Saturday, July 29th 1899.  Promptly at 2 o'clock, Deacon D.  GILBERT DEXTER took charge, and half an hour was spent in prayer and song.  The choir chanted the Lord's Prayer, and among the hymns sung were "Come Thou Fount of every Blessing," "Nearer my God to Thee," "Awake my Soul to joyful Lays."  It was noticeable that those who came were present at the beginning; nearly all who attended this afternoon session were at the prayer service.  After a little time spent in registration, Dr. Adams ascended the pulpit stairs, and referring gracefully to the part women had taken in the work of the church, announced the first general topic, "Woman's Work and How it was Done." The first paper was by Mrs.  J.  H.  WARREN, the only woman present who could tell of the time when there were no women in the church, and is given here in full.Saturday, July 29th 1899.

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On the 19th of October, 1850, as the sun was sinking in the west, its rays gilding earth, sea, and sky with indescribable beauty, the steamship Northener entered the Golden Gate, bearing among its many passengers my husband and myself.  We were a glad and thankful company; we had been forty days on the way, and passed through perils by fire and pestilence.  Twice our ship had been on fire, and cholera or some disease akin to it had depleted our number.  We had been repeatedly greatly saddened as we saw committed to the deep the bodies of one and another, who had sailed with us from Panama with hopes as bright as our own.  At the Heads aparty of ladies and gentlemen on horseback stood watching our entrance and greeting and welcoming us with waving of hats and handkerchiefs.  It was a sight to quicken our blood andwarm our hearts.  Soon we were at anchor, not at a wharf, for there was no wharf, but well out in the stream.  Next morning we landed from a little boat on Sansome street, about where now stands the Bank of California.  How many realize that the land below Sansome street, on which now rest great piles of buildings, is made land? Men have had faith to say to the hills, "Be thou removed and be thou cast into the sea," and it has been done.  Before leaving the steamer acommittee from this church had engaged Mr.  WARREN to Supply its pulpit while its pastor, Mr. HUNT, went east for his family, who had gone early in the year to visit Mrs. HUNT'S parents in Newark, N. J.  It had been arranged that we were to find a home in the pastor's houseon Vallejo street.  How to get there was the problem, which was finally solved by our riding onour trunks in a dray.  I was conscious of attracting much attention on the route and attributed it toour novel way of transportation, but I soon found that it was the fashion for everybody to stare ata woman on the streets, and later I learned in a populous mining town that it was considered no breach of politeness for men to rush to doors, windows, or any vantage point to see a womanpassing.  That we reached our destination without capsizing must have been due to the skill ofthe driver.  On a steep hillside on Vallejo street we found the parsonage, a tiny little house whichhad been sent around Cape Horn by Mrs.  HUNT'S father, all ready to be put together on itsarrival.  It was cloth-lined, the walls of calico, the ceilings white cotton.  It contained five littlerooms and a hall, one end of which was partitioned off for a kitchen; not much outward beauty in this little home, and yet it looked beautiful to me, who had anticipated the possibility of living in a tent; besides, it was hallowed by the spirit and purpose of its inmates to do good rather than to
get good.

In passing, I would say that this house, its capacity increased by the addition of a basement, still stands on the south side of Vallejo street, a few doors above Mason.

The place of worship we found to be a little chapel on Virginia Place, off Jackson Street, between Mason and Stockton.  It was long and narrow; its dimensions 25 by 50 feet.  It wascloth-lined and without decoration of any sort, except some crimson draperies back of theplatform; a crimson curtain round a space in one corner, near the entrance, marked off a place for the choir and melodeon.  The audience was unique.  Unlike HENRY WARD BEECHER'S firstc hurch, which consisted of several women and one man, this church consisted of several men andone woman; and she, with her children, was on the other side of the continent.  It was anaudience of young men; not a bald or gray head in it, very few who had reached middle age, and the women could have been counted on the fingers of one hand.

