The San Francisco call., 1896-07-23
LET BYGONEs Be BYGONES.
So Say the Members of the
First Congregational
Society.
They Hope to Reassemble for Worship
in the Church Within Short
Time.

'The Crucihxion Considered in It's Prac-
teal Bearings Q pom the Christian LIFE
sucn was the subject at last night prayer
meeting of the First Congregational
Society. The Opposition of other days
seems now half-forgotten name; and
the church members are gradually coming
together once more.
No special notice is taken of returning
members. They are greeted cordially as
members of the congregation, who have a
right to be present at It's meetings and
whose presence should excite no remark.
This state of things is having the happy
effect OF breaking down any division in
the membership. each individual in the
society apparently having taken a solemn
VOW to "let the dead past bury its dead. ~
Last nights meeting. though unusually
large, was unproductive from sensa-
tional standpoint. Deacon Morse presided,
and IN brief opening address described
the Savior's agony and death in terms as
touching as they were scripturally and
dogmatically accurate.
Let us in the midst of our trials and
temptations lift our adoring gaze to that
fair, manly form hanging betwixt earth
and SKY for our salvation, said the deacon
by way of a practical application of his
theme. Perhaps the divine mystery sur
rounding the doctrine of the atonement
may be hard for flesh and blood to COM
D rehend, but the grandeur of that exhibi-
ton of the boundless love of God for man
must appeal to the most hardened heart.
The doctrine of the atonement is to be
believed as a truth divinely revealed, but
the spectacle of divine love exhibited to
our gaze In the ineffable tragedy of Cal
vary mount is truth of history fraught
with many precious lessons for US all
ll-o L. Ill 4
dlffuse through our lives blessing which
will consecrate and sanctify our every
act and thought and word"
A mum Der OF hymns were sung and the
Rev. DR.. Wiley led in prayer. DIR. Guild,
Deacon Dexter and other members made
brief remarks upon the lesson of the even
ing, and with goodnight prayer the
meeting ended.
I'VE nope to get back into the church
soon" remarked Deacon Dexter as he was
leaving Golden Gate Hall. where the So
ciety still meets for the present; ''but we
can do nothing without the consent of
the trustees. Several of them are out of
town, and l suppose they will not hold a
meeting until all of them are in the
City"
Il believe we will be in the church
pretty soon," was Deacon Morse's opinion.
I'VE are all of one mind i'll wishing by
cones to be bygones and in hoping that
there may be no more discord among US.
When we have the church reopened we
will try to find pastor.
''As yet we have taken no steps in that
direction, and the statement that Mr..
Dodge is in the East looking for pastor
is unfounded. Mr.. Dodge was asked to
undertake that delicate mission, but de-
clined, and is now in Europe. The talk
regarding certain Mr.. Birch is also with
out foundation. The Rev. Mr.. Birch, I
understand, applied in some sort of way
for the position of pastor, but l have no
reason to believe that his application will
be entertained. Meanwhile we are doing
our best, and who can domore2'