The state journal. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1883-1885, 1884-01-12
Our Churches.
SOMETHING ABOUT PASTOR, CONGRE-
CATION, SUNDAY SCHOOL AND
CHURCH WORKERS.

Wesley Union A. M Z, Zion
Church is located on the corner OF
South street and Tanners avenue,
Rev. z 7. Pearsall, pastor, and is
probably the wealthiest colored church
in the city. Besides possessing
handsome church property, it owns
Lincoln Cemetery, of about eight
acres, located at Granville, on which
is a handsome house for the sexton. 1t
also owns West Harrisburg Mission,
located in Marion street. This
church has been laboring for the
last FIVE or six years under an
internal dissension among its men,
bers, which has at times threat
ened to sever the church. Every
minister coming here for the last five
years has been harassed with this
matter, and the prospects of it being
settled, is as remote now as it ever
was. j. Q. Adams has been one of the
bones of contention, and IS long as
Mr.. Adams, with his egotistic ideas,
thinks he is indispensable to the sup
port and welfare Of this church, and
that he is an important shining light,
around which lesser lights must
"douse their glim," so long will this
intestine war continue, to the detri-
ment of the church and community.
Among the active workers of the
church, are Samuel Hall, Samuel Ben.
nett, Henry Marshall, Hamilton How
ard, Mrs. Jane Burke, Mrs A. Z.
Amos, Mrs. George W. Thomas, and
many others,
Few people who have visited Har-
risburg have missed hearing Wesley
Choir. The organization is under the
conductorship of Prof. Samuel M.
Bennett, and is, perhaps, one of the
best church musical organizations in
the State. Its reputation is world
wide, and it improves with the times,
numbering among its selections the
choicest and newest music of the best
masters. The conductor, S. nj. Ben
nett, is an accomplished musician,
and is ably assisted by Mr.. Geo. W.
Thomas sopranos, Mrs. G. NJ, Robin
son, Kate Scott, Rebecca Burton
contraltos, Mrs. Lizzie Cole, Katie
Robinson, Mamie Harley; tenors, JOS.
G. Pope', Geo, w. Scott; baritone,
John p. Scott bassc, George w.
Thomas. The Sunday school, under
the SUPPLEMENTARY of Jos. b. Popel,
is in a prosperous condition, and only
needs the hearty cooperation of the
church to remain SO. The Teachers
Literary Association is an adjunct of
Wesley Church, and was last season
under DR.. Thompsou's pastOrate; an
excellent and ereditable affair. This
year, however, 1t has suffered from
lack of leadership, and has fallen back
to second place, having lost much of
the interest which the more intelligent
took in it formerly. The desire to
have the former President, j. 81.
Howard, take charge Of the Literary
again, was disclosed by his election
Immediately upon the resignation of
Rev. Piersall, who has held the office
since the reorganization last year.
Mr.. Howard will not accept, however,
as his business requires too much Of
his time, and the Office is too unap-
preciative, besides he would not have
the support he had last year, and the
| task in rebuilding is harder one
than to build new. Rev. Y. T. Pear
| sails time will expire in May, and
| whether he will return here is not yet
known; he is well liked by the men,
| beers and gives general satisfaction.
Next week we will speak Of Bethel
Church, its pastor and Sunday. school.