April 22, 1954
Have put in a month and a half as parish minister at Manhattan Beach Community Church.
Began my work on March 11 with calls that afternoon with Mr. Coulston. Since than have made use of Betty’s Buick. The first month ending Tuesday April 6 I made sixteen calls on members and friends of the church many of them being sick people or old folks no longer able to get to church. Many of these are dear old ladies who have been very hard workers in the Woman’s Federation, sewing, and other church activities.
It is the Federation that pays my salary, $50.00 per month for three months with understanding that I am to call at least two afternoon each week. The pastor of church secretary, Eloise Brown, give me names to call upon. Sometimes as I make calls the people give names of other friends who would appreciate a little attention from the church.
I find a very large group of young married folks who belong to the Mariners Club, the purpose of which is to call on newcomers and especially people of their age who would like to be affiliated with some activity, either church attendance, Sunday School, book reviews, square dances, mid week services, Bible classes, discussion groups, World Federalism, race questions, or any topic of interest.
Have enjoyed attending several meetings of the Colony Group under the leadership of Mr. and Mrs. Wendell and Madeline Harper. They are very fine young folks with social vision of the needs of this age group. Also met Mr. and Mrs. Frank Cochran who are sponsoring the High School students in Pilgrim Fellowship.
I have never been in a church with so many young married folks as this and with so many teachers about 25 or 30, grammar and high school teachers. The pastor Rev. Emerald Olson was formerly a teacher of chemistry before deciding to study for the ministry. With his scientific background and approach to the study of modern problems he is reaching young folks who welcome the appeal of a liberal church. I am convinced that California needs liberal religion, but thee are many who cannot see it that way, who are good people and cannot go along quite so fast with the line of progress. We must wait with patience for them to catch up and sympathize with them in their orthodox background. Sooner or later they will come in, but it will take patience and love to win them over.
Again there is quite a group that like the good fashioned approach of prayer and Bible study. I noticed this when I gave my first talk at the Lenten service one Wednesday night on events from Palm Sunday to Easter. People like the service to close in the warm atmosphere of a friendly prayer that touches the hearts of people. They seem to think I have something to offer this church which is needed. Have made several calls on people facing family problems worry and anxiety offer certain members of the family in hospitals with cases of nervous break down and other mental worries. They seem to think my approach helps them to face their problem hopefully.
On Easter Sunday we had fine services one each hour fro 8 to 12, with a total attendance of 1233. Emerald gave a sermon at each service while Dr. Rhoades and I shared the duties as presiding minister, reading Scripture and notices.
A wonderful Easter morning with inspiring anthems!
At the previous Thursday night at a candlelight service 75 new members were received including Betty and I with our letters from Rockton
I am now officially connected with California Congregationalism and have broken all official ties with Illinois and Wisconsin after over 36 years as pastor in those states. Am happy in this new move as I believe it is a step onward in progressive and liberal stand for the gospel as we interpret it.
More and more I am convinced that the Lord brought me for a purpose, to live with Betty and cooperate with her in the church in which she has taught a Sunday School and she and Jean once sang in the choir five years ago. I feel right at home in this outpost of liberal Congregationalism.
May 10th 1954
Hi Comrades,
Day after Mother;s Day which we spent at a Sports Car Race at Willow Springs about 100 miles N. East of L.A.. An exciting day, the car that George was mechanic for won the race in his class of under 1550cc, whatever that means. The driver Bob Drake is by profession a deep sea diver but for a hobby he drives an MG and does he get a kick out of it. There were no cash awards simply the honor of coming in 1st, 2nd or 3rd. Of course the garage owners and salesmen get quite a prestige out of winning which boosts sales no doubt. I enjoyed it hugely even tho the wind blew something terrific and the dust was quite unbearable at times. The race track is at the foot of a range of mountains in a so-called desert. The town nearby is irrigated so there are beautiful lawns and shade trees as well as fine gardens. A typical valley and desert community of S. California.
You don’t need to think you have to answer all my letters. I simply write to get some things off my mind.
More and more I am convinced that the Lord sent me out here for a purpose namely to defend the right of freedom of speech in the pulpits and my friend Emerald Olson in particular. Of course I agree with his liberal ideas in the main but as my dad used to say never compromise on principles but sometimes it is wise to compromise on methods.
