The retrospect. A glance at thirty years of the history of Howard street Methodist Episcopal church of San Francisco, Part 1

Author:
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: San Francisco : A. Buswell & Co., printers
Number of Pages: 244


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The Retrospect.


Gc 979.402 Sa519hs


IN


ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01232 4346


GENEALOGY 979.402 Sa519hs


" OFAVIS- - OL VER


HOWARD STREET M. E. CHURCH.


THE RETROSPECT,


A GLANCE


-AT-


THIRTY YEARS OF THE HISTORY


-OF-


HOWARD STREET


Methodist Episcopal Church,


OF SAN FRANCISCO.


PUBLISHED BY THE OFFICIAL BOARD WITHDRAWN From the Family History Library


A. BUSWELL & CO., PRINTERS AND BINDERS. SAN FRANCISCO, 1883.


FAMILY HISTORY LIBRARY 35 NORTH WEST TEMPLE SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH 84150


-


DATE MICROFILMED


OCT


4 1995


ITEM #


6


PROJECT and


G. S.


ROLL #


CALL #


XLIB 7-102


3850


1698149


Cham Bordally


PRESIDENT- BOARD OF TRUSTEES


ORIGINAL MEMBERS.


THE following names appear as original or organizing members of the Church :


M. E. Willing.


Horace Hoag.


Seneca Jones.


James Christy.


Elizabeth Jones.


Charles Merriman.


Wm. H. Codington.


John Payne.


Clayton Tweed.


Wm. Hatzel.


John Johnson.


Jas. W. Whiting.


Eliza J. Johnson.


Anne Whiting.


Elizabeth Winters.


Ellen Freeborn.


John Winters.


Judah Alden.


John Sims.


Samuel Perkins.


Elizabeth Christy.


T. G. Merrill.


T. H. Hickey.


OFFICERS.


THE following is a chronological list of official members from the organization to the present time :


TRUSTEES.


R. P. Spire.


Edward McLean.


Henry Read.


Chas. Goodall.


D. L. Ross.


Henry Thomas.


J. B. Bond.


J. W. Whiting.


Wm. Phillips.


D. S. Howard.


Horace Hoag.


Samuel Hancock.


J. E. Whitcher. James Harlow.


Seneca Jones.


Wm. H. Gawley.


Franklin Kinsman.


Robt. McElroy.


John C. Ayres.


R. G. Byxbee.


W. H. Howland.


John Paine. Edward L. Smith.


John Curry.


Charles Merriman.


S. S. Sprague.


Wm. H. Codington.


H. H. Noble.


Edward R. Samis.


Sam'l Mosgrove.


L. S. Ely.


J. F. Byxbee. John M. Buffington.


Robert Stitt.


Fred. A. Beardsley.


Andrew Nelson.


D. O. Shattuck.


7


OFFICERS.


STEWARDS.


M. E. Willing.


Seneca Jones.


James Christie.


J. J. Applegate. Chas. Lenoir.


Horace Hoag.


W. H. Codington.


Andrew Nelson.


John Paine. Daniel Grant.


Chas. Merriman.


Thomas Penlington.


Simeon Jenkins.


J. R. Merrill.


John C. Ayres.


Wm. Perkins.


E. L. Smith.


J. B. Firth.


F. A. Beardsley.


J. W. Duncan.


D. B. Finch.


G. S. Keys.


Edward McLean.


Wm. Harover.


M. C. Dodge.


Geo. B Adair.


Felix Sanchez.


F. A. Nickerson.


Henry Thomas.


Chas A. Sankey.


Chas. Goodall.


Geo. Penlington.


S S Sprague


W. H. Porter.


H G. Blasdell.


T. O. Lewis.


D. S. Howard.


J. W. H. Campbell.


J. F. Byxbee.


Andrew Wilson.


Ames Arnold. Robert Gemmell.


John A. Carter.


Chas. Jones.


J. M. Buffington.


J. K. Jones.


Wm. Bartling.


Chas. B. Perkins.


Joseph Knowland.


Frederick Peterson.


H. H. Noble.


J. C. Smith. J. G. Whittington.


W. F. Kellett.


C. C. Lombard. Sam'l Mosgrove.


E. L. Barber.


8


OFFICERS.


