Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-04-01

carriage factory now stands. Soon after COM
mencing his ministerial labors he succeeded
John Rogers. who taught classical academy
here, among whose pupils were VIM. Writ,
author of the British Spy" and Attorney Gen :
eral of the United States, and Richard Brent,
esquire. once distinguished in the House Of
Representatives. Dr. Balch not only the
pioneer in religion. but Of education, the in
come from the acadeoy supporting him while
he labored to form congregation and erect a
church. and after his first sermon six followers
of Calvin kneit about him in silent prayer and
partook OF the Lords supper. Such was the
beginning of the Presbyterian Church in the
District
HIS MARRIAGE
July 10, 1871, he united in marriage by
Rev. Isaac Stockton Keith to Elizabeth Beall,
the eldest daughter Of George Beall. The cups
used at the wedding we're not much larger than
a thimble. The ladies of Georgetown being
patriotic positively refused to drink tee
during the progress Of the revolution.
His wife was young. beautiful and in
dustrious accomplishing and submissive
in adverse circumstances She reared nine
children. In 1882 he succeeded in raising suf-
ficient funds to erect a church about thirty feet
square on the corner of 30th and streets
northwest, and in 1888 he erected a mansion
which he called Mamre on a round green hill
near the river, on the east side of Duck lane
the canal crosses the street 1t surrounded
by a few cottages. short distance from the
house running brook made its way to the
river. which has long since been hushed.
In 1874 the Rev. DR.. Addison receiving infor-
nation that there were some Episcopal families
in the town. he paid it visit and was invited
by DIR. Balch to hold an Episcopal service in his
church and encouraged him to organize an
Episcopal congregation. and in 1876 Dr. Balch
assisted Dr. Addison in soliciting subscriptions.
and they succeeded in raising 81 500, which
formed a nucleus for the erection of st. Johns
Church. cOrne- of Potomac avenue and o street
northwest. The name of DR.. Balch appears as
a subscriber. and he also assisted in the dedica-
ton of the new church.
few weeks after the death OF his friend
Gen. George Washington. December IA. 1899,
Dr. Balch gave notice that a certain Sab
bath he would speak of his life and services
The people gathered from all the surrounding
country and he preached to more than 900 in
the open air. The text was the last verse of
the tenth chapter of the Book OF Esther For
Mordecai. the jew. was next unto King Ahas-
nerus and great among the Jews and accepted
by the multitude of his brethren, seeking the
wealth of his people and speaking peace to all
his seed"
A TRYING PERIOD.
In 1900. desiring to devote all his time to his
pastoral duties. he corresponded with Rev.
David Wiley. urging him to become his successor
in the academy. which was accepted. From
that year to 1907 was the most irving period In
the old pastors life. He had reinquished his
business of instruction and applied himself to
his duties "a pastor. step he did not take with
out reflection. for he derived from his congre-
CATION bu: meager support. Large sums of
money passed through his hands during his in
cumbency of the classical academy, but he
loved money only for the good it may be made
to accomplish. He was man of lavish gener
osity. and none ever appealed to him for help
or relief that he did not respond, expecting
reward save that which comes to a noble soul
for having helped the helpless. He was con-
tending with multitude of cares Mt a cost
greater than he could well afford. He had in
dorsed the paper of his friend. Rev. David Wiley,
in the Columbian Bank to the extent Of $4,000,
which he had to pay. and his two eldest sons were
ct Princeton College. But his income lay in the
church, which most in his thought and
ever in his sight His property consisted Of
an island in the Potomac river called Patmos.
from which part of the fuel was obtained. and
of Wilberforce. lot of ten acres. which he
had named after the British statesman who had
great agency in abolishing the slave trade on
the coast of Africa. He wrote to Wilberforce
about the honor conferred on him, and the
statesman replied most politely in letter from
his cottage on the Lake of Ullswater. Wilber-
force was but a short walk from the town and
was highly cultivated. The frontage superb.
1t declined from the hills into miniature dales
except his home. His salary from the church
was irregularly paid but his marriage fees were
considerable. Poverty showed among his family
its grim features and the winter of 1904 was q
severe and trying one.
HIS HOME DEsoLATED.
Under the ordinance OF May II, 1899, the
street was graded through the hill on which the
house stood to connect the tobacco warehouse
with the wharves and shipping. The house
divided itself into halves and bricks and mortar
fell into the street. The river was frozen to
thickness of two feet. Horses were galloping
to the merry chimes of the sleigh bells. Happy
BOYS and girls were sleighiug and skating. In
other homes fires were sparkling on the hearths,
but in the old pastors house was the scene Of
desolation and despair and to add to their mis-
cry the larder was empty-a typical home of q
pioneer pastor. The old pastor in his distress
gathered MS family in PRAYER and supplication
to Him who never deserts in time of need when
kind friends came TO his relief, and his wife
was domiciied for this remainder of the winter
with one of his parishioners. NV readers NAV
wonder WHY he did not resume teaching, but
having brought his friend here he was too
honorable to engage In rivalry. But necessity
compelled him to- open a female academy which
was soon filled with pupils. and the situation Of
his family was relieved and the home prospered
Notwithstanding his msfortunes naturally
possessed OF a contented mind-more precious
than gold-he went about town a cheerful
contented and happy man. speaking words Of
good cheer to all he met. irrespective Of creed
or condition. They were all to him as the
children of one great family, having a common
father-God.
BALCH S CLASSICAL ACADEMY
must now return to the academy Of which
be assumed charge in 1850. The curriculum
consisted of Latin. Greek, mathematics
science, surveying and navigation. The acad-
envy was not only patronized by those residing
In the town and vicinity. but by many who re-
sided at distance. whose children boarded
with his parishioners. His friend, Gen. George
Washington. sent his nephews and wards,
George Steptoe and Lawrence Augustine Wash
irgton. children of his brother Samuel, who
died In 1881, to the academy to be educated,
with the request that DIR. Balch receive the
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