History of Santa Clara County, California : including its geography, geology, topography, climatography and description, Part 54

Author: Munro-Fraser, J. P
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: San Francisco : Alley, Bowen, & Co.
Number of Pages: 894

USA > California > Santa Clara County > History of Santa Clara County, California : including its geography, geology, topography, climatography and description > Part 54

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November 4th, and are as under: "WHEREAS, This Session has learned with regret of the death of Rev. James A. Wylie, who entered into rest at Napa, on Thursday, October 28th, in the thirtieth year of his age, having for three years been the faithful pastor of this church; therefore, Resolved, First, That while deeply mourning this afflictive dispensation of God's holy Providence in the early death of one so gifted, earnest and successful in the work of the ministry; who showed himself among us, approved of God, a workman who needeth not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth, we can but rejoice in the covenant faithfulness of the Great Head of the church, who made our beloved brother a gracious instrument for good to this congregation, comforted him during his months of languishing pain, and manifested his loving presence and saving power in his triumph over death. Second, That we tender to the relatives of our pastor, especially to his father, Rev. James Wylie, and to his brother, Rev. Richard Wylie, our heart- felt sympathy in this bereavement, and the earnest assurance that they are remembered in the prayers of a people grateful for the fidelity and zeal of one so dear to them in his work of winning souls to Christ." On motion these were unanimously adopted, while it was voted to send a copy of the same to the father and brother mentioned above, as also a transcript to each of the religious papers, the Occident and Pacific, with the request that the same might be published.

After failing to procure the services of Dr. Cunningham, several letters were received by the Session highly recommending Rev. William Alexander, of Beloit, Wisconsin, to whom a call was sent, which he accepted by letter arriving October 26th. He arrived in San José on the 22d of November, and on the Sabbath next ensuing, the 28th, commeneed preaching; the same being the expiration of the period for which Rev. Mr. Skinner had been en- gaged as stated supply. Of this gentleman we find the following valedic- tory record . " The able services and faithful labors of Mr. Skinner, during the two months in which he had been with us as stated supply, having been very acceptable to the church and congregation, a farewell gathering, numerously attended, was held for him on the eve before his departure, at the residence of Dr. Benjamin Cory, at the elose of which, as an expression of our grati- tude, and as a parting memento, a purse of over two hundred dollars in gold coin was presented to him, in addition to the stipulated salary which had been previously paid him."

At the commencement of the year 1871, a statement of expenditure, con- sequent on the earthquake of October 21, 1868, is minuted. It proves that expenses under that head amounted to no less than five thousand dollars; Before that time, says Mr. Douglas, the Clerk, in a note, a suitable build- ing for a pastor's study had been erected, and fitted up, on the church lot; alterations and repairs, somewhat extensive, had also been made in the old

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HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.

church building used for conference and prayer-meetings, and for the hold- ing of Sabbath-school, while, during the year 1869, a bell had been pur- chased and suspended in the tower of the church, at an expense of eleven hundred dollars. This sum, with a few extras, made the church liability, at the beginning of 1871, to be about seven thousand, two hundred dollars. To liquidate it, a plan was proposed to the trustees, by George H. Hare, to divide the debt into three hundred shares, of twenty-four dollars each, to be taken and paid for at the rate of fifty cents per week on each share, which was unanimously acceded to by the Board. Mr. Hare, himself, undertaking to collect the weekly subscriptions on the shares thus taken. On April 2d, the election of the following officials took place: Levi H. Hare, Henry High- land Reynolds, Elders for four years; James C. Cobb, M. D. (who, declining to serve, was, on June 22d, succeeded by Dr. Berryman Bryant), Thomas Douglas, Elders for two years; John B. Price, Elbert Joseph Wilcox, Dea- cons for four years; Isaac Bird, China Smith, M. D., Deacons for two years; and, on the 25th of the same month, at the semi-annual meeting of the Pres- bytery, held at Centerville, Mr. Douglas was chosen as Lay Commissioner to accompany Rev. John Edwards, appointed Clerical Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, conven ed that year at Chi- cago. Mr. Douglas was absent from May 9th until August 11th. It should here be stated that, on May 19th, the pastor received an invitation to accept the Presidency of the Presbyterian (City) College, and the next Sabbath tendered his resignation (which was agreed to), to take effect from Ist June Mr. Alexander preaching his closing sermon, May 28, 1871. At this time, the Rev. John F. Kendall, a brother of Rev. Dr. Kendall, Secretary of the Pres- byterian Board of Home Missions, and late pastor of a Presbyterian Church in Columbus, Ohio, who had been preaching with great acceptance in San Francisco, on July 2d, officiated in the pulpit just vacated by Mr. Alexan- der, and so pleased were the congregation with him, that at a meeting held July 9th, it was resolved to request Mr. Kendall to become their pastor, a call which was, however, declined. During the time between the calling of the last-named clergymen and the middle of the month of September, serv- ices were performed by different ministers, among them being Rev. Eben Munson Betts, of the Congregational Church in Santa Barbara, who so favorably impressed his hearers, that on September 17th, it was decided, in meeting assembled, to extend a call to him. The document, which was signed by E. J. Wilcox, E. P. Reed, H. B. Alvord, C. S. Crydenwise, Clar- ence L. Anderson, Trustees; B. Bryant, Thomas Douglas, L. H. Hare, H. H Reynolds, Elders; and E. J. Wilcox, J. B. Price, China Smith, Isaac Bird, Deacons; was duly transmitted to Mr. Betts, who accepted by letter dated October 2d, arrived in San José, about the middle of the month, and com- menced preaching October 22d, 1871, being afterwards installed by the

