Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-12-23
IN THE CHURCHES.

Our old friend, the grip, no longer fash
ionabie, but still quite as disagreeable. is
paying Washington another visit this year
and is quite as general and indiscriminat-
ing in its attacks as ever. 1t seems, how
ever, to have singled out the preachers as
its particular prey this winter. There are
perhaps round dozen of these good per-
sons suffering from more or less severe at
lacks of the malady, and others who are
just getting well from or just coming down
with it. 1t has fettered the Presbyterian
ministers, somehow or other, especially
strongly, and they are more or less handi-
capped all over the city. Last Wednesday
night invitations were sent to many Pres
byterian ministers to be present at the re-
ception rendered to Rev. Mr. Nerbrycke by
the Gurley Memorial Church and they all
responded. promising to be there. One Of
them came. The others didn't, and it was
learned that DR.. Bartlett, who was to have
delivered the address of welcome, was sick
In bed with the grip. DIR. Bittinger. pastor
of the Westminster Presbyterian Church,
was confined to his home for the same rea-
son, while Dr Kelly of the Fourth Presby-
terrain Church. who had just recovered from
an attack of tonsilitis, was said to have had
relapse. MIR. Verbrycke, even, was feel
ing very poorly Fortunately DIR. 5. h.
Greene, pastor of the Calvary Baptist
BILE and 1t is hoped that with the rest the
attacks will be light, and the unfortunates
soon well.
The Methodist Episcopal Church South is
spreading In this city. The number Of
churches and the membership of that So
c1ety here has never been very large but
WITHIN the past year 1T has increased very
considerably, so that now new church Is
talked OF. There are at present four
churches of that connection in the District,
the Mount Vernon Church, corner of 9th
ana X streets northwest. of which Rev. DR..
l. w. Canter is the pastor; the Grace
Church, corner of 9TH and A streets north
east, Rev. John &. Jones, pastor; the Mount
Ohvet Church, on 9TH street near e street
southwest, Rev. John X. White, pastor; and
the Emery Chapel at Brightwood, of which
Kew. w. M. Waters is pastor. OF all these
churcheS the largest Oldest and richest is
the Mount Vernon Church. which was es-
tabilshed in 1863. From this church the
others have grown, being first started by
establishing them as missions of the home
church. They are all self-supporting now,
but little more, so that the burden of start
ing new church would rest principally
on the members of Mount Vernon Church.
Ihey VIII undertake the matter however,
III the near future, although no plans have
yet been definitely made nor is 1t known
where the new church will be located. The
increasing membership in the society of
the Methodist Church South in this city,
however, will make the step necessary
soon, and will probably result in an easy
accomplishment of the plans
The Epworth League is carrying out an
admirable idea this winter in it's series of
oratorical contests The aims of the league
are to educate in all directions, and as the
art of public speaking is one which is very
commonly neglected nowadays, the leagues
or several of the Methodist churches of the
city have arranged for contests in speak
ing and oratory. Each of the leagues in
this arrangement will, during the winter
or nave already. held contests open to all
or their society. The winners In the con-
tests at each church will later in the wear
meet together and compete in final con-
test. The societies who have taken up
with this idea are those of Douglas Me-
mortal NJ e. Church, corner of 18th and
II streets northeast the Foundry NJ F.
Church, corner of 1ith and G streets north
west; the Waugh NJ. L. Church, corner of
90 atd A streets northeast; the Hamline Nj
n. Shurch. corner of 9th and p streets
northwest; the McKendree Nj. E. Church,
on Massachusetts avenue between etb and
ioth streets northwest, and the MetropoIi-
tan NJ. r.. Church, corner of - and c,
streets northwest. The Foundry Church
heid their contest some time ago and the
waugh Church held theirs last night Much
Improvement has beer made in Speaking
from the result of this scheme already. and
the rivalry caused, although keen. has al
ways been good natured and friendly
Now that Rev. i. c. Brane. the former
pastor CT the Church of the United Breth-
rem In Christ, corner of North Capitol and
StTeets northwest, has babe final fare
well to his flock and gone to Ohio. Rev I
T. Fout will fill his place as the regular
pastor. Mr.. Fout has done most al the
preaching in the church ever since last
S Sa hs put until Mr.: Brane's departure
ne mad not taken fun charge of the work
Rev Mr.. John X. Verbrycke, the new
pastor OF the Guriey Presbyterian Church
VIII preach for the first time tomorrow
last Wednesday night he was much nieasad
Win the people and they were much plea g.
ed with him. He is for the present stavins
Win Win MS father-in-law, Or. Thomas g
Cbnroh pastor OIL the Eastern Presbyterian
Inurcn, whose home is on Capitol tiilI
statue of st. Anthony and a nair of
patent candelabras have been donata1 ~,
Two generous ladies to the Church of the
streets northeast. ~
special services have been carried on
every evening of the past week by the ma g
Tor OF the North Capitol Methodist Episco-
pa pai, Snurch, ReV. Charles o. Cook. at his
church, on the corner of North Capitol and
X streets northwest He has been assisted
by number of workers from the I,ucv
webb Hayes Bible School, by ladies from
the Deaconess Home and by others
A financial and spiritual rally was held
all last Sunday at the Mount Zion Metho-
dist Church, on 10Th street northwest Adj
dresses were made at the several services
Dy rev; w. L. u. Clemon. ID. D.. Rev. E.
w. ). Peck, ID. D., and Rev. Henry A. Car
roll, the pastor
The Bible readings by ~ Funk, the evan.
gelist or the Cniversalist Church, have at
tracted great many people. On last Mon.
day night he was at Haines' Hall in Ana
costa, and drew out a large crowd of all
kinds and colors of people
Rev. Father Jones will celebrate Christ.
mas masses at the Providence Hospital
and Prof. Joyce will render a cornet solo,
"Adeste F'ideles."
On Christmas day a magnificent gold
chalice, made of precious metals, contrib
uted by the congregation. will be used for
the first time at St. Patrick's Catholic
Church, corner of 10th and G streets north
west. The chalice Is a beautiful work of
art adorned with diamonds, pearls anne
thysts. rubies and other precious stones
pleted, and adds materially to its beauty
The societies of this parish will meet to.
morrow night in the church hall, to ar
range for attending the ceremonies In con.
nection with the laying of the corner stone
of st. Paurs Catholic Church Sunday
December 81.
T. F. Chambers. an old member OF Cal
vary Baptist Church. who has since grad
uated from Rochester University. will
preach in that church on Sunday. Deem
Der 81.
The affairs Of ST. AIovsus' Roman Catho
lie Church. corner Of North Capitol and
streets northwest. will be elahoratelv decor
ated for Christmas. Over the high altar
will be the words GLORIA in Excelsis Deo
composed Of 1000 lights.
Bishop Peterkin and Bishop Talbert will
sneak at the Ascension Protestant Fpiscopa
Church, corner of 10Th street and Massa
chusetts avenue. during January. Bishor