As already stated the Southern Oregon Conference was formed from the Oregon Conference. The chief reason for its formation was the remoteness of the work in that part of the State from that in the northern part, and the consequent inconvenience and expense incident to attendance upon the annual sessions. The General Conference of 1911 authorized the formation of a "Southern Oregon Conference," which "shall include that part of the State of Oregon lying south of a line beginning at the Pacific Ocean, at the northwest corner of Lane County and extending due east across the State."[1]

Accordingly the new Conference was organized by Bishop Wilson T. Hogue, at Medford, Oregon, May 8, 1912. The session lasted over May 12th. The Conference was organized with the following preachers in full connection: W. E. Goode, H. J. Blair, R. H. Dollarhide, J. H. Brown, and J. W. Sharpe. John F. Smith was received into full Connection, and elected to Deacon's orders, and B. F. Smalley was received by transfer from the Oregon Conference, and M. F. Childs from the Illinois Conference. The work of the Conference for the year was arranged in two districts - the Medford and the Roseburg-and B. F. Smalley was elected District Elder over both districts. One hundred forty-six lay members were reported, thirteen of whom were probationers. The valuation of the Church property belonging to the Conference was $7,050, and of parsonages, $5,400. The statistics of the last session show that the Conference has just about held its own.

California has ever been recognized as a difficult field for religious work. Says Bishop John S. MacGeary:

California, from the days when William Taylor, afterward Methodist Bishop of Africa, was sent to lay the foundation of Methodism in that State, until the present, has borne the reputation of being the hardest field in which to do religious work that our country presents. The territory was originally settled largely by adventurers-men who went there solely for the purpose of seeking fortunes. In the mad rush and scramble for gold everything else was forgotten. Men who in the East had been Identified with the Church and active in religious work caught the infection and joined the money-mad crowd. The result was that the whole community became possessed with a spirit of supreme indifference to sacred things which seems to prevail until the present.[2]

If other denominations and evangelistic agencies have found themselves withstood by the conditions prevailing in this land of gold, much more has the Free Methodist Church found the almost universal indifference to all kinds of religion characteristic of the country hard to overcome, and that largely because of the demands Free Methodism everywhere makes upon those who enter upon the religious life in respect to renouncing the vain pomp and glory of the world, with all the covetous and sinful desires of the flesh, so as not to follow or be led by them. General Superintendent B. T. Roberts, who, with his wife, spent about six months laboring in San Francisco in 1880, in addressing the city Preachers' Meeting said, "I am surprised, brethren, that you have accomplished as much as you have. It is the hardest rock I ever drilled in."

Still the evangel of Free Methodism was in an early period of the Church's history borne into this land of sunshine, flowers, fruit and gold; and, in face of all the manifold obstacles to its success, it has won its way to a permanent place among the evangelistic agencies which are making for the redemption of the Golden State.

There is no absolute certainty as to the beginning of Free Methodism in California. We do find, however, among the Michigan Conference appointments for 1873 one which reads, "W. D. Bishop, missionary to California." The appointment read the same the following year. After that, however, the appointment no longer appears. But in I 875, the minutes of the Genesee Conference record the following appointment: "California Mission, G. W. Humphrey." He went to this appointment full of enthusiasm, expecting to build up a Conference there; but he went against the better judgment of the Conference, that body granting him the appointment because he expressed himself as so fully convinced that he was led of the Lord in the matter, that he intended to go whether the Conference consented to it or not, though he very much desired its consent. The Conference reluctantly consented, and after having done so proceeded to raise money by contribution and subscription toward helping to pay his expenses. It is probable that some time during that year he organized the first Free Methodist class in California. At any rate a society was organized in San Francisco some time during 1875, composed of the following, with other members: Thomas Dawler, Maria E. Parks, Mary A. Young, Mr. and Mrs. Briggs, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas, Dr. and Mrs. M. F. Bishop. Dr. Bishop still remains with the Free Methodist people, holding his membership at Alameda, California.

Mr. Humphrey, who was an Englishman of marked ability, largely failed of realizing his dream of success in California, however, finally yielded to the pressure of the worldly spirit, and for a time was drawn aside from his ministry. Later, however, he recovered himself, became identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, was highly esteemed among that people, and is said to have died in great triumph, November 2, 1882.

