USA > California > San Francisco County > San Francisco > The retrospect. A glance at thirty years of the history of Howard street Methodist Episcopal church of San Francisco > Part 2
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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 M. E. Church of San Francisco. The organization, however, was not complete until January, 1852, when the Rev. M. C. Briggs became its pastor, 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 the book interest of the church. This man 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,
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and its second Sunday-school superintend- ent. His return to the Atlantic States in the latter part of 1852 was a great loss to the society ; but his memory is still cher- ished among us as a man who stood bravely against the torrent of worldliness and lifted high the 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 prevailing 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 publication 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
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ever-increasing benediction. The little so- ciety, however, was not left without a pas- tor, for about that time the Rev. George 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 gave himself fully to the work of the church, and was exceedingly efficient in both pulpit 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 sc- cured for the society through the efforts of Rev. 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 place of their meeting. Soon the opportunity arrived, and a large lot was bought and paid for. This was situated on Market Street, and is a part of the ground now covered by the Palace Hotel. We all thought the church had secured a
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princely estate, but at that time there were no clean titles in the city, as every inch of available space was the battle-ground of many conflicting interests ; and to make matters worse, there were but few clean courts who would impartially adjudicate these interests. Many of these were so corrupt 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 paper 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 property. Not only were they sued at the law, but those who held possession for the church were summarily dispossessed by hired rowdies, who came against them
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with bludgeons and pistols. Possession be- ing now gone, and that being nine points in law, the case at once became exceeding- ly dubious. However, it was stoutly con- tested, both in State and United States courts for a number of years, but at length the old trustees, becoming wearied and worn out with the fruitless and expensive 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 will rob God.
The pastor, Brother Briggs, returned from his Eastern trip after six months' ab- sence, and resumed his labors in the charge, in connection with his substitute, who also remained his assistant to the end of the year. The General Conference which had recently held its session in Boston had ere- ated two Conferences out of the Oregon and California Mission Conference, and henceforth both the Oregon and Califor- nia Conferences were to be vested with all the rights and privileges of the older Conferences, and Bishop Ames, who had just been elected and ordained by this Gen- eral Conference, had been appointed to hold the first sessions of these new Conferences.
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Accordingly, the Bishop reached this city, in pursuance of his work, in January, 1853. } Hle 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 the Happy Valley schoolhouse, 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 infants 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 population were exclusively men. On this day the Quarterly Confer- ence was held at which the first Board of Trustees was appointed. It consisted of Seneca Jones, Charles Merriman, Horace Hoag, John Payne, W. H. Coddington, J. W. Whiting, 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 recommended him to the / Annual Conference. His name was JJohn Bennum. This brother was one of God's
2*
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choicest gems, for he was not only very gifted, but exceedingly sweet-spirited and thoroughly consecrated to the work of his Master. He was received by the Annual Conference and sent to a cirenit in the mines. He had not labored long, how- ever, before he was drowned in attempting to ford a swollen stream ; and so he was not, for God took him.
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 supplied, which was a great disap- pointment to the people, as they had fully expected the return of their pastor, Brother Briggs. 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 proved to be Rev. N. P. Heath, a man of fine talent and thorough devotion. Hle at once set on foot measures to secure a house of worship, as there seemed no pros- pect of permanent success without this. Up to this time the society had been like Noah's dove, with no place whereon to light its weary feet. It had migrated be-
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tween the Happy Valley schoolhouse and Music Hall, a public building that stood on Bush Street where now stands the Oeci- dental Hotel. The new pastor determined that this migration should cease by the so- ciety utilizing its lot on Folsom 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 there, should have any congregation, the people must come from a long distance, and wade through almost impassable sand drifts at that. But notwithstanding these serious objections, the plan was carried out, and $5,000 were borrowed, at three per cent per month interest, with which to build the church. The property was mortgaged for that amount, and from that moment its troubles began. The house was finished and dedicated on January 7th, 1854, and regular services commenced within its walls. There seemed, however, little else than constant discouragement, for the con- gregation was very small, and the $150 per month interest money which had to be met, together with all other current expenses of the church, weighed so heavily upon the society that it came very near disbanding.
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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 property would have been sacrificed and the society driven to pieces.
Rev. Dr. Bannister, of precious memory, served as pastor 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 Rev. 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 pulpit was filled with preachers who gave their services gratuitously.
