, 1874-07-20

Tho Congregation Of tbs First Church Amid
thu Ruins.
at o'clock yesterday evening = portion
OF tho First baptist Church congregation met
amid the ruina OF their oncs elegant and
spacious odidco. A woek ago little did
that good pcoph anticipate the change
that haa come aud atill loss did they dream TINT
ut shcir next meeting thoy would be surrounded
with the smofdoring ruins Of their church, and
that tho stepa would take tho place OF tlas altar.
and ashes that Of thor rich carposing. But q,
tho ivy, reduced to crisp by the angry blazoa,
still olingn to the ghastly wallis Of tho church,
90 tho hearts Of tho congregation cling to tho
opot halIowed by go many pleasant associations.
religious and social.
Tho earnestnesa Of tho meeting last evening,
thon, cannot bs measured by it's size. It vas
under tho direction Of Mr.. B. I. Jacobs, fuper-
inteudent Of tho 8unday-sohool OF this church,
IN tho absence OF DR.. EYorts tho pastor. En- :
toring tho cato TO tho south yard Of tho church,
he 1aid, "Come IN. good people," He At onoo
TOOK position On tho stops, and announced tho
beautiful hymn,
Ronk OF agcs, cleft for mo,
Let na hido myself In theo,
which waa sung with great zost by tho crowd,
led by Me. DAkor. He then offered 4 solemn
and fcrYont prayer. after which he announced
the familiar hymn, commencing:
Thert ia . fountain filed With blood,
Drawn from 1mtnauucliH volns.
This waa sung very foelingly, md Was follor-
ed by roading from ths 9th ct uobrows and tho
2lst OF Revelation.
AIR. Norton then led In prayer after which
Alr. Jacobs mado fcw remarks pertinont to tho
occasion. Among other things he sought to
imprsaH upon tue noeting tho Importance OF
ssauding up under the affections Of tho nuur.
10 thought tho destruction OF the church would
tond 70 direct tho eongrcgation's attention to
that higher Church not mado with hands. The
hrBt tabernacle ever reared was Ia tho wildor-
nosa. God waa thoso, aud Ho would be With
this congregation, lot their earthly fatos bA
Whist they might. At tic conclusion Of his TO
marks he announctl:
Jesus loycr OF my soul,
Lot mo to thy bosom hy,
which was sung with great earnoBtness, and fol-
lowed with prayer by hIr. Norton.
After tho singing Of another hymn, and prayo,
by Mr. Baker, the e1orcaes wore closed With tho
doxology.
The congregation is yet unaetted about 70
building Or even place of worship. Kingsbury'a
Hall has been very kindly offered them. but tho
objection 70 1t ia its location. The old
Church sat "aa really not far enough south
One thing urged, however, in favor OF Kingabury
Hall, III that service there would I'LL great void
By supplying atrangera with convenient place
OF worship. This ia view several prominent
members Of tho congregation take Of it. This
question, however, will be settled Friday, at .
meeting to be held On the corner Of Thlrtioth
etreot utld Indiana avenue.
The regular soryicos uext Sabbath will bs
held at Standard Hall. This evening atrnngars
meoting will be hold in the same place.
It III quite probable TINT tho roar Of tho old
church will be rebuilt at ouce, simply to scoom-
modats tho sunday-Bohool. The question Of re-
building the cntire ediaco on tho old bito ID also
agitated, aud it il Hsid tho plans hayo already
boon aketohed. The plaus arc nomowllat ntter
the style Of tho Methodist Church Block, coruor
OF Clark sud Washington tho auditorium to bo
Oh tho second floor, and the frat floors to be d.
voted to stores aud Offices.