The Republican journal., 1903-04-09
REV. WILLIAM C. POND, D. D.


A Half Century of Ministry in California
Fifty years of faithful service in a
single State deserve unwonted tribute.
Rev. William C. Pond, d. D., has just
completed seventy years of life, fifty
years of ministry in California, and
thirty years of pastorate in Bethany
Church, San Francisco, and of superin-
tendence of Chinese work throughout
the State under the American Mission
ary Association. This is a remarkable
record, all the more so since DR.. Pond
has rarely had a vacation and still pos
SeSseS unbroken health and almost un-
diminished vigor.
The son of Rev. DR.. Enoch Pond, af-
ter graduating from Bowdoln College
and Bangor Seminary, he made at once
the long voyage around Cape Horn and
arrived in San Francisco Feb. %, 1858,
the day following his birthday. Then
came paStorateS in san Francisco,
Downieville, Petaluma and San Fran
cisco again. He organized Bethany
Church Feb. %. 1873, and has thus been
it's only pastor At the same time he
assumed the Chinese work, which has
become equally his passion and his me-
mortal. To the latter he has given him
self without stint, collecting personally
a large part Of its yearly expenditure,
experimenting its work in detail, spend
ing his annual vacation in arduous Wis
itation of its missions throughout the
State. Bethany Church has steadily
prospeled, as that section of the city
has grown. Eight hundred and eighty
five persons have been received into
membership. Its property has been
cleared of debt. Its part in the Chinese
and all other mission work has been
generous.
DR.. Pond was for years conspicuous
ly devoted and useful trustee of Pacific
Theological Seminary. No service was
too great for his faith and labor. At
one time he raised S35,OO0 and again
s22. 900 to deliver the seminary from
debt and assure its future, his church
nobly sparing him for months at time
for this critical service.
Fitting but inadequate memorial ex-
ercises have been held in San Francisco.
The Congregational Chinese Assocla-
ton gave dinner and reception in his
honor On Feb %, 1903, rounding out
thirty and fifty and seventy years to a
day. DR.. Pond preached an anniversary
sermon in the morning. AT the even
ing service, the mortgage, just paid,
was burned, and several addresses re-
told the story of the church. Next
evening the San Francisco Association
of Congregational Churches and Min
listers held fellowship meeting in
Bethany Church, when further honor
was shown Dr.. Pond in addresses by
his fellow veterans, DR.. S. II. Wiley, J.
II. Warren and George Mooar, and by
Rev. Messrs. .Jee Gam and j. X. Harrl-
son. the whole closing with a social
hour.
While in the nature of the case, DR..
Ponds notable lifework is largely done,
his friends and associates pray that he
may yet be spared for serene and fruit
full years. In particular, the Chinese
work requires his hand for maturing
important plans. Though his place is
secure in the Christian history of Cali
fornia, he may yet write in red life,
blood several chapters in the saving OF
a State. And the younger world ever
needs these fathers in Israel tarrying
toward the sunset, not only for matur
est counsel, but equally as objects of
reverence and affection and as teachers
of enthusias III. sacrifice and faithful
ness.-C. S. n. in the Congregationalist