The modern pastor must play the double role of priest and prophet. When Moses went up to the Mountain of God he was priest, for he was communing with God and he received the Ten Commandments. When he came down he was a prophet and gave the teachings to the people with his interpretations for daily use. Likewise the modern pastor must play both roles.. In the invocation he talks to God in behalf of the people. At the close of the hour of worship the benediction is addressed to the people. (The Lord Bless you) in behalf of God. The first half roughly speaking is the work of the prophet interpreting the text to the needs of modern life. That is why the true prophet is often unpopular if he speaks his mind with conviction and earnestness But in the words of St. Paul he must speak in the spirit of love not unkind criticism.
There are many fine arts, painting, sculpture, drawing, architectures, music, poetry, but the finest of the fine arts is the fine art of hymns, anthems and solos. When it comes to the sermon the preacher should try to start where people live and give them something out of his thoughts and experiences and that of the human race and carry them along to a logical conclusion. If he knows his people and they know him they will suggest thoughts and impulses to him while he is preaching his sermon that will add to and strengthen the sermon.
The preacher prepares his sermon with great care. Let us say, but when the time comes for delivery he and his congregation deliver it together, then it comes a work of creative art, and the sermon is the climax of the art of public worship. What precedes the sermon warms the atmosphere and cultivates the soil for the dropping of the seed.
Some preachers are content to do the worship of the priest, in the so-called enrichment of the service of worship. Others hurry thru the “preliminaries” in their haste to get to the delivery of the message. The real pastor “waits upon the Lord” and tries to get in tune before he strikes the first chord of the oratoric. If a few people come to church with the idea that they must give something to their beloved pastor, he will be conscious of their prayers and good wishes in their effort to inspire him to rise to his best. Than they realize that he is expressing their thoughts for them in language beyond their power of expression. He is giving them not what they want but what they need to live a better life day by day. Even if people cannot come to church they might remember the service at the eleven o’clock hour. This remembrance by the shut-ins becomes a source of power and spiritual strength to the entire membership.
My friend Olson is a fine preacher and a social prophet but he lacks the art of “waiting on the Lord” thru the worship service preceding the sermon. This I shall try to give him as best I can. My mission here is that as mediator, some of the old folks and a few of the younger married folks realize there is something lacking in the service. In my friendly way I shall try to bridge the gap. Several of the older people have told me at the pre-Easter mid weeks services that they are glad to have a preacher “who knows how to pray,” and some of them wish I could take over full responsibility and let Olson go. Of course I put the kibosh on the idea, by saying I am here to help my friend Emerald as an assistant and do not wish a full time job. I think I have convinced them that I am all for Emerald, and wish to promote his leadership. I would say that 95% of the young married group and quite a few of the older people like Emerald’s sermons. This next week will tell the story when the questionaire goes out to the entire membership. I feel confident that Emerald will stay and the church move forward to greater growth and progress.
Will keep you posted. The Lord called me here for a purpose, like Abraham of old I west west not knowing whither I went, but I found out when I got here. Am convinced that my best work is ahead
I enclose some clipping on teaching in L.A. And nation wide
As Ed Murrow would say – “Good night and good luck.” Dad
Sunday, May 30th 1954 – Memorial Day
Sermon, “Horace Bushnell, Apostle of Freedom”
My first sermon at Manhattan Church. An independent thinker who broke with the doctrine of original sin, Human depravity, and infant damnation.
For this he was bitterly condemned and effort made to bring him to trial for heresy. It failed. Then and now, our church had no bishops or overhead authority to drive a minister from his pulpit.
Bushnell was a man who loved to fish, build city parks, climb mountains and foresaw the first rail road to California, was offered the first presidency of the U of Calif. But he refused. He came out here on stage coach in 1856, before the R.R.’s were built.
In his book “Christian Nurture” he claimed that a child could be born in a Christian home and brought up on that atmosphere and never consider himself to be otherwise. This theory caused tremendous opposition. His letter to his daughter, saying her parents had given her to God was much discussed. She could join the church of her choice, he only asked that she give herself to Christ to love and follow him always.
I then said that I thought that Dr. Bushnell would approve the work of Community churches which welcome all people from various denominations without regard to creeds. Let people think for themselves.