In the month of October 1876, a local preacher from the Methodist Episcopal Church, by the name of F. H. Horton, united with the San Francisco Free Methodist society, and began to labor among them for the salvation of sinners, and for the advancement of the cause Free Methodism represented. Public religious services were held in private houses, tents, public halls, and such other places as were available, in Alameda, Pacheco, and other towns and cities. At Pacheco a society was raised up which still remains.

In January, 1579, General Superintendent B. T. Roberts, accompanied by his wife, Miss Ida R. Collins of New York State (later Mrs. Ida Collins Winget) ,and Miss Mattie McCreery, youngest daughter of the Rev. Joseph McCreery (later the wife of Rev. F. H. Horton), went to California to spend a number of months in endeavoring to promote the work of God on tile Pacific Coast. Mr. Roberts decided upon this tour in response to numerous urgent calls from the region, "which," lie says, "we fear we have neglected too long."

The party arrived in Oakland on the 4th of January, and were met by Dr. M. F. Bishop and his wife, who took them at once to their comfortable and hospitable home in Alameda, a growing town just south of Oakland. They found a small Free Methodist class at Alameda, which met regularly at the home of Dr. and Mrs. Bishop on Sabbath mornings, to whom Mr. Roberts preached the first Sabbath evening and the following Tuesday evening. In writing of his labors in California for the Earnest Christian of January 1879, he makes mention that one backslider was reclaimed at the meetings ill Dr. Bishop's home.

The same week he went about eighteen miles across the Coast Range mountains to a place called LaFayette, and preached to a small but attentive congregation. Thence he proceeded up the valley eight miles to Pacheco, a town of several hundred inhabitants in Contra Costa County, where was a small Free Methodist society, which had been raised up by the Rev. F. H. Horton, then the only Free Methodist circuit preacher in California. When Mr. Horton first visited the place, some three years before the visit of Mr. Roberts, there were no religious services in the town. There was a Presbyterian Church in this place-a cheap, temporary structure, in which visiting ministers occasionally preached. Of Mr. Horton's meetings at Pacheco Mr. Roberts wrote as follows:

Brother Horton's meetings were attended with such success that one of the leading Odd-Fellows, G. R. Oliver, was converted and left the lodge. A Free Methodist Church was organized, of which he became a member and of which he remained a pillar for many years. The Presbyterian people invited a Congregational minister, the Rev. Mr. Dexter, to come and organize a Congregational Church, which he did, becoming their pastor and remaining such for several years.[3]

On returning to Alameda he preached on the Sabbath in the Methodist Episcopal Church, on invitation from the pastor. On Sabbath morning, the 25th of January, he preached in the Presbyterian Church at Santa Rosa; and in the afternoon of the same day he preached in the jail. The prisoners gave good attention, appeared much affected, and expressed their appreciation of the service. On February 2, on invitation of his old friend, Dr. M. C. Briggs, the pastor, he preached in the Howard Street Methodist Episcopal Church in San Francisco. The congregation was large and attentive, and a gracious season was enjoyed. The following Sabbath he preached in the Powell Street Methodist Episcopal Church. The pastor, the Rev. Mr. Harford, whom Mr. Roberts had formerly met in Lawrence, Kansas, and whose wife had heard him preach in Rushford, New York, had courteously written him requesting his service some Sabbath at his convenience. Notwithstanding the fact that the day was very unpropitious, the service was one of interest and blessing.

Soon after this Mr. Roberts began a protracted meeting in the Second Adventist Church, on Eddy Street, San Francisco, which the Free Methodist society had hired for a month for twenty-five dollars. The congregations were chiefly made up of members of various Churches, among them some Christian workers who had been nobly battling for the purity of the Gospel. Of his labors here Mr. Roberts says, "The Lord has held us with great stringency to insist upon the New Testament standard of Christianity. We have never felt more of the Spirit than we have here in every service. So far the visible results have been, a few justified, a few wholly sanctified to God, and a good deal of awakening among professors. By the grace of God we intend to keep on here while He leads, doing all we can for the salvation of souls. Instead of the hunger for truth which we have found in many places, we here find the most appalling indifference."

