A Pioneer Pastorate and Times, Embodying Contemporary Local Transactions and Events, by the Rev

A pioneer pastorate and times, embodying contemporary local transactions and events, by the Rev. Albert Williams, founder and first pastor of the First Presbyterian church, San Franciso Pioneer Pastorate A PIONEER PASTORATE AND TIMES EMBODYING CONTEMPORARY LOCAL TRANSACTIONS AND EVENTS BY THE REV. ALBERT WILLIAMS FOUNDER AND FIRST PASTOR OF THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, SAN FRANCISCO. SAN FRANCISCO Wallace & Hassett, Printers, 419 Sacramento Street 1879. A pioneer pastorate and times, embodying contemporary local transactions and events, by the Rev. Albert Williams, founder and first pastor of the First Presbyterian church, San Franciso http://www.loc.gov/resource/calbk.138 TO MARY HELPER IN MY LABORS AND SHARER OF MY JOYS THIS VOLUME IS AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED. PREFACE. THE present volume is offered as a contribution to history, in one of whose niches the subject, humble as it may be, claims a place. As the oldest Protestant Church organization in San Francisco, and confessedly a leading religious society, the First Presbyterian Church has attracted a marked attention and regard. Of this fact I have received many proofs early and late, and from near and far. Immediately after my arrival, a characteristic friendly greeting was given to me by the scholarly naval chaplain, the Rev. Walter Colton, at that time in Monterey, and only a few days before his departure from the coast. As a co-worker on the shore of the Pacific, in the summer of eighteen hundred and forty-nine, I was welcomed by the distinguished divine and statesman, the Rev. John Dunmore Lang of Sydney, New South Wales. Subsequently, came to hand friendly letters from Dr. Malan of Geneva, Dr. Candlish of Edinburgh, and others. These, and similar proffers of cheer and encouragement, are cherished in grateful remembrance. Nor has the interest in the general subject ceased. While it is acknowledged, that the work of those days is permanent, the wish is from time to time expressed, that in written form its history may be recorded. To viii many inquiries regarding the general subject, I have indeed already responded, privately in conversations and correspondence, as well as by communications through the Press, A pioneer pastorate and times, embodying contemporary local transactions and events, by the Rev. Albert Williams, founder and first pastor of the First Presbyterian church, San Franciso http://www.loc.gov/resource/calbk.138 and published sermons and addresses. The theme, however, has not been exhausted. More has been asked, in substance and mode. So, suspending awhile engagements in connection with California history in a more extended scope, in order to meet what seems a requirement, as well as to gratify wishes which I am bound to respect, I have thrown together, in the present volume, such facts and incidents, recalled from the past, as may assist in an understanding of the period under review, interesting alike to the general and special reader. In a word, the First Presbyterian Church of San Francisco, in its planting and early history, is the central subject of the present effort, around which are grouped leading events identified with it, and illustrative of the early times. The day is remembered when doubts and fears were widely prevalent, as to the final issue of the rush of gold-seekers, concentrated upon a common arena, with all their shades of training and habits. The problem for practical solution was, in truth, one of grave import: how, out of seeming or actual incongruities and even antagonisms, to evolve system and harmony. And yet—it may seem a wonder—from what was regarded by not a few a social chaos, arose the crowning work of the times, a CHRISTIAN STATE. The conditions, trials, duties, were all peculiar. In the midst of all is seen a sovereign overruling Providence, concerned in the ordering of ix events and the accomplishment of final results. Man proposes, but God disposes. Again, referring to the question of the character of the Pioneers in Church and State: virtue, patriotism, and attachment to traditional, wise, and beneficent institutions, were their controlling principles. Let the men of the early days be judged by their works. Time has tested them. That generation of active laborers has nearly passed away. Would their successors have begun and builded as wisely and as well? Necessarily, the present narrative is more or less personal in its details; for which fact, I trust no apology is requisite, for, as Gibbon has truly said, “a false modesty is the meanest species of pride.” CONTENTS. A pioneer pastorate and times, embodying contemporary local transactions and events, by the Rev. Albert Williams, founder and first pastor of the First Presbyterian church, San Franciso http://www.loc.gov/resource/calbk.138 CHAPTER I. The Beginning—Voyage to Charges—Isthmus Transit—Voyage from Panama— Arrival at San Francisco. Page 1 CHAPTER II. Visit to Benicia—Rev. S. Woodbridge, Jr.