
truth. Walk along the track of history to
the eighteenth century. Has the Kingdom
of God come? The churches, whether
Greek, Roman or Protestant, are altogether
external ; no more the Kingdom of God
than the Empire of Charlemagne, Charles
y. or Napoleon I. The prophetic periods
86 PASTORAL REMINISCENCES.
are closed. No man carefully governed by
Scripture can carry the prophetic j^eriods
beyond 1830, if he can later than 1750.
After thirteen years of very intense and
careful study of prophecy, I could find no
point below 1730, or thereabout. I was
utterly at sea, and could not accept the
theories that brouo^lit the world to an end
in 1843. It ought to have ended be-
fore.
But let us look at God's commentary in
Providence on his word. In 1729, Mr.
Wesley organized his societies. It was not
the first perce[)tion of a spiritual kingdom.
The United Brethren and the Quakers ex-
isted already. But it was the clearest,
simplest, and most powerful organization
for spiritual truth that the world had seen.
And the doctrine of the witness of the Spir-
it to the word of God was clearly announc-
ed.
Such a phenomenon I call a new dispensa-
tion of Christian truth and life. If the
dogmas of tlie sixteenth century have been
foisted upon it; if the ecclesiasticisms of
the middle ages have laid their hands upon
it in any degree ; they no more belong to it
than the Judaism of the old Pharisees be-
longs to Christianity. Methodism must
PASTORAL REMINISCENCES. 87
cast them off, or God will rai^e another
people to take her crown. Her mission is
to hold forth God's written word, and pro-
claim the demonstration of its truth in the
hearts and lives of believers, a living
faith a living, supernatural (higher nature)
religion, the kingdom of God in men, which
though small in its beginnings, will advance
more and more forever. We are but in the
daw^n of the spiritual church, where the
Lord Jesus is the all in all. I sought to pro-
mote, as far as I w%as able, Avhile pastor of
this church, the spiritual life of the people.
I made no effort to preach eloquent or
learned sermons ; but I love eloquence and
learning, and honor them every where ;
but I was so intent on the spirit of regener-
ation among men, that I had no time to pol-
ish periods, or shape the climax with decla-
mation. It was to make Christ known as
the resurrection and the life, tiiat filled the
measure of my ambition. I felt that if I
could plant spirituality in the people, it
would be the greatest good to them, and
the greatest good to the world, and lay the
broadest foundation for the prosperity of
the church. I hope it is not with any van-
ity in my lieart that I survey the past, in
the confident belief that to the spiritual life
88 PASTOKAL REMINISCENCES.
then infused into the people, this church
owes more of its prosperity than to any man
or set of men. Such prosperity is not my
honor. It is the lionor of God, to whom be
all glory forever — Amen.
PEN PICTUliEB
BY ROBERT MC ELROY.
HAD RESPECT UNTO THE RECOMPENSE.
One evening, In the early part of 1862, a
young man came into our prayer meeting
and took a seat near the altar. His per-
sonal appearance was prepossessing and his
manner exceedingly devout. His face
beamed with a heavenly radiancy, and his
eye sparkled with the fire of [)ure devotion.
His voice was clear and ringing, and when
engaged in prayer, exhortation or song,
seemed to melt all present into the most ex-
quisite tenderness. He talked so eloquently
of the love of Jesus ; he pleaded so [)rcvail"
ingly at the throne of grace ; he sung, O I
how sweetly, of that home where the glori-
fied rest from life's weary toil. All eyes
were U[)on him and all hearts were stirred
to their profoundest depths by the magic of
his manner and the exceeding sweetness
of his religious exercises. Wonder who he
90 PEN PICTURES.
i8 and whence he came? Sucli was the
curious inquiry wliich came leaping from
all lips, and yet none seemed able to answer
the inquiry or satisfy the curiosity. There
lie was, stranger to all, and yet all hearts
thrilling under the pathos and power of liis
devotions. Like the risen Christ when
walking with his disciples by the way un-
heralded and unknown, and yet producing
the most exquisite sensations of pleasurable
emotion by his gracious words. He drifted
away from that evening meeting as silently
and unknown as he came, and yet he had
left the impress of his sweet spirit and in-
tense fervor. Next was he seen in the
Sunday morning congregation, when lie
presented liis church letter from one of the
New York pastors, and thus became identi-
fied with us in church labor.
We look at this man's career and trace
his short life's history in its many vicissi-
tudes with the most intense interest, as it
reveals to us such stupendous value of ad-
hering to principle, no matter where such
adherence leads or whatsoever sacrifice it in-
volves. Precious indeed, in all ages of the
church, have been the exhibitions of
Christian steadfastness under the severest
tests. Job's integrity, Daniel's faithfulness,
PEX PICTUKES. 91
and the Hebrew ehildren't^ devotion shine
out as the sparkle of the pure diamond, and
beautifully illustrate how little does the de-
vout heart care for the glitter of earthly
emolument when offered for the sacrifice of
stern Christian principle. And so did the
conduct of this young man sparkle with in-
tensest luster when the test came ; for come
it did with terrible severity not long after
he reached this city.
In that day of California history the pop-
idar idea in all parts of the world seemed
to be that if the impecunious could only
reach our golden shores, they would want
no more, as golden streams were constantly
running down our streets in such swift and
overflowino' current that none need o-q un-
su[)[)lled ; and so many under this delusion
left their homes with only money enough to
bring them here. Upon their arrival, how-
ever, the hallucination vanished, and they
found themselves in a strange land where
life's necessities could not be secured with-
out large expenditure of solid coin. It was
not remarkable, under these circumstances,
that much suffering was endured and much
want and privation experienced. Nor was
it strange that the labor market was over-
stocked, insomuch that men were found by
92 PEN PICTURES.
tliousaiids who could not obtjiin remun-
erative employment. Such was the state of
things when this young man found his home
among us, and he, having a wife to support
and not much money to meet their ever re-
curring wants, was extremely anxious to
obtain employment. Many a day did he
plod the streets, weary and disheartened,
in search of some mode of honestly earning
tlie necessary means of support. Although
gifted with business talent of no mean order,
yet the opportunity to put that talent to
useful service did not occur till his money
was about gone, and his courage had w^ell
nigh failed. And then that opportunity
came only in the form of most severe temp-
tation. He was offered a fine situation
where tlie pay was large and the work not
over exhaustive ; but with it was coupled
the necessity of violating God's command-
ment in the desecration of his holy day.
None could acceptably fill the situation un-
less he worked on the Sabbath, and w^ithout
consenting to do this the situation was not
at his command. What should he do — al-
low his wife and himself to starve or accept
the tempting offer ? On the one hand w^as
comfort and plenty, on the other penury and
want. On the one hand was independent
PEN PICTURES. 93
self-support, wliile on the other was only
suppliant beggary. Not much tune would
be required to determine the question In the
case of one less grounded In moral principle,
or firmly rooted In his attachment to relig-
ious duty. But this young man liad dwelt
too long In the secret ])lace with the Most
nigh : he liad communed too deeply with
the Master, and been too fully baptized
with Ills Spirit to hesitate for a momemt In
rejecting the demoralizing proffer. He
could suffer the pangs of hunger longer If
need be ; he could waste In flesh and pine
In spirit ; he could wander about these
streets In quest of honest toll, till, foot-sore
and Iveary, he might sink and die ; but to
disobey God, to deny the blood that bought
lilm, to sell his convictions of right for pal-
try gold, or even for bread to sustain the
life of her who was dearer far to him than
tlie life that beat In his own breast, never I
Proudly did he exclaim, " God forbid that
I should do this thing,'' and so did he tri-
umph grandly In asserting his manly ad-
herence to duty and to God. Soon relief
came, but came In a severe manner. The
man of God who had the contract for build-
ing this church gave him em})loymcnt In
hauling brick from the wliai'f to the place
94 PEN PICTURES.
where the temple was to be reared. And
so lie went down into the menial service of
a day laborer, driving a mule and cart
loaded with brick through these streets,
rather than take a position for which he
was better fitted by nature and education,
in which was involved the necessity of vio-
la ing his conscience by disobeying God.
vSubsequently this man became the first
superintendent of the Central Sabbath
school, which institution still bears the
marks of his wise oversight, and owes much
of its present prosperity to the strong foun-
dations for its support which he reared in
the years long sigo. He also was one of the
first-class leaders of that church, and night
and day did he labor for its success, till
consumption's fang fastened upon the deli-
cate frame of his saintly wife, and made
their removal from this coast a necessity.
But the removal did not avert the evil. It
came on swift wing, and he laid her pre-
cious' remains away to sleep in Jesus till the
Resurrection morn. Shortly after her de-
mise he gave himself to the ministry, and
became a member of an Eastern Confer-
ence. His race however, was short ; for
excessive labor and undue exposure brought
on the disease of which his wife died, and
PEN PICTURES. 95
after lingering a few months he went to
join her in the skies, wliere they two are
forever with the Lord. He, no doubt, now
realizes the extreme wisdom of uncomprom-
ising fidelity to Christ, in the midst of severe
temptation to deviate from the strict line of
religious duty.
AN IRREPRESSIBLE.
Sometime in 1858 there appeared at our
altars, with church letter in hand, a candi-
date for reception into church fellowship.
There was much about the man that was
peculiar, and some things that were special-
ly striking in his personal appearance and
personal conduct. In the first place, he was
greatly deformed in having no feet. These
he had lost through exposure in the moun-
tains ; for they had become so badly frozen
that amputation was necessary to save life.
And this had been performed in the rudest
manner possible, as no skillful surgeon was
present, when the necessity arose, to per-
form the painful operation. Xor had the
rude o])erators any delicate or refined in-
struments at their command with which to
remove the mortifying members. Coarse
saws and heavy knives were all the exorcis-
ino' instruments which could be secured in
96 PEN PICTURES.
those mountain fastnesses at that early day ;
and so these sturdy, untutored mining sur-
geons used tlie best tools they had to relieve
their suffering companion of his decayed
members. Kude as were the operators, and
coarse as were the instruments, still the
work was done in so successful a manner as
to preserve the life of the patient, and there
he stood on his stumps before God's altar,
pledging eternal fealty to the King of kings
and Lord of lords.
But not only was this man singular in
personal ap])earance, but he was exceeding-
ly so in personal conduct, for he iiad many
habits which were eccentric to tlie last de-
gree. Prominent among these was the hab-
it of vociferous shouting. Sudden as the
lightning's flash, loud as the thunder's
deafening roar, and startling as an electric
shock from a full-charged battery, would
that irrepressible shout come. When all
was calm as a summer's eve, with not a
zephyr of excitement to stir the sensibilities
of the most susceptible, that shout would
come — come it would in the most unex-
pected manner, and at the most unexpected
time. Come to shock and horrify the
quivering sensibilities of nervous women ;
come to disgust and outrage the feelings
PEN PICTURES. 97
of sturdy men ; come to offend all sense of
good taste and all rules of conventional pro-
priety; and yet come it would, and nothing
could suppress it. Church censure was in-
adequate ; Official Board pronunciamentos
were ineffectual ; public pastoral repri-
mands had no effect : and so the thing went
on at all social meetings ; nay more, for
even on all preaching occasions that irre-
pressible shout would invariably go off, to
the extreme discomfort of all present.
It was not unfrequently amusing in the
extreme, to witness the effect of these ex-
plosions on that part of the congregation
in his immediate vicinity. Everything
would be going on orderly, and the sermon
apparently producing a salutary effect on
the attentive and interested listeners, when,
sudden as the earthquake's tread, would
come that awful shout, as shrill and shriek-
ing as the calliope's most startling scream.
Then would timid ones spring from their
seats in frenzied fright, as though pierced
by an electric shock, and their efforts to re-
cover their self-possession, after the spasm,
would give the whole matter such an air of
the extremely ludicrous as would almost
convulse the coni^reijation with lauii:hter.
Of course it needed not many such perform-
98 PEN PICTURES.
ances to put nii end to all devotion, and
render tliat special service of no effect for
good. The nuisance was finally abated by
sending the misguided, though no doubt
really religious, man to his friends in the
East, where, for all we know, he may be
still shouting his way to heaven ; as doubt-
less he regarded this lusty lung exercise as
indispensable to his getting there. Or per-
haps the dear man has ceased from his
earthly toil, and gone into those beatitudes
the contem[)lation of which so ravished his
extremely impressible soul while sojourning
amono; us. If so, his discordant notes have
been changed into sweetest harmony, and
his shrill, shrieking shout has rounded out
into the richness of angelic melody. No
more the nerve-rasping scream of the wild
bird of this desert world, but from his
spirit-voice there sounds forth the swelling
symphony of heavenly music. And the
Hallelujah comes as softly and as sweetly
from him now as from any of the white-
robed choristers in the grand orchestra of
heaven. So does the putting on of immor-
tality and the entrance into the glory land
make all things new. So does it bring har-
mony out of discord, and freshness and
beautv from hideous deformity.
PEN PICTURES. 99
LIGHT FROM DARKNESS.
In the winter of 1866 San Francisco was
visited by Kev. Mr. Earl, a Baptist P^van-
gellst, wlio came to this city In response to
a call from the Ministerial Union. Of
course he came to hold union meetings, and
therefore, his visit was non-denominational,
but was in the interest of Christianity In
general, and no church or denomination In
particular. His meetings were hehl In
Piatt's Hall, and were attended by large
masses of all classes of the community. It
is enough to say that these meetings were
wonderfully successful in Increasing the
spirituality of the churches, and in adding
many hundred new converts to their folds.
But It seemed both to the pastor and Board
of Howard St. church a waste of force to
confine their efforts to the promotion of
these meetings. Inasmuch as not half the
community could j)0sslbly be brought un-
der their Influence, for the want of room.
Hundreds would be nightly turned away
from tliese meetings, from the impossibility
of wedging themselves into the dense mass
who had already packed the Hall to suffo-
cation. And so it was determined to hold
a series of revival meetings at our own
100 PEN PICTURES.
church, so that the overflow might have an
opportunity to hear the Gospel call, and
perhaps some would accept its tender plead-
ing. Not many days elapsed before our al-
tars were crowded with those who would
see Jesus, and not a night passed without
witnessing the conversion of souls.
One evenino; as the meetino- was in pro-
gress, and the tide of religious power seem-
ed to swell to a volume of irresistible pow-
er, an aged man was seen in the back part
of the room to leave liis seat and approach
the altar. His hair was white as the driv-
en snow, but his wardrobe bore evidence of
long wear and scanty means. Tears were
streaming from his sunken eyes, and run-
ning in brooklets down his furrowed cheeks.
He was a perfect stranger to all present,
and none knew from whence he came ; but
all saw at a glance how intensely earnest
he was after the pearl of great price. His
whole person was convulsed with intense
feelino-, and his whole beino- shook and
throbbed like the leaves of the forest under
tlie pressure of a mighty wind. Down on
his knees he fell, and in the agony of an in-
tensely felt want, he pleaded for Divine
mercy, but seemed to plead in vain. Ev-
ery eye in the vast congregation was upon
PEN PICTURES. 101
him, and every Christian heart in the as-
sembly beat with deepest sympathy for the
suffering penitent. Prayer the most fer-
vent, and pleadings the most imploring,
arose in constant succession from many a
devout heart in his behalf, but all to no pur-
l^ose ; for the intense gloom that })ervaded
his mind seemed impenetrable, and no ray
of light could pierce the darkness so pro-
found. And yet his insatiate desire drove
him onward to a state of des[)erate, unyield-
ing determination to find the object of his
search or die in tlie attempt before leaving
the place where he knelt ; and when the
meeting was formally dismissed, nothing
could induce him to relinquish the struggle.
He seemed seized witli the conviction that
if he went from that altar as he came, in liis
sins and in his blood, he would so remain to
all eternity. This conviction was so deeply
riveted upon his inmost thought that he
pleaded in tlie most piteous tones to be al-
lowed to remain where he was, that he might
spend the livelong niglit in praying for
Divine mercy. Such importunity tlie world
never saw since the days of the Syrophe-
nician woman. And it seemed another at-
tempt on the part of Jesus to bring out an-
other exhibition of that faith which lauirhs
102 PEN PICTURES.
at impossibilities when all around is as dark
and dense as Egyptain night.
