Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-04-01
REV. DIR. STEPHEN B. BALcH.

Lower Marlboro, Calvert county, Nd.
to assume charge of classical
Philadelphia he found himself short of funds
and alone IN the city. He determined, how
ever. to call for what he needed at the hotel,
and as a last resort to show his testimonials as
an evidence that he was WORTHY to be trusted.
The next morning as he was walking the crowded
street. sad and detected. he noticed person
who seemed to look at him scrutinizingly. and
before he had reached the hotel came up to him,
stating that he a merchant from North
Carolina and Dr. Balch Informed him he had
relatives there. We'll. they have shown me
great kindness lately" said the merchant, "and
perhaps L can paw back some of it by aiding
you" This led DIR. Balch to disclose his need
and the stranger willingly supplied It.
As A MILITIA CAPTAIN.
After assuming charge of the academy on
October 1. 1775, he was appointed captain of
his pupils of age 10 be senrolled in the state
militia. He trained the youths of his company
TO a knowledge of the military exercises that
thew might be ready at any moment to eX-
change their books FOR mussets. and they fol-
lowed him their captain. always breasting
danger where il existed. The field officers I'M
der whom he acted were Maj Patrick smith
and Col Alexander Sommerville of the Mary
land militia His company consisted of be-
tween forty and fifty youths. many of whom
were larger than himself. He on duty and
did service as captain three years and was in
actual service against the enemy from Deem
Der l. l115. to December /. I177. When the
enemy appeared on the shores of the Patuxent
river and Chesapeake bay he would march out
with his company TO assist in re-
pelling them and suffered materially
BY exposure to the night air in that
ChAs. A. Beatty and DIR. Worthington. who
never forgot their old preceptor for grounding
them in the languages. and attended his family
gratuitously for many wears, always declining
compensation when offered He studied divin-
ity at the same time and borrowed books from
the Rev. Thos- Clsgett. who was planter Of
tobacco aNd afterward a bishop. DIR. Balch
was accustomed to relate many anecdotes of
the diocesan5 OF Maryland. They were a CAV
community. The trustees paid him in conti-
mental money. which in a few DAYS was worth
as much TO him as the sands OF the seasho-e.
and he left Calvert county poor as he entered
il and went into Pennsylvania to be licensed by
the Donegal presbytery.
HoMEwARD BOUND.
Six years had elapsed since he left the old
homestead. and south ward he wended his way
Arriving on Tuesday in Georgetown, DC. in
ITS, he was invited TO preach. The only place
OF worship At that time the German Lu-
theran Church. log building located on the
corner OF SD and q streets northwest in
charge Of Rev. Clement Brooke an EPISCOPAL
minister and Col Charles Beatty requested the
pastor To permit Dr. Balch to preach on Thurs
0oy, wnlcn ne Ulu- DclnG urged TO remain
over SUNDAY DR.. Balch preached both morn
ing and evening. The death of his father hav-
ing taken place 1t was natural that he wished to
see his kindred after so long absence and on
reaching North Carolina he found that his
father had oequeathed the whole % his small
fortune 10 his two daughters. except one silver
dollar to each of his six sons. He divided his
dollar between his two sisters. and after linger-
ing awhile IN his old home he went abroad
TO preach among the people OF the
Carolinas and Georgia. In his mis-
sionary tour he experienced rudeness
and many privatiOns more than once among
the tories in the gloomiest period of the revo
luton. HE always endeavored TO soothe the
angry passions that kindled up the flames of In
ternecine strife. and often from the sacred desk
rallied our displrIted troops TO the standard OF
our beloved country against the common foe
He was one night beated III a strange neghbor-
hood and received hospitable welcome IN the
home of Col Williams of South Carolina Be
ing weary he soon retired When Col. Williams
returned home late IN the evening. entering the
room ne said: II must inform you that all ow no
one who is not whig to sleep under nv roof. "
Then let me sleep IN peace. replied DIR. Bach,
"for was educated under DIR. John Wither-
spoon. one of the slgners OF the Declaration of
INDEPENDENCE" On one occa siOn. when his
CONGREGATION was some what divided such was
the state of feeling. that Col. Williams acted az
clerk and read out the hymns. clad in full regi-
menAls, with loaded pistol in his belt and
sword by his side.
pIPAkIURE FOB GEORGETOWN.
Receiving many letters urging him to re-
turn to the town, uninyiting field for his
labors. = mere hamlet then whose chief staple
WA tobacco and warehouses monuments to
the industry OF the inhabitants its chef or
nsments After due consideration he accepted
the call. and resting here from his itineracy
March 10. 17S0, he arose in our midst like q
grand luminary. developing the moral and in
tellectual faculties Of mini Ike unto the sun
which seeks the plant for years hidden by the
,saIwsrt oak that 1t NAV bud and blossom
He preached his first sermon in a small frame
building which was used school house in
the week and as church on the Sabbath
which be had rented for the purpose.
It stood on the north side Of N
street nsar SD, where Cook Jsrboe'l