CLASS LEADERS.


Chas. Merriman.


Daniel Grant.


Thos. Welch.


Edwin Cutting.


Robert Stitt.


J. J. Applegate.


Robt. McElroy .


Mrs. E. Cutting.


Henry Thomas.


Mrs E Firth.


A. F. Hitchcock.


Seneca Jones.


John Arnold.


J. M. Buffington


James F. Smith.


C. J. Moyes.


D. S. Howard.


J. A. Bergner.


Sami'l McHenry.


P. C. Miller.


W. H. Codington.


Ezra Smith.


H. Perkins.


Mrs. T. O. Lewis.


J. W. Whiting.


E. V. Hull.


Francis Mitchell.


Alex. Head.


E. L. Smith.


Henry Large.


J. W. Bluett.


K. W. Gress.


Chas. Jones.


PRESENT MEMBERS.


THE following is the list of members at the present time :


Appelgate, J. J.


Burleigh, Margaret J.


Appelgate, Annie S.


Burleigh, Edward


Acheson, Betsey


Bergner, Annie


Anglein, Rebecca


Black, Sara A.


Adair, Geo. B.


Black, Hettie


Adair, Mattie E.


Brown, Mrs. Bessie


Armstrong, Matilda


Brown, Emma


Allen, Charlotte


Brown, Bessie


Anderson, Aurora


Brown, Harriet


Allison, H. H.


Boyle, Nettie M.


Akeson, Annie


Bell, Mary


Allen, Maggie


Batchelder, T. N.


Allen, Mary W.


Batchelder, Mrs. T. N.


Atthouse, Sarah J.


Batchelder, Clara Bell


Ambrose, William


Bowman, Mary E.


Ayers, Lottie


Bowman, Emma


Bixby, John F.


Beach, Emma


Bixby, Maggie


Barker, Gracc


Bixby, Edward M.


Brundage, Mrs.


Biggs, Mehetable


Bower, Adah


Bartlett, Eliza


Bunyan, Edward T.


Bartlett, Eliza


Buckman, Frank W.


Bartlett, Bertie


Buckman, Nettie C.


Balcom, Lydia A.


Benzon, Fisher Von


Bordwell, Helen Boucher, Fannie


Bergland, Hans Berry, Mary F.


Bergland, Annie C.


Bell, Lucy Jane


Blanchard, Candace


Cady, Sophia


Bretteville, Harrison Campbell, J. W. H.


Burleigh, Robertson


Campbell, Emily


Burley


1*


10


PRESENT MEMBERS.


Curry, John


Damrell, Sarah Donellon, B. C.


Curry, Margaret


Cady, Mary C.


Donellon, A.


Caine, Thos. W.


Davey, Mrs. Emma


Caine, John


Emory, Rebecca


Cordey, John


Elford, Henrietta


Cordey, Mrs. J.


Firth, J. B.


Cummings, W. F.


Firth, Eliza


Cannou, Mrs. J. S.


Filebrown, Mrs. A. B.


Cook, F. C.


Foster, Emily


Cook, Mrs. M. N.


Filben, Thos. (Rev.)


Cox, H. (D. D.)


Ferguson, Thos.


Cox, Philip K.


Ferguson, Alice


Cox, Sarah


Foss, H. M. B.


Cornell, Eliza


Fredericks, Emma


Cornell, Miss E. M.


Conley, Agnes


Cowan, Stephen


Goodall, Charles


Chatfield, Sarah


Goodall, Serena


Crall, H. J.


Goodall, Rosa


Cease, Lodema


Gordon, Annie


Callow, Chas. W.


Good, Mrs. I. B.


Caley, Robert


Girvin, Hannah


Cooke, James B.


Gress, K. Wellington


Cloud, Andrew J.


Graves, Sarah H.


Cloud, Mrs. A. C.


Gliddon, Georgie


Cluff, Idarene


Grover, Thomas


Darling, Richard


Grey, James M.


Dawson, George


Guthrie, H. William


Donaldson, W. G.


Hancock, Samuel


Davy, Mariah S.


Hancock, Mrs. E.


Dawson, J. W.


Hancock, Robert


Draper, Emerson H.


Howland, Mrs. E.