After the service and for days afterwards I begin receiving favorable comments. Many liked it and praised it highly. One man came Pickett said I handed it out in smooth order. Another said it did more good than a thousand sermons because it made Olson’s position secure. Emerald said a week later when he returned that he needed me more than ever.
I said to him that I was not only a liberal in theology but I would endeavor to play the role of mediator between the various groups
Tues. June 1
Met with Women’s Federation and made my report of my third month’s work. Made about 25 calls and made contacts with thirty more people in colony meetings and three meetings of our S.S. Teacher. Received my third month’s salary. $50.00 The report was well received.
Sun. June 6
Dr. Forrest Weir of the L.A. Church Federation preached while Olson was at Pilgrim Pines with the Mariners group. It was Day of Pentecost.
August 18, 1954
Beloved Children All,
Friday, Aug. 13, was one of the saddest days of my life. I wanted to be at Walworth that day but could not go. Am preaching every Sunday during August with pastoral duties during the week, hospital calls, emergency duties and other responsibilities.
Altho it was a sad day on the other hand, it was a day of rejoicing for on that occasion three beloved sisters, daughters of the parsonage experienced a happy reunion. Auntie Grace, Auntie Ann and your beloved mother are now together with their parents and other loved ones carrying on and completing their tasks began on earth.
Personally I owe a great deal to Grace. It was at her home in Walworth in 1914 that I made arrangements to meet the young lady who later became my wife. Grace entered into the romantic conspiracy and made me welcome. I carried on my part of the courtship that later ended in our engagement at Uhlein Park Lake Geneva. What happy memories are attached to that place of blessed associations.
In years to follow Grace and Harry followed us all over Wisconsin, Sturgeon Bay, Ashland, Land O’Lakes, Baraboo and later Grace was with us at Rockton. When there was sickness in our family she was always there to help and prepare tasty meals. And the last few years at Rockton I could not have carried on without her presence at the parsonage and the Old Stone Church and the many friends at Rockton. She often said she liked it there better then at Walworth because she felt she had a mission to perform and she fulfilled it well.
I am so happy that Bill and Pat, Jean and Bob could be at the final service, according to a letter from Bess Liddle who said that Jean sang, “ I Need Thee Every Hour” Thank you so much Jean. Were there many from Rockton besides. Hope to hear from you soon.
Bess was here at our home and we enjoyed the visit and pictures greatly. She is a dear friend to all the Warrens.
Jean Suhr wired me of Grace’s death and I sent her a letter via air mail with ten dollars to pay for telegrams to all of you.
Was John there or Uncle Moulton?
I am enjoying my series of sermons on “Husbands and Wives of Distinction”. Next Sunday it will be Peter and Catherine Marshall. Will describe my talks with David Wood and others who knew Peter in the old days at Birmingham. Wish you all could hear these talks. Have had some nice comments. One dear old lady said she wishes she could hear me every Sunday, others have said I have shown the importance of the right kind of home life, husbands and wives working together is the right spirit. Every Sunday there have been over 200 present which I am told is unusual for August. No summer doldrums here.
God Bless and Keep you all my dears,
All our love – Dad, Betty and all the family
August, 31, 1955
Although I am supposed to put in only two afternoons per week, I worked 18 afternoons making calls and was at the office eight mornings while the secretary was on vacation.
Olson asked me to make 28 calls in the month. I found only 13 of them at home, the remaining 15 were out or on vacation. So I called on 15 more at my discretion or the request of some members of Women’s Federation. I think I put in a very busy month.
A queer thing happened in August, all the visiting preachers preached from a Bible text and gave a real Bible sermon based on truth from Scriptures. The so-called “liberals” were quite disappointed. They expected something very highly psychological. Many of Olson’s personal enemies came to church during he month and liked the sermons very much. Needless to say so did I. And I got quite a kick when I was asked to lead the worship and offer the pastoral prayer at the last two Sundays. I am good enough to pray but not to preach in that sacred pulpit of Unitarians.
Of course not all Unitarians are this bad but some of them are hard to live with. I say let them rent a hall and preach what they please and let those come who will. But they have no right to try to take over a Congl church and make some other kind of a church out of it.
