The morning call., 1891-03-08

Is the popular and hard-WOrklng little rector
p of St LUke's Episcopal Church, which Is
situated on the corner of Van Ness avenue
ana Clay street. His passionate has eX-
tended over a period of nearly I'VE years,
aHd in that time he has accomplished much
for the good Of the church and the advance
ment OF the cause of true religion.
The history of ST. Luke'S is such as par
tiCularly TO endear il TO those who worship
within its portals. Ii has had men Of ability
for its rectors, and in spite Of temporary
diSeouragements and moments OF financial
difficulty 1t has maintained nrm and con-
>stant attitude of perseverance aud deter
. miuatiun to be found il the advance guard
alone is an important factor in keeping its
attendance alb We the average, and added to
that feature the others of a satisfactory
Service and good music, 1t will be UNDER
stood how so faithful worker as Mr. Da-
Wis Is able to keep the parish alive with ill.,
terest and awake to their spiritual priYi-
legeS.
ST. Luke's Church, while it stood on
Pacific avenue, near Polk street. had many
rrctOrS. The one Who will perhaps be long
est remembered by the people of the city as
well as by The members OF his own paris n,
was the Rev. Samuel Gregory Lines. He
We, a man Of remarkable personal magnet
ism and considerable pulpit elUquenCe. He
was succeeded by the Rev. Douglas Miller,
the Immediate predecessor of Rev. w. W.
Miller resigned, left san Francisco and re-
turned to Connecticut, whence he had come
For some time s.. Luke's was without q
pastor. The choice finally tell upon Will
iam W. Davis, who was a deacon in a large
church on Long Island By some il was
felt that he was 100 Young for so responsible
q position, but those who had proposed his
name stood loyalty by the man Of their
choice, and the wisdom Of such a course has
long since been apparent by the success Of
Mr.. Davis minlstrations and the Increased
attendance On the church.
Mr.. Davis was ordained to the Office of
priest In order to accrpt the call to the par
ish of s.. Luke's. He was quite a young
man, but already married ana the father Of
an Interesting little girl. Indeed, he had
been married Tor some tine and professor
In an Eastern college before he was a stu
dent Tor the ministry His wife was the
daughter OF Professor Homer Sprague, v no
just previous t. the i te of Mr.. Davis call
had accepted the Presidency Of Mills Col
legP. Mr.. Davis was introduced to his new
position and at once began TO introduce
some radical changes In the activities Of the
church. Chief among his Innovations, de-
stned 10 work potent results IN the parish,
was he organization OF the N0men's Aux
lllaTy, society composed OF many minor
branches, which reached cut in SO wide a
manner as II cover all the proper fields OF
church work.
Among some Of the signs Of progress in
troduced by the Rev ". W. Davis may be
mentioned the yestured choir Of men aud
DGys. THIS was fuT some time a subject of
SoUe discussion among the attendants on
St. Luke's service but finally all opposi-
ton faded away. The choir was at first I'M
der the supervision Of Miss Marie WthrOw,
who laboreu ass!dunusly and faithfully II
bring the voices TO the highest degree of
perfection. During Mr.. Davis iuCumbency
the new organ was completed ana put IN
the recess built for it al the southeastern
cerHer Of the church. Another improve
neHt was the erection of the choir Tor
roblnEl room at the northeastern corner OF
the edlhct. The new altar WAS also placed
IN the chancel during the earlier portion of
Mr.. Davis pastOraie. Lately there has
been associated with him as assistant rector
the Rev. Mr.. Bolton, recently II England.
This gentleman has since become the rector
of ST. Mary's Mission Chapel on Union
street. His place has been filled by the
Rev Mr.. Church, late assistant at Trinity.
lhe interests of the church have been
greatly furlhrred by the efforts Of MIR. Davis
IN another direction. In conjunction with
the Rev. Charles Mel OF ST. Peters Epis-
eUpal Church, on the corner of Stockton
and Hilbert streets Of this city, Mr.. Davis
started paper knows as the Church News
and Forum. This publication did a great
deal IN journalistic way for church affairs.
Ii was ably edited, and numbered among its
contributors some of the brightest and most
intellectual men in the church. The staff
was further reinforced by the ability of the
Rev. Frederick Reed of Christ Church, Saul
salitO, whose early death has placed him
among the saints Of the church.
Upon the advent of Assistant Bishop
Nichols in the diocese, Church News and
Forum was consolidated with the Pacific
Churchman-the Episcopal paper of Cali.
fOrnia, which has benefited immensely by
the addition OF the younger ventures typo
graphical outfit and makeup.
In appearance, Mr.. Davis is q small man,
with an immense amount of energy, deep
spirituality and persuasive eIOquence as a
preacher. His Leuten discoursas are full
OF suggestive thoughts and faithful words
OF warning and encouragement