Davis, Wm.


Howland, Lucinda Hessel, Mrs. G.


Draper, John H.


Dewitt, Sarah A.


Hess, A. J.


Derosier, Charles


Hanson, Elizabeth A.


Dowd, Mrs. A. A.


Hare, Amelia


Dawe, Annie N.


Hare, Emma


Dunnigan, W. G.


Hall, Sarah N.


Friend, Elizabeth


Fay, Nellie


Gardner, Mrs. I. G.


Crane, Frederick


Davis, Thos. B.


Gardiner, Thos


11


PRESENT MEMBERS.


Heath, Eugenia


Hasty, Minnie


Harris, Wm. J.


Harris, Emma Birdella


Jewell, Lottie B.


Harris, Clyde


Jewell, Addie J.


Harris, Matthew


Kinsman, Franklin


Harris, Jeannette


Kinsman, Eliza


Hawver, William


Keys, Mary M.


Head, Elizabeth


Kennet, Wm.


Head, Louise E.


Kennet, Sarah J.


Head, Fred.


Keys, Alice


Head, Jeannie


King, Margaret


Hoffaker, Sarah E.


King, Margaret S.


Hichens, Ellen


Kanouse, Carrie


Haughton, Mary


Koopman, Catherine


Inman, William


Kline, Elizabeth


Jantzen, Frederick


Kline, Julia


Jantzen, Caroline


Kentfield, Mrs. J.


Jantzen, Fred. J.


Lindsay, Fulton


Jantzen, Wm.


Lamb, Marietta


Jantzen, Carrie Jantzen, Dora F. C.


Lattimer, Sarah


Jones, Seneca


Lattimer, Willie


Jones, Elizabeth


Lattimer, George


Jones, Kate


Lesley, William


Jones, Sallie


Landis, Amanda


Jones, Charles


Lautermilch, Mrs. M. H.


Jones, Emma


Latham, Joseph


Jones, Chas. J.


Latham, Mary


Jones, Mary S.


Lawrence, Mrs. Large, Henry


Jones, John


Large, Mary J.


Jones, Mary


Linn, Mrs. M.


Jones, Margaret


Lane, Mrs. Mary


Jones, Kate


Lane, Lizzie


Jones, Eliza


Lubeck, Hattie


.Jones, Delilah


Lyons, Catherine A.


Jones, Annie


Lowel Emma J.


Jones, Tillie


Lowrey, Amanda


Lowrey, Delilalı A.


Haylard, Peter


Koster, John E.


Lattimer, George


Jones, Joseph K.


Luders, Joseph


Jones, Laura


Johnson, Elizabeth


Johnson, John Johnson, Miss E. Jocelyn, Mrs.


12


PRESENT MEMBERS.


McElroy, Robt. (Rev.)


Nickerson, Eliza


McElroy, Amanda R.


Nickerson, Agnes


Merrill, John R.


Notley, Maria


Merrill, Lucy B.


Norris, Richard


Miller, Peter C.


Over, Andrew


Miller, Mrs. P. C.


Osgood, Charles


Miller, Jennie


Ovens, William


Mackin, Mrs. A. M.


Ovens, Margaret Jessie


Minturn, Elizabeth


('Meara, Annie


McFaden, David


Oyler, John W.


McFaden, Eliza


Peterson, Frederick


McFaden, Effie


Peterson, Hannah F.


Mitchell, Francis


Perkins, William


Mitchell, James H.


Perkins, Lydia


Mitchell, Laura


Perkins, Chas. P.


Mitchell, May


Perkins, Clara F.


Markley, Rosaline


Perkins, William F.


Macomber, James


Perkins, Annie


Moyes, Chas. J.


Porter, Wm. H.


Mills, Mrs. H. B.


Porter, Margaret C.


Mealey, George


Percy, Jane


McGladery, Miss


Peacock, Amos


Moore, James R.


Peacock, Alzurah


Morritt, Mrs. W.


Page, Delphine


Mincher, Isaac


Palmer, W. F.


Mincher, Mrs. I.


Perry, Lois Acelia


Mayhew, Ida


Perry, Herman F


McGuire, Alice


Pengelly, Richard


Maulfair, Mary A.


Pengelly, Lizzie


Miller, H. W.


