National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-04-19
REV. WILLIAM T. rRELE.

Congregational Church Of Washington,
ID. G. On Friday, Nov. 4, the church was
regularly received into the family of Con-
gregational churches, and the pastor, Rev.
VIM. T, Peele, regularly ordained to the
ministry and installed as pastor, the cere-
mony being performed at the First
Congregational Church; the ordination
prayer and laying on Of hands by
Rev. DIR. Holmes. OF Baltimore, assisted
by Rev. Drs. Patton, Rankin,and Hicks, and
Rev. s. p. Smith; the charge to the pastor
by Rev. DR.. Patton, and sermon by Rev. DIR.
Rankin. The church was received into. the
Association Of Congregational Churches Of
New Jersey at their fourteenth annual
meeting held in this city on the 18th, 10th,
and Goth of April, 1882. They have at pres
ent a membership Of 206, and a Sunday
school Of 14O, with an average attendance
of so. They have purchased and paid for
number of books for the use OF the Sunday
school, and an organ for the church and
Sunday school.
They have also well-organized volun-
tary choir, led by Mr.. John w. Bailey.
The pastor is now paid q regular salary,
and the new church building Is elected on
a beautiful lot at the southeast corner OF
Seventeenth Ond streets. The lot cost
$500. The church building and lot cost
$4,000, of which $1,000 has been paid,
leaving balance Of $1,000, which will be
paid Off as fast as possible. During the
last eighteen months over 5000 has been
raised. The pastor, Rev. VIM. I. Peele,
was born In this city In 1913, has lived here
all his life, and was educated In the public
schools Of the city. About twenty years
ago he was converted, and connected him
self with Union Bethel Church. and COM
menced at once upon an active Christian
life. Was elected superintendent of the
Sunday-school soon afterwards, and the
following year was appointed leader Of the
preachers class. About O year later he was
made local preacher, and continued Us such
until the separation from that church. He
was an active member Of the Young Mems
Christian Association, and labored earnestly
and devotedly in that field until he was
elected pastor of his present church.
The following are the officers OF the
church and Sunday school at this time:
Pastor, Rev. VIM. 7. Peele; clerk, William
Freeman; treasurer, Frederick Mason;
deacons, Frederick Mason, Thos. w. Dyson,
Thomas Washington, Isaiah Berry, N. M.
Cole, and r. II. Thomas; standing COM
mlttee, Stafford Payne, w. II. Brashearns,
with pastor and deacons; class leaders, the
pastor, l. Berry, and T. W. Dyson; superin-
tendent of Sunday school, Warren G. Fear
ing; assistant, Rev. w. I. Peele; secretary,
Miss Lizzie Morton; treasurer, Miss Sarah
Jones; librarian, Charles Lee.
Yesterday morning at IL o'clock the new
church was dedicated to the service Of God,
according TO the ritual OF the Congrega-
tional Church. The church is handsome
brick building OF an imposing character,
finished ON the inside with native woods.
A number OF visiting clergymen were pres
ent at the dedicatory services. Among
them Rev. DIR. Rankin, Patton, Craighead,
and Revs. MIR. Chickenng, Moore, and
Wittlesey.
The dedication sermon was preached by
the Rev. DR.. Rankin, OF Orange Valley, NJ.
j., from Hebrews, xlii;2. The subject was
"Ifospitality in the House of God" The
reverend speaker saidi "Were there no ex-
press declaration that God Is love, the Bible
Is full of the proof OF it, Love is tender
ness toward others in their need of love. II
there ia class or condition of humanity
that for their loneliness, sorrow, or sin need
God, Hewants to find them. There is moth
ing more precious to man than his identity.
But the son OF man is willing TO lose his
identity with those that are ahungered,
thirsty, imprisoned, strangers here, The
earth is land of hospitality. 1t Is the first
instinct Of the Oriental mind. Abraham
sits In his tent door and three shiyering ones
are drawing near. lie makes them his
guests. Thereby some have entertained
angels unawares,' In His own house God
Is the host.n The provisions of the sanctu-
airy, the house itself, is Gods. 1t has never
been dedicated to God. II is a meeting
house for Gods people; II is also meeting
house where they meet God. Dr. Bushnelps
description of an old New England church
was here quoted. Continuing, he said, in
dispensing the Inequalities Of His house,
Gods people are His representatives. 1t Is
their great function to unite others to His
house and give them welcome there. No
house OF God will run itself, any more than
n mans own house, The church officers
4 are TO the church Just what the officers OF
4 an army are TO that army. The Saviour
says ~ have called you friend" God as