It’s a good world and Im talking with people old and young about the wonders of life, nature and God. Just learned the other day of a man named Walker, a real estate man who has a a group of boys and young men aged eleven to nineteen. He calls them the “Fisher Men’s Club” that are connected with a very orthodox Presbyterian church near by. He takes the group on a camping trip for one week every year. Mr. Walker also has a S.S. Class of younger boys. The “Fisher Men’s Club” numbers about 90, not all go to church but many go to the summer camp. His influence on those fellows is tremendous. We are doing so little in our church for high school kids. Only three or four go to our young peoples camp. Olson is missing the greatest opportunity of his life right here under his nose.
It is not a hopeless case at all, just looks impossible but with spunk and courage and a bit of humor and gentle good nature we can win I am sure. I say put it in to the Lord’s hands and then work as he suggests. As I told your adult class my motto is
“TELL THE LORD TELL THE PEOPLE” but tell the Lord first and wait patiently for orders. He will show you the way, but don’t get mad and start calling names that spoil everything.
Sept. 9. 1955
Two things have happened that have added stature to my rating as Asst. Pastor to this church. 1st. My report to the meeting of the Women’s Federation which is paying part of my salary. And 2nd , at a meeting of the S.S. Teachers planning the fall work at which Olson was present, Len Swenson the chairman of Educ. Com. spoke of the value of my work as an expert on certain questions and said he would call on me to speak to certain classes on special occasions. He likes the work I did answering the 24 questions on science and religion also the 20 questions on the Bible I answered for the 5th and 6th graders, and the offer I made to help the Pilgrim Fellowship group (high school age) line up their program for the fall and winter months. He liked my reference to the young engineer who gives talks on Electronics at Public Schools and thinks we should take advantage of all such experts especially when they are our own members.
I have often been asked why I did not go to a psychiatrist for a check-up. Recently I talked with a lady who goes to a psychological clinic every Friday night, for which she pays five dollars a session, two hours. Whether she thought I might benefit from such a course. The class meets weekly for a period of several weeks as long as the members feel they are being benefited.
“No, Mr. Warren” the lady replied “you don’t need this course you are too well balanced. This is only for jerks like myself”.
So I’m staying away from psychiatrists. My job is to help prepare people for life’s ups and downs by presenting wholesome sermons, inspiring Bible study and helpful interviews in my pastors calling.
Fifteen Questions
Sometimes I wonder if our Sunday school lessons prepared by so called experts down in Boston really hit the bull’s eye in dealing with problems of modern youth. Why not let the kids prepare their own questions on science and religion. If the teachers cannot answer them with satisfaction , call in someone who can.
One Sunday morning a teacher called me at 8:00 o’clock asking if I could be at his class of boys 8 and 9 years of age to tackle some questions on the relation of the Bible to science at the session this morning at 9:30. I said I’d be there.
The half hour was proved to be a thriller. I brought with me a list of fifteen questions written by a nine year old boy in a former pastorate dealing with science and religion. I read this list to the boys and asked them to pick out the one most interesting to them.
Here are the questions:
- What shall I believe, the Bible or my History?
- How old is God? What was he doing before he made the earth?
- Why did he make man?
- Why is there so much evil in the world?
- Is there life on other planets?
- Is it possible to hear from people on other planets?
- Is evolution true?
- Were Adam and Eve the first real parents?
- Did God really send a flood to drown all bad people?
- What is the best way to pray?
- What keeps the city of Los Angeles from being swept into the Pacific by a huge title wave?
- How did salt get into the ocean?
- Are there different ideas about God in the Bible?
- What did Jesus mean by being peace makers?
- Will thee ever be world peace?
Having answered these fifteen questions to the satisfaction of the boys they proceeded to fire a dozen more at me and I discovered many of the boys were able to answer their fellow class members questions. One boy would ask a question and another boy had a good answer. I gave Scripture verses to many questions which we all looked up in class as most of the boys had a Bible. The teacher was happy and the boys voted me the title of “The Answer Man” This was one of he thrilling experiences of my ministry of nearly forth years.
What came of it? Well the girls of the same age asked for the same privilege. I told their teachers to ask the girls to write out a list of questions that I might study in advance.. Would you believe it they prepared 24 questions, ten on the Bible and fourteen on science. I asked a science teacher of the high school and a member of our church to take those on science while I took the Bible questions. Next Sunday the entire group of boys and girls were present and we gave our answers. Mimeograph copies were made of all questions and answers for future distribution among the children and their parents. I received many comments from teachers and parents on this discussion. They felt that some real progress had been made in religious education. I always explain that there is no conflict between science and religion properly understood. Why not settle some of the troublesome questions in grade school before they get confused and bewildered later in their educational progress.