These men were largely of New England origin, of a high order of intelligence, forceful and enterprising.  Dominated by the purpose to achieve a fortune in two years, ignorant of the wonderful resources of California, and having little faith in its future after the gold mines were exhausted, it was no part of their plan to bring their families here and make permanent homes.  But they had not left their religion and consciences behind them.  They saw what evil forces,what powers of darkness were fighting for supremacy here, and, seeing the enemy coming in likea flood, they lifted up a standard against him.  The state of morals in this city at that time was well-nigh incredible; vice of all kinds sought no concealment, but flaunted itself openly and unblushingly everywhere.  Gambling saloons, Spanish dance-houses, and other evil places were made alluring by every possible device-mirrors, paintings, music, and novelties without end; anything to entrap the curious, ignorant and unwary.

Against this overwhelming tide of evil this church arrayed itself, doing such work as was practicable for CHRIST's kingdom-seeking to throw around the exposed and tempted safeguards, maintaining prayer meetings and a Sunday School.  The Sunday School was of course small, having but three or four classes, and I wonder now where the children came from, for there was but one child belonging to any member of the congregation.

In the first two years of its existence, this church in its lack of women seems to have been less fortunate than its contemporary churches, some of which had earnest and active Christian women in their membership.  I love to recall the character and work of some of them, notablythat of Mrs. ELIZABETH A. WALLER, a member of the Stockton Street Presbyterian Church, but originally a Congregationalist.  Her memory is fragrant of the deeds of as beneficent and beautiful a life as has been lived on this Coast. She followed closely the steps of the Master, and was ever alert in seeking opportunities to do good.  She was the mother of the Protestant Orphan Asylum, which had its beginning in the Winter of 1850; took the initiative steps toward its organization and inspired the interest which brought success to the undertaking.

I bear glad witness to the heroism of that beloved pioneer missionary, Mrs. Dr. WILLEY, who under great difficulties promoted her husband's work in Happy Valley, nursing him through a prolonged illness, and so conducting her household under many painful limitations as to make it one of the sweetest and most attractive of homes.  At that time the coming of the monthly steamer was an eagerly looked-for event and always brought more women to our shores.  Too often it was soon apparent that many of them did not belong to the class who could say, "I was glad when they said unto me, 'Come, let us go up unto the house of the Lord."' One minister's wife had a habit of promptly calling on the new-comers and inviting them to go to church, and lest they forgot she would call Sunday morning and repeat the invitation.  This same lady managed a Festival for the benefit of her husband's church, which was a great financial success and doubtless the first Church Fair in California.  The traditional methods of conducting Fairs were impracticable, but she was fertile in expedients, and with a few helpers made the tables resplendent with fancy articles, curios, and novelties, to be sold on commission.  Of coursethe expenses were great, but the net profits were also great.

But to go back to this church.  It was never without one feminine representative.  In the few months when that honor rested upon me, I taught a class in the Sabbath School and sang in the choir.  I also assisted in the organization of the Protestant Orphan Asylum, acting as its first secretary for a few months and assisting as I could in the collection of funds.

In the month of April, 1851, Mr.  and Mrs.  HUNT returned, sorrow stricken and bowed with grief over the deaths of their two little daughters, who had fallen victims to scarlet fever in the home of their grandparents.  They were joyfully welcomed by their people, and Mr. HUNT resumed his work with a bright outlook, little dreaming of the great calamity so near at hand.  On a Saturday night, early in the month of May, the dreaded alarm of fire was heard and before morning nearly the whole business part of the city was destroyed; thousands of fortunes had beenswept away and thousands of men beggared, among them many in this church.  Dreadful as it was, it was not an unmitigated calamity, and was doubtless overruled for good, since it compelled men to remain on this Coast, who in time brought out their families and found here permanent homes.  Though cast down the churches were not destroyed.

In the third year of its existence this church entered upon an era of new prosperity; families came into it, nine women were added to its membership, among them Mrs.  TITCOMB, Mrs.  BENCHLEY, Mrs.  JOHN TAYLOR, Mrs.  SIMMONS, Miss FANNY ALLEN-all earnest, active, Christian women.  We can understand how they were welcomed by the pastor's wife, who so long without helpers of her own sex had longed and prayed for their coming; and here it is surely fitting to speak of Mrs.  HUNT, whose life was short, but long enough to prove her love and devotion to CHRIST's kingdom.  She was a lady of sweet dignity, many personal attractions, and had much ability in leadership, which she so employed in the last years of her husband's pastorate as to make the work of women a strong factor in the work of the church.