Two things were apparent in this man's
pleading. First, his intensely felt want^ and
second, his unwavering faith that the Man
of Calvary could bring relief to his crushed
and agonized spirit. And so he held with
firm and unrelenting grasp the [)romises of
God, and reckoned tliat however great the
emergency or desperate the situation they
could not fail. Sublime, indeed, was the
conflict ! Puny man ; sin cursed and sin
covered man ; man whose whole life of
many years had been given faithfully to the
Evil One : man with naught to recommend
him to the Divine favor but his helpless,
dire necessity ; and yet with sufficient power
left to lay hold of the Divine promises and
plead them fully and unyieldingly in the
Divine presence. How could Christ, the
sympathizing Christ, the pitying Christ, the
Christ who laid down his life to redeem man
and bless him when in just such an emer-
gency, resist such an antagonist and turn a
deaf ear to such pleadings? Impossible!
and yet the conflict continued, and the long
weary hours of the night wore away. A
magic spell bound us to the spot as we knelt
in the presence of this awfully sublime
PEN PICTURES. 103
spectacle, and yet we doubted not the final
result of this mighty conflict. The delay,
however, was incomprehensible, for has He
not said : '-''Before they call, I will answer
them ? " We know not, nor shall we know
till the revealments of eternity dawn upon
our vision, the reason of this delay. Nor can
we comprehend why the tender and sympa-
thizing Jesus allowed the deep anguish of
this suffering penitent to continue so Ion"-.
But [)erhaps it was to furnish us with
another wrestling Jacob, and show us how
mighty is l)uny man in tlic strengtii of his
determination to prevail with God. For
prevail he did: for just before the morning
dawned the light from the Excellent Glory-
streamed into his darkened soul, and filled
his anguished spirit with delight the most
rapturous, and peace the most profound.
Like a prince did he prevail, and a prince
indeed did he become, as with his conversion
passed away all low and groveling views of
manhood, and his life from that day took on
the noblest type of (christian devotion, lie
lives still to evince the power of redeeming
grace to elevate and dignify the soul ami
life of man. And he is calmly waiting down
by the river's edge till the angels come to
bear him across the stream where the Man
104 PEN PICTURES.
of Calvary, liIs best beloved, reigns. Mean-
wliile he is instant in season and out of sea-
son in laborino- for the Master and doino;
what he can to promote His glory upon the
earth, for he has fully learned by his own
experience that " he that winneth souls is
wise " beyond all the wisdom of this world.
" Let him know that he which converted
the sinner from the error of his way shall
save a soul from death and shall hide a
multitude of sins."
CHIPS.
BY REV. F. F. JEWELL.
WHOSE FAULT IT WAS.
At an official meeting some time in 1873,
as the business was nearly at the end of
the (locket, a somewhat seedy and battered
looking subject o[)ened the door of the
room where the Board was in session, and
then half closed it again and stepped back
into the hallway. Some one stepped to tlie
door and asked liim vNdiat was wanted. He
was encourao-ed bv tlie kind looks and tone
of the self-constituted usher, and advanced
to mutter in suppressed tone, " I want to be
prayed for." He had assumed that all
meetinjrs were or ouii^ht to be " relio-ious,"
which sliows how benighted his mind was
in such matters, and how long he had wan-
dered from churches and church associa-
tions. He, however, was tolerated, and his
'' sin of ignorance winked at," and the pas-
tor was informed that a candidate for the
5*
106 CHIPS.
benefits of church and clergy was in wait-
ing. He was asked to take a seat and wait
but for a moment until the items of business
on hand were dis})osed of, and then he
sliould be encouraged in liis healthful im-
pulses of seeking the right way. After
the matter in hand wjis completed, the
stranger was asked to indicate his needs,
and the special phases of his case which we
could bear before the throne of grace in
prayer. He seemed to hesitate, as if in
doubt where to begin the catalogue of sins
and wants ; when he reached a point of de-
cision, and dropping upon his knees, he be-
gan a prayer for himself. He acknowledged
his aberrations and deflections, divergences
and wanderino's, in such lanouao-e as he
could command, until he reached the point
of negotiation, when he said : '' O, Lord,
if you will take me back again into your
favor, and forgive me for going away,
if I ever backslide again it will be my own
fault." Then we reflected ; how represent-
ative, after all, was this somewhat amusing
implication that the burden of responsibil-
ity was somewhere else than on the sinner's
own head, for all the sins and follies of a
bad life.
How frequently this unworthy concep-
CHIPS. 107
tioii is cherislied, is seen in the apologies
and exj)lanati()ns wliicli are so frequently
found on our lips. Listen to these apolo-
gies and explanations for a moment. This
man pleads a constitutional excess of pas-
sions. He was born charo;ed with such
impetuous desires that no one could reason-
ably expect him to resist them. Anotlier
talks of the environments of life, and the
social difficulties which hedge up his way
to life eternal ; Avhile a third talks of the
seductiveness of worldly things : and thus
all seek to transfer the res])onsibility of their
sinful practices to the Infinite Father who
has created, surrounded, and endowed us in
mercy and love. It is ever " our," as it
was " his," own fault when we sin.
WEDDING INCIDENTS.
Uj)()n I'eturning to the parsonage one day,
I found in waiting a [)air whose errand was
indicated by the relation the chairs they
occupied had assumed to each other. The
young woman, the bride elect, was first to
s[)eak ; which fact may find an explanation
in what afterwards appeared, in arranging
the preliminaries to the important event.
Among the usual questions in the catechism
108
CHIPS.
in such cases made and provided, as the
language of tlie statute would have it, came
the inquiry whether either of the parties
had been in matrimonial bonds before. The
bride, whose age was given at twenty, with
a careless toss of the head, and a free and
easy air, replied : " You ought to know.
You married me yourself in this room less
than a year ago." I said : '' Indeed ! and
what has become of the groom on that oc-
casion ? " Her answer was : " He was no
good. I got rid of him." I said : " How, by
drowning or chloroforming? " She answer-
ed : ''Oh, not so bad as that. I irot a
divorce." I wonder if this was the case
spoken of by the wife of a divorce lawyer
in the city, who said she asked for the
grounds, when her husband informed her
that he had just procured a divorce for a
vouno" '' twain " of this neio-hborhood and
acquaintance, and her husband replied :
" There were no oTounds, only thev wanted
it. I forget now what the grounds stated
in the suit were ; we only use what prom-
ises to be the most effectual in o;ainin<x the
point aimed at." What a commentary upon
the facility with which divorces may be ob-
tained under the laws and in the courts of
California. And California is not sinofular
among the State sisterhood in this matter.
CHIPS. 109
Is It not reasonable, U[)on otlier consider-
ations than tlie regulation of family matters
in Utah, that Congress should have and
exercise the rio^ht to regulate this great
question, and protect that institution that
furnishes to American society the real safe-
guards, and supports ? The facility above
referred to, existing in so many States of the
Union, is a standing temptation to selfish,
dissolute and licentious men and women all
through the land, and just to the extent the
temj)tation Is felt even, the family is endan-
gered and the nation menaced.
AFTER MANY YEARS.
Another, with an entirely different moral,
and Indicative of a genuine affection, which
did not fade from the heart even when the
rose had faded from the cheek, occurred
about the same time. A man of mature
years, with threads of silver glistening
among the locks that clustered around a
brow somewhat bronzed and beaten by the
vicissitudes which had been met in the
journey of life, stood before nie to arrange
for the ceremony which was to place him in
possession of what every sensible man at
that age desires, a wife. He remarked :
110 CHIPS.
'' She is on tlie Panama steamer expected
to-day, and as soon as convenient after her
arrival we would like to come to the parson-
age for the marriage ceremony."
He lingered a little after all necessary
arrangements were made, and u})on a little
encouragement given, i)erhaps, by some
slight questioning, he proceeded to tell the
story ; first, of an early courtship in Brook-,
lyn, N. Y., where more than twenty-five
years before, '•' soft eyes spake love to
eyes that spake again." As has been true
in th.e experience of others " the course
of true love did not run smoothly"; and
social ambition on the part of the parents
of the girl interfered with the plans of the
young lovers, and paternal authority for-
bade her encouraging his bounding hopes
and cherished desires of mjdving her his
wife.
Chagrined and half maddened by the
reflections thus cast upon his manhood's
worth, he turned his back upon the " city
of churches," and what to him was more,
the home of the one he loved with all the
ardor of a young and true heart, and em-
barked for California. Here, amidst the
excitements and varvino- fortunes of those
early days, he was tossed hither and thith-
CHIPS. Ill
er, until the '' olittering bait was held ah)ft
airain, and Australia invited the vouno* ad-
»
y<
venturer to try his fortunes in that far-oli'
land of promise." There he married, and
there, after a brief married life, he hiid a
faithful companion in the grave, and with
a sad heart turned his face again toward
California. Here, after years in which no
word had been received from or sent to
the " girl he left behind him," he chanced
to meet one whom he had known in boy-
hood, and from whom he learned that the
object of his first love was still alive. She,
too, had entered into the marriage relation,
had bowed in sorrow to the stroke that left
her in widowhood, and was now in the
" home city," doubtless wondering, at times,
if ever tidings would be borne to her of
the one she had never ceased to regard
as having a right to her hand.
Immediately upon learning this he wrote
her, and in due time an answer came. The
flame which had lain latent in each bosom
kindled anew, and the rest is soon told.
She came, they were wedded, and the shad-
ows went back on th3 dial of Ahaz, and in-
stead of afternoon it was morning again.
May many years crown the long-delayed
union of two true and loving hearts.
112 CHIPS.
PASTORAL WORK.
About midnight a vigorous pull at the
door-bell of the [)ar8onage awakened us from
our slumbers, and a demoralized looking
specimen of the soaker class appeared at the
door, urging that his Riverence hasten with
)iim to where a woman was said to ])e dyino-.
We followed as he led the way from street
to street and lane to alley, until we were
ushered into the damp, dismal basement
hallway leading to a rear tenement of a di-
lapidated rookery, in the cellar or basement
of which, by the light of a candle, which, be-
cause of its com])anionship, or the foul atmos-
phere in which it was caught, seemed anxious
to "^o ow^," we saw on a pile of rags a hu-
man form, which once, perhaps, but now no
longer, might be called a woman. Bloated,
haggard, frenzied, in the awful horrors of
delirium tremens, she was alternately shriek-
ing and piteously pleading for rescue from
the fiery scorpion fangs of the myriad hydra-
headed demons which were ])iercing her
very soul and kindling the flames of hell in
every vein and artery of her already charred
and loathsome body. The three or four at-
tendants in that vestibule of Tartarus were
drunk, and could only utter unintelligible
babblings as we a])proached. We endured
CHIPS. 113
tlie slo'lit as loni? as our heart would consent
to remain, and utterly powerless to render
aid, turned away to thread our way back
again to the open air, and to the home where
quiet slumber held our household in its
downy arms of rest. That w^as only the
obverse side of the wholesale liquor dealer's
palatial home; the self-complacent wealthy
brew^er's luxurious couch ; the prosperous
saloon keeper's well-furnished apartments :
the other end of the line, whose opening
portal is the fashionable wine glass offered
amid the gayeties of so-called refined society,
where youth and beauty flutter around the
gilded margin of this maelstrom of death, to
hurl contempt toward all those whose voices
are lifted to warn them of their danger.
RECEPTION OF MEMBERS FROM THE HARRI-
SON REVIVAL,
Perhaps no scene connected with revival
work in the church at any period of its his-
tory awakened more interest and delight
than the rece[)tion of the Probationers,
which were o-athered from the meetino;s con-
es o
ducted by Thomas Harrison into full mem-
bership in the church on Sunday, May 7,
1882, when one hundred persons stood at
one time, forming a hollow square extending
114 CHIPS.
across the altar from clown both centre aisles
and across the rear of the audience room,
until the ends of the columns tlius formed
met and united. The first name called was
responded to by one wdio arose slowly, as-
sisted by his cane on one side and a de-
voted Christian wife on the other, whose
four-score years had been s[)ent in amorally
" far country," and who had just returned
from his bondage in that strange land; and
now with that Christian wife, who had long
prayed for him, was rejoicing in heirship to
an inheritance incorruptible, the title deed
of which had but recently been placed in
his possession. In that line were here and
there to be seen the bright eyes and smooth
brows of childhood, as well as those of ma-
turer years — indeed, a large proportion of
the year-dates of the present century would
be found represented in the birth record of
those who made up the lines of that hollow
square before us. The service consisted
mainly of an address by the pastor, explain-
ing and enforcing the disciplinary forms of
reception, which emphasize the nature of
the church as "the household of God, the
body of which Christ is the head '"; also,
the "ends," "duties," and ''privileges" of
the fellowship into which they were entering.
Slowly the column moved forward from left
CHIPS. 115
to right, and as each passed, a certificate
bearing the picture of the church and giving
the date and fact of admission into full
church membership was placed in the hands
of each one by J. K. Jones, the S. S. Super-
intendent, who had given full and hearty
co-operation to the revival movement from
the first. All who saw it admitted that it
was a scene rarely exhibited in the life his-
tory of any church organization.
AN OLD FASHIONED CONVERSION.
An incident of the revival illustrating the
depth of conviction produced by the pun-
gent utterances of this phenomenal preach-
er and revivalist, attended by the power of
the Holy Spirit, occurred in one of the eve-
ninor services. The invitation had o^one
forth for seekers to come to the altar, and
the singing was in progress, when a pleas-
ant looking lady of about thirty years,
cvincino- much feclin"- and evidently stru";-
gling to resist her convictions of duty,
arose from her seat, and came ra[)idly along
the aisle until she reached the altar, and
immediately drop})ed on her knees and be-
gan to pray. Her frame convulsed with
emotion, and there seemed pent u[) within
her heart a Niagara of |)enitence seeking
116 CHIPS.
for repression, when suddenly she seemed
to sink into a swoon, and anxious friends
standino* or kneelinor near lier seeino; it, be-
came alarmed. She was borne into the
" study," which opened near the altar, and
placed in a position where the anxious
friends could minister to lier, and use prop-
er means for her restoration to conscious-
ness. One proposed one thing, and one an-
other, while the third proposed to call a
physician without delay. This last coun-
sel seemed likely to prevail, and some one
was about to do so, when an old member of
the church, one whose conversion occurred
in the earlier days of Methodism, and had
produced memories which seemed to give
her tranquility, while the others were anx-
iously puzzled with the phenomenon at
hand, said in assuring tones : "Never mind
about calling a doctor ; let her alone. She
will come out all riglit. She is in the
hands of the riglit physician now. She
will recover. Let her alone, I say.'' A
few moments of anxious waiting and watch-
ing followed, when the lips parted, the eyes
gently opened, and first in whispers was
heard what afterwards broke forth in au-
dible and even in voiceful tones : " Glory
to Jesus." " He saves me." " Glory, glo-
ry." She was declared convalescent, and
CHIPS. 117
there was rejoicing that human practition-
ers had not taken her out of tlie hands of the
only One who can do helpless sinners good.
As a reminiscence, I furnish the address
made by Hon. Chas. Goodall at my fifth
reception as an appointee to the Howard
Street Church pastorate, held at the church
parlors, October 5th, 1883.
Dear Brother and Pastor : I have
been requested by members of the church
to say a word of welcome to our new pas-
tor. They seem to have an idea that I am ac-
quainted with you, and should introduce you
to them, who are strangers. But it cannot
be so, for let me assure you, my dear brother,
that it was with one accord they asked the
Bishop to appoint you to this charge.
And it must be said they had good rea-
son for making such request. They had
heard how well you succeeded in your
charge last year.
The story goes that the church where you
labored last year w^as mortgaged for $10,000,
and that under your administration it was
paid oft', and that all other expenses, includ-
ing your own salary (alas ! too small) were
also paid up, and that you came to Confer-
ence with the largest collections for the
benevolent institutions of the church of any
charge represented.
118 CHIPS.
That the people flocked to hear your
preacliing like doves to the windows. That
you visited the members at their homes,
talked and prayed with tliem, encouraged
them In tlie difficulties and disappointments
in life, and pointed tliem to the goodly land
where troubles and sickness and sorrow
never come. That you tenderly took the
little children in your arms and blessed
them. That you joined the hands of them
together whose hearts but beat as one.