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Presbytery, January 20, 1872, on which occasion the following clergymen took part: Reverends John Hemphill, of Calvary Church, San Francisco ; A. J. Compton, of Watsonville; S. W. Webb, of Alameda ; A. M. Stewart, of Gilroy; and A. B. Post, of Santa Clara. We may state in this place, that in reference to the church liability heretofore mentioned, as well as the method suggested to liquidate it, on February 1, 1872, a sum of five thou- sand dollars had been raised in accordance with Mr. Hare's plan, while the story of the church finances then are most simply expressed in the records: "When Mr. Alexander came, we were nearly seven thousand dollars in debt. From the contributions above alluded to, and other sources, in about two years it was reduced to less than two thousand. When Mr. Betts was installed, the debt unprovided for amounted to only about sixteen hundred dollars." In the month of May of this year, a communication was received by the Board of Trustees from the Trustees of the Central Presbyterian Church, of San Francisco, offering to sell their organ for two thousand dollars. Subsequently, E. P. Reed, acting for the Trustees, ascertained that the best terms on which the instrument could be purchased, were as follows: Two thousand dollars in gold coin, payable December 1, 1872, the organ to be delivered on the cars at the depot in San Francisco. To defray this and attendant expenses, a subscription sheet was drawn up, and circulated among the members of the church and congregation, and, in an exceeding short time, more than the entire amount was pledged, the bargain being closed June 28th. To accommodate the instrument, the niche to the back of the pulpit, in the rear wall of the church, was enlarged, by removing the brick work, and extending it outward, at a cost, for material and mason work, of three hundred dollars. Due preparation having thus been made, Messrs. MeCraith & Shellard, of San Francisco were employed to set it up, their expenses being some two hundred and twenty-five dollars; and in the course of a week, the instrument was in its place, and ready for use, the expenditure being, up to the time, about two thousand, six hundred dollars. In this regard, the records naïvely state : "It was a remarkable exception to ordinary results in such cases, that our sub- scriptions to the Organ Fund, which were actually paid into the Treas- urer, exceeded the sum expended for the organ and attendant expenses by more than a hundred dollars." Nothing of further moment in the affairs of the church would appear to have occurred during the year 1872, save that on August 29th the pulpit was occupied by Rev. John Hall, D. D., of the city of New York, celebrated as a preacher and distinguished for great excellence of character. During the month of August, 1873, Rev. Mr. Betts received a month's vacation, when his duties were performed by Reverends Clement E. Babb, D. D., and J. Rowell, Chaplain of the Seaman's Church, San Francisco; while, about this time the finances of the church were pro-

