National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-06-12

high school In Philadelphia, and the other
in this city. Mr.. Alexander was called to
the pastoral charge Of the Second Baptist
Church Of Washington at time when
there was but two colored Baptist churches
In the District of Columbia. He built the
church for the Second Baptist congre.
grafton, and assisted them In paying for 1t.
In 1858 Rev. DIR. Geo. w. Sampson, then
president of the Columbian College, and
Rev. DR.. Stephen p. Hill induced him to
go to Georgetown and try to build B!ap.
Us, list. church %a ,oun there Int GpOn g GI1g
10 begin with. Collins Williams and
his wife, Betsey Williams. With this small
contingent he worked and preached, often
preaching to only three or four persons,
until Oct. 8, 1869, when Rev. DR.. Sampson
called council, organized the First Bap-
fist Church Of Georgetown, and the Rev.
Mr.. Alexander was then called to take the
pastoral charge. The cornerstone OF the
present church was laid In July, 1889, aud
since that time the church has been built
and paid for. Deeds OF release have been
given canceling the deeds OF trust, and the
entire church property is now free OF debt
The membership Of the church has increased
from to over 700. Rev. Mr.. Alexander
has also built four other churches, assisted
in paying for them until now they are all
out OF debt. He has also organized three
other Baptist churches from the First Bap-
tist Church. and ordained three persons to
the,work of the gospel ministry who now have
prominent churches and are all doing well.
In 1871, Mr.. Alexander was chosen chap
lain Of the senate OF the District of Column
bia and served out his term, receiving com
plimentary notices at the close from Mr.:
Stckney, the president of the senate, and
from Hon. Frederick Douglass for the
earnest and faithful manner in which he
had discharged his duties. He was also en-
ployed In the dead letter division OF the
| Postofllce Department for nineteen years
| and seven months, and In July, 1871, was
| transferred to the patent office department
where he remained until June s, 1886, when
| he voluntarily resigned, and In the dis
charge of all his public duties he has been
ever faithful and true. In accepting his
resignation the deputy commissioner Of
| patents says, "In all cases you have con-
| Quoted yourself in such manner as to win
my entire appreciation and esteem, and
merit the good opinion OF all who admire
competency, integrity, and worth In the
administration OF the departments OF the
| government"
The great success that has attended his
labors has been incomprehensible to many.
| But possessing, as he does, good executive
| ability, good Judgment, and being good
4 teacher withal, he has been enabled to ac'
complish much for the good OF his fellow
| men and for the cause OF religion ana mo-
rality. Whenever he has desired to raise
| money for his church or to assist other
| churches 1t was always his custom to head
| the list with contribution for himself and
for each member Of his family, and then,
| appealing to his congregation and friends,
| he was able to raise the required amount, and
oftentimes more than he had been asked for.
| On the second Sunday in May, 1885, he asked
for 81, 900, and his congregation responded
by giving him 81 ,02O. On the second sun
| day in May, 1886, he asked for 81 900 more,
and the church gave him collection OF
| 81, 213.29 being the largest amount ever
| raised by any one church In the District In
| one day. Mr.. s. ii. Loman, the efficient
church clerk, has greatly aided the pastor
by the very able manner In which he has
kept the church records In regard to III
| financial affairs.
The Sunday school OF the First Baptist
Church is In good:conditlon, with mem
bersLip of 800, with library of $50 vol
umes, including Appleton's Encyclopedias
of II volumes. The school has IL teachers
with handsome banner for each class. Mr.
8. III. Lomax is the superintendent. and al
the officers and teachers take great interes
In the school. The church has also flu
organ and good choir under the leader
ship of Mr.. X. Parrot, and with Mr.. VIM
IL. Brown as organist. Rev. Sandy Alex
ander is the Oldest minister In point OF ser
vice in the District, and the great success
of his labors well account for his faithful
ness. The following are the officers OF to-
church at this time Deacons--Charles Law
son, Robert Gilmore, Robert Jackson, Ei
ward Palm, jackson Jones, George Wash
ingtou, Cary Thompson. Trustees-rhorn
ton Peyton, VIM IL. Brown, Thomas Page
Thomas Henderson, and NJ. d. Howard
Sunday school officers and teachers-S. II
LomaX, superintendent; Mercer Alexander
organist; Levi Finney, assistant; teachers
r. d. Ruflln, Lindsey Cain, Mrs. NJ, l.
Brown, Mrs. Il. Thomas, Mrs. NJ: Jordan
Miss ID. Tucker, Miss Mercer Alexander
Miss s. Easley, Miss 4. Harris, Miss NJ
| AInnyn Nfi1ctaod