That you laid reverently and gently away
in the tomb the remains of the loved and
honored dead, and comforted the mourning-
ones with the blessed assurance that it was
their blessed privilege to meet their depart-
ed friends, '• where the wicked cease from
troubling and the weary are at rest."
No wonder, then, that our people hearing
of all this, unanimously asked the Bishop
to appoint you to this charge. And I do
assure you that I speak the sentiment of
each member of our society, when I say :
"Inasmuch as you did It unto the least of
these my brethren, you did It unto me."
Again, in the name of the church and
congregation, I welcome you, our new but
well known and dearly beloved pastor of
the Howard Street Methodist Church.
REV. J. D. BLAIN.
BLAIN MEMORIAL.
ADDRESS BY R. McELEOY.
"Dentil rides on every passing breeze,
and lurks in every flower '' ; and yet, in the
midst of his untiring industry, most kindly
has he dealt by the pastors of this church.
During her existence of some twenty-six
years, but three who have ministered at her
altars have been stricken down by his ruth-
less hand.
The scholarly Bannister, who had no
peers in the realm of science or literature
on this coast — a man of grand intellect, of
finest culture, of purest Christian character ;
a valiant soldier of Christ, abounding in
every good work at all times and in all
places ; one who seemed never to have
known guile, the very soul of honor ; one
whose mien was saintly, whose inmost
thought was pure as the virgin snow,
whose aims and ambitions in life were of
the most lofty and ennobling character;
120 BLAIN MEMORIAL.
whose every wish was to glorify liis Maker
and benefit his fellow men ; a man who
seemed only ignorant of the meaning of
selfishness, and was continually absorbed
in the luxury of living for others ; such
was he who was suddenly halted in life's
weary march, and his itinerant journeyings
abruptly ended when his sun had scarcely
reached meridian. Peacefully the broken
casket sleeps on the banks of the Yuba,
while the jewel, bright and sparkling, adorns
the Master's crown in the land of everlast-
ino; sunlio;ht and beauty.
Geo. S. Phillips, after much toil and suc-
cessful labor, fainted by the way, and was
compelled to seek health in an Eastern trip ;
but that precious gem never again came
into his possession, and his weary head lies
pillowed beneath the soil of his native state
of Ohio, while his sainted spirit has entered
upon its wonderful life of never-ending fe-
licity.
And now has the busy destroyer visited
our altars again ; for the tidings come to
our ears from the distant city of Newark,
N. J., that Rev. John D. Blain has lan-
guished into life by passing through the
portals of death.
In the year 1861, this society was wor-
BLAIN MEMORIAL. 121
shi|)ping in a small wooden building on
Folsoni street. The cono;reo;ation was mea-
ger, and the membership but a handful.
The location of the church was in the midst
of extensive sand dunes, and but little pop-
ulation surrounded it. It was, in fact, but
an outpost on the skirts of the rising city.
Nobly had the little band struggled to main-
tain its existence during the ten years of
Its then history. Good and true men had
filled its pulpit, but all had comparatively
failed to elicit much interest in the general
community, in reference to this feeble vine.
To reach the church one was compelled to
make a Sabbath day's journey through
driftino' sand and howlino- winds. To
crowd the little temple under such forbid-
ding circumstances was a task of no mean
accomplishment. And yet the newly ap-
pointed pastor, from the Conference of that
year, was adequate to the task. No
sooner had he entered on his work, but
he began, from house to house, to seek out
the lost sheep of our Israel. And this la-
bor was not lono- in manifestino' itself in the
crowds which came flocking from every
quarter of the city to his ministry. It now
required more than drifting sands, or howl-
ing winds, or isolated position, to keep the
122 BLAIN MEMORIAL.'
people away. Brotlier Blain had somehow
made them feel that he was their friend and
brother ; that he was interested in all their
joys and sorrows ; that he knew the heart
of a stranger, and could sympathize with all
who were enduring the pangs of desolate
loneliness. And the number of these in the
primitive days of American California his-
tory was legion. No man knew his neigh-
bor. Every one was in the midst of a Sa-
hara, althougli surrounded by myriads of
human beings; for they had come from the
east and the west, from the north and the
south. Every nationality was represented.
Every clime under the whole heaven here
revealed its peculiar type of humanity.
And yet for each the pastor of the little
sand-hill church had a kind word, a pleas-
ant smile of reco«:nition, and a heartv God
speed. But a little time elapsed before
every body knew Brother Blain, and every
body as fondly loved him.
Nor was this admiration confined to
any particular sect or any particular peo-
ple. Both Jew and Gentile, both Catholic
and Protestant, both saint and sinner, the
godless as well as the godly, merchant
princes in their purple and fine linen, and
paupers in their penury and rags, alike re-
BLAIN MEMORIAL. 123
spected and honored lilm. For all knew
that he loved them and desired to do them
good, not because of their outside surround-
ings or their peculiar station in life, but be-
cause they were Dien^ and all belonged to
one common brotherhood. No wonder,
then, with this universal sentiment in his
favor, that his influence became as broad
and far reaching as the community itself.
No wonder that every man and every wom-
an about entering the sacred portals of
wedlock wanted their nuptials celebrated
by Brother Blain. No wonder that all who
had the remains of a loved one to be con-
signed to the tomb, desired the burial ser-
vices to be performed by him. No wonder
that when the little wooden tem.ple became
too small to accommodate the ever-increasino-
throng which came to listen to words of
consolation and cheer drawn from the Book
of God, the people came forward and pour-
ed out their money like water to provide
him a more spacious edifice.
As the result of this influence and this
generosity, we stand this day witliin the
walls of this magnificent temple, for had it
not been for John D. Blain this temple had
not been here. He conceived the idea of
its erection, he planned all its appointments,
124 BLAIN MEMORIAL.
he solicited the funds to execute its buikl-
ing, and many a weary hour, both of body
and mind, he gave freely and cheerfully
to its service. In fact, so many v\^ere those
hours, and so heavy were their toils, that
his nervous system received its death
wound in the midst of them. Never was
John D. Blain the same vigorous, robust
man after his departure from this pulpit,
as he was before he entered it. And al-
thouo'h he has lino-ered on the shores of
time, some ten or twelve years since, yet
his was a shattered, painful existence, which
gave him but little comfort or joy.
Work, however, did he till the last, for
work was his normal nature ; and his high-
est bliss consisted in trying to build up the
Redeemer's Kingdom on the earth. But
he rests now. The feverish dream of life
is over with him, and among the beatitudes
of the skies he has entered upon a life of
ever expanding, ever increasing glory.
'• Life's labor done as sinks the clay,
Light from its load the Spirit flies.
While heaven and earth combine to say,
How blest the righteous when he dies."'
V
REV. THOMAS GUARD.
GUARD MEMORIAL.
ADDKESS BY J. M. BUFFINGTON.
Dr. Thomas Guard was born in Galway
County, Ireland, on the 3rd of June, 1831.
His fatlier, Rev. William Guard, left four
sons, three of whom became ministers :
Wesley Guard, a prominent clergyman in
county Cork, Edward Guard, of Omagh,
county Tyrone, and Dr. Thomas Guard —
the subject of this sketch.
Dr. (niard was educated in his native
county, and entered the Irish Conference
at the age of 21. Six years later he mar-
ried a Miss Isabel Barrett, of Dublin, by
whom he had seven children — five sons and
two daughters. About four years after
their marriage, his wife's health being very
delicate, they left Ireland for South xlfrica,
where they remained for nine years. Dr.
Guard labored earnestly in the colonies
there until 1871, when he came to this
country with the intention of raising money
126 GUARD MEMORIAL.
sufficient to build a church in Africa, and
then of returning.
His lectures, delivered in nearly all of
our principal cities, showed such power of
oratory as to attract great interest. He re-
ceived calls from several churches, and
finally accepted that of the Mount Vernon
Churcli of Baltimore, Md. The cono-reo-a-
tion was then known as the "Charles
Street," and Dr. Guard preached in the
New Assembly Rooms of that city several
montlis before the completion of the church.
At the end of three years he came to San
Francisco, and accepted the pastorate of the
Howard Street M. E. Church, where he re-
mained from Sept., 1875, to Sept., 1878,
meeting witli marked success and making
for himself staunch friends. While in this
city he met with a great bereavement in the
death of his wife.
At the expiration of his term with this
churcli he moved to Oakland. From there
lie was recalled to Baltimore, and on the
14th of October, 1882, while yet in the
prime of life, and surrounded by loving
friends, his Master called him home.
The Kev. Robert Crook, LL. D., states
" that from the first he was a man of great
promise, distinguished as a preacher and
GUARD MEMORIAL. 127
lecturer ; that he was a great reader, pos-
sessed a very retentive memory and did not
take much interest in tlie business affairs of
the church."
His intellectual gifts were remarkable.
His command of lano-uaoe was inexhaust-
ble, and his memory, apparently, never
failed him. His articulation was rapid and
rather indistinct ; this, with his foreign ac-
cent, made it difficult for those unaccustomed
to him to catch his words, but when once at-
tention was attracted, his audiences were
invariably impressed by his remarkable flow
of words, the brilliancy of his ideas, and his
own enthusiasm in his subject. He was a
brilliant conversationalist, although some-
times abrupt.
"Mr. Guard's spirit was one of the most
childlike simplicity; he was without tact,
and could never understand our ways of
doing tilings. If he desired to awaken the
most uneducated sinner, he would appeal to
him by considerations drawn from every field
of thought, and expressed in language of
elaborate finish and beauty. He was not a
pastor. Though tender and sympathetic as
a sister, systematic calls he knew not how
to make, and records were an inscrutable
mystery to him.
128 GUARD ME]\[ORIAL.
Like many other men, his defects were
the excess of his qualities. He was ever
and under all circumstances, first, middle,
and last, an orator. With a practical man
for a colleague, every one would have said :
' With Thomas Guard to preach, and his
colleague to attend to everything else, the
church is thoroughly furnished unto every
good word and work.' "
His death came as a sudden blow to his
friends. Tliough for four years he at times
suffered great pain, he worked with much
energy until the end. His last lecture was
delivered a little more than a week before
his death, which was caused by acute gas-
tritis, attacks of which he had been subject
to for many years.
The funeral took place from Mount
Yernon Church, which was appropriately
draped for the occasion. Among those
present were a delegation of Methodist min-
isters from Philadelphia, and a number of
ministers from other denominations.
At the memorial service held in the How^-
ard Street M. E. Church, October 22, the
following address was delivered by lie v. Dr.
Wythe, a warm personal friend of Dr.
Guard, which gives an excellent description
of his character.
GUARD MEMORIAL. 129
Dr. Wythe said:
"The duty assigned tu me is not
only sad but difficult, since the subject
on which I am desired to address you
is one of such magnitude, and so many-
sided, as to require ability more than I
possess. A week ago the telegraph flashed
the news across the continent, that the Rev.
Thomas Guard, the eloquent preacher, was
dead. Few heard the tidings w^ithout a
shock ; they were so unexpected and un-
heralded. This sad event has brought us
together for memorial services — a token of
our respect for exalted ability and great
usefulness. 1 have been requested to speak
of the character and life of our deceased
friend. It is not easy to do this, for Dr.
Guard was an extraordinary man. He was
like a gem covered with sparkling facets.
His o'enius and oratorv were of more than
usual brilliancy. It would require his own
descriptive powers, with a keener insight
into character, to do him justice. Yet, as
our relations were intimate, it is deemed fit-
ting that I should speak, however imper-
fectly, upon this theme. I bring only a
simple tribute of sincere a[)preciation of one
who honored me as a friend, and always
recognized me as a fellow-minister of the
130 GUARD MEMORIAL.
gospel of Christ. The tender sympatliy in
my own recent affliction is brought into
strong relief by his death, and makes his
removal a personal loss. ' The memory of
the just is blessed,' for it proves the super-
iority of spiritual reality to all material
good. I desire to consider our brother as
a man, as a Christian, and as a (liristian
minister.
I. As a man : The most striking trait
was a certain warmth and buoyancy of dis-
position which rendered him companionable.
There was no assumption of dignit^^ and
superiority, nor sourness or asceticism in his
manner. The Celtic fire of his heart shone
from his eyes, and won to him friends from
all classes of society. He seenjcd to live in
continued sunshine, and as if he enjoyed the
sunshine too. There ai)peared about him
nothing of constraint, nothing assumed.
The words and actions were natural and
spontaneous ; the outgushing of a nature in
harmony with God's universe. His sim-
plicity and frankness were obvious io all
who knew him. He united the heart of a
child with the mind of a man. Although
o'uileless and unsus|)icious of wrons^ desis^ns,
he was utterly incapable of policy and de-
ceit. He could not favor, and would not
GUARD MEMORIAL. 131
stoop, either to gain the favor of the rich,
or to escape from the strife of tongues.
This characteristic was sometimes sliown
by its reaction. His contempt of duplicity
in others was tlie very perfection of scorn-
He had such a quick recognition of moral
rectitude, and such a spirit of repudiation
for what he deemed wrong, that he would
not treat as a friend one who appeared
morally unworthy. He was far more an-
tagonistic to spiritual sins, like envy, and
malice, and guile, than to others ; for if sen-
sual sins make a man a brute, spiritual
wickedness renders him a fiend. AVhat
failings were seen by the eye of friendship
In our brother's life seemed to s[)ring from
his artless slm})liclty and gullelessness, and
his antipathy to anything of an opposite
character.
Although lacking the drill of early and
profound scholarship, he found a compen-
sation in being an Industrious and omnlvar-
ous reader of books. He had a remarkably
quick perception, a most retentive memory,
a poetic sensibility, and artistic power of
comparison. These qualities combined to
form the special bent or genius of his mind.
These characteristics form the stuff of
which orators are made. Had the enero-ies
132 GUARD MEMORIAL.
wliicli led him to soar above the common
s[)liere of thought been harnessed and con-
fined by sterner scholastic discipline, he
would have shone as a beautiful planet,
with clear, steady light. There might have
been less brilliancy, less scintillation, but
peril a|)s a wider orbit and a longer life.
As a man, he had interest in every human-
itarian enterprise. No good cause ap])ealed
to him in vain. No narrow groove of
thought or creed confined his sympathies.
Whatever touched the heart or liberties of
mankind found a corresponding vibration
in his nature. As he had traveled exten-
sively, he had opportunity of studying the
condition of many people, and the forms of
government best adapted to the conform-
ation of liberty and law, and the free choice
of his mind was on the side of American
institutions. By nature and by choice he
loved the princi[)les of American represen-
tative government.
He was as sensitive as a woman, as
patriotic as a veteran, as loving as a child,
and as impetuous as a torrent. vSuch men
are rare. Only a few such are met with in
a century. Such will always be attractive.
They may have enemies, for all patriotic
men — all who are worth anything — will
GUARD MEMORIAL. 138
meet with opposition ; but they will have
also troops of friends, and friends who will
be as true as steel. The grandeur of such
characters rises above the forces of all ad-
verse circumstances.
" As some tall cliff that lifts its awful form,
Swells from the vale, and midway leaves the storm.
Though round its breast the rolling clouds are spread,
Eternal sunshine settles on its head."
II. As a Christian, our brother was well
established in the truths of evangelical reli-
oion. His faith was no blind adhesion to a
mere intellectual creed, but heartfelt trust,
with a clear vision of the object trusted.
His reason was fully satisfied with the intel-
lectual revelation of truth made in the
Bible, and he was a student of the Scrip-
tures above all otlier books. This study
brought him to tlie spiritual revelation of
the truth as it is in Jesus. A spiritual rec-
ognition of personal sin, an ap[)ropriation
of the redemption made by Christ for the
forgiveness of sin, a personal knowledge of
actual salvation, and a constant dependence
upon the sanctifying power of the Holy
S[)irit made our brother a real Christian.
Yet he did not ionore the book of Nature,
also written with the linoer of (lod but
134 GUARD MEMORIAL.
delighted to trace the accordance of its
teaching with tliat of the Bible.