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nounced to be in a not very flourishing condition. To relieve it, however, of the incubus of debt, several schemes were devised, efforts were made on the part of the Trustees to rent the pews in such a manner as to raise as much money as possible, and all other means resorted to by the ladies and other members of the congregation to obtain funds, still, the point where steady and regular income would meet current expenses had not been gained, it was therefore in meeting unanimously voted that the plan known in the Eastern States as the Envelope System should be adopted. In addition to this a railroad excursion to San Francisco which netted more than three hundred dollars was undertaken, while, by means of the indefatigable exer- tions of certain ladies of the church, a large sum was added, for which they received the unbounded thanks of all, the Trustees at the same time, Janu- ary 3, 1874, passing the following resolution: " Resolved, That the thanks of the Trustees are due, and are hereby tendered to Mrs. Dr. B. Bryant, Mrs. E. M. Betts, Mrs. Dr. China Smith, and Mrs. Dr. Spaw, for their patient, untiring, and successful efforts in collecting the sum of three thousand eight hundred and eleven dollars and twenty-five cents, which has been applied as follows, viz., three thousand three hundred and three dollars and fifty cents in payment of the interest-bearing debt of the church, and five hundred and seven dollars and seventy-five cents paid over to the Treasurer. Resolved, That the Clerk be instructed to read this resolution before the society at the annual meeting, and to spread the same on the minutes." Thus by "put- ting the shoulder to the wheel," the new year of 1874 saw the church liabil- ties reduced to but one thousand dollars. In the month of April a change in the mode of church praise had been effected, the quartette being dis- banded and Professor J. H. Elwood appointed leader of the new choir, while Everett Pomeroy was engaged as organist. On May 3, 1874, we find an election of Elders was held, when Frederick Field was selected to fill the unexpired term of Levi H. Hare, who, with his son George H. Hare, had removed to Kern county. The first of these gentlemen had been for a num- ber of years a most faithful and efficient Elder, while the last had been, for fifteen months, the eminently successful Superintendent of the Sabbath- school. In this month the question of increasing the number of Elders and Deacons occupied considerable attention, a meeting to discuss the matter was therefore convened June 14th, when prior to its ventilation, the resignation of Deacons John B. Price and China Smith were placed in the hands of the Session and accepted. The following new rule was therefore prepared, com- mented on and adopted without dissent: " The officers of this church shall hereafter consist of six Elders and six Deacons, two of each class to be chosen at the expiration of every two years, and the term of office for each person so chosen to be for six years; and if at any time this biennial election be omitted, the officers whose terms of office were then to expire, shall be con-

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sidered as having been re-elected, and shall be expected to discharge the duties of their position, in the same manner as if re-chosen in full form. Said biennial election to take place as heretofore, on the first Sabbath in April." The ballot was then proceeded with resulting as follows: Elders, Frederick Field, Henry H. Reynolds, Dr. Berryman Bryant, Thomas Douglas, Dr. China Smith, Dr. C. W. Breyfogle; Deacons, Elbert J. Wil- cox, I. J. Zimmerman, John M. Fleming, George W. McLellan, John Johnston, Clark S. Crydenwise. During the vacation of the pastor mentioned above it was deemed requisite to utilize the time in making some very nee- essary repairs to the auditorium, when no services were held in the church ; these being completed, however, Mr. Betts resumed his ministerial duties early in August. In the latter part of this year the question of inviting the Rev. Edward Payson Hammond, the distinguished Evangelist, to labor in San José, had occupied the attention of the ministers, officers and members of the different Evangelical churches, especially those of the Methodist, Bap- tist, United Presbyterian, and Presbyterian denominations, who having held converse among themselves, agreed with pleasant and cordial unanimity that such request should be made. It was accepted and special services under Mr. Hammond's leadership commenced on New Year's day, 1875. For more than two weeks union meetings were held every forenoon, when audiences assembled to the number of five hundred and more; at noon preachings were held at convenient places in the streets, while at 3 P. M., meetings for the benefit of children were sometimes convoked. In the evenings at seven o'clock assemblies said to average two thousand persons, listened to Mr. Hammond in the Music Hall, other ministers joining with earnest, able and impressive exhortations. As the result, hundreds professed a change and commenced with apparent heartiness the work of living Christian lives.

On April 4, 1875, an election was held for the choice of Elders and Dea- cons, when those holding office were retained, and on the 11th, consequent on the necessary leave granted to the pastor to attend the General Assembly at Cleveland, Ohio, to which he had been appointed Clerical Commissioner, at his suggestion, the Rev. William Howel Taylor was requested to assume the duties for Mr. Betts for the space of two months, this, however, he was compelled to deeline; it was therefore decided at an informal meeting of the Session to employ different clergymen from San Francisco and elsewhere. Mr. Betts, accompanied by Dr. Berryman Bryant, left for the Eastern States May 12, 1875. In the last-mentioned month, though not a portion of our especial subject, it may be as well to state, the United Presbyterian Church, who had organized November 6, 1874, had certain members of the First Presbyterian Church dismissed to them, among these being John M. Flem- ing, one of the Deacons. At the expiration of three weeks Mr. Betts returned from his furlough, his duties in the meantime having been per-