Priest, Alice M.


Marvin, Stephen B.


Philp, John


Morrow, Lizzie


Philp, Annie S.


McDonald, Neil T.


Pawning, Carrie


McDonald, Elizabeth


Patterson, Mary


Melvin, Sophie


Reynolds, Alice


Maclay, Sarah A.


Reynolds, Mary W.


Noble, H. H.


Rice, Mrs. A. W.


Nelson, Andrew


Reagan, John


Nelson, Elizabeth


Reagan, Aurelia


Nelson, Emily


Reagan, Theresa


Nelson, Sarah


Roberts, Aggie A.


Nickerson, F. A.


Rogers, Bella A.


PRESENT MEMBERS.


Richardson, Judith Robertson, Archibald


Robertson, Mrs. A. Robertson, Thos. J. Robertson, Edith


Smith, Elvira R. Shields, Oscar W. Smith, Stephen Sephton, Henry


Sephton, Victoria


Rowe, Katie


Shillcock, Hester


Rowe, Hattie


Showers, Andrew


Rowe, Jennie B.


Sinkinson, Elizabeth


Reagan, Lillie


Shepard, Matilda


Riley, John F.


Santee, Levi


Stitt, Robert


Santee, Ina


Stitt, Joanna C.


Stoner, F. J.


Stitt, John H.


Smith, Mary H.


Stitt, Robert J.


Schultze, Julia


Stitt, Annie Smith, E. L.


Sprague, Abbie F. Smith, Mary


Smith, Huldah G.


Townsend, Sarah


Sankey, Jeremiah


Thomas, Henry


Sankey, Katie


Thomas, Mary A.


Stringer, Ida


Tucker, Henrietta S.


Salisbury, Mary F.


Thompson, Martha


Scherer, Eliza M.


Turnbull, Maria C.


Scherer, Mary


Terschuran, Mrs. M. J.


Stuart, Susan B.


Taggart, Mrs. Clayton


Stuart, Frankie B.


Thompson, Annie R.


Smith, Geo. W.


Telyea, Joseph Telyea, Martha


Smith, Marian


Thornton, Richard


Smith, Jeremiah


Tarpley, Lindsey B.


Smith, J. C.


Tarpley, Mrs. S. C.


Smith, Mrs. J. C.


Tillson, Wm. H.


Scott, Margaret


Taylor, Mabel


Scott, Belle


Tinnin, Belle


Simpson, Mrs. Abbie L. Teague, William


Stuart, John


Vaughn, Harmon B.


Shaw, Dillie


Vaughn, Sophia


Snyder, Mrs. E. L.


Whiting, James W.


Stayton, Sarah


Whiting, Annie


Whittington, John


Stodart, Mrs. S. A. Silva, Julia


Whittington, Margaret


Whittington, John C.


Stein, J. E. D. Stein, Flora


Warburton, Mrs. M.


Smith, T. B.


14


PRESENT MEMBERS.


Walker, Mrs. Jane Williams, Mrs. H. E.


Winn, C. C. Winn, Mrs. H. S.


Williams, John A.


Whittaker, Wm.


Williams, Sallie F.


Whittaker, Nellie


Williams, John W.


Whittaker, Lottie


Williams, Jane E.


Wagner, Harr


Williams, Geo. A.


Walkington, Eliza


Williams, Mrs. G. A.


Walkington, Estelle M.


Williams, Mrs. J. F.


Waddell, Robert


Williams, Nellie


Watson, Jane


Wilson, Andrew


White, Lizzie


Wilson, J. W. R.


Worth, Nellie M.


Walker, W. H.


Worth, Capt.


J. M. BUFFINGTON.


INTRODUCTION.


WHEN we resolved to observe a day of thanksgiving for emancipation from the thralldom of a debt which had merciless- ly goaded us on in interest-paying until its inflietions had become well nigh unbear- able, we had no purpose 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 " paper fur- nished by Robert. McElroy should be embalmed in the "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 forward the proposi- tion, and the material which asked and merited a place in the pamphlet began to accumulate until it was far too formidable


16


INTRODUCTION.


for the form proposed, and the book form was agreed upon. Subsequent action by the Quarterly Conference provided for its publication, and gave the 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 ree- ognize this as in keeping with its designs and desires; and we assay this humble 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 12th, 1883, and consisted of a Love-Feast service at 9.30 A. M., led by the Rev. S. D. Simonds, one of the earliest pastors ; a Milestone service at 11 A. M., at which time Robert MeElroy 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 present.