In concluding this brief account of the first three years of woman's work in this church the question may come up, Was there any real work done?  If to begin means work, there was; if but a beginning, it was at least the putting of leaven in three measures, or say in three years, of meal, from which was to come, by and by, influence and power, insignificant in its beginning, slow and silent in its growth, but great in its consummation.  It was a work of faith, which as it is seen now after fifty years, repeats EZEKIEL'S vision of the holy waters-at first a mere issue from under the altar of the temple-a thousand cubits from it, the waters ankle deep-a thousand cubits still beyond the waters to the knees-another thousand cubits stretch waters to the loins, and with one more sweep of the measuring line of the temple, the small beginning had become a river that could not be passed over, waters to swim in and on the banks of the river, on this side and on that, many trees to bring forth fruit every month, and leaves for healing, because the waters thereof issued out of the sanctuary.

Mrs.  W.  B.  HARRINGTON had expected to be present to tell at this point of woman's work in the erection of the present edifice and during the pastorate of Dr.  A.  L.  STONE, but was called away by special hospital needs, so that this period was not covered.

Two special forms of woman's work were given, first that which Mrs. SARAH B. COOPER made prominent through many years, and of which Mrs. C. PIKE told.  The large Bible Class, the Kindergarten work that grew out of it, were interwoven with the sketch of Mrs. COOPER'S life.  Miss MYRTLE U.  SIMPSON spoke of the Helping Hand Society, to which Mrs. D. W. FOLGER for a number of years devoted herself and from which many of the youngladies derived inspiration for a nobler Christian life.  They made garments for the poor children of the Kindergartens.  During the ten years that the society was in existence they made over four thousand garments, and more than twelve thousand dollars was expended under their care.

Mrs. CHARLOTTE BLAKE BROWN, M. D., told of the relation of the women of theFirst Congregational Church and its congregation to the charitable organizations of the city.  They had much to do with starting and supporting the Protestant Orphan Asylum, the Ladies' Protection and Relief Society, the Children's Hospital, the Training School for Nurses, the Sewing Society, the Delta Sigma Society, the California Girls' Training Home, the Red Cross Society, and free reading rooms, hospitals, and many other forms of practical charity.

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PORTLAND, MAINE, July 29, 1899.
DR.  G.  C.  ADAMS, First Congregational Church, Corner Post and Mason Streets, San Francisco, Cal.: Kindest love and most heartfelt congratulations for the dear Church.
Mrs.  MARION M.  BARROWS.

Letters from Rev.  JOHN C.  HOLBROOK, D.  D., now in his 92nd year; from Rev. J. K. McLEAN, D.  D., who was for twenty-three years pastor of the First Church in Oakland; and from L. B. BENCHLEY, who was for forty-two years a deacon in this church, are given here in full.

STOCKTON, July 26, 1899.
REV.  GEO.  C.  ADAMS, D.  D.:
My Dear Brother-I duly received your very kind invitation to be present at the Golden jubilee of the First Church on the 29th and 30th instants, and deeply regret my inability to accept it.  Although my general health continues good for a nonagenarian, and I am free from many of the annoyances common to persons as far advanced in life as I am, yet I feel disinclined for physical exertion, and hardly dare to risk the strain of attendance on the proposed exercises of thecoming occasion.  I therefore send these lines to testify my deep interest in the matter.

Just forty years ago, on the 17th day of March, 1859, 1, with my wife, passed through the Golden Gate and entered the beautiful harbor of San Francisco, and first set foot on California soil.  It was a delightful morning, and it was with deep interest that I first looked upon the-embryo commercial metropolis of the Pacific Coast.  It was mostly centered then near the water front, with scattered dwellings on the sand hills that formed its background.  It was only about ten years after the great rush for the gold fields that created such a furor in the Eastern States.  How different, then, this new settlement from the proud city of the present, with its huge and lofty business blocks, its noble public buildings, its fine church edifices, its palatial dwellings, its street railways, and its docks crowded with steamers and sailing vessels that connect its businesswith the interior and with all the chief ports of the world!