Invitations continually poured in for him to visit other places, but he sought the mind of the Spirit as to where lie should go next, and finally decided to begin a campaign in San Francisco. He began a series of meetings there in a hired hall about the first of February, which he did not close until the last of March. He generally preached twice a day, except on Saturday. Of his efforts here he wrote for the May number of the Earnest Christian, as follows:

The meeting was a decided success. The congregations, though composed In large part of members of different branches of the Church, received the truth cordially and gladly. We preached the self-denying doctrines of the Gospel in as plain a manner as we could, and the Spirit carried the truth to the consciences of the people. There were a goodly number of conversions; and many were quickened to newness of life. Conviction for holiness was general, and several, we trust, obtained the blessing.

The next Sabbath he began a series of meetings in Alameda, where the political excitement incident to two elections held during the progress of the services interfered considerably with the attendance and with the success. But God's presence was manifest in every service, and some who came in from different Churches were greatly quickened and blessed. "A few professed to receive the blessing of holiness, and a few made a start in the divine life, who, we trust, will go on in the service of the Lord."

This was Mr. Roberts's last series of meetings in California, the work in the east demanding that he return home. As he was about to leave the Pacific Coast, where he had labored so earnestly for nearly six months, he wrote:

"We believe that the foundation has been laid for a good work, and we have confidence that God will carry it on." Also: "Though we have not seen all accomplished that we desired, yet we feel confident that our coming here was of God. He has made our visit here a blessing to us, and to many souls. We have tried to do our duty, and we leave results to Him."[4] In all his labors on the Coast his wife proved an invaluable helper.

In 1881 General Superintendent E. P. Hart settled with his family in Alameda, California, and early in the winter of 1882-3 he and Mrs. Hart went to San Jose and held a series of meetings. They rented a vacant storeroom, purchased lumber, and, with the help of sympathizing friends, fitted up the place and began the meetings. Mr. Hart paid out his last five dollars to purchase material for seats. James Allen, and Brethren Kennedy, Clarkson, and others, laymen, gave them encouragement and helped materially in the religions services. Although the evenings were damp and cold they held services each evening, first on the street and then in the hall. The Rev. Ross Taylor, son of Bishop William Taylor, was holding street meetings at the same time, ill connection with special revival services in the Methodist Episcopal Church. He and Mr. Hart would occasionally join forces in the street, and then give notice of the meetings at the church and hall. The following incident, which occurred in connection with these meetings, is related by Mr. Hart, and will bear repeating:

One evening a gentleman followed our little band from the street to the hall, who was destined to take quite a prominent part, financially at least, in our work in the California Conference. He was an Englishman. He took a seat in the back of the hall, but paid strict attention to the preaching. This man became a regular attendant on our services, but would usually slip out at the close of meeting, so that we did not have much opportunity to converse or get acquainted with him. We had a number of converts, and I gave notice that on a following Sabbath morning I would organize a class. I occupied the hour of the morning service in explaining our Discipline, and then called for any who desired to unite to present themselves at the altar. To my surprise, about the first one to come was my English friend. He wore a heavy gold watch-chain, gold studs and a large Masonic emblem in gold. I judged that the man was laboring under a misapprehension, and concluded he would be ready to retreat when I came to insist on an affirmative answer to the disciplinary questions. I said to him, "I suppose you wish to join on probation." He at once replied, "No, I wish to join in full connection. I am a member of the Congregational Church." I called his attention to the questions, especially the ones referring to the wearing of gold and of being connected with secret societies. He at once answered, "Oh, that is all right. Nothing will trouble but the smoke." I felt relieved, for I saw the man knew what he was doing, and I quickly replied, "Oh, the Lord will help you out of that." The sequel proved my words to be true. lie came out to the evening service with the gold all gone. He afterwards told me that about three weeks after he united with the Church, as he was sitting in his study, Satan suggested that it was foolishness for him to give up smoking; "so," he said, "I took down my pipe for a smoke, but the first whiff made me so sick I could smoke no more." Then came the suggestion, "Brother Hart told you the Lord would help you out of that, and He has."

When I proposed to the class to send for Brother Vorheis to come from Missouri to take charge of the work, I inquired what each would give towards his expenses. Brother Brown said, "I don't know that I can ever make a Methodist, I can't talk well enough; but I'll give fifty dollars towards getting the brother out here." The necessary amount was soon provided, and we sent on for Brother Vorheis and family. He labored here successfully until called to his eternal reward.

