The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-08-31

programme and when the congregation
entered the beautiful auditorium they
hardly recognized their old place of wor-
ship.
By an appropriation of few hundred
dollars for repairs, the congregation was
stimulated to greatly increase the amount
beyond what was considered possible dur
ing these unsettled times. Rev. II. C.
Christian, presiding elder of San Fran
cisco district, preached in the morning.
Rev. r. P. Wilson, DID,, editor of the
Pacific Methodist Advocate, preached in
the evening. a select chorus choir rem
dered choice music.
During the discourses it was learned
the congregation has not had to contend
with difficulties common to churches in
the West, but it has had some peculiar
tests of strength, through which it has
come tliumphantly.
Some important issues have made this
point a storm center, but clouds are dis
persed and the valiant heroes rejoice in
hope and zeal, while the Christians of
other branches OF the family rejoice with
them. Recruits are coming in and the fu-
ture is promising. One point in the prac-
tical Christianity of this noble band is to
owe no man anything but to love one
another.
Asbury M. e. Church South was named
in honor OF Francis Asbury, the first man
ever made bishop in the Methodist Church.
Asbury congregation IS part of the
Methodist Episcopal Church South, one
of the greatest branches of the Methodist
family in the world, second only in Amer
lea to her twin sister, the NJ. 7 Church.
The M. e. Church South now numbers
more than a million and a half member
ship, conducting strong foreign mission
airy society, doing successful work around
the globe. In the United States her work
is almost entirely south of the Ohio and
west OF the Mississippi rivers. The word
''south" in the name indicates a geo.
graphical and not political distinction to
those familiar with Methodist history,
The separation of the great Methodist
church in 1874 into two independent
ecclesiastical bodies was deemed a wise
and amicable solution of vexed question
thrust upon the church by jealous poll
ticians. By this plan of separation,
adopted by the general conference. a
secession of the great New England con-
ferences was probably averted. No two
branches of the Christian church are so
fraternal as the Methodist bodies-hoIding
doctrines identical, differing only in
church government.
Asbury Church was organized In 1882
with a very small charter list, Rev. Will
succeeded after one year by Rev. J. G.
Simmons. Having no church building,
service was held in hired hall.
DR.. Simmons remained one year and
was succeeded by Rev. Samuel Brown,
who renamed three years and did much
material work. During his passionate the
present commodious edifice of worship
was purchased. Rev. Will Layson was
pastor for one year after DR.. Brown. He
was succeeded by Rev. G. o. Steele, who
remained one year.
The next pastor was Rev. T. A. Atkin-
son, who served for two years. He was
followed by Rev. r. Boyns in October,
1889, who served until his sudden death,
April s, 1891, leaving the church for seve-
raj months without pastor.
Rev. J. R. Compton was appointed in
August to fill out the term, and acted as
pastor until October, 1891, when Rev. A.
6. Bane was appointed and served two
years. He was succeeded in October, 1898,
by T. II. B. Anderson, DID,, who was fol-
lowed by Rev. George Baugh. Rev. III.
NJ Mcknight, the present pastor, was APP
pointed in October, 1895, to succeed Mr..
Baugh.
Asbury Church has secured the next
sitting of Pacific annual conference, which
will convene October 7, 1896, Bishop r. K.
Hargrove, DID,, presiding. Bishop Har-