Most cordially were we welcomed by my brother-in-law, Dr.  J.  W.  CLARK, and his family, with whom we were to make our home, and scarcely had we time to return their greetingswhen my hand was grasped by that of my genial friend and old time parishioner, Rev. J. H. WARREN, as he exclaimed, "At last! at last! " on finding his long-cherished desire fulfilled by
my presence on this Coast.

On the following Sabbath I preached my first sermon and began my labors as the temporary supply of the pulpit of the First Church, during the absence at the East of the sainted and well-beloved young pastor, Rev. Mr. LACY.  The building then occupied by the congregation stood on the rising ground at the corner of Dupont and California streets, and was
usually well filled with an attentive audience.

The church then occupied, as it has ever since, a prominent position, and numbered among its worshipers many of the leading citizens.  Well do I remember my emotions as I first rose to address a California congregation, and I shall never forget the cordial welcome I received and the subsequent kindly interest manifested in my labors by the officers and members of the
church and congregation.  My association with them was always pleasant, and I especially recall the hearty co-operation I experienced from Deacons BENCHLEY, LEONARD, FLINT, and Dr. CLARK, as well as RANKIN, afterwards a deacon, and other leading men; and I particularly treasure the copy of a resolution passed on my closing my engagement, assuring me of the satisfaction felt in my services.

This has been called the mother of churches in this State, and it has been a powerful influence in advancing the kingdom Of CHRIST, and I am thankful that I have had a part in its work in those early days, nor have I ever ceased to feel a deep interest in its affairs as I have foryears watched its history.  I have sympathized with it in its trials and rejoiced in its prosperity.

And in conclusion let me say that no one rejoices more than I in the happy circumstances in which the present exercises are held.  Most providentially were you led in the choice of your present pastor, who has so abundantly proved to be "the right man in the right place," and I congratulate you most heartily on the harmony that prevails in the church and congregation.  May GOD long spare to you my dearly beloved brother ADAMS to be your pastor, and may Heaven's best blessings attend upon his labors among you.  May he be able to lead you into the green pastures and beside the still waters of the Gospel, and have many souls given him as the seal of his ministry.
JNO.  C.  HOLBROOK.

SHASTA SPRINGS, July 27, 1899.
My Dear Dr.  Adams-I regret that absence in the country will prevent my presence at the Fiftieth Anniversary of the First Church, and therefore send my congratulations to yourself and the church upon the very favorable circumstances under which this notable anniversary is to be observed.

The influence of the church upon these fifty years of nascent civilization has been great.  I am thankful for it all.  Specially thankful am I that you are its leader in the close of this epoch, and to be its leader in the opening of a grander one to follow.  The LORD give a great blessing to you and your people.
Very sincerely,
J.  K.  MCLEAN.

LAKE MINNETONKA, MINN., July 14, 1899.
REV. GEORGE C. ADAMS, Pastor First Congregational Church, San Francisco, Cal.:
My Dear Pastor-You will, I am sure, sympathize with me in the deprivation I suffer in not being able to attend the Fiftieth Anniversary of the organization of the First Congregational Church.  I have very vividly in mind my first attendance upon the services of this historic church in May, 1850.  It was a beautiful Sabbath morning when, enfeebled by fever and the effects of a
sea voyage, a stranger to all, I was welcomed at the little cloth-lined church on the corner of Jackson street and Virginia place by the genial face and friendly greeting of FREDERICK S.  HAWLEY.  This greeting was truly a foretaste of the goodly cheer, the helpful fellowship, and sincere sympathy that I have since enjoyed these many years with this dear church.