Before his death, Charles Brown made provision in his will for ten thousand dollars to be placed in my hands in trust for the work, but after his decease some of the heirs, claiming that the estate was much less than they expected, decided [that] unless I would consent to a smaller amount they would contest the will. To save litigation, and especially out of regard for the widow, I consented to take less than a third of the original amount. This is being used as, in my judgment, I deem best for the advancement of the cause of God.

The General Conference of 1882, at its ninth sitting, authorized the formation of "The California Conference, which shall include the State of California."[5] In the Free Methodist of June 13, 1883, is an account of the organization of the California work into the "Oakland District Quarterly Conference," in connection with which it is stated that there were then ten Free Methodist preachers on the Pacific Coast, all of whom held their membership in Eastern Conferences. The names of the ten are given, with the Conference relation of each. It is also stated that some of these brethren desired the organization of a Conference on the Coast as soon as possible. Then, in the same periodical for November 21 of that year, appears an article from the pen of M. L. Vorheis, in which it is stated that tile Quarterly Conference at Pacheco passed a resolution requesting Superintendent Hart to organize a California Conference, and naming the 6th of the following month as the date they desired the session to begin.

There appear to have been no published minutes of the first session of the California Conference, but from the Conference Journal and from a report in the Free Methodist of December 26, 1883 signed by M L Vorheis secretary, the following facts concerning it are gleaned:

The Conference was organized by General Superintendent Hart, December 7, 1883 in the Free Methodist Church at San Jose. Seven preachers were enrolled in full connection, namely, E. P. Hart from the Michigan Conference; F. H. Ashcraft, from the Indiana and Central Illinois Conference; M. L. Vorheis from the Iowa Conference Judah Mead, from the Illinois Conference; W. D. Bishop, from the Michigan Conference, and F. H. Horton, from the Iowa Conference. Joseph Garrett, M. F. Bishop, J. H. Keller, and Reuben Amidon were admitted by certificate as lay delegates.

The Conference held but two sittings, one each on Friday and Saturday. Services were held over the Sabbath, in connection with which Superintendent Hart dedicated the new Free Methodist Church building at San Jose, the first of its kind in California. This building and lot, situated on the corner of St. John and Ninth streets, cost, all told, $1,170. There remained an indebtedness of $328.50, which was provided for quickly, after which the building was formally dedicated to Almighty God. This building was later replaced by a new, beautiful, and more commodious structure, at a Cost of $3,l58.82, which was dedicated by General Superintendent W. T. Hogue, January 8, 1905, and which is still occupied by the society.

The work of the Conference for the year was all put into the Oakland District, and M. L. Vorheis was elected Chairman. Seven preachers and supplies were appointed to circuits or stations, F. H. Ashcraft was given an evangelist's relation, and Judah Mead was superannuated. The Journal for that year reports from Oakland and San Jose sixty-seven members.

The territory of the California Conference was cut down by the organization of the Southern California Conference in 1891, which gave the southern portion of the State to the newly authorized Conference. The California Conference reported for that year eleven preachers in full membership and three on probation, with a total lay membership of 313, including thirty-two probationers. The Church property was valued at $9,950, and parsonage property at $3,300. The work has always moved slowly there, and still there has been some headway made, and that in face of more serious embarrassments than confront Free Methodism almost anywhere else. The latest statistics show a total of twenty preachers, four of whom are probationers; 427 lay members, fifty-seven of whom are on probation - and $24,l00 worth of Church property, with parsonages valued at $19,500 additional. This Conference being in the northern part of the State, and the larger portion of the immigration to the Pacific Coast making either the Northwest or else Southern California their ultimate destination, the California Conference has always reaped less benefit from immigration from the eastern portions of the country than the Coast Conferences north and south of it.

The Ashcraft brethren were probably the first Free Methodist preachers to invade the bounds of what is now the Southern California Conference; but they were then doing undenominational evangelistic work, which only in a very indirect way, if at all, contributed to the introduction of Free Methodism there. The Rev. David G. Shepard appears to have been the first to have preached in this region as a representative of the Free Methodist Church.