His piety was sincere, experimental, ar-
dent. Though unobtrusive and not boastful,
yet there was a manly vigor in his religious
experience which made, him ready at all
suitable times to acknowledo-e Christ as a
personal Saviour. His public prayers
showed to the Christian consciousness of
the church that he was a man who held
communion with God. Some of his friends
even preferred his prayers to his sermons.
The}^ were sometimes wonderful for unction
and touching simplicity. A Presbyterian
minister told me he should never for-
get the influence of one of liis prayers, in
whicii he referred to all the mercies of our
Father as tender mercies, and to all his
kindnesses as loving kindness. No nnm
could pray as he prayed who did not live
near the heart of God.
IH. As a minister, he regarded the pul-
pit as his sphere. His personal character-
istics rendered it peculiarly appropriate to
him. Whatever he may have been outside
the [)ulpit, there lie was an ambassador
from God, a herald of the sovereiofn Kino-.
The splendor of his oratory and the wealth
of his mind were made there garlands for
GUARD MEMORIAL. 135
the cross of Christ. He wiehled the sword
of the Spirit with sucli incisive discrimina-
tion tlnit it often became a discerner of the
thoughts and intents of the heart. The
love manifest on Calvary, and the su[)reme
glory of Christ were themes wliich fired
his soul with almost seraphic ecstasy.
His sermons showed careful preparation
and a most remarkable memory. Many of
his most brilliant passages were very care-
fully studied ; yet inspired with his tlieme,
he sometimes soared far beyond all pre-
vious thought. The style was antithetical
and ornate, but lie often required an elab-
orate introduction to brino; him into svm-
pathy with his subject, so that his mind
could have full play. To some persons
tliis was tedious, especially to those who
love to recline at their ease in church, and
luive the Gos[)el diluted and strained in
fifteen-minute sermonettes ; but to the
thoughtful and refined, the sermons of our
brotlier were an intellectual and a spiritual
feast, and the church was oenerallv crowd-
ed with such hearers.
His })ublic lectures, as well as his ser-
mons, grappled witli the religious questions
of the age and left a marked impression.
Few that lieard will soon foriret the scene
136 GUARD MEMORIAL.
in liis lecture on the influence of the Bible
on the age, which represented a skeptic
trying to ol)l iterate the marks of the Bible
on civilization ; ransacking the public
and private libraries to erase Christian
thought from literature : ooing to our
court-houses and halls of record to elimi-
nate A. I), from all our title-deeds ; and to
our State-houses to remove all traces from
legal and constitutional enactments; and
even stooping down in our cemeteries, chis-
el in hand, to chip all Christian references
from the grave-stones of our honored dead.
The public tested his oratorical powers
perhaps too severely for liis strength, but
they were not found wanting in the cause
of truth and religion. No college of learn-
ing honored itself by confei-ring upon him
the Doctorate, which in a by-gone age was
the synonym for teacher ; but the great col-
ege of the public recognized his worth
and teaching qualities ; and to the public
he is known, and will be, as Dr. Guard.
He had a generous catholic spirit, and a
true Christian fellowship with other denom-
inations ; yet he was conscientiously attach-
ed to the doctrines and usages of Metho-
dism, and regretted to see in his own church
any variation from what he deemed the
GUARD MEMORIAL. 137
true spirit of the denomination. He espec-
ially condemned the laying aside of the
grand and beautiful poetry of Charles
Wesley for the ryhming jingle of our mod-
ern social sono\s. He regfarded it as an of-
fense to good taste, spiritually. The es-
pi'it de corps of the Methodist ministry
was to him delightful, and this was one of
the chief attractions of Baltimore, where
he had seen it in such perfection. How
often he expressed a wish that it might
flourish here as there, and how often he
had fostered the sentiment by preaching
and lecturing for churches in the country
who were too poor to })ay their preacher's
salary !
His death is a loss to this coast as well as
to the church at large. The memory of
such ministers is precious. The church
cannot afford to pass then\ by. The hom-
age paid by such minds to the cross of
Christ is an argument for the truth and
divinity of Christianity. Here, at least, in
this new country, so fidl of materialism and
materialistic tendencies, the memory of oui-
brother's oratory, so spiritual and so bibli-
cal, is a precious legacy to the church which
will not soon be for2:otten. Our brother is
now at rest. With other ministers of our
138 GUARD MEMORIAL.
church, who have labored here for the
Master and have been called home, he has
entered upon his reward. " They rest
from their labors, and tlieir works do follow
them."
** * And so he giveth his beloved sleep,'
As seemeth to him best ; O ! blessed thought
God's holy Writ hath through the ages brought
To comfort those that sorrowful must weep,
Nor leave them desolate : our cross of woe
Is by the priceless words of Christ made light ;
His consolation, sorrow's darkest night
So sweet illuminates, that we may go
Rejoicingly, that ' death hath lost its sting.
The grave, its victory ' ; the friends we love
Will in God's golden harvest fields above
In his good time know perfect blossoming ;
And all these heavy griefs that make life dim
But draw the suffering children closer him."
REV. J. T. PECK, D. D.
PECK MEMORIAL.
ADDRESS BY IIE\^. F. F. JEWELL.
Jesse Truesdell Peck was born in Middle-
field, Otsego County, N. Y., Aug. 14, 1811,
and died in Syracuse, N. Y., May 18, 1883.
He was one of eleven children — five sons
and six daughters — all of wdiom became
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church;
the five sons entering the ministry of the
church in which the parents lived and died.
When I was pastor of the church in Os-
wego, N. Y., from which I was transferred
to this in 1872, I had as my assistant a ven-
erable father in the ministry, Rev. Eeuben
ReyncJds, who was for some time district
school teacher in the neighborhood where
the family of Luther Peck, father of Jesse,
resided. In Dr. George Peck's autobio-
graphy, I find this allusion to my friend :
" My teacher was Keuben Reynolds, then,
like myself, a licensed exhorter in the
church, now an honored member of the
140 PECK MEMORIAL.
Northern N. Y. Conference. This was in
1815-16, wliich would find Jesse a child of
four or five years. From Father Reynolds
I learned very many things concerning the
remarkable home that graduated so many
sons into the ministry, and of the child
Jesse, of whom my friend always delighted
to say with his characteristic quaintness : '' I
taught him his letters, and I am glad I did ;
he has made such good use of them."'
He was licensed as a local preacher at the
early age of eighteen. Three years after-
ward, vvhen twenty-one years old, he joined
the old Oneida Conference, and commenced
his itinerant career, with no other idea in his
heart than to give all his years to this work,
for which he seemed so well fitted, even
from the bes^innino-. His consecration, how-
ever, implied obedience to the voice of the
church, and there was no hesitation when
he was taken by that voice, and for sixteen
years required to bear the usual, and in
some cases, the unusual burdens, borne by
the early educators in our Methodism. Five
years afterward he was chosen Principal of
Governeur Wesleyan Seminary, St. Law-
rence County, N. Y. Here I found his
name fragrant in many families and circles,
where, long years afterwards, I was per-
PECK MEMORIAL. 141
mitted to enter. Here in his lionie his
parents lived, and here his mother died.
Of this mother it was written at that
time : she was a true mother in Israel, kind
and conciliatory in disposition, firm and pa-
tient under trials, praying without ceasing
with strong and victorious faith, fervent in
spirit serving the Lord. She had a sympa-
thetic heart, which prompted her to care for
the sick and the poor, and seek diligently
the wandering, the discouraged, and the
reckless. Her burning zeal impressed all
who came into her presence. The giddy
and the profane were struck dumb by her
tender reproofs uttered in well-chosen words
and in the spirit of kindness, and her desire
for the salvation of souls often eno-aoed her
in personal efforts which won them to the
Savior. She early consecrated her children
to God, and sought by precept and example
to lead them to Christ. They were all con-
verted. Two of her daughters died before
her in holy triumph, and she lived to see
all her sons in the Gospel ministry. When
she heard the last one of them preach, she
said : "* Now Lord, lettest thou thy hand-
maiden depart in peace, for mine eyes have
seen thy salvation." Of her death, Kev.
Dr. Wentworth, then her [)astor, said it Avas
142 PECK MEMORIAL.
peaceful and triumphant— a fitting close to
such a life. The venerable servant of God
(alluding to her husband) was waiting to
close the eyes of the companion of his youth.
The breeze of an autunmal evening rustled
the drapery of a open window, but besides
this there was no sound, save the deep
breathing of the aged sufferer. Suddenly
the soft, silvery, tremulous voice of the
white-haired veteran fell upon the ear:
" Give joy or grief; give ease or pain ; take
life or friends away, etc."
" I fancied," says the Dr., " that the dy-
ing saint listened to the music of two
worlds, and listening, smiled and died."
I have inserted this glimpse of his mother,
that In the analysis of the character of our
departed friend, due credit may be given to
the one who under God gave directions to,
and to Indicate from whom he Inherited,
some of the most striking traits of his beau-
tiful character. His pulpit power was here
recognized, and his services sought on vari-
ous occasions, as an able and talented
preacher of the word.
This power was felt, liowever, to most
advantage in the school, where In remarka-
ble revivals, his emotional oratory was made
a means of awakening many a young man.
PECK MEMORIAL. 143
who afterwards entered the ranks of the
Christian ministry. Here occurred what
was perhaps representative of the times,
as an incident in revival work.
Governeur w^as, and has generally been,
a strong Presbyterian community. The
Presbyterian minister sometimes attended
the chapel services, and was careful, espec-
ially when revival meetings were in pro-
gress, to lend his presence in the Interest of
religious decorum and propriety. On one
of these occasions the altar was crowded
with penitents, and there were sobs min-
gled with earnest prayers from stricken
penitents on every side. The Presbyteri-
an minister, in looklno- about, saw amono;
those weeping ones a child of his own flock
sobbing as violently as any. He approach-
ed her, and taking her by the arm raised
her to her feet, and leading her to one of
his Elders who was just at hand, he said :
" Take this girl out of doors ; she needs
fresh air." The Principal firmly said :
" She needs salvation." " Let us pray for
her."
From Governeur he was transferred to
the Troy Conference, and placed In charge
of the Troy Conference Seminary at West
Poultney, Yt., in the spring of 1841. A
144 PECK MEMORIAL.
wider field liere opened before the already
successful young Principal. The academy
building was large and beautiful, costing
i40.000 at a period when building was far
less expensive than now.
Here, with a corps of professors under
him, most oZ whom became eminent in af-
ter years in the field of instruction aud lit-
erature, he commanded the respect and con-
fidence of all for his geniality, energy, and
wisdom in administration. Here, as at
Governeur, extensive revivals prevailed in
the Seminary. Dr. Stephen D. Brown, of
precious memory in the Troy Conference,
was wont to speak of a sermon preached at
one of the revival meetings in the school
by the young Principal, as the most power-
ful sermon to which in a lifetime he ever
listened.
From this he was elected President of
Dickinson College, at Carlisle, Pennsylva-
nia, where he remained four years. He
then served a term as pastor of Foundry
Church, Washington, D. C, at the close of
which he was elected general secretary and
editor of the Tract Society of the Metho-
dist Episcopal Church. One term in the
pastorate of the Green Street Church, N.
Y., completed his labor in the East, previ-
PECK MEMORIAL. 145
ous to his transfer to this Conference and
his hibors on this coast. Of these anotlier
will speak. After his return to the East
he served three charges, viz.: Peeksville,
Hudson Street, Albany, and Centenary, Syr-
acuse, where he was when elected to the
Episcopacy in 1872. He was one of the
founders, and I may say, the chief founder
of the Syracuse University ; president of
the first board of trustees, and to it he gave
untiring labor, and all of his considerable
fortune.
I well remember his rino-jno- words in the
State Convention of which he was chair-
man ; which convention gave indorsement
and form to the great ideas which had
filled the great mind of this truly great man.
He was five times a member of the Gen-
eral Conference, and a fraternal delegate
to the Canadian and East British Confer-
ences. As an author he has given to his
church and ages several valuable and some
standard works, viz.: "The Central Idea
of Christianity," "The True Woman — or
Life and Happiness at Home and Abroad,"
" What Must I Do to be Saved," and " The
History of the Great Republic from a Chris-
tian Standpoint."
It was while he was enii:ai2:ed in this work
146 PECK MEMORIAL.
I first met him, and an acquaintance began
which has been a pleasure and a benedic-
tion to me ever since. I was invited to his
home. He was very busy in his literary
labors. I spoke of the research and labor
involved in his work. He replied, with a
beaming face : " But, oh, it pays to trace
the footprints and handiwork of our Heav-
enly Father along the line of the ages."
His transfer soon afterward to the Confer-
ence of which I was a member, brought me
into frequent contact with him after that,
and served to produce what I felt honored
to claim, a growing friendship between us.
I have been associated with him at several
dedications. I have heard him preach as
but few men, livino^ or dead, ever could
preach, on great occasions, when the gospel
would roll from his lips an avalanche of con-
vincing and saving power. I sat beside
him in the delegation as a member of the
General Conference which elevated him to
the Episcopacy. He was the first one to
Intimate to me that I was to be sent to San
Francisco, and placed in charge of Howard
Street Church. In that letter he said : " My
Dear Jewell, if the way opens, as It seems
to be doing, and duty says so, I know you
will o'o."
PECK MEMORIAL. 147
He kindly wrote me a long letter on the
eve of my departure for your midst, and
gave me such counsel as was prompted by
his great fatherly heart, and I flattered my-
self to believe a special interest in me as a
a friend. Among other things he said :
" Trust the official members of the Howard
Street Church ; I know them." He has
kindly written me from time to time, al-
thouo^h his work has been so absorbini*;, his
last note being one of congratulation upon
the improvement made last year in our
church property. I mention these to express
my feelings to-day. Bishop Peck was my
personal friend, and whoever had his friend-
ship had the friendship of as true a heart
as ever throbbed in a human bosom. Of
his last sickness we have learned but little
beyond this ; that while otherwise enfeebled
by sickness, pneumonia attacked him, and
by it he was so prostrated as to be able to
speak only in whispers, and was unconscious
most of the time. His record was on high ;
and he has passed on to his treasure and
the society of the redeemed in heaven. His
life and labors are the legacy of the church
— let us use it wisely.
148 PECK MEMORIAL.
ADDRESS BY R. McELROY.
Death, the mighty reaper, is still busy ;
oh, how busy ! Not a moment's rest, and
never weary. His gleaming sickle, with
keenest edoe is ceaselessly levelino; the
tender shoot as well as the ripened grain.
All ages, all classes, are stricken by his
sturdy blows, and garnered for the mighty
harvest. None are exempt; the good and
the pure, as well as the evil and the vicious
— all fall in their time, and are hidden from
mortal view. Why, then, should this pulpit
escape the general fiat? Why should
heaven be unpeopled from this sacred
desk ? Why should that shining shore
have no representative from this platform ?
If they come from the East and the West,
from the North and the South, to sit down
with Abraham in the kingdom of heaven,
why should not God allow some who liave
stood here pointing pilgrims up to those
golden thrones, to nestle very tenderly
within the bosom of the glorified patriarch?
Surely, our work in this temple would be
fruitless indeed, if the }>riests who min-
ister at its altars are not permitted to go,
when they weary In life's battle, to that
favored seat where the harpers harp, and
the redeemed sino-.
PECK MEMORIAL. 149
We come then, on this memori;il clay,
not to sadden our hearts with mournful
dirges that our loved and revered are gone,
but to gladden our spirits that they are
counted worthy of so great honor as being-
released from earthly labor and crowned
witli immortal glory. We rejoice that to-
day, among those who stand upon the sea
of glass mingled with fire, are those who
once stood where we now stand, and told us
of the l)lood whicli made them pure. Lips
that clearly and forcefully announced the
wondrous plan of salvation from this altar
are now attuned to celestial melodies, and
sing, oh, how sweetly, " the song of Moses
and the Lamb 1 " No cause, then, have we
for sighs and tears, no room for bitter lamen-
tation that Heath and Phillips, that Ban-
nister and Blain,that (juard and Peck have
left the damps of earth for the brightness
and beauty of heaven.
^ly acquaintance with Jesse T. Peck
began in the year 1846. He was then the
honored and successful Principal of Troy
Conference Academy, in Poultney, Vermont.
