San Francisco County CA Archives History - Books .....Chapter 11 1900
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Book Title: History Of The First Pastorate Of The Howard Presbyterian Church

XI.

  As CIVIL order was now established, the church addressed itself more earnestly
to spiritual work.

  Bible-study was prosecuted with increased earnestness.

  The themes of sermons were chosen with reference to earnest persuasion to the
new life and constant growth therein.

  The ruling idea of that life was understood to be service, and the world to be
its "field." The church became regular in its support of missions, and
constantly helpful to young churches in the state. It continued to share with
the other churches the support of the Orphan Asylum, the Ladies' Protection and
Relief Society, the Young Men's Christian Association, and the Chinese Mission,
as well as many other benevolent undertakings. It never failed in its support of
The Pacific, because it was a missionary agency essential to our common
Christian work throughout the Pacific Slope. Moreover, a college school had been
started in Oakland, which required a great deal of help in its beginning. Rev.
Henry Durant came to California in 1853, as he said, "with college on the
brain," and was at the head of this school. Our church gave him a very firm
support from the beginning.

  So many things could not be undertaken at that early day with any prospect of
success, had it not been for the joint action of the Presbyterian (New School)
and Congregational churches, together with many very able members of
Presbyterian churches, Old School.

  That joint action was commenced in 1849, but its full value was most plainly
seen after the arrival of the six home missionary families in February, 1853,
doubling our ministerial force.

  Our spring meeting was held that year in Nevada City, with the Congregational
church, Rev. J. H. Warren, pastor.

  It was a long, hard journey to reach that place in those days, but when once
there, in the mountain air, among the towering pines, there was an exhilaration
about it that made one want to shout and leap, and play the schoolboy.

  And all the more so when we got together, for some of us had been student
associates only two or three years before, in college or in the seminary, and
here we were unexpectedly renewing our acquaintance in the mines of California!
This, of itself, furnished excitement enough, for we could not have anticipated it.

  We were all young and eager to lay hold on our work. The very air seemed to be
electrified with the spirit of enterprise.

  And it did not matter that every institution we carne to help build must be
commenced at the very foundation, and that the whole work would come on at once.
We felt equal to anything.

  I believe we were all there, — nine Presbyterians and seven
Congregationalists, with some lay delegates from the young churches.

  Thus reinforced, we laid hold on business with a will. Forenoons the
denominations met apart, and each did its separate business.

  Afternoons and evenings we spent together, laying plans for work common to
both denominations, such as Bible and tract distribution, Sabbath-observance,
temperance, good morals, but especially education. Here was planned the College
of California, as it was afterward developed from the college school in Oakland,
and committees were appointed to put the plans in execution.

  All these things we could set on foot with a good prospect of success, because
of our united action, with so many widely separated churches co-operating, and
with The Pacific as a medium of communication, enabling us to act together.

  And this joint action continued, and it afforded a steady support to good
institutions and sound principles and salutary influences that have continued to
prevail, and have done a great deal toward making this a Christian state. These
joint meetings were held until the two branches of the Presbyterian Church in
the United States united, and then the joint meetings with the
Congregationalists ceased.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from:

THE HISTORY OF THE FIRST PASTORATE OF THE HOWARD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA 
1850-1862

BY REV. SAMUEL H. WILLEY
THE FIRST PASTOR

SAN FRANCISCO: THE WHITAKER AND RAY COMPANY (INCORPORATED)
1900

COPYRIGHT, 1900
BY
SAMUEL H. WILLEY


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