The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-02-09

+ y Nswtipt apd F Rev t C. Van Ness
G. Norman. trustees. Six thousand dollars
Of the purchase price has already been PAID
and the balance, IL is expected, VIII be So
cured within few days.
The dedication, or as the promoters OF the
new church call it, the hOuSewarming. will
be celebrated with the ceremonies usual on
such occasions, and since the new church
already numbers 155 regular mem bers be-
sides about 200 occasional visitors, who II is
hoped will now become members, there IS a
bright prospect Of prosperity IN store for
the Second Unitarian Church.
Within q few weeks DIR. Leslie w.
SpTague, now in P0mons, who has received
and accepted a call, will arrive here and
VIII take the Passionate Of the new church
and in the meantime Mr.. Van Ness will
conduct the services.
Speaking Of the progress Of UnltarIanIsm
Superintendent Van Mass yesterday gave
an interesting account OF its struggles on the
Pacific Coast.
The first Unitarian church In California
was founded in 1857 by the late Thomas
Starr King, the great preacher and phiIan-
throDist, whose monument adorns the Golden
Gate Park" said Mr.. Van Ness. and he
continued to talk entertainingiy about how
matters had progressed since.
lie put il as follows:
For quite long time this church was the
only one out here and. 10 tell the truth. it
seemed to be the only one needed, for our
doctrines did not spread with any great
degree Of rapidly among the early Caiifor-
mans.
However. in due time Santa Barbara
and San Diego Organized churches and
slowly, but surely, Unitarianism began 10
spread all over The coast.
Little churches commenced TO grow up
here and there, some of them to become
permanent institutions and others to sue
cumb after a short time to the Inevitable
and TO die out.
Lack OF organization and business
methods were the reason so many of the
new churches could not prosper.
There were plenty OF willing Unitarians
everywhere, but somehow they did not know
how to manage things.
New churches are like infants, they need
nursing, and many Of these ] speak of had
no one who knew how 10 foster them or
whose special business 1t was to look after
their welfare.
80 in 1887. the working Board of Direc-
tors. whose headquarters are In Boston,
decided to create a new district. embracing
California. Oregon aud Washington, and to
send superintendent TO this coast 10 look
after the interests Of the church.
"a suprrintendenPs duties are mostly ad-
vsoTy. He is called upOn by The churches
in his diocese and is consulted by them in
all important matters.
he, of course, gives them the best bene-
Fl Of his Judgment, and they mostly follow
his advice, although they need not do IL,
should they entertain different views from
those he favOrs.
ITO combine common business methods
with religious purposes is the principal duty
OF a Superintendent.
REV. Charles W. Wendte, who Is now In
Oakland, was the first superintendent of the
Diocese OF the Pacific, and in 1889 | was
appointed TO succeed him.
"Our work here has been eminently sue
oessful, ard there are now thiTty-three flour
ishing churches in this district"
Mr.. Van Ness modestly refrained from
speaking of his own achievements, but as
matter OF fact great share Of the work done
in the interes: Of UnitaTianism has been
performed by him, and it is almost entirely
due 10 his own untlrlng efforts that nearly
every church in his diocese Is now on IA
solid financial basis.
In TIE organization Of the Second Unita-
rian Church here Mr. Van Ness was the
moving spirit, and he has just received the
first copies OF book which ne has written
and dedicated 10 this new church
II is n learned and interesting volume,
entitled "Ihe Coming Religion" and treats
of Unit arlanlsm in a cleaTJand concise way.
Mr.. Van Ness con templates an early de-
parture from this city. he having been called
10 Boston. His absence will doubtless be
greatly regretted by his people, who have
learned TO love and admire him.