The next year I entered the ministry of
the same Conference, and from that hour
we have held the most precious intimacies,
personal when together, through corres-
150 PECK MEMORIAL.
})on(lence vvlien separated. After leaving
the Troy Conference Academy he went to
Carlisle, Penn., and assumed the Presidency
of Dickinson College. From that institu-
tion he became General Secretary of the
Tract Society of the M, E. CImrch. Upon
retiring from this position he went back
into the pastorate, and was appointed to the
Green Street charge, New York City.
i\.fter the expiration of the constitutional
term at Green Street, he was transferred to
the California Conference, and appointed
pastor of Powell Street clmrch in this
city. This was in the year 1858. As soon
as he entered upon his pastorate he became
most closely identified with tiie cause of
Methodistic Christianity on this coast.
There was no department of the general work
that did not claim his sympathy and share
his toil. Specially among these were the
California Christian Advocate and Univer-
sity of the Pacific. The columns of the
former were constantly, during all his so-
journ on this coast, enriched and embellished
with stirring articles from his facile pen ;
while the prosperity of the latter was
greatly enhanced by his wise counsels in
tlie Board of Trustees, and his liberal con-
tributions to its needy exchequer. He was
PECK MEMORIAL. 151
at once regarded by other denominations as
a prince in our Isrjiel, and as such was
accorded a prominent phice in all non-de-
nominational Christian enterprises. While
intensely lo3'al to his own church, he was
nevertheless entirely divested from sectarian
bigotry, and hence was a general favorite
with all catholic-spirited, Christ-loving men.
None loved him more, nor regretted his
departure from the coast to a greater ex-
tent, than did men outside of Methodism,
who had learned to esteem his worth by
association in all causes conducive to human
weal. These men made him President of
the California Bible Society, an office which
he retained while he remained on the coast,
and which he, at all times, most fully mag-
nified. At the time of his election that
Society was in a very straightened condi-
tion financially, and what little property it
had was grievously burdened with debt.
But throuiJ:li his wise counsels, far-reach ini*;
plans were inaugurated, which matured
into very great advantage to the Society,
freeino; it entirelv from debt, and <>;ivini): it
large material interests and great spiritual
usefulness. And so everything he touched,
whether Methodistic or non-denominational,
seemed to feel the life-giving current of bis
maoic wand.
152 PECK MEMORIAL.
After serving the Church at Powell
Street, Sacramento, Santa Chira,and in the
San Franci.sco District, he came to us and
assumed the pastorate of this church.
Such was the condition of the charge at
that time that no ordinary man could have
had the least possible chance of success.
We had just reared and dedicated this
temple, and were loaded down with a debt
of $14,000, after every member and friend
of the society had given his last possible
dollar to the enterprise and every legit-
imate available outside means to raise funds
had been exhausted. One of the most in-
defatigable and efficient pastors that Meth-
odism had ever known, the Rev. John D.
Blain, had just vacated the charge, and
been appointed to inaugurate a new enter-
prise but a few blocks to the westward.
Of course, the whole people loved Bro.
Blain, and greatly desired to aid him in his
new field. To give him a start and form
a nucleus upon whicli he could lean, a
colony of some forty of our most earnest
Christian workers went out from us. Of
course, in our debt-burdened condition, tliis
loss was quite a severe strain on the society.
And not only so, but many, very many
non-members who formed a part of this
PECK MEMORIAL. 153
cono-reo-atlon were so in love with Bro.
Bhiiii, and so respected him for his untiring
and unselfish labors in their behalf, that
they, too, went out from us to become part
of the new cono-reo-ation. Under these
circumstances, had not the new pastor been
a man of extraordinary power, both as pas-
tor and preacher ; liad he not been vested
with wonderful magnetic force to attract
the people ; had he not been replete in
wise and feasible schemes to advance the
cause committed to his charge, the So-
ciety would have lanquished under his min-
istry, and failure would have been written
over the door of his administration. Bnt
to the contrary, so great was his pulpit elo-
quence, so massive and beautiful his
thouglits, so fervirl and burning his zeal, so
lieart-thrilling his exhortations, so soul-in-
spiring liis [)rayers, so steady and pure his
piety, so sweet and guileless his spirit, so
tender and helpful liis sympathy, so unceas-
ing his pastoral labors, so affable and gen-
tlemanly his deportment, so genial and sun-
ny his intercourse with all, that but little
time was required to fill the seats wliich
had been vacated, and make his pastorate
an assured success. Indeed, so great was
that success and so opulent were his resourc-
154 PECK MEMORIAL.
es that lie had all times, and on all occa-
sions, ample means to further assist and
foster the infant Central. No two men ev-
er loved each other more or worked in more
perfect harmony than did Jesse T. Peck
and J. D. Blain. No jealousy or strife
ever existed between them, no anxiety as to
which should be the ofreatest in the kinor-
dom of the people's esteem. But with one
heart and with one mind each endeavored
to the very utmost of his ability to build
up the common cause.
As Dr. Peck had been at the head of
several of our educational institutions before
coming to this coast, and had s[)ent many
years in educating young men for the
various learned professions, he conceived
the idea of organizing the young men of
his church into a literary society, that they,
by church associations, might improve their
ntellectual status as well as their spiritual
condition. Accordingly, an unemployed
evening was designated for their meeting,
and a room in the basement of the church
assigned them. Not many weeks ela[)sed
before the society grew to large proportions
and became quite a feature of our church
work, and very many young men of a liter-
ary turn were broujiht under church infiu-
PECK MEMORIAL. 155
ences tlirougli its instrumentality. There
is no t]oul)t the society was exceedingly
useful, in a high sense, to most of its
members. !Not only did the pastor have
care over the flock in all their spiritual
interest, not only did he look sharply after
the prayer and class meetings, the Sunday
school and Bible classes, but every de])art-
ment of cluu'ch work was constantly upon
his hands and his heart. Busy, oh ! how
busy was his life in Howard Street ! And
then tliat debt, that ponderous debt, was a
matter of great solicitude to him ; so much
so that he set on foot a plan to reduce it
during his first year. Ten thousand dollars
of this debt was funded in a mortgage upon
the property, and four thousand dollars was
carried on the trustees' notes as floating.
The plan was to pay off and cancel this
floating portion of the liability, and a sub-
scription was opened on condition that all
must be raised or none would be payable.
That subscription had reached only the sum
of $3,200, and all the material had been
fully worked up when the Board met for
counsel. We canvassed the subscription,
we canvassed the church record, and not a
member of the Board could see where
another dollar could be got. Sad, sulleri
156 PECK MEMORIAL.
and despairing we sat thinking that tlie
13,200 would be sacrificed for the lack of
the $800, and were about to adjourn in
utter des])air, when the pastor stealthily
drew from his pocket a bit of paper, and
passed it over to me as Treasurer of the
Board. Judge of the electrical effect upon
that body of anxious men, when I announced
to them that the bit of paper was a certi-
fied check for 8800, which the pastor had
picked up among his Front-street merchant
friends during the day, just to meet this
contingency, and round out the full sum of
tlie floatino" debt. No member of the
church knew what he was doing that day,
but the sequel showed that he had been
odeanino- well. It also showed how laro'e
and potent was his influence over the men
of the mart, who only gave from personal
respect for him, and not from any special
attachment to the churcli.
It must not be inferred, however, that he
was entirely beyond the shafts of envy.
No man Avith })ositive o[)inions, with pre-
eminent success in his life-work, can ever
reach that goal until he enters the Golden
City. Such is the extreme selfishness of
humanity, that many are found who try to
exalt themselves bvhurlino* venomous shafts
PECK MEMORIAL. 157
at those wliose lofty positions tliey fain
would reach. I have seen such shafts
enter his extremely sensitive nature, and
have witnessed how terrible were their
effects in lacerating his finest and most
delicate feelln<>;s : but never on this cfreen
earth of ours have I witnessed so much
Christlike forbearance, such an indisposition
on being reviled to revile again, such an
entire absence of all vlndlctiveness toward
those whose calumnies have made the heart
quiver with intensest anguisli. In all my
closest intercourse with this noble man, I
cannot recall a single unkind word uttered
by him in regard to any human being.
His devotion to his sick wife took him
from this coast, and kept him a resident of
the East, as the climate there was better
adapted to her enfeebled condition. And
so this family affliction robbed us of his
valuable services, and lost to us all that lie
might have achieved for the cause, had he
been permitted to stay and labor. But our
loss was the gain of others, for surely he
has not been idle. AV^lth hand and heart,
and brain and tongue, and })en and purse
ail consecrated to the one great cause that
charmed his boyhood life ; that held spell-
bound his manhood diiys ; that lost none of
158 PECK MEMORIAL.
its magic sweetness when the infirmity and
decrepitude of age came on ; that upheld
and sustained liim when death's cokl wa-
ters engulfed him. Idle? No! nor is he
idle now. Dead though he is, yet speak-
ing still ; and will forever speak along the
ages yet to come. From leaf and page,
from book and tract, from memory's deep
recess, speaking firm and strong, speaking-
sweet and silvery, speaking words of cheer
to weary pilgrims, speaking words of
warning to wayward ones. Hark ! don't
you liear the echo of his wondrously sonor-
ous voice, as it comes along through all the
corridors of years agone, when from this
sacred desk it trembled upon the air, and
filled all this sacred temple with richest
melody ? Dead ? Yes, but still alive for-
ever more ! Alive to enjoy the fruitions
of the heavenly land I Alive to be free
from the pains and jigonies of earth !
Alive to look up, up, u[) at the wondrous
glories of that land where no night is ;
where the sun goes not down, and wliere
the springtime of youth and beauty is for-
ever more ; where flowers do not fade and
grasses are ever green ; where beauty vies
with beauty, and where splendor rolls on
splendor ; where the jasper walls are seen
PECK MEMORIAL. 159
and the Eden groves flourit^h. Yes, alive to
shine as the brightness of the firmament,
and as the stars, forever. Alive to behold
the King in his beauty, iind witness his
wonderful coronation by the armies of
heaven. Alive to go on from glory to
glory as eternal ages roll. Alive to take
in the swelling symphonies of angelic
choirs, and feel the ravishing joy which
those symphonies impart. Alive to wit-
ness the unfolding of what had been mys-
terious providences in life's history, and to
see how fully those seemingly hard provi-
dences had conduced to the hiohest oood.
So is he alive to-day, and so will he ever
be alive as eternal cycles move. Forever
with the Lord, Amen — so let it be.
ADDRESS BY REV. DR. WYTHE.
Among the apostolic men connected with
the early history of the Christian C-hurch,
we find representatives of every class of
Christian ministers. Barnabas appears most
nearly to typify the chief characteristics of
Bishop Peck. This surname of Barnabas,
signifying son of exhortation or consolation,
was given by the apostles to Joseph, a
Levite of Cyprus. AVe first read of him
160 PECK MEMORIAL.
as being at Jerusalem about the time of the
Ascension, and selling his land to bring the
price of it into the con)mon fund of the
church. After this he was sent to Antioch
to encourage the disciples, and it is said of
him tliat he was a good man and full of the
Holv Ghost and of faith. His succeedino;
history is connected with the missionary
labors of St. Paul. His commanding ap-
pearance led the })eople at Lystra, who
supposed that the gods had come down to
them in the likeness of men, to call him
Jupiter, while Paul, who was the chief
speaker, was termed Mercurius.
His personal appearance, his liberality,
his comforting exhortations, his personal
faith, the pureness of his life, and the evi-
dent unction of the Holy Ghost, suggest to
us the characteristics of the friend and
Bishop whose loss we mourn to-day.
I have been desired to give some personal
reminiscences of Bishop Peck, with a brief
analysis of his character ; but I realize that
whatever I may say will fall far short of
being a portrait, but will only be an imper-
fect sketch. The remembrance of goodness
in our friends should stimulate our efforts
for personal excellence, and since our de-
parted friend was a bright example of
PECK MEMORIAL. 161
iinselfisli devotion, even an imperfect review
of his cliaracter will be useful.
My first acquaintance with Bishoj) Peck
was in January, 1863 — a little over twenty
years ago. I had heard him -preach before
that, and had once casually met him when
actino; ns visitino; committee at Dickinson
College, Carlisle. It was about the darkest
period of the war of tlie rebellion, and
accumulated disasters had discouraged
many. Greenbacks were down to forty
cents on the dollar. I had been transferred
from the medical charge at Cam|) Parole,
Alexandria, to the Department of the
Pacific, and had narrowly escaped capture
by the Alabama. The government owed
me four months' back salary and transpor-
tation, and I had to pay my own passage-
money and that of my family, in addition
to the sacrifice of my business, library, and
household goods at a forced sale. I had
been appointed surgeon at Camp Union,
Sacramento, and attached to the staff of
General Wright; but I had become reduced
to the last twenty dollars when I arrived
with my family at the hotel. My Presid-
Ino' Elder and the Preachers' Meetino- at
Philadelphia had given me letters of recom-
mendation to the ministers of this coast, and
162 PECK MEMORIAL.
with these I started to find Dr. Peck, who
was the pastor of the Sixth street Church.
A heartier and more brotherly greeting I
never received. I tokl him frankly my
circumstances, and he gave me judicious
advice. Not content with this, he aided me
to find a suitable home for my family, went
with me and became security for the pay-
ment of my household goods, and in all
possible ways showed the kindness of a
brother in my need. His conduct in this
instance indicated the real nature of the
man.
He was intensely jjatriotic. His voice
and influence sustained the government all
through the war. He was profoundly im-
pressed with the conviction that the cause
of the Nation was a righteous one, and that
God would lead it to a successful issue.
In my own case he saw the claim, not only
of friendship, but of patriotism. Had
opportunity served, he would have sacri-
ficed position and property, and even life
if necessary, for the nation. As it was, he
used position and property for the nation's
cause. Few men in California did more to
uphold the government, even wdien the case
seemed desperate.
He 'fras full of hrotherly hindness. No
PECK MEMORIAL. 163
one made his acquaintance without realiz-
ing that. His was no narrow, niggardly
spirit, looking out for opportunities for self-
aggrandizement. His sympathies went out
In a full stream, and attracted to him people
of all classes of society. No man was better
known nor more esteemed here, during the
eight years he spent upon this coast, than
Dr. Peck.
He wai> (jenerous even to those toho op-
posed him. No man can escape antagon-
isms, and tlie more noble the spirit, or more
conspicuous the person, the greater will be
the liability to captious criticism and perse-
cution from the envious or the malicious.
Dr. Peck did not escape from such attacks,
but he never allowed them to disturb his
equanimity. He made allowance for tlie
weaknesss and temptations of human nature,
and never suffered a spirit of retaliation to
Irritate his breast. Like the man in white,
described by Bunyan, against whom tlie
black man was constantly throwing mud,
the mud rolled to his feet and the raiment
remained white as before.
He teas a truly Christian man. He was
not merely attached to Christ, but he had
experienced the renewing power of Christ.
The unction of the Holy One was a reality
164 PECK MEMORIAL.
In Ills 80ul. His life was one of prayer and
communion with spiritual things. All lie
liad was consecrated to Clod, and he enjoyed
a constant assurance that his consecration
was accepted. During several years of
close intimacy with him I found his relig-
ious spirit and experience a personal ben-
ediction, and I have heard many testify to
the same thino-.
As a Christian minister lie might be sur-
passed in learning and natural eloquence,
but few equalled him in that fervid eloquence
which results from the inspiring presence of
the Holy Spirit, and none excelled him in
fidelity. While associated with him as a
fellow-laborer in San Francisco, I was often
led to admire his earnest, persistent zeal, and
Indefatigable efforts to promote the work
of Chri^.
He was naturally a leader among men.
His executive ability was of a very high
order. This was recognized at Sacramento,
wdien, during a dead-lock, as it was called,
in the legislature, the political leaders were
willing to compromise by offering him the
United States Senatorship. He came to
me that evening for my opinion, and I ad-
vised him to pray over it, and act as con-
science dictated. The next morning he
PECK MEMORIAL. 165
told iiie tluit he had decided to decline the
flattering offer, as it would divorce him
fi-oni the ministry. I confess that he then
appeared to me sublime. Such a sacrifice
of personal ambition could only have pro-
ceeded from the heroism of faith.
