The San Francisco call., 1897-01-23
The Suggestion Disturbs
the Church Extension
Society.
Central, Simpson and the First
M. E. Buildings Under
Discussion.
After a Heated Debate the Matter Is
Referred 10 the Business
Meeting


to the San Francisco Church Extension
Society last evening and unconsciously
exploded bomb. as it were, in the peace
full meeting. The society was holding its
tenth annual tea meeting at Grace Metho-
dist Episcopal Church, Twenty first and
Capp streets, and the evening was draw
ing to happy close when Mr.. Watt sug
gested scheme for moving some of the
principal churches westward. So there
was trouble, of course, though like mere
family dispute it passed with laughter.
Mr.. Watt was on the programme for a
homily or prophecy" to which was writ
ten the text, Commit thy way unto the
Lord. Trust also in him and he shall
bring it to pass" to which was appe nded
Encouraging Words" and THE Future"
In the propecy he told how the City was
trending westward, and added that the
churches would have to accompany the
people. He proposed that Simpson Meth
odist Episcopal Church move out to the
park panhandle, where the society has
valuable lot.
Simpson church, he remarked, had
outlived its usefulness; its mem bership
was not increasing, and the congregation
was moving away from it. In short, it
was no longer progressive and aggressive.
With that church out by Golden Gate
Park Central M. E. Church should move
to Van Ness avenue, where il could con-
tinue its work, as Simpson Church would
near the Panhandle, with renewed vigor
and success. The First Methodist Church
should move westward lover the hill"
which meant Van Ness avenue, or some
place in the Western Addition toward
Pacific Heights, and mission house
could be retained on Powell street.
Some time elapsed until an opportunity
presented itself for discussion of these
suggestions. 1t came near the close of
the meeting. Robert McElrov of Simp-
son Church tod the meeting he was in
favor of leaving Simpson Church where it
is and raising $4,000 to pay the $4,000
debt on California-street Church and
other works of the Church Extension So
ciety. But he opposed moving to Ash
bury and Oak streets.
A. Shedd of the same churcn took Watt
to task.
1.-THE intimation that our church has
outlived its usefulness" said he, with
tinge of acrimony and strong feeling in
his voice, ''is reflection on our pastor"
He was interrupted by an outburst of
"Oh" and "No, no, from the assemblage.
THAT is not the question before the
house." said l. J. Truman, the charm an,
"but whether this proposition be taken
up at the next business meeting of the
Extension Society,""
81 propose to have my say" retorted
Shedd.
"If slmpson Church is not willing to
argue the csse," Mr.. Watt exclaim ed,
while his face beamed with good nature
and smiles for Mr.. Shedd, "then it is evil
dent it has a very weak one."
Rev. w. s. Urmy, pastor of the First M.
E. Church, lent his voice with much
fervor to the discussion. 1.-THE old mother
church on Powell street is there to stay"
he said, "as long as l am its pastor
There is very fine prospect of good work
there and pro liability that in q few
months the congregation will be doubled.
! can see no reason why we should not
stard our ground and be fourishing
Methodist church for 100 years to come"
Captain Goodall of Simpson Church
arose to state his views, which he did with
more earnestness than his humorous
words indicated.
81 am opposed to Simpson Church NOV
ing to the Panhandle" he said. Central
Church can go to Van Ness avenue or the
Panhandle, for that matter, if he wants
it. If Brother Watt will send his crowd
out to the Panhandle We'll pledge our
selves to put up double decker galleries
around our church and fill them, TOO.
And, F." lookin< very hard at Watt, 'you
can take your old 1ookery out on wheels
as soon as you like"
This sally evoked laughter and ap-
plause, and Or. Ollie was on his feet in
stantly.
I'VE are quite ready to go on wheels"
he said.
"Aud if you move on Van Ness avenue
we are ready to go with you," added
Watt.
A vote was taken on the question to
refer and the motion was carried unani-
mously. Shedd alone voting no.
The church parlors were thrown into
series of apartments for the meeting.
Tables were spread for supper and deco
rated like the walls with garlands and
flowers.
Early in the evening the Ladies' Aid
Societies held a very pleasant reception
for an hour, and the Rev. John Coyle,
DID,, presiding elder of the San Francisco
district, led devotional exercises.
Bishop j. 2. Newman pronounced
prayer. Then tea, or supper, was served,
and great variety of subjects were dis
cussed informally over the teacups. Mrs.
B. f. McNab, president of the Grace NJ
E. Church Ladies, Aid Society, delivered
an address of welcome, to which the Rev.
f. f. Jewell of Trinity M. E. Church re-
sponded.
AltcI q ny ILL was sung duuudl ItpOrCS
were read by Captain Charles Goodall,
president; G. A. Maydwell, secretary; f. L.
Turpin, treasurer and Rev. j. Stephens Of
Simpson Church for the committee on
nominations. The following officers were
elected for the ensuing year:
Honorary president, Hon. Charles Goodall:
honorary -presidents-Rev. Bishop ]. P.
Newman. D. D., LII D.. Rev. John Coyle, D. D.;
presiden {, /. j. Truman; e-presidents-Wil-
liam Abbott, R. v. Watt, G. B. Perkins, J. w.
Whiting; treasurer, Joseph d. Robinson; sec
retary, Charles A MaydwelL
Board of managers, above officers and the
following persons-Rev. 4. r. Dllie, Rev. F. f.
Jewell. Rev. John stephens, Rev. T. K. Baker
Rev. NJ. C. Harris, Rev. J. N. Beard, Rev. WV.
Case, Rev. F. ]. Masters Rev. w. S. Urmy, Rev.
J. D. Hammond, Rev.W. s. Matthew, Rev. J.W
Phelps, Rev. george R. Stanley, Rev. C. A. An
derson, Rev. D. w. Chiison, Robert McElroy,
f. W. Strange, c. S. Holmes, Robert
/. Hancock, A. Kinds, John Willis.
N Anderson, G. o. Burton, Donald Currie, w.
H. WEBSTER, A. Wiestrand. H. C. Jones, Charles
derson, William f. Gibson, J. w. Wetmore. ].
H. Soper, J. B. Emmal, w. R. Myers, Job Stev-
enton, H. o. Stearns, r. Mcclellan, Thomas
Hodge, John Curry, S. ii. Baker, E. E. Kelly
T. w. Nowlin, w. R. Hewett, w. Frank Gibson,
w. P. Higginbotham, A. Nelson, James B.
Robinson, Thomas Johns, F. L. Turpin, E. E.
Kentfield, ]. II. Wilmington, r. Pengeliy, Ed
gar Briggs, ]. H. Northom, Robert Jeffress, H.
Williams, John S. Barnes, Nelson J. Bird, ]. C.
Owen, E. E. Ewing, John Dyar, Samuel Fear,
S. Broadbeht.
The presidents report showed that there
were thirteen churches and, besides, two.
vacant los in the City owned by the So
ciety. The average Sunday attend
a aUa nny,ey ft,ne