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formed by Reverends Sylvester Woodbridge, D. D., of San Francisco ; George Mooar, D. D., of Oakland; Clement E. Babb, D. D., D. W. Poor, D. D., of Oakland; J. Rowell, Seamen's Chaplain at San Francisco ; and J. K. Andrews, of Mahoningtown, Lawrence county, Pennsylvania. At a meeting of the church and society, convened October 4, 1875, the following business was transacted : The Treasurer's report was presented, showing the liability of the church to be one thousand five hundred and twenty-two dollars, fifteen cents; an election of officers for the society resulted in the choice of Judge C. M. Terry for Moderator; H. H. Reynolds, Treasurer ; David Bryant, Collector; Trustees, J. K. Warren, Delos G. Kent, J. R. Whiting, James Edward Baker, and E. P. Reed; Deacons were then elected to fill the unexpired terms of John M. Fleming and Isaac J. Zimmerman, the former of whom had joined the United Presbyterian Church, and the latter removed, his residence to San Francisco, the choice fell upon James Edward Baker and Wesley E. Hughes; the meeting then closed for the purpose of attending the auction of pews, which promised to realize the sum of sixteen hundred and twelve dollars, fifty cents. It is always a difficult task for the casual chronicler to record with delicate force the gap caused by the death of a cherished member of a community with whom he was unac- quainted. Far better is it, then, that in speaking of the death of one who had been a prominent worker in the First Presbyterian Church of San José, we should produce the touchingly simple tribute of the recording Clerk: " On Saturday, September 15, 1875, Mr. George W. Hare died at his resi- dence on Second street in this city. He was buried from our church on Sunday, the 19th, Rev. Mr. Betts, assisted by Rev. Theodore T. Munger, of the Congregational Church, conducting the services. Mr. Munger delivered the principal address, and spoke in very strong terms of the excellent Christian character of Mr. Hare. Mr. Hare united with our church under the pastorate of Rev. James S. Wylie, on Sunday, February 24, 1867, in company with sixty-three others, and soon after the Union Revival meetings conducted by Rev. A. B. Earl. From the very outset he entered earnestly and zealously upon the work of promoting the cause of Christ. He was soon after elected Superintendent of the Sabbath-school, which position he held until declining health compelled him to resign. Under him the school was more prosperous than ever before, increasing until it reached an attend- ance of nearly five hundred." On October 29, 1876, during the course of the service, Rev. Mr. Betts informed the congregation that it was his pur- pose to resign the pastoral office on or before July Ist, giving as a reason the state of his health; at the same time expressing the hope that no oppo- sition would be made by any one to the proposed separation. That he had still the interests of the church at heart is fully exemplified in his having spontaneously raised by donations the sum of twenty-three hundred dollars,

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with which the church debt was liquidated, April 28, 1877. At the time set Mr. Betts' relation with the church in San Jose was severed, after six years' ministry, and on July 15th the pulpit was formally declared vacant by Rev. Dr. Babb, who agreed to discharge the duties, aided by acceptable exchanges, until the congregation could be permanently supplied. In the interim among those who filled the pulpit were Reverends Robert Patterson, D. D., of San Francisco; W. J. MeKnight, D. D., of Springfield, Ohio; Jesse Hough, D. D., of Santa Barbara; J. Rowell, of the Seamen's Church, San Francisco; Mr. Hind of Mayfield, and Amos Jones, from Indiana.

On the 16th and 23d of September the Rev. John Paul Egbert, preached to full and interested audiences, and at a meeting of the congregation held after service on the 30th, it was unanimously agreed to request that gentleman to act as pastor for one year, which was accepted and notified to the congrega- tion by Dr Babb, November 4, 1878. During Mr. Egbert's vacation the matter of giving him a call was mooted; and at a meeting duly assembled it was unanimously resolved to address him the following letter: "San José, Sunday, June 2, 1878. Rev. J. P. Egbert, Dear Sir: We, the undersigned, in our own behalf, and in behalf of the members of the church and society which we represent, do hereby cordially invite you to accept the office of pastor of the First Presbyterian Church and congregation in this city. We fully endorse the pledges contained in the votes above recorded. If you accept our call, it is our fervent hope and earnest desire, that you may rely upon and actually receive in all your labors of love amongst us, the hearty co-operation, sympathy and love, of our entire church and congregation. We solicit an early reply, and that you may be guided in your deliberations and final decision, is the sincere desire and prayer of, Yours in Christian affection, China Smith, Thomas Douglas, Fred- erick Field, C. W. Breyfogle, H. H. Reynolds, Elders; A. S. Evans, E. P. Reed, E. J. Wilcox, Chris. Bergstrom, D. G. Kent, Trustees; W. E. Hughes, E. J. Wilcox, J. E. Baker, C. S. Crydenwise, G. W. McLellan, John Johnston, Deacons."