Some time during the year 1886 Eugene C. Shipley, a stanch layman and local preacher, whose business was that of a building contractor, removed from Chicago and settled in Los Angeles, California. Being intimately acquainted with the Rev. C. B. Ebey and family, and knowing that Mrs. Ebey was in poor health, he persuaded them, in 1887, to have her go to Los Angeles for her health. About the same time the Rev. C. E. McReynolds, a member of the Minnesota and Northern Iowa Conference, settled in South Pasadena. The first distinctively Free Methodist meeting ever held in Southern California is said to have been held by Mr. McReynolds in Mrs. Ebey's home, after she moved from Los Angeles to South Pasadena.

In April, 1888, Rev. C. B. Ebey went to California, expecting to return in a short time to his district work in the Illinois Conference; but seeing the improved condition of Mrs. Ebey's health, and listening to the urgent appeals of the few pilgrims, he decided to remain and hold some meetings. A tent was erected in Pasadena, and a five weeks' meeting was held. A class of thirteen was organized at the close. A little later a meeting was held in a part of the city of Pasadena known as Monk Hill. Soon a church and parsonage were erected on Pepper Street, Pasadena, which was dedicated to God in January, 1889, by E. P. Hart. Mr. Hart and wife remained for some time and assisted in a meeting at Compton, at which place the second Free Methodist society in Southern California was organized. C. B. Ebey transferred to the California Conference in the fall of 1889. A Los Angeles District was formed, and he was made Chairman. From that time until he was elected editor of the Free Methodist, in 1903, he was closely associated with the work in that part of the State. He was instrumental during this time in raising up or assisting In raising up and organizing eighteen societies.[6]

The General Conference of 1890 authorized the formation of a Southern California Conference, to include the southern portion of the State and the whole of Arizona, at such time as the General Superintendents should think advisable. The following year matters seemed to be ripe for such an organization, and the new Conference was duly organized by Superintendent B. T. Roberts, May 21, 1891. There were four preachers in full membership C. B. Ebey, David McLeod James Seals, and Thomas Fluck. Also J. A. Murphree, F. K. DuBois, A. M. Taylor, and Josephine Cowgill were received on trial. The work was arranged in two districts - the Los Angeles and the Tulare - and C. B. Ebey was made Chairman over both.

The Conference, which was held in the new Free Methodist Church, Los Angeles, continued over Sunday, on which day the building was offered in dedication to Almighty God by Superintendent Roberts, after he had preached an appropriate sermon from Ephesians 5:25-27. Seven united with the Church on probation during the Sabbath services.

The statistical record shows that the lay membership in Southern California at this time was one hundred in full connection, and twenty-six on probation, while the Church property was valued at $4,600.

Southern California has been somewhat more receptive of the truths which Free Methodism promulgates than the northern part of the State, and perhaps there has been more of an aggressive spirit among both preachers and lay members there than in some other portions of the Coast country. The work has spread until at present (1914) there are twenty-six circuits and stations, twenty-two of which had preachers appointed to them by the last Conference, and four of which were left to be supplied. The Conference has forty-two preachers in full connection and two on probation, with a lay membership of 1,014, one hundred twenty-two of whom are on probation. Its Church property is reported as amounting to $89,400, with parsonage property valued at $30,000. Of its preachers sixteen are on the superannuated and supernumerary lists, Southern California, because of its genial and healthful climate, having become a place of resort and rest for Free Methodist preachers when they become aged and feeble, or otherwise incapacitated for effective service.

This Conference, which territorially embraces Arizona, has at present three appointments in that State. They are Phoenix, Liberty, and Cochise County. The total membership there is about seventy. This work is somewhat missionary in its character, being situated about five hundred miles from Los Angeles. It has been organized into a district, however, with a traveling District Elder in charge, and may yet grow into a separate Conference.

The Southern California Conference has been particularly aggressive along educational as well as evangelistic lines. The Los Angeles Free Methodist Seminary at Hermon, an eastern suburb of Los Angeles, is a monumental testimony to this fact. A more detailed account of this fine institution is presented in the chapter on "Educational Institutions."

[1] General Conference Journal, pp. 110, 111.
[2] "Outline History," p. 140.
[3] "Earnest Christian," January, 1879.
[4] Editorial in "Earnest Christian" for June, 1879.
[5] Journal, p. 264.
[6] "Outline History," pp. 143, 144.