National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-05-08

$153 contributed for charitable and mis-
sionary purposes, 81 persons received by
baptism, and persons by letter. AT night
short sermon was delivered by the pastor
TO very large congregation, and then fol-
lowed a general praise meeting. Quite
handsome sum was collected during the
day. The church is out Of debt, aud now
has membership Of 455 and a Sabbath
school Of 1876.
This church was organized In 1868 by the
late Rev. George w. Parker, under whose
care II grew to be one OF the leading
churches In Alexandria. Rev. Wesley II
Graham was born May 10, 1858, in Scott
county, Mississippi, and was a slave to NJ.
ID. Graham, who now lives in the same
county. AT the age Of he learned to make
his letters by watching his young master
playfully making the alphabet upon the
ground. ll..-... ..t
After the emancipation Wesley Graham's
parents emigrated TO Hardtnan county,
Tenn, where they lived upon the farm for
two years. When the "crops were laid by"
for two months Wesley was allowed 20 walk
four miles daily to private school taught
by cripple, Prof. Charles Martin, In Boil
liver, Tenn.
BY reason OF the threats of wicked ''night
rlders' In Tennessee, In 1871 Wesley's
parents once more emigrated to Lee county,
Ark. There they found the much needed
rest, and are now living upon 260. acres Of
the finest cotton and corn land to be found
In that county. Being tired Of farm life,
Wesley left home at the age of ID, and In
1874 tried town life In Forest City, Ark.
Soon he failed, and went back to the farm,
thence TO the stave yard, and again to the
brick yard, In town. In 1876 his health
failed him on the farm. He was taken in q
barber shop as an apprentice, soon learned
the trade, and became the favorite hair cut
ter to Hon. Poindexter Dunn. congress.
man from that district, -
When 10 years old he Joined the Baptist
| church, when Is he was calle1 to the min
| lstry, and when 20 he entered by appoint
ment the state normal college, under Prof.
j. G. Corbin, In Pine Bluff, Ark, remaining
| under this accomplished instructor three
| years. He taught school In st. Francis and
| Jefferson counties, and during the vacation
| at Pine Bluff, Ark, and was pastor Of the
Second Baptist Church Of the same city.
In the fall OF 1881 he entered Wayland
| Seminary, graduating In 1888. A few days
before he delivered his graduating speech
| in Calvary Baptist Church, on Eighth street,
| he received unanimous call TO become the
| pastor OF the church at Alexandria. He
| found a debt OF nearly $1,000 hanging over
the church, but In five months the entire
| debt was paid off. The whole church
| property has been repaired and renovated
| anu tuo Whoic pariou pfeoeuse u Pictufe VI
Rev. MI. Graham and Miss Josie R
| Shields, also a graduate and classmate al
Wayland, were married in this city March
| 1884, and while he breaches the gospel sue
| cessfully,' she plays the organ for the
church, and is also teacher in the Sabbath
| school,.
| The officers of the-church are: Deacons,
| Joseph Bolts, Walter Barbour, G. G. Jack
son, Fairfax jackson, George Lane, Rober
Taylor, and George Martin; trustees, Rev
NJ. ID. Williams, Rev. A. White, Davit
Lucas, ana Joseph Bolts. Owing to thu
expressed sympathy and diligent co-opera
ton Of the officers, the pastor has been en-
abled at all times to have full knowledge o
the affairs and status Of his parish.
The choir, led by Prof. Frye, is always
ready TO meet the tastes of the music-lovinl
part Of the congregation.
The Sabbath school, under the efllcien
superintendency Of the young merchant
John @. Crigler, is in most healthy con
dillon. In his work Mr.. Crlgler is assisted
by an able corps of teachers: Misses Ell
Page, Norah Collins, Mary Payne, Susi
Bucker, Mrs. Matilda Campbell, w. Z
Graham, Elizabeth jackson, Mr.. Washing
ton jackson, Mr.. Ware, formerly Of TIL
| city postofilce, and several others.