Meantime, the class meetings were regu- larly kept up, one of which, under the lead- ership 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
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higher, where silvered hairs shall be changed 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 ham- mer. But Brother Heath only 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 wonderful 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 prosperity. In the mean time, the population in the vicinity of the
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church had materially increased, and the streets approaching it had been rendered quite accessible by grading and sidewalk- ing. Also several members from Powell Street charge had moved into the neighbor- 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 therefore the congregation grew, and the spirituality of the devotional meetings greatly increased. The year ended with much prosperity, 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 brought into the fold at that time who remain with us till this day. Among these are Captain An- drew Nelson and family, whose faithful services along all these years have added both to our material and spiritual prosper- ity.
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At the Conference of 1858, Rev. J. A. Bruner became the pastor. He at once, by the urbanity of his manner and the sweetness of his spirit, won all hearts to himself, and gained a power for usefulness which resulted in great good to the cause. Many were the trophies won to God during that year of excessive labor and earnest toil. No people 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 wept 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 the most efficient laborers that ever came within our portals. Among these were Daniel S. Howard and John Cady of precious mem- ory, and scores of others whom 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
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stranger to the church, for he had previ- ously lived several years in the city, and had done valiant battle for God as editor of the " California Christian 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 of 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. D. 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-
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sist in massive demonstrations of logic, and yet he was logical ; but it did consist in the wonderful symmetry of his 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 industry : 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 highest degree ; there was nothing vis- ionary or unfeasible about his plans, but these were laid in the highest wisdom, and when brought to their practical working, developed 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 energy unflagging. 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 pleasant word for every one. He readily remembered all faces and
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all names, and hence always recognized all whom he had once seen. He was particu- larly careful to interest himself in strangers, and none such 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 up 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 not 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 enlargement of their church accommodations. This they could not do upon their present site, and so a change of location was forced upon their considera- tion. It was felt that the time had come for Methodism in this city to take an ag-
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gressive step, and plant herself in a position where she could more fully exercise the wonderful appliances of her economy for the good of men. The church, although growing and prosperous, although full of hope and courage, yet it was comparatively 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 had only our church property as a capital with which to begin the new enterprise. 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 push 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 $15,000, $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 purchaser 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 portions
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of the new lot, which gave us money enough to pay the balance that was due on its pur- chase. So that the case then stood that we had our present church and parsonage lot in exchange for church and lot on Folsom Street. The purchaser of our Folsom Street property insisted on having immediate pos- session, and so we became for a little time homeless but not friendless. The Howard Presbyterian Church 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 their prem- ises. This kind and fraternal offer was thankfully accepted, and our church and Sunday-school services were transferred to that temple.
Meanwhile, the parsonage was removed from the old lot to the new, and the work of erecting this church 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. San- mis, and the carpenter-work to Brother James Harlow ; both of whom belonged to the Board of Trustees, and therefore had more than a selfish interest in the enter- prise. These brethren were faithful to
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their trusts, and worked with great vigor and dispatch, so that not many weeks elapsed before the basement was ready for occupaney. It was covered over with a temporary asphaltum roof, and our Israel removed the Ark of the Lord within its walls. To connect the old with the new, the seats from the old church were brought down and placed in position, and served a useful purpose in the basement, until the Central Church was built, when they were transferred to that house, and thus gave ocular demonstration of their itinerant pro- elivities. During all these weeks, the pas- tor had not been idle; for in addition to performing all his pulpit and pastoral du- ties, he was 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 when 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 people, as all the services were most intensely interesting. Sinners were con- verted, and saints were greatly strength-
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ened 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 affatus filled the temple continually. We needed no further demonstration that our offering was ac- cepted, 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 enterprise should be pushed to its completion. Our pastor nerved himself to the task, and resumed the work of soliciting funds ; and many a weary day did he tramp these streets, and many a night did he return to the parsonage foot- sore and worn, but not 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 Platt's Hall they made over $5,000 for the treasury.
The temple was dedicated on the 18th of
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October. 1863, Rev. Dr. J. T. Peck preach- ing the sermon ; but the joyfulness of the occasion was marred by the knowledge that one, who had been most active and ef- ficient in promoting the enterprise, lay bleeding and dying at his home, and could not mingle in the services of the hour. Daniel S. Howard, one of the trustees, who had given his time and money and wonder- ful energy, from the moment the seheme was inaugurated till the finishing touch was given the edifice, had but a day or two before met with a fearful accident through a runaway horse, by which both legs were broken, and the 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 ! 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 eall came, he simply responded. " Yes, Lord Jesus. I come quickly." Twenty years have flown since that time, but his name is
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green and fresh in the memory of his asso- ciates of that day, and it cannot fade from the records of this church while a brick or stone of the temple remains. Nor will his work then cease, for the results of his earth- ly labor can only be gathered when the har- vest is garnered in the skies.
Another of the trustees who had been specially active 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 swept 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 higher record has been made of his
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