I remember, [dso, a time when his capac-
ity for administration was severely tested.
It was at the General Conference of 1872,
shortly after his election as bishop. The
members of that Conference were very nu-
merous, as it was the first time that laity
and ministers had been associated in the
supreme council of our church. The hall
was large, and speakers sometimes so irre-
pressible that it was difilicult to preserve
parliamentary order. Bishop Peck was to
preside for the first time, and, as he had
been the unanimous choice of the Pacific
Coast delegation, it was natural that some
solicitude should be felt concerning his suc-
cess. Able men and important questions
had to be held firmly in the hands of the
president. But our bishop proved himself
to be the peer of the rest, and congratula-
tions were heartily exchanged. After this,
there was no doubt of his ability to govern.
He loas tcmfer awl sw72)Ie as a child.
All great minds have child-like sim])llcity.
166 PECK MEMORIAL.
which renders them incapable of guile.
Dr. Peck rose to high position among his
brethren by no dubious, crooked or slimy
ways, but by pursuing the even tenor of his
life with a frank and hearty sincerity. His
simplicity of soul could not be comprehended
by those who cultivate the art of conceal-
ment and political Intrigue. The difference
between them Is as that between the owl
and the eagle — one delighting in the pure
sunlight and open sk3% and the other seek-
ing the dark recess in the night.
He had a cosmopolitan and liberal spirit.
His sympathies were not confined to Meth-
odism ; and he was loved and honored in
other denominations for his Christian cour-
tesies as well as his abilities. Yet he loved
the Methodist doctrine and polity as the
best exponent of Christian faith, and the
best evangelizing system In the world.
His method of contrlbutlno- to rello^Ious
education Is a model for those who have
but a moderate Income. A few men only
become rich, and If we depend wholly upon
these for the endowment of our needy col-
leges and other necessary evangelizing agen-
cies. It will be Imperfectly done, to say
nothing of the slavery to rich men which
necessarily follows such dependence. Dr.
PECK MEMORIAL. 167
Peck was not a ricli man, but he sagacious-
ly planned to make the most out of his op-
portunities. He and his beloved wife
agreed to carry a joint life insurance policy
in favor of Syracuse University, which, at
tlie Bishop's death, obtains a considerable
sum. Other benevolences were of frequent
occurrence durino' his life. Our own Uni-
versity of the Pacific was not forgotten, and
personal acts of generosity can be recalled
by others besides myself.
He died May 18th, at his home in Syr-
acuse, N. Y., of pneumonia. Particulars
of his last hours have not yet reached us,
but we are sure that he died as he lived —
a noble, generous, commanding, patriotic
man, and an earnest, tender, faithful, child-
like Christian.
Beloved friend and Bishop, farewell !
Thou hast oone to the land where no mis-
understanding exists ; where no envious de-
traction poisons the air with its breath ;
where all the inhabitants " see as they are
seen, and know as they are known " ; and
Avhere the Lamb appears "in the midst of
the throne." Thou hast joined thy fellow-
workers who labored to lay true founda-
tions for religion here. Owen, Bannister,
Thomas, Blain, Tansy, Maclay, and Guard
168 PECK MEMORIAL.
have welcomed thee, vvitli liundreds more
of thy companions and friends. If it please
God we shall join thee and them ere long.
Till then, farewell !
JAS. W. WHITING.
Present Superintendent Sunday School.
HISTORY OF SUNDAY SCHOOL.
As we approach the history of the Sunday
School we are met by a remarkable fact,
which seems to give a historic unity to the
school for the thirty-two years of its exist-
ence. Four only, of the original or organ-
izing members of the Churcli, remain — viz:
Seneca Jones and wife and J. W. Whiting
and wife. The first named was really the
first Superintendent, so far as the parentage
of the movement is concerned ; and the last
named is the present Superintendent.
Brother Jones and wife resided near the
corner of Essex and Folsom streets, where
the Folsom Street Church was afterwards
erected. Here at their own home, on or
about April 14, 1851, they gathered some
of the children of the neighborhood, and
regularly met them in Sunday School,
until the organization of the Society on
Market street.
At this time, naturally, the little Home
Mission was merged into the new movement,
and on the first Sunday in January, 1852,
170 HISTORY OF SUNDAY SCHOOL.
M. C. Briggs, for a brief period in charge
of the Society, organized the Sunday School
formally, by appointing M. E. Willing its
Superintendent.
At the first quarterly meeting of tlie
charge, the pastor, G. S. Phillips, reported
the average attendance of scholars as about
fifteen, with one hundred volumes in the
library. The meetings of the Society
and Sunday School were held in what was
known as the Happy Valley School House,
which was kindly placed at the service of
the infant church organization, and con-
tinued to shelter the little fledo^elino; until
it found more spacious accomodations in
the Bush street School-house the following
year. This last named building stood on
the site now occupied by H. S. Crocker &
Go's stationery store.
The first statistical report furnished,
bearing date August 1, 1852, is as follows :
Number of scholars, 25 ; Officers and teach-
ers, 10 ; Members of Bible class, 5 ; Total,
40 : Volumes in Library, 100 ; Papers
taken, 25. General remarks: '^ Prospects
seem to be brightening."
About this time M. E. Willino- resigned
the superintendency of the school, and
Horace Hoag was chosen to the position.
HISTORY OF SUNDAY SCHOOL. 171
In December of this year, Mrs. John
Burns, now an honored and useful member
of our church In San Jose, gathered about
fifteen of the vouno;er members of the
school into an infant class. She says :
" Most of the children of San Francisco
were living just about the school-house, in
that part of the straggling city known as
Happy Yalley. The first hymn I tauglit
them was: 'There is a Happy Land, far,
far away.' At the close of the school, a
bright little boy of five years came to me,
and witli an anxious countenance said :
' Teacher, is it as far to Heaven as it is to
the States ? ' He had come all the way
from Boston via Cape Horn, and doubtless
was feelino^ unwillino; to start on another
journey involving so many weeks of weary
travel and sea-sickness. The child's name
was Hindley. He lived to be a man of
thirty years, and then passed to the ' Happy
Land' not so very ' far away ' as childhood
had inferred from the terms of the death-
less poem he had sung. I have not regret-
ted the effort made to meettliat little class,
althougli it involved the difficult task of
treading through the sand, which was so
generously stored In drifts and piles all
about that part of the young, and yet
172 HISTORY OF SUNDAY SCHOOL.
enterprising city. How often I had to stop
and hold my position against the contesting
winds and drifting sand, and wait for a ' lull '
to enable me to proceed. ' But God was
the strength of my heart,' and I was glad
to labor for Him, and ' sow in the morn'
the seed, which, I trust, will reveal some
fruitage in the Heavenly garner."
The above reminds me of the outflow of
the heart of a dear personal friend. Rev.
Dwii>;ht AVilliams, of the Central New
York Conference, which I will venture to
insert as a fittino- climax to this frao^ment
of the early history of our infant class.
POEM.
The love of a child,
The love of a child,
I know I am oft by the passion beguiled ;
I know it is bliss
To feel its soft kiss,
No balm of affection is sweeter than this ;
And Jesus to win it spread out his dear hands,
And children now love him in heavenly lands.
The child of the poor,
A smile at thy door
May fill his sad heart with joy brimming o'er ;
Oh, do not refrain
From soothing its pain,
Nor send it on moaning or pining again ;
Look down in those eyes, and see if there be
No image of gladness to shine back on thee.
HISTORY OF SUNDAY SCHOOL. 173
Did you know 'twere a bliss,
Too precious to miss,
When you pass to the realms of the angels from, this.
From little hands white,
And eyes beaming bright.
To drink the sweet nectar of heaven's delight?
Forever, forever a joy it will be,
A fountain from childhood land flowing to thee.
Away and away,
No longer delay ;
Find gems that will glisten in heaven's bright day.
Oh, yes, they will cling.
To the crowns which you bring,
And cast at the feet of Jesus, your King ;
The heart of a child, oh win it by love,
To bask in the sunshine forever above.
The heart of a child,
Though wanton and wild,
Oh do not turn from it and leave it defiled.
But touch if you can,
By some little plan.
The heart that will beat with the throb of a man,
Oh, win it to love thee where golden years roll,
And love is forever the joy of the soul.
The first infant baptism enrolled in con-
nection with the charge was administered
by Bishop Ames, on the 24th of January of
this year, while the service was yet held at
the Happy Valley School-house, wliere the
Bishop preached his first sermon on the
Pacific coast. On this Sabbath the Quar-
terly Conference was held, and the Sunday
school report rendered in connection there-
174 HISTORY OF SUNDAY SCHOOL.
with by G. S. Phillips, Pastor, indicated the
following facts : One Sunday school with
eighty scholars ; fifteen teachers, and one
hundred and fifty volumes in the library.
This quarterly meeting organized the first
Board of Trustees, and the society took or-
ganic form as the Second Methodist Episco-
pal Church of San Francisco.
The growth of the Sunday school is indi-
cated by the fact that the report rendered,
bearing date July 30th of the same year,
gave the number of scholars 200, with 22
officers and teachers, and 800 volumes in
the library. This quarterly meeting re-
corded the reported purchase of a lot on
Market street for church building purposes.
Tlie Sunday school had at some time in this
year accompanied the church services under
whose fostering care it existed to the Bush
Street School-house, as before stated.
The fact that in October of this year
tliere is a recorded notice received from the
authorities to discontinue the services at this
place doubtless had much to do with the pur-
chase above mentioned, and hurried the young
and struggling church on its way into the })0S-
session and occupancy of a house of its own.
AVe need not follow the property records,
which indicate various changes, in tracing
HISTORY OF SUNDAY SCHOOL. 175
the lilstory of tliis cliild of tlie church; suf-
fice it to say the child lived with its parents
and was always nestled close to the heart of
its " Alma Mater." The reported attendance
was very much less immediately after the
removal to the new Folsom Street Church,
which was dedicated in January, 1854.
William H. Codington here became the
superintendent of the school, and began the
valuable services he has continued to give
Sunday school work in San Francisco
Methodism, with the exception of brief ab-
sence from the city, until the present time.
The whole of the Bush St. School, how-
ever, did not immediately become absorbed
into the Folsom street organization, and two
schools with respectively 78 and 75 scholars
were reported as existing at the time of the
first quarterly meeting of the new Folsom
street family. This, however, did not long
continue ; and in June of that year the two
branches came together and commenced a
more complete and vigorous life in their
new home. During a period of peculiar
discouragement, financially, the church in
debt and paying three per cent, per month
interest on five thousand dollars, the Sunday
school was the bond that held the church
family together, and the inspiration which
176 HISTORY OF SUNDAY SCHOOL.
carried it over the severest trials. This is
not the only family which has been bound by
the love and obligations which centered in
the child or children of the home, and thus
kept from disintegration and ruin. The
love of a child has saved many a home on
earth, and as the poem inserted has it, may
be " a joy forever."
The Sunday school prospered and grew
in numbers, and was a blessing to the com-
munity.
In 1857 Superintendent Codington, still
at the head of the school, reported 18 offic-
ers and teachers, and one hundred scholars,
with six hundred volumes in the library,
wliich certainly was a generous provision of
reading for the school. In addition to this,
however, one hundred and twenty Sunday
School Advocates were taken. In 1858 and
'59 the school continued to prosper and do
its work efficiently, and reported an average
attendance of two hundred scholars, and
twenty - three officers and teachers ; the
library still advancing and now having
reached seven hundred volumes. Conver-
sions were also reported in gratifying num-
bers, and the labors of the faitliful officers
and teachers were thus owned of Heaven,
and the real end of Sunday school labor
reached.
HISTORY OF SUNDAY SCHOOL. 177
In 1860, the record introduces S. S.
Sprague as Superintendent, with a Sunday
school constitution, and several additional
marks of advancement. June 24th of this
year the minutes of the teachers' meeting
furnish a copy of resolutions duly passed
to ascertain the wishes of the children rel-
ative to holding a picnic. It is not difficult
to predict tlie result of such a canvass at
any time, and the usual result was here
reached ; and the first picnic, so far as is
known, ever enjoyed by the children of our
school was held July 4th, 1860, at the Wil-
lows, a place of resort located almost ex-
actly where our Grace M. E. Church now
stands.
In 1861 W. H. Codington was again
chosen Superintendent, and continued to
fill the place until 1865. The average at-
tendance for the year of scholars, teachers
and (.fficers was 301, with 926 books in the
library, and 200 Sunday School Advocates
taken. The highest average attendance
reached by the school while it remained at
Folsom street was in 1862, its last year
there, wdien the figures reached were officers
and teachers 32, and scholars 350. In
November of this year the property on
Folsom street was sold, and the unhoused
178 HISTOEY OF SUNDAY SCHOOL.
family found Itself, by invitation, under
the roof-tree of the Howard Presbyterian
Church, at the corner of Jane and Natoma
streets. This hos[)italIty was enjoyed until
the first Sabbath in January, 1863, when
the new basement rooms of the Howard
Street Church, where we still abide, opened
their doors to receive those for whom they
were prepared, and church and Sunday
school began to worship and work under
their " own vine and fig tree." The growth,
incident upon this change was very appar-
ent and strlklno- and the averao;e attend-
ance reached 480 scholars, with a Bible
class of 33 members, and 33 ofificers and
teachers. The church being unfinished, the
services were all held in the Sunday school
rooms of the church. The annual report
of Wm. H. Codington, Superintendent,
dated January 4th, 1864, indicates an ex-
ceedingly prosperous condition. The sec-
retary reported a roll of 650 officers, teach-
ers and scholars. The minutes contain this
allusion to the sad and sudden removal of
one of the most esteemed and useful mem-
bers of the church and Sunday school, viz. :
*•' During the year one of our number has
been called to the rest that awaits those who
love our Lord. D. S. Howard, our excel-
HISTORY OF SUNDAY SCHOOL 179
lent secretary, died October 20th, 1863, and
has left a name that will long be remem-
bered among us." We find also this allu-
sion to the connection of the pastor with the
work of the school. " The adult Bible class,
under the care of our pastor Kev. J. I).
Blain, has been fully attended, and proves
an excellent source from which to procure
teachers as they have been needed In tlie
growth of the school." The teachers, by
their punctual attendance and faitliful la-
bors, are showing that they liave the spirit-
ual welfare of the children at heart, and
are deserving the prayers of tlie church for
success in their efforts.
On the 3rd of January, 1865, Charles
Goodall was chosen to the position of Super-
intendent. Dr., afterward Bishop, Jesse T.
Peck was pastor of the church and school.
The roll numbered 690 in attendance. This
was a remarkable showing, when we re-
member that during tlie year, viz., in Sep-
tember, 1864, the popular pastor, Rev. eJ.
D. Blain, had been ap})ointed to the new
church movement, or mission, wliich is
now tlie Central M. E. Church on Mission
street. The average attendance was dimin-
ished by this fact, but the efficiency of the
superintendent and his corps of teachers
180 HISTORY OF SUNDAY SCHOOL.
soon carried the school forward ag-ain to its
former strength. The interruption to the
work of the charge, liowever, by the re-
moval of Dr. Peck, the pastor, in the mid-
dle of tlie Conference year, to New York,
worked against the Sunday school as well
as the other interests of the church, and
the average attendance went down to less
tlian 400 in 1866 ; which, liowever, in 1867
went up again to 442 as an average attend-
ance for the year. The records about this
time allude to a Mission Sunday school
somewhere on Montgomery street, which
it was claimed " seceded " from the con-
trol of the church, and unfurled the Union
Sunday school colors. The spirit of Chris-
tian tolerance which prevailed in the school
management is indicated by this minute in
the records of the school. " If under any
name the Word of God is taught to those
who in that part of the city so much need
it, our donations of 200 volumes of our
library books, and the surplus copies of the
Sunday School Advocate and Good News^
as well as money subscribed, will not have
been in vain." January 8th, 1868, W. H.
Codington was again elected superintendent,
and Dr. H. Cox appears on the records as
pastor. This year indicated a slight falling
off in attendance, perhaps due to the pres-
HISTORY OF SUNDAY SCHOOL. 181
ence in the churcli of a Chinese Sunday
school, with J. J. Aj3plegate superintendent.
