The San Francisco call., 1896-11-17
SCHISM IN A CHURCH.
e. A. Girvin, Berkeley Methodist of
Eleven Years Standing, to
Withdraw.

BERKELEY, CAL, Nov. 16.-The schis-
matte difficulty which has been threaten
ing for some time to tear asunder the
binding cords of the Trinity Methodist
Church in Berkeley has resulted in an
open revolt, and number OF mem bers, OF
whom T. A Girvin, a prominent San
Francisco attorney and a mem Der OF the
church for eleven years, is the leader.
have signified their intention of with
drawing and laying the foundation of a
Church OF the Nazarene. Mr.. Glrvin
says:
While Christian perfection or scripturaI holi-
ness is one OF the fundamental doctrines OF
Methodism 1 do not think it is sufficiently en-
phasized in the pulpits OF that organization,
nor do preachers, themselves all aglow with
the experience, present 1t constantly and
earnestly as the immediate privilege and
spiritual heritage of all believers. am in
favor OF regular weekly meetings for the pro-
motion OF this grace OF heart purity. l believe
in the imminent, premillennial coming OF
Christ and while no one is authorized TO fix
the date of this glorious event it is likely TO
occur at any time.
While 1 am more firmly established than
ever in the great fundamental doctrines as to
which all the evangelical churches agree,
| feel that there are many points in which these
churches err and regarding which they depart
| from the plain teachings of the Bible.
As regards church polity, l do not believe in
episcopacy, presiding el1ers, two orders OF the
ministry and the powers which pertain TO
them and which go 10 make of Methodism
great hierarchy and ecclesiastical system.
80 far as methods are concerned, l am op-
posed TO all sorts Of worldly entertainments
IN church buildings, and object TO church les
tlvais, oazaArs fairs and other similar money
making schemes. These are all COMPROMISES
with evil, though doubtless we'll meant gener-
ally. and bring the professed followers OF
Christ into deserved contempt. The gospel
way TO raise money is for Christians TO put
their hands into their own pockets and take
out what is needed for the legitimate work of
the church, which should consist in preaching
the gospel all over the world and helping the
poor and needy. l do not believe il costly and
luxurfously appointed, church buildings.
These costly buildings tend to feed the pride
and vanity of those who build lhem make
'religlon" unnecessarily expensive, le ad often
to compe tition among the sects as to which
shal have the finest church and keep the poor
away from the pu bic worship OF God.
or course do not believe in paid" choirs.
The money which they cost can be much better
spent in the genuine Christian work OF preach
ing the gospel and helping The poor and needy.
think, too that large proportion of preach
ing should be done by laymen, who sustain
themselves in some secular pursuit, and are
thus in position TO preach without financ ial
compensation.
And now a word or two as to what intend
to do. The Church of the Nazarene was organ
lied in Los Angeles a year ago last October
with Rev. p. +. Bresee and Rev. J. z. Widney
as its pastors. 1t has now a membership OF
nearly $50, and has enjoyed continual re-
vlval during its whole history. 1t has built a
plain wooden structure on a leased lot situ-
ated in poor quarter of the city. With seat
Ing capacity OF 500, ii is generally filed. 1t
employs deaconess, who with it's other men,
bers engages in house to house visitation, car
ing for the poor and comforting the dying 1t
conducts open-air meetings, cottage meetings,
street NEE tIhgs and other eyangelistic services
l hope 10 be privileged to take part in the
organization of another congregation or So
ciety OF theiChurch of the Nazsrene in Berke-
ley. Rev. Mr.. Bresee will conduct ten DAYS
meeting here, probably next January, with
such organlza ton as one OF Its objects.
Winemakers Attacked.
BERKELEY, CAL, Nov. 16.-A report
OF the vlticutural work done in California
during the seasons from 1887 to 1898, with
data regarding the vintages OF 1894 95
which is part of the report of the Bo ard
OF Regents of the University of California,
made its appearance to-day from the de-
partment of agriculture under Professor
e. w. Hilgard. The work is an exhaust
i've treatise on the growth of grapes and
the making and sale of wines, com uprising
some 466 pages (octavo) of closely printed
matter. In his letter of transmittai to
President Kellogg Professor Hilgard at
tacks the "haphazard methods" of wine
making pursued in this State.
Medical Course for Berkeley.
BERKELEY, CAL, Nov. Is. - The
academic senate of the StaIe University
which includes The entire faculty of in ,
structors both in the college in Berkeiev
and the affiliated colleges in San Fran
cisco, will meet next Wednesday in
North Hall for the purpose OF consid-
ering a plan TO introduce a course of
study at Berkeley which will lead directly
to the course in medicine now carried on
at the medical department IN San Fran
cisco.
ChiIdren's Home.
BERKELEY, CAL, Nov. 16. = The
Children's Home Finding Society i
about to establish It's State headquarters
in Berkeley. F. K. Shattuck has do
mated lot for the erection OF a home and
Mrs. DR.. j. d. Barrow, the Berkeley agent
of the society, is making strong effort to
secure donations for the erection of neces-
sary buildings.