Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-07-24
The Christian Church.
CONDITION OF THE BUILDING FUND.- PROPOSED
THANKSGIVING OFFERING = THE CHURCH IN
WHICH THE PRESIDENT woRSHIPS

CONDITION OF THE BUILDING FUND-A PROPOSED
THANKSGIVING OFFERING THE CHURCH IN
WHICH THE PRESIDENT woRsHIPs.
The building committee of the Vermont ave-
nue. Christian church-Messrs. W. S. Roose. H.
Clay Stier, A. X. Tingle, j. F. Saum and +. d.
Power-have addressed circular to the various
churches of the Disciples throughout the coun-
try, which, after quoting articles from the Chris
tidn Standard and the Evangelist, says:
in harmony with the above suggestions from
brethren outside of Washington. we make this
appeal. So far. toward the erection of a suit
able house of worship in this city, We have S16-
Coo IL is our desire to build such house as
will accommodate our increasing congregations
and fairly represent our brotherhood at the cap
ital of the nation. To do this not less than $40
600 mere is needed. The President is regular
and devout worshiper with US. The church the
President attends is the church of the strangers
visiting Washington from all parts of our couu-
try and from foreign lands. and thus We have
large opportunities to present the Gospel to the
people. In the providence of God the President
has just been delivered from the very gates of
death. 1t was the purpose of the assassin to :
strike him while worshiping in the house of God
We would give an offering of thanks for this
deilvelance, and commemorate Gods signal
mercy in the escape of our brother from the as
sassns blow by the erection of a house of wor-
ship in Washington, to be known as The Memo
rial Christian Church. Will you join us in this
effort, and at your meeting the second Lords
day in August, or your first regular meeting
thereafter, take such subscriptions and collec-
tions as the people may be willing to give? Re-
mlttances can be made, by postal order or draft
on New York, to J. F. Saum, treasurer. Soi Lou
isiana avenue. or F. d. Power. pastor, 1921 Cor
cOran street. Washington. De-
The following circular was issued from Chica-
go on the 7th inst. To The Christian Brother
hood: You will bear with us in the suggestion
we are about to make, which has no doubt
already occurred to many of you. and to which
we now beg leave to invite the attention of the
others. The treasurer of the Washington city
church fund has Just submitted statement of
the condition of that fund, in which it appears
that our contributions have so far been shame
fully meagre. We have been slow to enter the
open door, which God in his providence set be-
fore us, and which was SO nearly closed again.
and forever, by the aSsassns hand. Tis said
that blessings brighten as they take their
flight, and never did our opportunity seem SO
did our want of zeal and liberality, and appre-
citation of great trust, appear SO utterly mex
cusable as when God seemed hiding his face
from u.s. But the great opportunity so nearly
removed is here in its fullness again-the door
almost closed is once more set wide open before
us. God has heard the prayers of his people,
and has given back to rs the life of our beloved
President and brother. James A. Garfield. 1t is
fitting that we should render thanksgiving to
God for this signal display of his goodness and
power And what more appropriate expression
of gratitude could we give than to build at the
national capital a memorial church in commemO-
ration of his mercy in restoring to us this great
and good man? And in order that we may act
unitedly in this great interest, We would sug-
gest the second lords day in August be set
aside as day of thanksgiving to God and that
on that day collection be taken and pledges be
received for the Washington church fund our
offerings to be an expression of our gratitude to
God, and the church we build a memorial of his
mercy. John TAFT, L. S. Major, MD. James
McElroy, John W. Allen, Melvin Mckee, D. S.
Mugridge, E. B. Stevens.
The slow responses received to the appeal
made last winter is accounted for on the ground
of the severity of the winter. The greater part
OF the membership Of the Christian church in
this country is in the west The severe weather
made personal communication difficult The
organs of the denomination very heartily COM
mend the scheme of making a Thanksgiving
offering towards the erection of this church