After an absence of two years, returning early in 1852 from Sacramento, Mrs. BENCHLEY and I united with the church by letter.  It was our privilege thus to become connected with that band of consecrated and loyal men and women who so earnestly labored for the Christian civilization of the Coast.  Those years of untiring effort and generous giving until the completion of the commodious brick church at the corner of California and Dupont streets can never be forgotten; nor can the faithful labors of Deacon LEONARD as an efficient superintendent of the Sabbath School ; nor of the untiring and stalwart pioneer pastor, T. DWIGHT HUNT; nor of the noble, cheerful, and devout E.  S.  LACY, who gave his life to this honored church.  Neither can we forget him who left one of the most attractive pastorates of New England, the consecrated and scholarly A.  L.  STONE, during whose pastorate the building of our beautiful church was completed; nor the one who followed him, the devout and burden-bearing enthusiast for righteousness, CHARLES DANA BARROWS.  We remember vividly how the loyal LACY unfurled over our church at the corner of California and Dupont streets, almost before the echo of the first gun fired at Fort Sumter had ceased to reverberate, the flag of our country, first to appear over any church in the city, and how during his pastorate the church so worthily earned the title of "The Mother Church." The influence of this church was strongly felt under Mr.  LACY at a time when the municipal affairs of the city were in a most deplorable condition.  It drew to itself large numbers of devout and honored men and women whose lives conspicuously exemplified the teachings Of CHRIST.  We remember well, also, how noted for pure living, generous giving, and large influence in every beneficent work the church became under the guiding and wise ministry of the brilliant STONE; how, during the pastorate of the lamented and deeply loved BARROWS, whose early life and manhood were sacrificed upon the altar of unselfish love for humanity, the church gathered to itself large numbers of the youth of the city, whose faithful services in the Sabbath School and young people's societies have been an important factor in the history of the church.

In this brief retrospect I am deeply impressed by the manifest leading of a Divine Providence guiding the church in times of great trial, when its work and counsels appeared in jeopardy, directing its member- ship in the exercise of largest charity, and bringing to its present pastorate one who, by his patient, wise, and devoted ministry, gives us the assurance that in the future, as in the past, the church will be owned and blest of GOD.

I cannot close without referring to those members of the Board of Officers, Brothers RANKIN, CHAPIN, HAWLEY, McKEE, CLARK, BLAIKIE, EATON, DICKERMAN, STILES, and others, who so faithfully discharged the duties and responsibilities placed upon them, and who still live in tenderest memories of this fellowship.  Devoutly grateful that I have been permitted in any way to be a laborer with these and the large number of sincere and faithful men and women of this church and congregation who have gone before us, "entering into rest," and rejoicing that I am still enrolled in its membership, I am,
Most sincerely yours,
L.  B.  BENCHLEY.

Letters were read from the following: Mr.  GORHAM D.  GILMAN, who arrived in San Francisco in 1848, and who was one of the ten who joined in the request to the Rev.  T.  DWIGHT HUNT to organize the church; Mrs. EMELINE McGLAUFLIN, a member from 1858 to 1871; Mr. WALTER B. CUMMINGS of Philadelphia, Mr. GEO. TURNER PHELPS of Boston; GABRIEL and JENNETTE SHINDLER, members from 1854 to 1857; Mrs.  S.  MIANDA and Miss S. ALBERTA SWAN, Dawson City; Mrs. OMIRA B. DODGE, Mrs. 0. C. McCRACKEN, Mr. CHARLES P. WOLCOTT, Mrs. J. B. KEELER, Mr. W. F. BOARDMAN, Mrs. C. L. GUILD, M.D., Mrs. MARY HOWE, Mrs. M. A. UPTON, Mrs. W. B. HARRINGTON, Mrs. J. E. HAMILTON, Mr. F. W. GILL, Mr. and Mrs. D. N. DOLE, Mrs. MARY E. HOYT.

Mr. WILLIAM ANDERSON wrote,
"It was during the pastorate of Rev.  A.  L.  STONE: one Sunday morning the reverend gentleman was giving out a hymn when a rattle of window glass was heard, and there came a violent shock of earthquake.  Many of the congregation arose and were making for the door, when Dr. STONE, with a wave of the hand that was itself eloquent, said, 'My Brethren, if the last great shock that is to disrupt this world is coming now, I want it to find me right here in this holy place."'