—First Sermons in San Francisco—Initial Steps in Church Organization—The Institute—Second Visit to Benicia—A Sad Bereavement—Organization of the First Presbyterian Church of San Francisco. 12 CHAPTER III. Introductories—General Persifer F. Smith and Commodore Thomas Ap Catesby Jones—Sunday School and its Superintendent—Church Choir—Wednesday Evening Prayer Meeting—An Excursion and Wayside Labors—A Day at the Mission Dolores—Padre Santillan. 24 CHAPTER IV. Church Pilgrimages—The Tent—Church Edifice—Period of Great Fires— Last General and most Destructive Fire—Church Burned—Temporary Place of Worship—Church Rebuilt. 37 xii CHAPTER V. First Visit to San José—San Francisco Protestant Churches in '49—Arrival of Roman Catholic Priests—Frederick Buel—San Francisco Bible Society. Page 51 CHAPTER VI. Disturbance of the Public Peace—“The Hounds”—First Vigilance Committee—Trial and Punishment—Arrivals by Sea—“No More Ta-tur”—Ministerial Association—Seamen's Friend Society—Benevolent Society—Last Hours of Two Men—The Rev. F. S. Mines—First Marriage Ceremony. 58 CHAPTER VII. Church Progress—Suffering Immigrants and Relief—Captain C. M. Weber, Stockton, and the Rev. James Woods—Town-Building and Town-Sites—Visit to Sacramento—The Rev. J. A. Benton—Mutineers of the Cutter Ewing —Attempted Homicide of Passed-Midshipman William Gibson—Naval Court and Incidents—Clemency of Commodore Jones—Execution. 68 CHAPTER VIII. Climate and Novel Experiences—American House— The Humorous Pope—“Good in All”—Sickness and Cemeteries—A Notable Funeral—Day of Thanksgiving—Political Affairs—State Government and its Inauguration—Earthquake—First Fire. 78 CHAPTER IX. Winter of 1849-50—Communion Season and Incidents—“A Regular New School Blue Presbyterian”—Annual Review—Presbytery of California—The Press of San Francisco— The Watchman —Family xiii Reunion—Visit to Oregon—Dedication of the Presbyterian Church of Clatsop Plains—Two Deeply Lamented Deaths—Cholera in San Francisco —Ecclesiastical Councils—Second Meeting of the Presbytery of California and Installation. Page A pioneer pastorate and times, embodying contemporary local transactions and events, by the Rev. Albert Williams, founder and first pastor of the First Presbyterian church, San Franciso http://www.loc.gov/resource/calbk.138 93 CHAPTER X. A Busy Period—Dedication—Orphan Asylum Society—Renewal of Crime— Vigilance Committee of 1851—Executions—Whittaker and Mackenzie—Review of 1851. 108 CHAPTER XI. Christian Work among the Chinese—The Rev. Messrs. W. G. Canders, Robert McCoy, and Joshua Butts—Welsh Church of San Francisco—Founding of the Presbyterian Chinese Mission—Sunday School Third Anniversary—Church of Santa Clara—Synod of the Pacific. 121 CHAPTER XII. Period of Excitements over Land Titles—Rainy Season of 1852-53—Flour Monopoly—Marriage Incidents—The Scotch. 133 CHAPTER XIII. Increase of Church Officers— Church Organ—Young Men's Christian Association of San Francisco—Yankee Enterprise—New Church Edifice Proposed—Privileges of Travel—Commodore John D. Sloat—Captain Patterson, the Cholera, Lieutenant Derby—Mission Church—Resignation—Organization of Calvary Church —Religious Influences Appreciated. 144 xiv CHAPTER XIV. Close of the Pastorate—Note to the Session, and Reply—Resolution of the Church, and Letter of the Trustees—Action and Resolutions of the Presbytery—Farewell Discourse. Page 162 CHAPTER XV. Reflections on the Past—Early Immigration and Trials— Novel Features—The Chief Place of 1849—Formation of the State Government—High Wages and Housekeeping—Fifteen per Cent. per Month—Moral Standard—Public Men and Leaders. 187 CHAPTER XVI. Predictions, Sombre and Bright—San Francisco: A Dream—Increasing Productions—Statistics of Agriculture, etc.—Trade and Commerce—California and the Orient. 203 CHAPTER XVII. Benevolence—Sanitary Commission and Incidents—Systematic Charities— Common Schools—Colleges—Libraries—Literature and Music—Distance and Time—Religious Societies—Presbyterian Churches—Concluding Remarks. 229 1 CHAPTER I. The Beginning—Voyage to Chagres—Isthmus Transit—Voyage from Panama—Arrival at San Francisco. A pioneer pastorate and times, embodying contemporary local transactions and events, by the Rev. Albert Williams, founder and first pastor of the First Presbyterian church, San Franciso http://www.loc.gov/resource/calbk.138 “MUTATIO MIRABILIS!” is the motto under which, in my diary, I made the following entry: “Clinton, New Jersey, February 1st, 1849. After a pastorate in this place of ten years, I this day received a joint commission from the Boards of Education and Missions of the Presbyterian Church, to proceed forthwith to the

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