If from this cause, the price paid was very
insignificant for the privilege of opening
the way for the benighted heathen to find
the world's and hence their Redeemer. The
usual prosperity of the school was fully
maintained under the faithful and efficient
management of John F. Byxbee as Superin-
intendent ; during the years 1869-70, with
an average attendan(;e of about 430 schol-
ars, with 60 officers and teachers, with 1270
books in the library, Rev. L. Walker was
the pastor. There is upon the records this
minute. '' In memoriam : Bro. E. L. Bar-
ber died in January, 1870, and in his re-
moval the Sunday school loses one of its
most faithful and efficient teachers." W. H.
Codinotoii had charo:e of the Chinese school,
and reported satisfactory results from the
labors bestowed in that department of the
work.
Chas. Goodall again came to the head of
the school in 1871, and continued as super-
intendent until 1873. The pastor, F. F.
Jewell, reported Nov. 11th, 1872, an aver-
age considerably smaller than the last fig-
ures given in this sketch. The decrease was
largely owing to the fact that the charge
was without a regular pastor for a large
182 HISTOKY OF SUNDAY SCHOOL.
part of the Conference year 1871—2, al-
though the hour upon which it convened was
an exceedingly unpopular one at that time.
An increased attendance followed a change
of hour almost immediately. A system
of bi-monthly meetings held in the audience
room of the church was in operation, wdiicli
worked favorably also in bringing the Sun-
day school and public congregation together,
and centering healthy attention upon this
part of church work. The average attend-
ance, as given by the pastor's report in Feb.,
1873, wds 410. At this time the quarterly
Conference, impelled by a healthy impulse,
created a committee to establish a Mission
Sunday school in Hayes Valley, where a
school had for a time existed, but had been
discontinued for lack of support. That
committee reported May 23, 1873, as fol-
lows : '' Your committee, to whom you en-
trusted the work of looking out a proper
location for a Mission School, after having
determined upon starting a school in Hayes
Valley, found it impracticable to do so at
[)resent, because of a feeling wdiich obtained
with some that it would interfere with
schools already organized." Thus the work
which was but just opening in that locality
was postponed for years, and w^e have noth-
ing now where, ere this, we would have had
HISTORY OF SUNDAY SCHOOL. 183
a stronor church orsfniizatlon by the blessins;
of God.
This year was started a second session of
the school, which convened Sabbath A. M.
at ten o'clock for instruction in the cate-
chism and song services, and with the ex-
pectation that many of tlie children would
remain at the preaching service and assist
in the sino-ino;- The result was excellent so
far as the instruction and other advantages
to the children were sought, but the second
session was unable to rally teachers for its
work, and was given up. The clamorings
of the infant class about this time, which,
under the care of Mrs. Emily Foster, as-
sisted by Miss Octavia Jewell, had reached
a membership of one hundred and fifty, was
beo-innino; to be heard for increased accom-
modations. The pastor in his report to the
fourth quarterly Conference of the first year
of his pastorate, echoed these cries in these
words: "I am compelled to say that the
place where the infant class meets is entirely
unfit for the purpose, being dark, illy ven-
tilated, and uncomfortably seated. Nothing
but the most inexorable necessity should
content you to allow such a state of things
to continue. Much more than the present
capacity is needed for Sunday school, Bible
classes, and infant class."
184 HISTORY OF SUNDAY SCHOOL.
S. Mosgrove, the new Superintendent
brought into the school his characteristic
energy and enterprise, and the school con-
tinued to increase in numbers until the
remodeling and enlarging of our Sunday
school rooms was a necessity not to be long-
er ignored ; and in connection witli other
much needed improvements the work was
done. The pastor, in the report to tlie first
quarterly Conference of the second year,
1873-74, so changed the tone of his refer-
ence to tlie school accommodations as to
say : " Tlie new rooms, or rather tlie old
rooms remodeled, enlarged and refurnished,
are among the finest I have ever seen. The
increase of lioht and of comfort in sittinfi^
cannot fail of appreciation, and we are ex-
pecting to hear our presiding elder, J. W.
Koss, say that as our room was the poorest
for the purpose of any of our denomina-
tion in the city, it is now the best."
The averao'e attendance increased until
at the second quarterly Conference of this
year the report indicated fully six hundred
in steady attendance. This gentle hint to
the quarterly Conference appears in the re-
port, which may not be inappropriate at
some other time in the history of the
school. " If some of the younger teachers
were superseded by members of this quar-
HISTORY OF SUNDAY SCHOOL. 185
terly Conference and other older members
of the church, a higher type of piety might
be reached and fuller gospel results real-
ized.
At the end of this Conference year the
average attendance had readied 630, with
nearly or quite 800 on the roll. The school
continued to do its work harmoniously and
with success durino; the followino; years.
As the pastor's report was not spread upon
^he journal, we have not the figures or facts
for the years which have elapsed since the
dates above s^iven. J. M. Buffino;ton sue-
ts o
ceeded Bro. Mosgrove as Superintendent,
and introduced some new features into the
management which worked advantageously.
His blackboard drawings of the lesson
thoughts were of the best execution, and
assisted greatly in getting the lessons clear-
ly before tlie minds of the scholars. Bro.
Buffington's spirit and efficiency made him
appreciated and beloved by the whole
school ; and the work he did shall furnish
a fruitafje in "• harvest home " on hio-h.
J. J. Applegate was elected as his success-
or, and served a short time only, resigning
his place which was filled by the election of
J. K. Jones. Bro. Jones introduced the KoU
Catechism, which is a feature of our school,
and added much of interest to this necessary
186 HISTORY OF SUNDAY SCHOOL.
part of our Sunday-school instruction. His
untiring labors in the school, his forcible
and em])liatic advocacy of Methodist doc-
trines and usages, were productive of in-
creased spirituality in the school, and many
were gathered into the church from tlie
Sunday-scliool ranks, during the remarkable
revival under the labors of Bro. Harrison
during Bro. Jones' administration.
The present Superintendent, Bro. J. W.
Whitino- one of the oroanizino^ members
of the church, and yet in tlie vigor and
efficiency of full-orbed manhood was elected
to the position last January, and is by his
efficiency and popularity justifying the call
which placed him there. The following is
the order of Superintendents from the origin
of our work until the present.
Seneca Jones.
M. E. Willing.
Horace Hoag.
W. H.- Codington, 3 terms.
Sam'l. S. Sprague.
Charles Goodall, 2 terms.
John F. Byxbee.
Sam'l Mosgrove.
j. m. buffington.
J. J. Applegate.
Jos. K. Jones.
J. W. Whiting.
HOWARD ST. M. E.
SCHOOL.
SUNDAY
LIST OF OFFICERS AND TEACHERS, NOV., 1883.
OFFICERS :
Pastor REY. F. F. JEWELL
Superintendent J. W. WHITING
Secretary J. KIRK FIRTH
Assistant Secretary W. F. PERKINS
Treasurer J. B. FIRTH
Librarian W. M. INMAN
Assistant Librarian W. F. JANTZEN
WILLIAM HARRIS
NAT. T. COULSEN
H. F. PERRY
" " S.B. MARVIN
Leader of Singing MISS MAMIE CADY
Pianist MISS CARRIE KANOUSE
Class No. 1 . Adult Bible class, J. K. Jones, Teacher
2 J. B. Firth, "
3 Mr. Draper, ' '
4 . . .Misses Miller and Bowman, "
5 J. W. Whiting, "
6 Miss Carrie Jantzen, ''
7 Miss A. Wilson, *'
188 LIST OF TEACHEKS.
Class No. 8 D. E. McConaughy, Teacher.
" 9 Miss Lizzie Curry,
" 11 Miss Laura Jones,
" 12 Miss Shearer,
" 13 Mrs. Perkins,
" 14 Miss Maggie Curry,
" 15 Miss S.Jones,
" 16 Mrs. W. B. Cluff,
" 19 Miss Dillie Little,
'' 22 Mrs. J. K. Firth,
" 25 Mr. T. B. Smith,
" 26 Miss Nellie Williams,
" 29 R. Pengelly,
" 30 Mrs. J. K. Jones,
" 31 Mr. J. C. Smith,
" 32 Mrs. Burley,
" 33 Miss Annie Thompson,
" 34 Miss Emma Beach,
'• 37 Mrs. J. B. Firth,
SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS :
Mr. Henry Thomas, Mr. W. M. Whittaker,
Mr. J. H. Stitt (now Teacher Class No. 8).
INFANT CLASS.
Miss Birdie Harris Teacher
ASSISTANT TEACHERS :
Miss Katie Rowe, Miss Hattie Rowe,
Miss Alice Reynolds, Miss Alice Stracham.
Leader of infant class singing, Mr. S. M. Batchelder.
150 scholars enrolled in the Infant Class.
REV. F. F. JEWELL, D. D.
Present Pastor.
FRIENDLY HINTS.
My Dear People: — I rejoice to greet
you in the name of the Lord, and unite
with you in thanksgiving to our Heavenly
Father for his many mercies to us as a
church and people. Grateful for the past,
let us prayerfully look toward our fnture.
Our mission is to save the world, instru-
mentally, by bringing the unsaved as soon as
possible to the " only wise God, our Sav-
ior." No archano-el is clothed with a hio-h-
er or more honorable commission, and we
are not to suspend our efforts until the
work is done.
Our qualifications for this work must ev-
er consist in personal piety, and that vital
alliance with Christ which follows an intel-
ligent, earnest, and entire consecration to
Him who gave himself for us.
Let us earnestly seek to understand and
experimentally to comprehend the Genius of
3Ieihodism. One has said Methodism was
born in the hejirt of John AYesley, when.
May 24th, 1738, he went to a society meet-
190 FRIENDLY HINTS.
ing in Aldersgate Street, London ; and, as
he listened earnestly to the reading of Lu-
ther's preface to the Romans, in wliich the
great Reformer simply unfolds the doctrine
of justification by faith, he suddenly felt
his heart strangely warmed — felt that his
burden of sin was o;one, and that he was a
new creature in Christ Jesus — felt " cheer-
ed, elevated, excited; transported with
sw^eet affections toward God." From that
day the characteristics of Methodism have
been :
(1.) Spirituality. — Methodism is emin-
ently experimental : its kingdom is the
heart. It is nothing if it is not heartfelt,
fervent, warm. While it has its distinctive
theology, whose salient feature is free-will;
and while it has an ecclesiastical polity of
its own, whose distinctive feature is the itin-
erancy ; the essential element yet of Method-
ism always and everywhere is fervent relig-
ion. Denominational, without being secta-
rian or straight-laced, it affiliates cordially
and promptly with all heart-felt loyalty to
Christ ; while holding aloft the shining doc-
trine of the witness of the Spirit, it encour-
ages that fond assurance of hope that en-
ables one to say: " I know whom I have
believed."
FRIENDLY HINTS. 191
I would urge you to a careful, prayerful
examination of yourselves. Your personal
relations to Christ are of vital Importance.
It Is your privilege to know beyond a doubt
that your names are written In the " Book
of Life."
To know that your sins are forgiven ;
that Jesus is your Advocate and Savior ;
that the Holy Ghost is your Comforter and
Sanctifier ; that your title to a glorious
heavenly inheritance is perfect; Is an experi-
ence which, dear friend, we urge you to
maintain In all its warmth and brightness
and power.
If you cannot witness to a present divine
assurance that you belong by gracious
adoption to the family of God, Immediately
seek for that witness of the Holy Ghost,
whose token is the cry in your heart of
" Abba, Father."
That ye may never lack this witness of
the Spirit, In the name of the Lord Jesus
we exhort you to "go on to perfection."
It is your glorious privilege to be saved to
to the uttermost ; to have Christ so dwell
in your hearts that ye, " being rooted and
grounded in Him, may be able to com-
})rehend with all saints what Is the breadth,
and length, and de])th, and height, and to
192 FRIENDLY HINTS.
know the love of Christ which passeth
knowledge, that ye miglit be filled with all
the fullness of God."
Deep Christian experience has been the
chief element of power in our church In the
past, and is the surety of our success to-day.
That Scripture which all the world reads is
the epistle which is written on fleshly tables
of the heart; epistles which walk and breathe
and shine and blaze to the glory of God.
Such epistles, known and read of all men,
do we exhort you, dear brethren, to become.
When your whole life shall be radiant with
the Spirit of Christ, then will the darkness
in the souls of men about you flee before
the power of the light that Is In you. Then
give most earnest heed to personal spiritual
life. This is the Interest that overtops all
others In life.
A constant walk with God, a constant con-
sciousness of union with Christ, Is secured
only by a constant, faithful attention to pri-
vate religious devotion. Then give your-
selves much to secret prayer, and to the
devout reading of God's word. These are
the soul's proper food, and unless you gather
this heavenly manna daily, spiritual decay
and death will follow your neglect.
FRIENDLY HINTS. 193
ENTIRE SANCTinCATION.
Methodism differs from other theological
systems chiefly in teachings concerning en-
tire sanctification or holiness of heart. This
doctrine sustains such a relation to its in-
ception, polity and subsequent history, that
any view that does not make this primal
must necessarily be a very imperfect one.
The calling of Methodism was forecast in
the training and spiritual struggles and ex-
perience of its founders.
In reading God's word, they were
awakened to see that they could not be
saved without holiness of heart. Dr. Mc-
Clintock said in his centenary address:
''Knowing exactly what I am saying, I re-
peat we are the only church in history, from
the apostles' time until now, that has put
forth as its elemental tliouo'ht the great
central-pervading idea of the whole Book of
God, from beginning to end ; the holiness
of the human soul, lieart, mind and will.
It may be called fanaticism, but this is our
Methodism beo^an her work declarino' her
mission to be to " spread scriptural holiness
over these lands," and she has acliieved her
most glorious victories when this doctrine
194 FRIENDLY HINTS.
had a place In lier pulpit and in the hearts
of the people. If, of God as we have fondly
believed, then Wesley must have been right
about the mission, if there is any relation
between a mission and the work it accom-
plishes; for this was the work of Methodism,
spreading scriptural holiness everywhere it
went.
She began her work by seeking " the
{)Ower of godliness." She claimed divine
sonship through the blood of the cross, and
the witness of the Holy Spirit, and she has
had something to say to the world on these
subjects. This one fact is so blended with
the entire fabric of Methodism, that it can-
not be displaced without the subversion of
the whole. Her testimony to the reality of
entire sanctlncatlon, as an experience re-
ceived by faith subsequent to conversion,
is as clear and positive as any testimony
ever recorded in her annals. The Wesleys,
Fletchers, Bramvvells, Carvossos and Cook-
mans, together with an innumerable throng
whose names are as ointment poured forth,
are amono; her best witnesses on the sub-
ject of the "power of godliness" In the
human soul. "Their feet rested lightly on
earth, they trampled on its wealth and pride.
They swept through it like apocalyptic
FRIENDLY HINTS. 195
angels. They vanished from it like a trans-
lation. They have joined the shining ranks
of the redeemed that walk with the Lamb
in white, over on the immortal shores. The
glory of their transfigured lives will sliine
as the stars forever and ever."
(2.) Sociality. — The social life of the
church is next to its spiritual life, in its rela-
tion to its success as a soul-winning agency
in the world. It may be misplaced, and re-
lied upon for results without reasonable
warrant ; or it may be separated from its
true relations, and thus involve danger to
the church. When you were received into
the church, you heard the pastor say : " The
fellowship of the church is the communion
its members have one with another. Its
more particualar duties are to promote
peace and unity, to bear one another's bur-
dens, to prevent each other's stumbling, to
seek the intimacy of friendly society among
themselves, to continue steadfast in the faith
and worship of the Gospel, and to pray and
sympathize with each other."
It requires no severe analysis to discover
much more here than a personal attention
to the ordinances of worship, and a coming
too;ether in the direct services of relio-ion.
The " ends " of this fellowship are else-
196 FRIENDLY HINTS.
where stated, while liere we have what the
church supposes — and teaches — to be the
duty devolving upon each of its members.
