Daily Los Angeles herald., 1884-03-04
NEW DEPARTURE m San FERNANDO.
Dedication OF the First Protestant
Church in that Place-A Neat
Beautiful Day-Interest-
in Service : Liberal Contribu-
ns-Beautiful Crop Prospects.

Church in that Piace-A Neat
Beautiful Interest
in Service = Liberal Contribu-
Beautiful Crop PROSPECTS.
The beautiful valley Of San Fernando
never looked more lovely than on Sun
day last, the day set apart for the dedi-
cation Of the new Methodist Episcopal
Church at that place. A dreamy, hazy
radiance filled all the air, and a soft heat
came over all like delicate sleep. The
distant cafons and the slopes Of ever
green oaks on the south side Of the val
ley were seen rather than distinguished.
The vast plain Of 10000 acres Of
wheat and barley lay like an emerald
carpet in soft and delicate beauty. There
was
A breath Of spring in the breezy woods.
Sweet waits from the quivering pines
Blue violet eyes beneath green hoods,
A bubble Of brookltts, a scent Of buds.
Bird MARBLES and camherlng vines.
Over the aowery turf from various
ways came eyes Of azure and eyes of
brown, soft white foreheads and golden
hair, and reverent steps of maidens fair,
who bore to the chancel of the new
church the choicest aoral treasures
which they could gather to beauty
their church home. for which their
hopes and expectations had been SO long
and earnest.
The people of the valley came from
near and from far to attend the opening
for religious worship and conse Grafton
Of the neat Gothic chapel, which the
people had erected by spontaneous ef-
fort, and were there to present it COM
pleted in every part and ready for con-
secraiion as a Temple Of the Lord.
About the hour of noon the congregas
tion was in attendance, and the services
commenced with an anthem by the choir,
sung in aspirited manner Colonel H.
G. Hubbard then presented the church
with large royal quarto copy of the
Bible, the gift Of Miss Arabella Widney,
Of Los Angeles. Rev. P. F. Bresee, Of
Los Angeles, who took charge of the
services, returned thanks for the beauti.
full gift. A beautiful communion SER
vice, the gift Of Hon. G. Wiley Wells,
owing to the illness Of that gentleman,
was presented with brief and appropri
ate remarks by Hon. r. NJ. Widney, and
accepted on behalf of the church by
Mr.. Bresee.
AT or devotional exercises conducted
by Elder Clum and the singing Of anoth-
or hymn by the choir, Mr.. Bresee deliv-
cred brilliant discourse on "The path
of the Just, which shineth more and
more unto the perfect day" The adj
dress abounded in rare and delicate pas
sages. tending to show the supreme hap
piness of the life that was in harmony
with God;
"0liding on like stream in the woodlands,
Darkened by shadows Of earth but refectIng the
image OF Heaven"
The address was listened to with deep
interest by the audience, at the conclu-
sion Of which the financial statement
was read by the Secretary, Mr.. H. W.
Griswold.
The Secretary reported the cost of the
church edifce to have been $1,000 and
organ $500. with balance of $4OS dae
on the church. The reverend gentleman
then announced that the next business
in order was the extinguishment Of that
debt. The venerable ex Senator, Charles
Maclay, who has been foremost in the
matter Of erecting the church, proposed
to be one OF ten to pay so each towards
that object. He was followed by Col
Hubbard, Judge Widney, Hon. A. B.
Moffitt, B. F. Porter, Mr.. Harp, +. M.
Wright, Mrs. Maclay, Bath L Fosmir, of
Los Angeles, and Mr.. Grimsel, making
the 500 in about eight minutss. After
this came the volunteers Of SO and IS
each, until the whole amount was raised
in less than twenty five minutes.
The chrrch being free from obligation
to man was then dedicated to the service
OF God in very impressive manner.
The trustees were then called to the
chaucel and charged with the duties Of
their Office. Thanks were returned to
the young ladies of San Fernando for
their generous part 10 furnishing the
church and in decorating il with flowers,
and to the audience for their prompt and
generous contribution in placing the
church free from debt. The audisnce
then rose and sang Coronation" with .
right good will In the notes Of this
jubilant ascription Of praise, it was hard
20 determine which gave the loftiest
strains Of the trio, consisting Of ex-Sena-
tor Maclay, Col. Hubbard and Judge
Mofitt, but the final determination was
that the Senator sxcelled them Al in his
joyful strains. The audience was then
dismissed and partook Of the bounties Of
the valley Of San Fernando at the hos
pifable mansions Of ex-senator Maclay,
Hubbard and Wright. and Col. J. H.
Barclay.
To the praise Of the people Of San Fer
nando it should and must be said, that
in ratio to the number Of inhabitants,
they have built the best church build
ing in the county. All the exercises and
social reunions were most pleasant and
agreeable. Ample preparations had
been made for tho entertainment Of all
visitors from abroad. and all parties
were satisfied and delighted
Judge Moffitt, who has been seriously
indisposed. is the Treasurer Of the soci-
ETY., and was SO far recovered as to be at
the meeting to receive the shekels that
lifted the debt of the church. The host
Of friends of the Judge will be glad to
know that his health is improving, and
that he will be soon able to discharge all
his official duties.