Los Angeles herald., 1891-10-28
UNITARIANS.
PROCEEDINGS AT YESTERDAYS
SESSION OF THE CONFERENCE.
Proceedings Yesterday Morning-The
Report of Superintendent Van Ness.
The Church Showed to Be Flourishing.

At 8 O'Clock yesterday morning the
Unitarian Pacific conference commenced
its second days session at Turnverein
hall with a devotional service, which
was conducted by Rev. Mr.. Sprague, OF
Pomona. At 8 AS a business session was
held, Superintendent Van Ness presid-
ing. The proposed order OF business
was adopted by the conference. Hon.
W. j. Thompson, of Tacoma, was called
to the chair and briefly addressed the
delegates. The treasurer reported as
follows Balance from last year, 1892 66 /;
receipts, $11l6; expenses. 1856. The
secretary presented detailed report in
regard to missionary work. The COM
mittee on credentials reported consid-
cradle number of delegates present and
more expected. The chairman OF the
committee was requested to report re-
vised list every morning during the con-
ference.
Reports from the various churches
were then received. These reports were
fully summarized in the superintendent s
report given in the afternoon.
At 2 p. m. the conference reconvened
and listened to report from Rev. @. w.
Wendte in regard to training school
for ministers at Berkeley. No action was
taken on the subject, the whole
matter being placed in the hands of the
educational committee.
At p. m. Mr.. Van Ness read his re-
port. He stated that the superinten-
dents report is mainly business docu-
ment, dealing largely with the external
side of the churches, and that as no re-
port was made lastyear it is supposed to
cover the two years, that is, since the
Portland conference of 1889. He then
gave resume of the work which has
been accomplished, beginning with
Washington and coming on down to
Southern California.
The towns OF Fairhaven and Whatcom,
near the entrance of Puget sound, were
opened to the cause by the pioneer work
of Rev. Mr.. Copeland and Miss Bartlett.
The society has had presented to it two
choice building lots, worth $4,000, on
condition of building by July. 1892. A
society has been formed at Puyallup.
near Tacoma, and church organized
there with Rev. H. Hangerud as pastor.
In Olympia, in 1889, there was no or
ganization; but church was organized
in 1890, and Rev. N. Hoagland is the
pastor. The church has property bring
ing in $1,000 year, and its church
building Is nearly completed, the prop
erty being valued at 900, with not
much over $6500 debt. 1t has a live
Sunday school and Literary club.
The Seattle Unitarian church has
been opened since the Portland confer
ence, but by series of changes cannot
make as good a showing as was ex-
pected, although the debt has been
slightly reduced. The value of the
church property is $500 and the debt is
1880.
Tacoma has shared somewhat of the
same misfortune as Seattle, but the su-
perintendent feels that it is one of the
society's best points.
Spokane, although isolated, has a
aourishing church, to which Rev. Mr..
Wilson has been called as pastor.
Passing to Oregon, Mr.. Van Ness says
that little need be said of Portland,
where the church is hourishing, the
march of progress finding it's property
almost in the business center. In
Salem, the capital, church has been
permanently established.
Coming to California Mr.. Van Ness
refers to tbs new movement around
San Francisco, where good work has
been done in Alameda, Berkeley, Oak
land, San Francisco and San Jose, and
where the church and various adjuncts
are growing and extending their useful
ness. At Sacramento the society is not
progressing much.
Coming south the society at Fresno is
mentioned as an instance OF what earn
nest laymen can do, it being a strong
and vigorous church. Great changes
have been wrought at Santa Barbara by
Rev. P. s. Thacher in the last two
years, it being today one OF the most in
huential societies in the state.
In Pomona there has been series of
misfortunes, but the church is now pro-
crossing and there is hearty and hope
ful feeling among the people.
Strong and admirable work has been
done in San Bernardino, and no organi-
zation in this section is more vigorous
than the Unity of San Bernardino. :
The church debt OF San Diego is now
provided foi, and it has brought about
new energy and better church attend
ance. The mission at Santa Ana has
been given up.
Under Mr.. Thompson's leadership the
| church at Tna uOoIac hox,a. -, oror,