The " communion " is its friendly, brother-
ly intercourse at the table of the Lord, in
the social relio-ious meetino;, in the walks of
business life, in the social gatherings of the
brotherhood, and in the closer intimacies of
the family and more private circles. And
surely, " to seek the intimacy of friendly so-
ciety among themselves " is sufficiently spe-
cific and distinct to require no help for its
interpretation. It points directly to social
life. There is no need of any radicalism
in this matter, or of any exclusion of those
who are not united with us in the same
church, but simply to be true to the genius
and traditions of Methodism. Let an echo
of the Ecumenical Conference endorse what
I now say :
" I believe that one of the greatest ele-
ments of strength in the early Methodists
was the fact that wherever you went into
a Methodist church, you found yourself
not in a sepulcher but in a home. A great
deal can be done in the way of heartily wel-
coming visitors. In the early Methodist
chapels no young man went and stood for
several minutes at the door, wondering
FRIENDLY HINTS. 197
whether there was any seat which he could
enter: there were scores of hands ready to
be held out to meet him. And, at the close
of the service, those to the right and those
to the left were prepared to stand by his
side, and help liini to live a godly, righteous
and sober life. This is on© way In which
the laymen can help us. The preacher can-
not, because he is in the pulpit. We shoukl
not leave showino; strano;ers into a seat to
chapel-keepers ; but every layman should
be a chapel-keeper. Let no one even ap-
proach the door of a Methodist chapel with-
out receiving a hearty welcome there."
" I attend your church now, because
when I came there first your folks gave
me a welcome. I concluded that they
were social people." Such was the reason
given by a gentleman to a member of one
of our churches for identifying himself
with the cono-reo-ation. He had j^one to
several places of worship in search of a
Sabbath home, without finding one adapted
to his wants. He received no recognition
either before or after the services, and re-
tired feeling that lie was a stranger if not
an intruder. But the courtesy shown him
by one of the ushers, and the interest mani-
fested in his presence by the cordial saluta-
198 FRIENDLY HINTS.
tions he recelv'ed from several who politely
addressed him as he was leaving the place,
impressed him with a sense of their kind-
ness, made him to feel that his presence
was valued, and gave him assurance that he
would find such friends as he would feel at
home with. It is not by simply suspend-
ing tlie word " Welcome " in the vestibules
of our churches that this result is to be ac-
complished. There should be a polite, per-
sonal recognition of the stranger, and such
a greeting as will not fail to convey the im-
pression that sincere pleasure is felt in the
])resence of the new-comer. By taking-
pains to make the acquaintance of a stran-
ger, and by giving him an introduction to
one or two members of the church, ties
\y\\\ quickly be formed that will hold to a
congregation not a few who are now stroll-
ing from place to place under a miserable
feeling of isolation, and which will prove
to be one of the strongest links in the chain
of means and influences ordained to draw
them to God and bind them to his service.
"When the First Presbyterian Church
of New York stood in Wall street, Kobert
•Lennox, then an eminent merchant, was a
member. He took a great interest in young
men, especially those who were strangers.
FRIENDLY HIXTS. 199
He invfiriably on Sundays took the position
of usher, welcomed all new-comers, and es-
corted them to comfortable seats. Stand-
ing in the vestibule one day he saw a young
man coming up the steps, evidently a stran-
ger, and with the air of one who felt him-
self an Intruder.
"The frank and hearty merchant met the
young man on the threshold, gave him his
hand, and told him he was glad to see him
that morning in the house of the Lord.
" ' You are a stranger, I presume,' he
said.
" ' Yes ; this is my first Sabbath in New
York, and my mother charged me to rever-
ence the house of the Lord.'
" Just in from his country home the
young man was not over-dressed. Mr.
Lennox escorted him up the centre aisle
and seated him in his own pew.
"The next morning the young man went
to a business house, to see if he could get a
small bill of o-oods. He 2:ave his referen-
ces.
" Did I not see you in Mr. Lennox's pew
yesterday?' said the merchant.
" ' I don't know, sir. A gentleman gave
me a seat in church, and sat down beside
me.'
200 FRIEXDLY HINTS.
" ' Well, young man, that gentleman was
Robert Lennox, and I will trust any young
man whom Mr. Lennox seats in his pew.'
"That young man became an eminent
merchant. To the day of his death he said :
'I owe all I am in this world to that Sun-
day when Mr. Lennox invited me to sit in
his pew.' "
This spirit should more than anywhere
else characterize the prayer meetings and
class meetings of the Church. The true
Idea of the Church is that it is a family —
God's family. Its members are children of
one Father, and brothers and sisters one of
another. A prayer-meeting, therefore, is a
family meeting. It is a reunion of brothers
and sisters. The service is of the character
of a feast ; and we all know that after
feastlno^ comes talkino; and exhibition of
good nature. After the formal portion of
the service is over, brethren, why not stay
and have an informal service of your own?
Talk of whatever the Spirit suggests ; tell
your joys and your sorrows, your hopes and
your fears, one to another. " Laugh with
those who laugh, and weep with those who
weep." At least stay long enough, after
the formal service, to shake hands with the
pastor and with each other, and greet any
FRIENDLY HINTS. 201
stranger tliat may chance to have dropped in
among you of an evening. Lubricate the
wlieels of your Churcli macliinery with the
"oil of gladness," and you will be aston-
ished at the ease with which all its parts
will soon be workino' too-ether. "Salute
every saint in Christ Jesus."
(3.) Family Religion. — Whilst Eo-
manism and some forms of Protestantism
make the churcli the instructor and guide
of tlie child, Methodism has always empha-
sized the iniportance of family religion. I
beseech you, dearly beloved, to make your
homes the sanctuaries of God. Let noth-
ing destroy your family altars. Cultivate
hearthstone religion, that your children
may grow up tanght in the Word, and
familiar with the voice of prayer and praise.
Let the aroma of your devotion penetrate
all your family relations. Let all who
dwell in your homes behold the great satis-
faction which you have in the service of
God. Especially, by the beauty of a holi-
ness that X)uts its glory on all your words
and acts, by the charm of a piety that is
ever full of hope and of good cheer, by the
power of a faith at once triumphant and
joyful, commend the religion of Jesus to all
your household. If we are to acknowledge
202 FRIENDLY HINTS.
God in all our ways, if we are to commit
our interests to his keeping in the confi-
dence that He cares for us and will direct
our steps, certainly this ought to be done
in the family if anywhere. All the excuses
that are offered on the part of tliose who
have no recognition of God in the house ;
Avho sit down to the table morning, noon,
and night — a table spread wltli the bounties
of God's providence, and neither ask God's
blessing upon the food, nor thank him for
what He does for them, feeding themselves
like brute beasts off from tlie bounties of
God's providence ; wdio build no family al-
tar, who never call their children together
to join in the reading of God's word, and
in prayer for Heaven's blessing — what
wonder if God's face is against them ? Has
he not threatened to pour out his indignation
on the heatlien, and on the families that call
not on his name? There can be no Chris-
tian home without a family altar, from
which daily rises the incense of prayer and
praise. Let care be used that the altar-
fires never go out. Let each member of
the family, so far as may be, share in the
exercises of family devotion. Let all the
members of the household be present.
Let the children grow up under these influ-
FRIENDLY HINTS. 203
ences, and when the heads of the household
fall by death, the family altar will not fall
into ruin.
As an ally in your parental priesthood
and ministry we urge you to use the pub-
lic means of grace. We believe in the
Sunday School, and rejoice in the work it
is doing. Let it have your confidence —
your sympathy — your support — your co-
operation- — your prayers — and your pres-
ence. If there was ever any opposition to
Sunday Schools it has given way before
the manifestly good work they have been
doing in all the years since Wesley said :
''Who knows but some of these schools
may become nurseries for Christians?"
There is, however, an evil which must be
guarded against. In some places the chil-
dren generally neglect to attend the preach-
ing services. The Sunday-school is all in
all to them, and they seem to consider it as
"the children's church." They regard the
preaching service as intended solely for
grown-up people and not at all for them,
and they stay away from it. It is not diffi-
cult to foresee the result of this neglect.
These children will soon be too old — in
their own opinions — to attend the school as
scholars, and unless they have already
204 FEIENDLY HINTS.
formed the liabit of attending the preaching
service, they will drift away from all church
influences.
As yet the evil Is confined to certain lo-
calities. But it is an evil which is spread-
ing, and ought to be j)roniptly checked.
For the Sunday scliool is certainly not a
substitute for the public ministrations of
the Word. Teachlno'In the class Is a o-ooci
thing, but preaching Includes teaching and
something more. Tlie orator is more than
an instructor. Both parents and teachers
should use their influence, and even their
authority. If they have any, to bring the
children to the public service In the house
of God. If the child cannot attend both
the preaching service and the Sunday
school, then the preference should be given
to the former. On this point our convic-
tions are deep and clear.
Certain It Is that the founders and first
promoters of Sunday schools never dreamed
of drawing away the children from the
regular public services of the church.
And now we say, as Dr. Vincent and oth-
er eminent and enthusiastic Sunday school
authorities have said and repeated : "■ If
children cannot attend both Sunday school
and public worship, it is in every way bet-
FRIENDLY HINTS. 205
ter for them to attend the latter. It is now
the hour in their lives when their most pow-
erful, determining, aiid persistent impres-
sions are received. The habit of associating
the Sabbath with ideas of special sanctity,
of regular attendance upon the sanctuary,
of tlie importance of public worship, is now
to be formed.
"If this habit is not formed, we shall see
what we do now see in the instance of num-
bers of Christian families — a most extraor-
dinary looseness of sentiment and habit in
reference to the Sabbath and the instruction
of the pulpit."
As akin to family religion and its main-
tenance in the home and in the hearts of
the vouno" let me call attention to the sub-
ject of
POPULAR AMUSEMENTS.
The secular press is employed in publish-
ing and puffing tliem without discrimination
as to moral character and tendencies.
Some other churclies as well as our own are
concerned about tliem, because of their bear-
ing on the religious life of their younger
members. The initiatory precept of Cliris-
tianity is self-denial ; and the General liule
of our Discipline forbids the " taking of
206 FRIENDLY HINTS.
such diversions us cannot be used in the
name of the Lord Jesus." But the grow-
ing laxity among Christian professors in re-
gard to worldly amusements, and the plaus-
ible but fallacious apologies by which they
seek to defend them, led our General Con-
ference to define more specifically what is
meant by " Sinful Amusements ! " And
hence, we find in the new Discipline, under
the head of " Un-Christian and Imprudent
Conduct," the following specific items,
viz : Dancing, playing at games of chance,
attending theaters, horse races, circuses,
dancing parties, or patronizing dancing
schools, or taking such other amusements as
are of questionable moral tendency. It is
a painful reflection that it should have been
deemed a necessity to incorporate this de-
tailed enumeration in our Discipline.
What renders the subject one of deep
concern to all true ( christians, and to parents
who value the proper training of tlieir chil-
dren, is, that these amusements come to us
in many instances under auspices and with
such sanctions as to o;ive to them the char-
acter of respectability, or they come in the
name of charity, or as ap[)reciative returns
for public benefits. Billiards, cards, dances,
charades and tableaux scenes are counted re-
FRIENDLY HINTS. 207
spectable, because they are introduced into
private families which are reckoned as re-
spectable. Balls are gotten up in the inter-
est of some asylum, or some charitable in-
stitution ; some fireman's or military com-
pany ; and these make their appeals to the
better fellings of our nature, because of ser-
vice rendered or to be rendered. Worst of
all is the fact, that some churches and
members of Protestant churches take such
low views of the nature of Christianity as
to imaofine that these thino^s are at all con-
sistent with the Christian name.
With God's word in one hand and the Meth-
odist Discipline in the other, let us resolve
that by our example, as well as our teach-
ing, we will endeavor to develop a correct
and healthful sentiment among our people
on this subject, so that in respect to amuse-
ments, as well as in regard to morals and
religion, the church may stand forth as the
light and leader of the world.
And let none forget their covenant ob-
ligations taken at baptism, " to renounce the
devil and all his works ; the vain pomp and
glory of the world, with all covetous desires
of the same, and the carnal desires of the
flesh, so as not to follow or be led by them ";
and your agreement on becoming a member
208 FRIENDLY HINTS.
of the chiircli — to keep all our rules of lioly
livlno".
In considering tlie liome life and its in-
fluence upon the character and destiny of
its constituency, let us call your attention to
one of the potential agencies of this age in
formation of character — the
LITERATURE OF THE HOME.
In doing so, we would earnestly urge
upon your attention the value and claims of
the religious publications of our church.
An active, aggressive church must have an
intelligent membership. We are sure you
can not fill the measure of your usefulness
as Christians, unless you read not only the
publications of the secular press, but the
periodicals of our church ns well. And fur-
ther, the only safeguard for your household
from the dissipating, demoralizing influence
of vicious reading, is in the abundance of
pleasing, profitable and Christian literature
which our church so abundantly provides
for you.
In your general reading, do not accept
what first comes to hand, but carefully se-
lect that which will most tend to your soul's
health and comfort. See that your Sunday
FRIENDLY HINTS. 209
school and families are properly supplied
with the literature of our own church.
Other churches furnish much valuable read-
ing, but our own home-born Methodist
writers have a })eculiar aptness for stat-
ing and teaching tlie doctrines of free grace.
Take special pains to induce your children
to read only good books, and to reject as
poisonous and destructive the low and cor-
rupt literature of the day. Purchase and
read our approved Methodist standard
works, that thereby you may become rooted
and grounded in the faith of the Gospel.
1 can find no better presentation of the
importance of this admonition than is couch-
ed in the language of the pastoral address
from the Bishops to our last General Con-
ference :
" Parental supervision of the literature of
childhood and youth is of equal import-
ance with jealous watchfulness over the
companions allowed to them. AVe fear
that thousands of parents know very little
of the reading of their children, and they
allow unchallenged, loose, and even licen-
tious literature the freedom of their homes,
which poisons the thoughts, perverts the im-
agination and de[)raves the hearts and lives
of the children of the church. We should
210 FRIENDLY HINTS.
know what they read by providing freely
the choicest publications at our command.
Money expended thus is money saved,
with purity retained and integrity added.
Our own publishing houses will amply yu[)-
ply this demand. The duty assigned to
our pastors, superintendents, and Sabbath
school committees, to decide what books
shall be used in our schools, if faithftdly
performed, would protect our libraries;
and we fear that a neglect of this supervis-
ion has admitted improper reading there-
to in some instances."
CONCLUSION.
And now, let me conclude this already
too lengthy address as I began it, by assur-
ino^ vou that to meet your oblisfations you
need the joyful and abiding witness of the
Spirit that you are wholly the Lord's, and
that your will is in complete harmony with
the will of God, and that the blood of Jesus
Christ cleanses you from all unrighteous-
ness. And we gladly assure you that it is
the duty and privileo-e of everv child of God
to lay hold, by faith, of the exceeding great
and precious promises of God's word, so as
to become " complete in Christ," and " be
FRIENDLY HINTS. 211
filled with nil the fullness of God." For
this is the end of our ministry among you,
"the perfecting of the saints," "the perfect
man," " the measure of the stature of the
fullness of Christ," " whom we preach,
warning every man and teaching every man
in all wisdom that we may present ev^-y
man perfect in Christ Jesus." " And this
we pray, that your love may abound more
and more in knowledge and in all judgment,
that ye may approve things that are excel-
ent, that ye may be sincere and without of
fense till the day of Christ, being filled with
the fruits of righteousness, which are of
Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of
God." "For what is our hope or joy or
croion of rejoicing? Are not even ye in
the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at
his coming ? For ye are our gloiy and Jo//."
And now, brethren, we commend you to
God and the word of his grace which is able
to build you up, and to give you an inherit-
ance amono' all them that are sanctified.
Affectionately your })astor,
F. F. Jewell.
212 ADDITIONAL MEMBERS.
The following names have been added to
the record of present members, since the
form containing the record was printed,
viz :
Maggie Nelson.
W. S. Clark, M. D.
E. L. Paulding, M. D.
Emma F. Bugby.
C. Will Beers.
Arzelia Beers.
Mary B. Quigg.
Henry Stinger.
TiMENIA CONANT.
Cornelia Perry.
