Omaha daily bee., 1889-04-28
AMONG THE CITY CHURCHES.
What Is Being Done in Local Re-
igious Circles.
BUILDING AND PROGRESSING.
Meetings Held For the Purpose of
Furthering the Cause-Every
Sect Busy in Good
Work.
BUILDING AND PROGRESSING
Religious Notes.

The quarterly meeting of the First Baptist
church was held Wednesday night, at which
the treasurer submitted report for the past
three months. The report showed the church
Before the session adjourned A. S. Churchill
was elected a deacon to fill vacancy, which
occurred some time ago.
The officers of the First Baptist Sunday
school were rendered a reception Friday
night by Superintendent M. G.. Macleod at
the residence of j. o. Staples, 250S Cass
street.
Members of the First Baptist church are
making great preparations for an entertain
ment that will be called ''Children's Day."
1t will be held at the church Sunday. June g.
1t will consist OF recitations, songs and ad-
dresses, the latter by the pastor and super
intendent, The greater portion of the enter
tainment will be devoted to the children.
The proceeds will go to the American Bap-
tist Publication society as benefit.
Considerable dissatisfaction is manifest on
the awarding of the contract for the con-
struction of the new First Methodist church,
which will be erected at cost of 1900 at
the corner of Twentieth and Davenport
streets. Bids for the construction were
opened week ago at the architects Office
Six prominent and responsible contractors
and bidders were invited to file estimates
and proposals for the erection of the church
This was asked for by the building commit
tee. Half dozen of the contractors and q
few alternates put in bids. The low
est among them was Martin I. Muir
81, 900 under that of tho next lowest bidder,
who was II. Stevens. Mr.. Stevens was
awarded tine contract at $500. This is
where the trouble lies Murphy's bid was
$53, 600, and there are some who claim that
he should have been given the contract The
reason given for Mr.. Stevens getting the
work is that he is "a member of the First
Methodist church, and was given the prefer
ence on that account S. L. Joslyn, of the
same denomination, stated that he regretted
the way in which the trouble had arisen,
but was positive that no influence was
brought to bear on Stevens con-
nection with the church, more
than he would be personally interested in
the work of constructing the edifice and for
that reason his bid would be the cheapest in
the end. He knew Murphy was nearly &, 900
lower, but thought Stevens could save more
than that amount in material to be used in
the church. When the building committee
invited proposals there was no assurance
whatever that the lowest bidder would be
awarded the contract, but, at the same time,
the builders presumed that the lowest one
would get it, Different architects Claim that
Murphy Is just as responsible and as capa-
bic as any contractor in the city,
SnS know now 0v he hs says was he ayaaS waass to
bid if the committee had no confidence in
him. He had to put in two or three days
figuring on the plans, for which he received
no compensation. For this work he would
not have objected had he not have been enti-
tied TO the contract. With all the dIssatis-
faction there is no remedy now. The con.
tract is beyond redemption. 1t is signed and
Stevens is the man who will build the
church.
Several rehearsals for the grand war song
concerts, which will 6e given at the Grand
opera house May 10 and IL, have been held
during the past week. The concerts will be
for the benefit of the First Methodist
church, and the money realized from it will
go into a fund for the purchase OF large
pipe organ for the new church. II will be
one of the grandest concerts ever given in the
city. There will be 200 male voices, and q