The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-04-07
TIE REV. MISS ANNA OLIVER
BUFING 4 BROOKLYN CHURCH TO FREE
ITIROM 4 HEIVY DEBT.
She Hecomes Its Pastor without Invitation
by the Congregation, and Announces How
Its AHairs WIN Hereafter lie Nnnnged

She Hecomes Its Pastor without Invttnt,on
by the Congregation, and Announces How
Its Affairs VIII Hereafter lie Managed
The church building OF the Wesley Meth
odist Episcopal Society at Tompkins and Will
loughby avenues, Brooklyn was sold by auc-
ton on the oath of March under n mortgage held
| by the Williamsburgh Bank A bid of $4,000
was mado by Franklin Whiting. and rs no was
the only bidder the property was sold to him.
| The members OF the society supposed that the
church was bid In by tho bank. and that
they could arrange with the bank to re-
gain possession Of the property Tho Wesley
| NJ. T.. Church Society was dissolved ana the
name Of the Willoughby Avenue NJ T. Church
was adopted so that now negotiations might be
| begun with the bank. But the pastor the Row
John II. Stansbury. whose pastoratc was to ex-
pire on the next Sunday tho 90th ult. said that
the Row Miss Anna Oliver. A. NJ. and Bachelor
Of 0EinitnNxr7 ~ actual pslrehaser In n
church society meeting in Miss divers build.
Ing on the 2jth. Miss Oliver and the Rev. Mr..
Stansbury explained the purchase. Mr.. STAINS.
bury related the history Of the struggles to save
the church property. and Miss Oliver told how
she had heard oi the socicty's struggles 10 save
its church and how she remembered that It's diff
ncuties were similar to those Of the First Church
IN Passatc, \. j., which shc had so revived by
her preaching and pastoral work that lis per-
mnnent debt Of tQ2 900 aud a floating debt of
$1,000 were paid 6y the members. Miss Oliver
said that she visited the Wesley VI. T.. Church
quietly. on sunday. when the religious services
were half finished, and as sho looked around nj
tho, congregation i seemed b. her M though
God had sent her there. She knew none OF tile
members; but friends offered her money 10
occupy @ the vacSat " Pap Wien HG6clGG t6c msonS 70
closed tho members shook hands with their
new preacher in the most friendly way.
Miss Oliver ordered the church to BE- warmed
yesterday aud threw open the doors at an early
hour Tor morning service. The building Is
tate stone. Its slender snire is visible for many
blocks around, High stained glass windows on
each side admit light to large auditorium. The
outlook from the church steps takes in scatter
ing dwellings, blocks Of houses. and unsightly
Vacant squares bounded 10y streets in which
rnnDlsh dumping Is yet permitted The
church seni7 1000 persona, gallery ex-
tends around three sides. The end gallery is
occupied by the choir and largo reed organ.
It stands is broad, rs hclts tho Methodist
vigorous and sometimes athletic manner.
Above the cherry -coored upholstered settce
and chairs at the back OF this platform are the
words on the wall, in maroon -coored and gilt
edged letters: Glory to God in the Highcst;'
and bcnrnth them tho words. in blue and gold:
Pence ON Earth ana Good VIII townrd Men"
A stand with pot Of calla lilies Hnd roses.
stood beside tho pulpit.
Tho congregation began to assemble half an
hour before the timc Tor service To begin. As
the numbers increased those already seated
occupied the time either in turning their heads
ana noddng to any acquatnanccs whom they
might discover or In studying the faces OF
700. Miss Oliver meanwhile quietly mounted
the pulpit stairs and took seat alone on the
sott"e. the cherry -c0lorod upholstery OF which
Drought out IN striking reliet her hight. girlish
figure IN hlack cashmere. relieved by knot OF
white Mt the neck, producing much the same
effect ~ the white muslin bands that clergymen
~ tfu Methodist Episcopal Church wear over
black gowns. Her short hair, parted in the
middle. fell In waves behind tfcr complexion
Is dark and her eyes are black She seemed
embarrassed when she spoke. and held het
arms tight to her sides Ike a school girl read
ing composition.
Miss Oliver arose and said: In order To
srittHmentfj rad ydtf rdis morning. have TO
sny. first, that this whole matter is with the
Lord. My reliance IL on Him alone. Secondly
there is no church orgnniZrtion here NJ pres
ent; the past is pnst. We begin now order
now. and tlse no responsibility for the past. A
Methodist Episcopal church is TO be organized.
and meanwhile thcSe will be- preaching rcgu-
| lrrly, "a sunday school prayer meetings md
obsrrvcd Tliriiy, as 10 fGnrSds'' il m" f"rd's
work is to bc done mere, then II" Will provide
,,he means ioTr, CARRYING i! on. | assume
some Of my business .prinriple-. under
which hayo pro-prr'd: Trssi in God: uover
-pend % dollar until .t- ia your pocket i-cnsa-
most to help yourselves along. The purchase
pr,,ree for ne hniliinS aud opuoiptm.nts .Yns
than religious purposes. TN" bargain has been
bound uy tho payment of Slu1; On May $1,000
~ to bo puld. and is already contributed by
friends, and ;he rrmninior Is lo begin 10 draw
interest on q l. | for six months when IL Will
become iu'. The W""hly receipts must made
to cover expenditures, No wrong or doubtful
understand W'-hp doubtful means are to be
employ j 90 raise the debt. Tho LprI,s house
ia not To ho a house OF mcrchnndi-e. beneve
IN God through the generosity oi His people.
Friends will not be called upon Ca get u! cuter-
minlnenis, fairs shows, or cN. ibitions. II you
want 10 give then give your money. Tut u in
the basket. But you may say that other
churches may want L. help US 10 gcl up fairs
for our benefit. Well. II they do. we shall have
to help them in their fairs and SO we wont gain
anything inthe end.