Mr. ABEL WHITTON of San Jose contributed interesting reminiscences of 1851, mentioning W. A. DANA, J. W. McKEE, T. W. MCCOLLAM, Mr. and Mrs. W. N. TRACY, and other persons active in the church work of that time.  He spoke of his connection with this church as a "precious memory in Christian experience."

Rev. LYSANDER DICKERMAN, D.D., son of Deacon LYMAN DICKERMAN, wrote an interesting account of the efforts made by the church to secure the pastoral services of Rev. A.  L. STONE, D.D.

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At 6 o'clock the invitation to the banquet in the social rooms needed no emphasis.  All present were invited, and nearly four hundred passed down the stairs and took seats at the tables.  The Committee on Decorations had made these rooms beautiful with golden hangings, while the lights from gas jets came through golden shades, candles on the tables supplementing the lights.  Flowers and greens decorated the rooms and the tables; the faces of former deacons, trustees, and other workers looked down from the walls.  The speakers of the evening sat at a table on the large platform.  The Hospitality Committee had provided what "the oldest inhabitant" pronounced the finest banquet ever held in the building.  That is saying a great deal, for the First Congregational Church has always been noted for its dinners and its decorations, but nothing could exceed the beauty and the abundance of this occasion.  At a tap of the bell the forty-five young ladies who acted as waiters marched in from the library and took their places; the blessing was asked by Rev. JUSTIN E. ABBOTT of Bombay, India, and those present devoted themselves to the enjoyment of the occasion, until another tap of the bell was the signal for the waiters to march to the table prepared for them, and the guests turned toward the platform and listened to addresses.

The choir were present and added greatly to the enjoyment.  Miss LULU C. SNIDER sang a solo, after which the reminiscent talks began.  One charter member was present, Mr.  DAVID N. HAWLEY, who after a year in the First Congregational Church at the beginning took his letter and helped Rev. S. H. WILLEY organize the Howard Presbyterian Church.  A year ago he brought his letter back to us.  On this occasion his topic was naturally "The Beginnings." The substance of his remarks is given here:

I have been requested to say something of the early days Of '49 and of being identified as one of the organizers of the First Congregational Church.  After my arrival in April, 1849, as a church worshiper on the first Sabbath I looked around for such a place, carrying my early training on every shore.  Crossing the Plaza filled with Mexicans riding and shouting wildly, with gambling and music on the east side, I noticed a school-house on the southwest corner.  I dropped in there and found eight or ten people, including a few ladies and the minister, Rev.  Mr.  HUNT.  I enjoyed the services and met with those who had love for their Master even here.  Most of the passengers of the California and Ore on had gone to the 9 mines; but it is well to know who and where those early pioneers were that came on these three first steamers.  They were composed of young men mostly about twenty-five years of age, stalwart, dauntless, and brave, wonderfully energetic and plucky.  MARK TWAIN says, "They were the very pick and choice of the world's glorious ones; no women, no children, no gray and stooping veterans, none but erect, bright- eyed, quick moving, strong-banded young giants-the strangest population, the finest population, the most gallant host that ever trooped down the startled solitudes of an unpeopled land.  Out of those elements came the regulators of society, as the Vigilance Committees of  '49, '51, and '56 bear evidence." After a month or so it was agitated that we should organize a Congregational Church.  THOS. DOUGLASS was the leading spirit; and so on the 29th of July ten of us got together and effected an organization, and elected Rev.  Mr.  HUNT pastor.  All but one of them have passed over the river, but the grand old Church has gone on and on until it has become one of the most efficient and influential organizations in our community.

Mr.  HENRY D.  HUDSON, who was a youth of 17 when the church was organized, and had then just arrived with his father, one of the charter members, spoke on "The Youth Of '49-"He himself had joined this church in 1873, and was for more than fourteen years its sexton.

The next topic, "Middle Life Reminiscences," was to have been treated by Mr.  GEORGE HARRIS, a deacon for thirteen and a half years, but he was detained at home by sickness.  Instead of this, Deacon D.  GILBERT DEXTER read an original poem, entitled "The Golden Day."

