The Washington times., 1894-08-12

while the number of pew holders. attendants,
| and strangecs WHO have worshiped there
would run into some thousands more. In this
number there have been noble men and
women, whose prominence In churcn and
state, in the liberal professions, and IN the
educational and beneficent labors OF the
times has been conspicuous and whose light
has shone afar among the nations.
In the earlier history OF the first Presby-
terian Church, the population in the vicinity
was scanty but as the city increased other de-
nominations began to occupy the ground.
Not only have Protestants and Catholics
multiplied their churches in the immediate
vicinity, bur since the founding of the First
church no less than sixteen Presbyterian
churches have been established at the Capital
in almost all of which, as well as in others
outside the District of Columbia, there are
active members whose names were onco upon
the roll OF the first church, while many others
have died.
There are no accurate means Of ascertain
ing the amount of money invested in and ex-
pended by this church from the period of its
organization to the present time and derived
from its members and friends. both home and
foreign. hut the aggregate is believed to be
nearly 5000, 200.
FOUNDING OF THE sUNDAY-scHooL.
The Sunday-school was founded in April,
the present day During the first twelve years
the work was conducted under the auspices of
a church association. and resulted in the es-
Enlistment OF six other schools in different
sections of the city. Their report in 1881
showed list OF 81 teachers. many of whom
were from other churches, and 669 scholars
From that date each church began to do its
own work and the First church was thrown
more completely on its own resources. But
there was no tagging in the school or in the
missionary work
In 1912 the Juvenile Missionary Society
was formed and gave support to the colpor-
teur OF the American Tract Society till 1857.
when it was determined to employ city
missionary and devote the school offerings to
the mission work at home. The title then
became The Sabbath School City Missionary
Society" In connection with the mission
work of this society weekly cottage prayer
meetings have been maintained in South
Washington and mothers meeting during
the winter months.
In addition to these enterprises the ladies
OF the church have an association styled the
Ladies' Benehcent Society,"" with the pur-
pose of rendering aid TO the church and in
other directions for worthy and commendable
objects. A prominent feature is the social
gathering at private houses to promote ac-
quaintance with new comers Their financial
ladies have also two other organizations-the
senior and junior-for home and foreign
missions and they are likewise represented
in similar societies of the Presbytery and
Synod.
number of the ladies are also interested
in the direction of Christian benetcence
and charity. as in the Mccall Mission, the
Italian Mission. the Protestant Orphan Asy-
lum. the Woman's Christian Home, the News
boys Home, the Washington Hospital and
various other organizations. During the
past few years the Young Peoples Society of
Christian Endeavor has been doing a good
work, with a brighter promise even for the
future. There is also boys club. and the
Brotherhood Of st. Andrew and Philip.
In the earlier periods Of the First Church
there was more of practical union with other
churches N the vicinity than at the present
time and perhaps there Was no more conspic-
nous example Of this than the annual process
sions of the Sabbath-schools and the great
which they gathered in the
open air. But with the rapid changes here in
recent years the forms of Christian union are
now seen in the Pastors Alliance, the Bible
cause. the Sabbath School Union. the Young
Mems Christian Association. the Central
Union Mission, and the Societies of Christian
Endeavor.
From the founding of the church to the
present time. it has been the resort more or
less of distinguished persons in public and
private life. some of whom have been identi-
fed with ii as members or communicate. and
some through members of their families Ii
IS impossible 10 estimate the influence ex-
erted by the First church through the stir
ring decades OF the past by being brought in
ouch with so many of the great characters
hat have moved upon this theater of events.