The Washington times., 1894-10-29
BAPTIST SOCIAL UNION.
Reception Given City Pastors at Calvary
Church Last Friday Evening.

Reception Given City Pastors at Calvary
Church Last Friday Evening.
The new and commodious Sunday-school
room Of the Calvary Baptist Church was the
scene, on Friday evening last, of one of the
largest gatherings OF local Baptists ever as
sembled in the District, the occasion being a
reception to the city pastors by the Social
Union.
After about an hour spent in social inter-
course in the lecture room, the people re-
paired to the audience room and rapidly filled
all the available space. The singing was led
by Prof LilIebridge. Of the Calvary choir,
ana the prayer was offered by Rev. A. j.
Huntington, D. D., Of the Columbian Uni
versity. Mr.. w. R. Woodward. senior mem
Der of the firm OF Woodward & Lathrop, and
president Of the union opened the meeting
with a few well-chosen remarks in reference
to the objects and purposes OF the organiza-
ton, and then introduced Rev. j. j. Muir. OF
the Street Church. as the first speaker of
the evening
The subject assigned to Mr.. Muir was
Touching hands, which he said ought to
be ''Clasping hands" He favored the hearty
handshake and despised the dudish way of
touching fingers. In the work OF spreading
the great principles that distinguish Baptists
from all other people, he thought that they
shou d march forward, as the ancient Scottish
clans, shoulder to shoulder.
Rev. r. r. West, of the Queenstown Church,
followed with How to promote sociability."
He did not believe sociability was promoted
in any remarkable degree by the church-cor-
ner courting, but thought people should be
governed by some fixed principle in social
matters.
Rev. G. W. Mccullough, in speaking of
"Ihe Tennailytown field" said that that
church was very much alive, active, and ag-
gressive. and reported large number OF ad-
ditions during the past year.
Rev. Green Clay Smith. of the Metropolitan
Church, on How to make the association
interesting" said that its proceedings should
be marked throughout by great faith and
earnestness. and that there should be no
tritling or gabbling.
Rev. Theron Outwater, who was to have
spoken on 1.-The Kendall Chapel field" was
reported to be dangerously sick.
On the subject of ''How to increase at
tendance upon the association" Rev. E. Hez
Sven, of the Second Church, said that pas
tors should we'll advertise it for two or three
weeks previous to the meeting, and that
churches should not select the same members
as delegates year after year.
'sghe Baptist Home" was Rev. w. S. 0.
Thomas theme. He said that childhood and
old age were two periods when one was near
est to God, and gave a condensed history of
the institution. and touchingly spoke OF the
noble charity that prompted the Baptists Of
the District to found this home for the aged.
Rev. Hugh T. Stevenson, of the Anacostia
Church. spoke earnestly of the present con-
dition and of the outlook for the future upon
that field. His church had rapidly increased
in numbers and influence, and two mission
stations had been established.
Rev. @. O. Meador, D. D., who has been
pastor of the Fifth Baptist Church for the
past thirty-eight years, in speaking OF the
early Baptist history in the District" COM
pared the humble beginnings of the several
oldest churches with the present. and told his
audience to fill up the gaps.
Rev. n. G. NayIor designated "The Mary
lond avenue f1eld'' as one of bright prospect
and hoped for great results in the future.
The columbian University" subject was
handled in a mastery manner by Rev. G. A.
Stakely, D. D., pastor OF the First Church
He said that though the university was a
thorough Baptist institution, and while its
success would be an honor and its failure a
disgrace to that denomination it welcomed
pupils and patrons from any and all faiths.
Rev. A. F. Anderson spoke in a happy way
OF "The prospects of Grace Church" He be-
lieved in the church and in the field, but the
encouragement and moral support of the
Baptists of the District was needed.
The final address was delivered by Rev. s..
81. Greene, d. D., of Calvary, on ''The Bap-
tist Social Union,' in which he most elo-
quently urged the claims of the union upon
those Of his hearers who had not as yet be-
come members, and showed the desirabi1ty
of fostering and developing Baptist interests
and promoting fraternity, unity. and denom-
national efficiency at the National Capital.
The audience rose and sang God Be with
You Till We Meet Again." and the benediction
was pronounced by Rev. Z. ". Bliss.