The Golden Day:
Half-Century Anniversary of the First Congregational Church, San Francisco, July 29, 1899

God of our fathers, oh hear Thou our prayer
  For heavenly blessings on thy church to-day,
And gently lead us by Thy tender care
  From this day on forever and for aye.
The fathers came, a noble pilgrim band,
  And founded here a living temple fair;
In this far-famed, this bright and golden land,
  They consecrated life to work and prayer.

Thy children meet on this glad, golden day,
  To celebrate the fifty years of toil,
They come or send from regions far away,
  Telling of work deep-rooted in this golden soil.
God bless the faithful ones who serve the Lord,
  Where'er their lot on earth be cast to-day,
Their hearts and ours together in accord
  In deepest love and praise bow down and pray.

List to the voices now with angel choirs
  Sing " Rock of Ages cleft for me,"
Lifting our hearts to Heaven's high towers,
  " Transported there to live with Thee"-
"Jesus, lover of my soul"-with Thee!
  'Tis music of the fifty years gone by-
"Blest be the tie that binds" to Thee;
  Forever blest shall be that tie.

Again I listen for the music of the past;
  The rolling years give back to me:
"Church of the ever-living God," forever last;
  " Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee"
" The Lord my Shepherd is," no want to know;
  " Hail to the brightness of Zion's glad morning";
"Beside the still waters" I e'er would go,
  " Till we meet" "At the golden dawning."

The songs keep coming from the golden spheres:
  "How pleased and blest was 1, " to hear;
"My faith looks up to Thee " through all the years;
  "Work, for the night is coming," 'tis very near.
"0 day of rest and gladness," blessed day!
  "Come, Holy Spirit, Heavenly Dove," inspire and bless;
"Abide with us" as here we meet-yea, alway;
  May the light grow brighter and the shadows less.

Voices and songs of the dear old past,
  Along the path of all these fifty years,
Their hallowed presence shall forever last,
  In joys or sorrows, 'midst our hopes or fears.
Lead, kindly light," through all the coming days,
  "By cool Siloam's shady rill"-"How charming is the place;"
Prepare Thy church for future work and praise,
  Till we shall meet and " see Him face to face."

Roll on, ye years of royal golden treasure;
  God bless His church in loyal work for Truth;
Give to its members of His Spirit without measure,
  Blessing the ripened age and lifting up its youth.
" So shall it be with us when we have gone"
  " To mansions fair" beyond this world of pain;
"Then shall we join in happier, sweeter song,"
  "God be with you till we meet again."

Mr. S. F. BARSTOW spoke of "The Young People of the '60's," and Mr. GEORGE B. LITTLEFIELD of "The Young People of To-day." Mr. BARSTOW paid a special tribute to the memory of Rev. E. S. LACY, the second pastor.  He said: "There were a lot of homeless boys in San Francisco during the '60's, and Mr. LACY was a father to every one of them.  He had a heart as big as a church, and he was proportionately big in every other way." A song by the choir was followed by remarks by Deacon J. HOWARD BARNARD on the topic of "The Ladies." At this point the pastor read the closing para- graph from the address of Rev. A. L. STONE, D.D., at the celebration twenty-five years ago, which proved prophetic of this glad occasion.

The remainder of the evening was devoted to addresses from representatives of other denominations.  Letters were read from Rev.  HORATIO STEBBINS, D.D., of the First Unitarian Church, who was detained at home by illness, and Rt. Rev. W. F. NICHOLS, D.D., Bishop of the Protestant Episcopal Church, whose duties called him elsewhere.  These letters are given in full.

1609 LARKIN STREET, Wednesday, July 26th.
THE REVEREND GEORGE C. ADAMS, D.D.
My dear Doctor Adams-I thank you and your committee for the invitation to be present at the Fiftieth Anniversary of the First Congregational Church.  It may be that I cannot be present, but if I were to be present I should say what I could in " three or five minutes," in cordial respect and sympathy with the occasion.  We are living in the morning of the world; the dew is on the grass and the east is tinged with the light of early day.  The Ptolmaic system has given place to the Copernic, and the heavens have become astronomic.  It is not given to men to appreciate fully scenes and events of which they are themselves a part.  History cannot be written until events have become historic.  But it cannot be doubted that the period through which we are passing includes as great a transformation as that in the age of LUTHER and MELANCHTHON,

"Whose faith has center everywhere,
Nor cares to fix itself to form."