To this communication Mr. Egbert replied, under date July 25th, accept- ing the charge, but naming certain conditions of a private character, which he desired should be made the subject of consultation at a meeting of Session ; such was had July 27th, the conditions read and commented upon and voted unanimously " that the call to the Rev. J. P. Egbert be continued, the con- ditions named by him being accepted, and that they be read to the congre- gation." On Sunday the 28th, this was done by Rev. R. L. Stewart, who congratulated the church and society in securing the services of a minister of the Gospel, on whom God had graciously bestowed such remarkable endow- ments of head and heart. He was duly installed November 3, 1878, the following clergymen assisting: Rev. Dr. Eells, of Oakland; Rev. C. E. Babb,

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D. D., and Rev. I. N. Hurd. October 17, 1878, an election of office-bearers took place, leaving that part of the executive affairs of the church to be: Elders-Frederick Field, Henry H. Reynolds'; term to expire on first Sab- bath in April, 1881. Amos S. Evans, Thomas Douglas; term to expire first Sabbath in April, 1883. Dr. China Smith, Dr. Charles W. Breyfogle; term to expire first Sabbath in April, 1879. Deacons-John Johnston, Clark S. Cry- den wise ; term to expire first Sabbath in April, 1879. Elbert J. Wilcox, Wesley E. Hughes; term to expire first Sabbath in April, 1881. George W. Mclellan, Edwin Mears; term to expire in April, 1883. In the minutes of Sessions under date March 10, 1879, we find the following note: "According to the terms of Mr. Egbert's acceptance of the pastorate, it was expected that he would make a journey East in the course of the approaching Summer. In consequence, however, of the state of his health for some weeks past, and the urgent advice of his physician, he concluded to anticipate the contemplated time, and to leave at an earlier date. Accordingly on Wednesday morning, the 5th instant, he left San Jose for San Francisco, preparatory to his jour- ney by rail across the continent, and to-day, Monday, he has taken his departure from that place, expecting to be absent some four months or more. Before leaving he made an arrangement with Rev. C. E. Babb, D. D., to supply the pulpit for some weeks." April 6, 1879, the biennial election of officers was held, but no change in their disposition was made, Doctors China Smith and C. W. Breyfogle being re-chosen as Elders for six more years, and Messrs. John Johnston, and C. S. Crydenwise as Deacons for a like term. It is now our pleasing duty to record one of the most interesting events in the long history of the Church now under notice. On Sunday evening, April 20, 1879, seven Chinese, six men and a woman, were received into the First Presbyterian Church of San José, three of the former having brought letters from the San Francisco Church, while the remaining three were admitted on profession of their faith in Christ. The services were conducted by the Rev. Dr. Loomis of San Francisco, while a serious, attentive, respectable body of fifty Chinamen occupied front seats in the body of the church, attracting attention by their gravity and dignity. We have not space to follow this interesting fact to its close, nor time to be with the eloquent and learned Doctor in his discourse, yet we readily seize the opportunity to place upon record the words of " M. H. F." (Mrs. M. H. Field), in a newspaper report of the proceedings: "It would be hopeful for the future of California if its young hoodlums, like those who occupied the gallery on Sunday evening, disturbing the congregation by their noisy restlessness, gave promise of as peaceable and useful a manhood as these poor foreigners!" Sunday, June 1, 1879, Dr. Babb preached a discourse in memory of Miss Anna B. Cobb. The records state: "For more than nineteen years she had been an active member of our church, and during the most of that time, a teacher in our

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Sabbath-school. In works of charity and benevolence, relieving the wants of the poor, visiting the sick, and in all appropriate ways promoting the wel- fare of the church, she had borne a conspicuous part. In her death, we all feel that the church has lost a most efficient helper."

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History of Santa Clara County, California : including its geography, geology, topography, climatography and description, Part 54

Author: Munro-Fraser, J. P Publication date: 1881 Publisher: San Francisco : Alley, Bowen, & Co. Number of Pages: 894

Author: Munro-Fraser, J. P
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: San Francisco : Alley, Bowen, & Co.
Number of Pages: 894