Another result was the aroused interest among fifth and sixth graders. They prepared twenty questions this time all were on the Bible. This time instead of meeting with the children I met with the S.S. teachers of this group and spent two hours one evening at the home of one of the teachers and went over every question in detail.
The folks down in Boston prepare a list of Bible material in the regular quarterly publications for each Sunday’s lesson. The material is good and we have no criticism, but once in a while why not let the kids prepare their own questions and then try to get some one in the church or community to appear in Sunday School and hold forth on /what’s on the Mind of Youth. We have found this experimen
t very much worth while.
No matter what your job is People need a change of pace. If your life gets dull take a trip, take a long walk, get on your bike for a sort ride, take the car to a new place a change of pace is just what the doctor ordered. You don’t need a psychiatrist to tell you that. On my next trip to Yosemite Falls I think I’ll stop on the edge of the desert at a little town called Tranquility. Something tells me there is a story in the village. The name intrigues me.
People ask me how I am hale and hearty at age 73. I explain that I take a walk with my little dog before going to bed, breathe deep, look at the stars, repeat the 19th Psalm and think tranquil thoughts. Repeat the 19th Psalm while looking at the stars and the eighth psalm each morning, it was Abraham Lincoln’s favorite. “For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels and crowned with glory and honor:”No need to go to a psychiatrist, read Gandhi’s favorite passages in the Beauitudes, Matt. 5:1-16
The other day I got a letter from a vitamin pill distributor asking me to send five dollars for a months supply. I sat down and wrote him a nice long letter as follows:,
Dear Mr. Pill Distributer:
Please remove my name from your mailing list, When I say REMOVE I mean any and all of the following ramifications of the word : Desist, displace, recede, extract, subduct, sever, subract, withdraw, cut off, expurgate, eliminate, make short of, send without trace, ping down the curtain, eject, dislocate, unseat, cast away, Hoist Blue Peter (Navy term), go outward bound, au revoir auf wiedersehen, and fare you well.
To be brief and right to the point take my name off your list, gentlemen. I am well supplied with vitamins and minerals. I eat daily a goodly supply of mill, graham crackers, plenty of celery and water cress right from the mountain stream. Cereal, cottage cheese, tomato juice, lean meat, salad and endive. At age 73 I enjoy excellent health. Why buy vitamins and minerals in a bottle or capsule.?
I wish to save you expense of mailing and thereby guarantee my own peace of mind.
No hard feelings, all good wishes. From a minister in semi retirement who has given forty years to the Lord’s work in Ill. and Wisc and now living in Sunny California.
Did that distributor of vitamins reply to my letter? He certainly did_
Dear Reverend,
Your letter shows that you have abundant energy. We agree with you, you do not need any vitamins. With such a brilliant vocabulary I would love to have the privilege of sitting in your church and listening to you preach. Our employees in the office enjoyed your letter and agree that it takes first place as the most brilliant one in all our mail this year. Thanks for your thoughtfulness in writing us. Name of Company
As I am engaged in writing my memoirs I have decided to add a chapter, “How to get a belly laugh out of life.” Answer ads from Vitamin manufacturers and distributors.
For forty years I have been a minister of the Gospel. I tell my friends that the word gospel means goodness, the glad tidings proclaimed by the angels at Bethlehem. Every day I try to tell some good news to some body. People are hungry for it. The whole world is waiting for the sunshine and for the man who brings good news. “O Jerusalem that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength, lift it up, be not afraid. Behold your God will come with a strong hand, be not dismayed for I am thy God, I will strengthen thee, yea, I will help thee, yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my rightness. How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace. I had fainted unless I had believed to see the goodness of he Lord in the land of the living.”
I was born in a village. All my ministry I have been a village pastor. There is something about the village church and the open country that breathes into the heart of youth the spirit of idealism. In years past the great leaders of America have come from small towns and rural communities. It is my life long conviction that so goes the village so goes the nation.
To me there is no greater honor than the privilege of serving a village church. We are reminded that some one many years ago “went round about the villages teaching.” (Mark 6:6)