The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-05-04
LOOKING BACKWARD.
DR.. Mackenzie Reviews the Work
of Five Years.
The Successful Close Of an Eventful Period
he Gives Some Striking Finan-
cial Results.

Yesterday was notable one in the history
I, of the First Presbyterian Church, as it hap
pened to celebrate two anniversaries, the
forty-second birthday of the church and
Sunday-school and the fifth year of the pas
torate of the Rev. Robert Mackenzie. In
the morning the exercises were given over to
the Sabbatb-school children who assembled
in great strength, and with their teachers,
friends and parents enjoyed season of rare
pleasure in singing sweet songs and in re-
citing appropriate verses.
LII the evening q large audience was pres
ent to listen to some remarks by the pastor
on brief review of his five years labors.
He was evidently impressed with the result
of his labors in the WORK of the MASTER yet
he was careful not to obtrude his personality
too much.
He said IL was eleven years since he first
came to this city, full of hope and confidence
in being able to accomplish something for
the cause TO which he had devoted his life
Yet, If he were called on to begin the same
life over again he doubted whether his heart
and courage would be equal to it. As he
grew older he saw so many trials and dan
gers ahead that he felt certain he should
fail unless he knew he would be supported
by his people, his officers and his friends as
III the past.
HISTORICAL REVIEW,
lie then INDUCED in brief review of the
history of his church, the mother of all the
Presbyterian Churches in this city and
State. 1t had glorious record, though at
times, like every other thing Of real life, it
was subject to days and weeks of depreS-
sion, when it needed friends who never lost
courage. 1t always found them in men who
never gave up the fight and in women who
were fervent in prayer and good works.
The first church building on Stockton
street, near Washington, was recently Wis
tied by him. He found it substan tial
structure and wel-ttted for the use Of a
congregation. After a long service the
property was sold to Chinese Mission So
ciety. where every Sunday the word Is
preached TO 400 Chinese in their own tongue,
and the result is very gratifying. The
Trustees of the society. with a wise fore
sight. moved out to the Western Addition
and located on the corner of Sacramento
street and Van Ness avenue.
Although the dedication sermon was
preached by the late DR.. w. A. Scott, Dr..
Mackenzie said he believed he had the good
fortune to preach the first sermon In the
new building on November 4. 1883 At that
time he was pastor of the Howard Presby-
terrain Church. over which he presided Tor
six years, thus making bis work in this city
extend over period of eleven years.
SUCCESSFUL PAsToRATE.
To show something Of the results of his
former pastorate the doctor said when he
began the society was in debt and had no
property. When his six years ended the So
clety was possessed of property worth $780,
coo and was carrying debt Of only $4,000.
Continuing his remarks in relation to the
results of his present pastorate DR.. Mac
kenZie said the amount of money con-
tributed by his church members and by per-
sonal friends was S500,000 Of this all had
been devoted to outside work of the church
except $4,000, which went to pay eff debt
There still remained small sum to be paid,
about $1,000.
In detailing the expenditures the doctor
gave the following suggestive items: Home
missions, 81, 232; foreign missions, $3.50 {;
for education for the ministry, S3048l6
which includes the endowment of the
new theological seminary near San Rafael {;
to small Sunday-schOols, $3.50; to small
churches, S29S7; to the fund for the peTma-
nent support Of aged and disabled ministers
Of the Presbyterian denomination at Perth
Amboy, n. j., S9206; to various outside
charities Of San Francisco, not connected
with his own denomination, S25, 800. This
amount was three times as much as was spent
on charities that were strictly Presbyterian.
The accessOns to his church 10 the past
five years numbered 457. of which 161 were
by profession of faith. In closing DR.. Mac
kenzie made a brief plea for the continued
support Of the church. He wanted them to
pray earnestly for born leader to be sent
to this city for he was sure II any place was
in need of oDe il WAS here