Of the church decorations for the occa- sion, a reporter of one of the city papers says the interior of the edifice presented a


17


INTRODUCTION.


beautiful but chaste appearance. The base of the reading-desk was enveloped with a profusion of ferns, smilax, and flowers. On the top of the reading-desk, in front of the Bible, was a unique, gold-gilted vase of fuchsias. On each side of the pulpit was a slender tripod, adorned with variegated flowers; in niches each side, in rear of the pulpit, were exhibited deciduous green- house shrubs. Immediately over the cen- ter of the rostrum, suspended in front of the 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 with the ar- tistic taste revealed in the decorations. And adds, only four members are to-day con- nected with the church that were members when the church was erected in 1851. Seated on the platform were the Rev. Dr. H. Cox, Rev. S. D. Simonds, Rev. J. A. Bruner of Chico, Rev. W. S. Urmy of Modesto, Rev. D. A. Dryden, Rev. Dr. F. F. Jewell, the present pastor; 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.


spoke 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. Rev. D. A. Dryden 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 prosperity of the Howard Street M. E. Church, and credited the ultimate success of the church to the late Rev. J. D. Blain.


Rev. 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 I arrived in San Francisco from New York. I recall with ecstasy the happy days spent in our place of worship in Happy Valley, which stood near Mission Street, and not near Market Street, as Brother McElroy


19


INTRODUCTION.


said this morning : it was in the hollow near- er Rincon Hill." He paid a compliment to the pillars of the church for their support during his pastorate.


Captain Charles Goodall smilingly as- cended the rostrum, and in a 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 man 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 Rev. 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, a few minutes later, when he en- tered with Brother Blain, 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 with 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 change on the order, stating he had an order for a four bit meal, and did not get a quarter's worth ; the result was, the tramp 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 church was prosperous 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 opened to judge the world."


Rev. S. D. Simonds excused himself from speaking on account of the lateness of the


21


INTRODUCTION.


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 availeth 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 that found grace at this selfsame altar. The reverend gentleman continuing, said : " I never preached here without a breakfast [and placing his hand across his body], nor without a dinner either, which 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 duplicated, as the history of the church and Sunday-school are separately furnished and prepared by different hands. Other portraits of those whose services


22


INTRODUCTION.


would plead for an appearance in the vol- ume have been sought but could not be obtained. That 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 SKETCII.


BY R. MC ELROY.


THIS society came into being in 1851. Its early history was fraught with severe struggle and great uncertainty. At that 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 stops not at any cost to se- cure its object. It does not hesitate to sac- rifice everything that is noble and godlike in man's nature to gratify its quenchless longings. It reduces its victim to a ering- ing sycophant or demonizes 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 merey 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


25


HISTORICAL SKETCH.


self-respect ; no matter what 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 ingrain sentiment of the com- munity. No wonder, then, that many who in other lands had borne the sacred name of Christian, and even minister of Christ, now abandoned themselves to all manner of Hla- grant 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 much a matter of open business as were the sale of merchandise 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 upon 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 man would not stand up and deliver his money to the foot-


2


26


HISTORICAL SKETCH.


pad, why, of course he ought to be mur- dered for his 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, was such a public sentiment to any or- ganization which had for its object the sup- pression of vice and the reformation of the vicious ! How utterly indisposed were a peo- ple ruled and entirely under the dominion of so base a passion to aid any party in the promotion of pure and undefiled religion !


Another reason which made church work in those days so exceedingly difficult was the universal purpose on the part 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 where no anchor held his moorings. Just as soon as the vessel was freighted, the cable was loosed, the sails set and spread to the


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breeze, and the prow turned toward the port whence she came. So was the popula- tion ever shifting; so were the 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 camp to camp, so did the human tide constantly surge. With pick and shovel, with pan and blanket, the moving mass trod its weary way through scorching heat and drenching rain, in eager 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 organizing 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 home in these ends of the earth.




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