San Francisco County CA Archives History - Books .....Chapter 15 1900
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Book Title: History Of The First Pastorate Of The Howard Presbyterian Church

CHAPTER XV.

  AND so we entered the new year 1861, little dreaming of the startling events
that were soon to absorb the attention of the entire country. The newspapers had
been telling of the extreme discontent of the Southern States ever since the
election of Abraham Lincoln to the Presidency, the November before.

  Very soon thereafter they told us of the actual "secession" of seven states
and the organization of another government. But the thing did not seem to strike
the public mind as a reality.

  We had heard the cry of "wolf" so long, that we did not realize that the alarm
was genuine. But we had not long to wait to be convinced.

  April had hardly come in, when the news of the rebel firing on Sumter removed
all doubt, and taught the nation what it had to face! Border states, we were
told, were debating whether they would remain loyal or join the "Confederacy."

  While we were absorbed in reading and discussing the amazing news concerning
events in the East, it dawned upon the minds of some among us that it was time
to ascertain how we ourselves stood, as a state, on the question of loyalty!

  At first it seemed to be taken for granted that there was no such "question,"
for of course we were loyal, and it was made apparent in public assemblies,
wherever allusions or direct references were made to the attack on our national
flag, by instant cheers that followed expressions of love for it. The same
sensitiveness of feeling pervaded our congregations, in public worship, in a
more quiet way, and was intensified by every reference to the great public
danger, whether in prayer or in direct address to the people.

  The ministers in all our churches but one preached loyalty with all their
might, and very few, if any, of their people failed to agree with them.

  But it was remembered, at the same time, that there might be another sentiment
among us. A considerable portion of the population was from the Southern States.
For years their representatives had urged legislation here in favor of measures
demanded by the slave-holding interest, and sometimes came very near carrying them.

  Moreover, the principal offices, both state and national, were held by men
known to have leanings in that direction.

  There was no very open expression of sympathy with the rebellion, but there
were men in control of the army, who, if they followed the example of military
officers in the Southern States, might betray their trusts, and precipitate
civil war right here among ourselves. As possible danger was clearly perceived,
loyal sentiment asserted itself more positively. It appeared in talk on the
street, in the centers of business, in social gatherings, and wherever people
met together.

  The churches and congregations took it up, and in order to make their position
more emphatic, all but one or two of them raised national flags on their houses
of worship, and kept them there.

  This was done in most cases with imposing public ceremony, that deepened
conviction and aroused enthusiasm.

  This was early the case with the Howard church.

  Notice of the occasion was circulated among the members, and a large number of
men, with not a few women and children, met at the appointed time on the steps
and sidewalk in front of the church. A large new national flag was run up to the
top of the tower and opened to the afternoon breeze, amid the cheers of the
multitude.

  Then came brief speeches by Isaac E. Davis, Henry B. Janes, and others,
followed by the pastor, who said, in concluding his speech, Beneath that flag,
schools, colleges, and seminaries have sprung up. Beneath that flag, freedom of
speech and the freedom of the press, and, more than all, freedom of conscience,
have been the people's common possession. And, by the help of God, we are
determined that it shall continue to wave over us.

  "It shall wave over our national capitol. It shall wave over our state-houses,
our courthouses, over our schools and seminaries, over our public works and
private residences. It shall wave over the altars of our holy religion. It shall
wave everywhere, and no other shall wave! So saith the Atlantic to the Pacific,
and the Pacific answers back to the Atlantic, Amen, and amen."

  Notwithstanding all that was said and done to make it clear that California
was loyal to the flag and the Union, there was an undertone of restless feeling,
until some Southern sympathizers with the rebellion were removed from office,
and their places supplied with well-known loyal men.

  And it did not become known till a year or two later how much ground there
really had been for anxiety. It was only then that the public were informed of
the conspiracies and secret plots formed for getting possession of the military
works and property of the United States, in order, if possible, to turn the
state over to the "Confederacy." And it was only then that it became known how
near some of them came to success!

  All this, together with the disheartening news that was coming in 1861 from
the East, concerning the loss of battles, and the divided state of the public
mind, absorbed the attention of all our people, and greatly interfered with
earnest and aggressive Christian work.

  It was a period of danger and uncertainty, and brought us close to the throne
of Divine mercy in supplication for help.

  Under the stress of this great anxiety, the remainder of the year 1861 passed
quickly away, and the year 1862 came in.


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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