The Church at Geneva had in it an immortal principle: Congregationalism is republicanism, and republican- ism is the living principle of Protestantism, applied to political institutions.  Whatever may be said for corporate religion, individuality, independence of thought, inclusiveness of sympathy, appreciation of the truth that is concealed in error, these are the
characteristics of the liberal mind whose simple faith is

"One God, one law, one element,
And one far-off divine event
To which the whole creation moves."

Thus it has been said that all wise men are of the same religion, but on being asked what it is they never tell, for all great beliefs are beyond comprehension, as all great conduct of human life is based on apprehension more than on comprehension.  Therefore let us minimize our beliefs and magnify our faith.  Systems come and go, and schemes vanish like clouds, while GOD and man are from everlasting to everlasting.  Let us not be ditched in finality, but lift the banner of Progress high towards the heavens that all the sons of GOD may see and follow GOD, Man, Virtue, and Eternal Life.

My dear Doctor ADAMS, I give you my salutation.  Salute the people of the First Congregational Church; and unto Him who is able to keep you from failing, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to the only Wise GOD, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever.  Amen.
HORATIO STEBBINS.

BISHOP's Rooms, DIOCESAN HOUSE,
731 California Street, San Francisco, July 28, 1899.
My Dear Doctor Adams-I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your kind invitation to attend the celebration of the Fiftieth Anniversary of the First Congregational Church in San Francisco and to thank you.  As my appointments must take me elsewhere, allow me by this to extend my hearty congratulations and to express my deep interest.  Well may we hold special services of praise for the blessings of GOD in pioneer days.  Such celebrations bring out into a truer perspective than many people have the strength of religious principles and the foresight as builders for their GOD and their country which were exhibited, even amid conditions far from congenial, in the very days of '49, by your founders and their fellow Christians like those we have just commemorated as the first members and organizers of our Trinity Parish.
I am, yours very sincerely,
WILLIAM F. NICHOLS.

The following gentlemen then presented the fraternal greetings of the religious bodies to which they severally belong, their presence and cordial words adding greatly to the interest of the occasion: Rev. JOHN HEMPHILL, D.D., for the Presbyterians; Rev. J. A. B. WILSON, D.D., for the Methodists; Rev. JACOB VOORSANGER, D.D., for the Jews; Rev. E. A. WOODS, D.D., for the Baptists; Rev. W. C. POND, D.D., for the Congregationalists.  Mr. J. F. FLEMING sang a base solo.  A vote of thanks was adopted to all who had labored to make the occasion a success.  The pastor spoke a few words in testimony of the whole-hearted service of the members and their ready sympathy and loyalty, which made it a delight to be a pastor among them.  The hymn "Blest be the Tie that Binds " was never more appropriately sung than in closing this service.  Both in the church and among those present from other bodies the heartiest good will prevailed, and the Spirit of GOD was in the hearts of the people.

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Early in the beginning of the closing decade of this semi-centennial jubilee, and during the pastorate of Rev.  Dr.  BARROWS, the church and congregation were gladly surprised when the pastor one day publicly announced that Mrs.  HARRIET C.  ALEXANDER had given an order to a Boston House for an organ, which for perfection of power and quality would meet all demands of temple worship as rendered in melody and song, and would be presented to the church in memory of the father and mother of the giver, who formerly were worshipers there.  The house at that time was being thoroughly rejuvenated and refurnished, and the placing of the grand and beautiful instrument at that time where it now is, was a crowning of the work with a finish so rare and fitting it seemed to leave nothing more to be desired.  The organ bears a bronze tablet on which is inscribed the simple and touching tribute:

TO THE PRAISE OF GOD AND IN LOVING MEMORY OF CHARLES & MARY A.  CROCKER PRESENTED BY THEIR DAUGHTER HARRIET C.  ALEXANDER, 1889