The Washington times., 1894-11-11
CHURCHES OF WASHINGTON
The Work Done bY Mt. Vernon Place
Methodist Episcopal South.
GROWING CONGREGATION
It Has Already Established Two Branches.
Is Starting Third, and Wants Fourth
The 81. Johannis German Evangelical
Lutheran Chnrch-services in German.

F"We are growing so rapidly that we win
have to look up another good place for
mission" said Rev. Isaac n. Canter, pastor
Of the Mount Vernon Place Methodist EpiscO-
pal Churcl South. in conversation with a
TINES representative. eve already have
started two branches which are now flourish
ing churches, Epworth IN East Washington
and Marvin in South Washington. The third
branch is being started at Del Ray. the
suburban town between Washington and
Alexandria. month ago we organized
sunday-schooI in the dining room Of Isaac
D. Arnold, member Of Mount Vernon
Church, living there. We now have a school
OF forty-four and congregation that fills the
house. We have preaching every Sunday at
$50 p. N. Brothers Stier, Brilla and Thors-
sen are assisting the pastor. The prospect
Is that we will nave q church uD by Christ
mas. The bricks are being hauled now for
the foundation, and work will be commenced
al once.
'-Of course L will keep in the pastoral work
but the church viii be put in charge OF one Of
the local preachers OF whom / have quite a
number IN Mount Vernon place congrega-
uon. Notwithstanding all this we arc
crowded and must have, as / said before an
outlet for our energies. The Del Ray branch
will be OF our hands before we know il and a
hourishing congregation OF itself. We want
the fourth branch and we VIII have il. There
is nothing like mission work OF this kind to
keep the interest il the church going. "
A POPULAR PASTOR.
Mr.. Canter is finishing his second year as
pastor of Mount Vernon Place Church and IS
greatly beloved by his congregation. He is a
fine example Of the Virginia gentleman and
Sc oil f7f4r
feel at home and is also able 10 arouse them
10 their best efforts. He was born in
Frederick county. Virginia. in 1ss3 and was
educated in the academies OF his own and ad-
joining counties finishing his course at
Washington and Lee University he entered
the Baltimore Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church South. and he has filed ap-
pOintments at HGrrisonBurg. Leesburg, Fred
ericksburg, and WarrentOn. Virginia. Calvary
Emanuel, North Baltimore and 81. PaUl's
Churches in Baltimore, and has been pre-
siding elder Of the East Baltimore district
The Baltimore Conference meets in Mount
Vernon Place Church in March and imme6-
lately after Christmas preparations viii be
made to receive and entertain the 200 minis
tiers who will be present
The Methodist Episcopal Chur South was
organized in this CITY in 1850. The c0ugrega-
ton bought and worshiped in a little chapel
on Eighth street northwest, now the property
OF the Washington Hebrew Association. Dur
1ng the war the congregation Worshiped in
frame chapel on nj street. near Ninth street.
which afterwards became the property Of the
Vermont Avenue Christian Church and was
the same chapel in which President Garfield
worshiped.
Mount Vernon Place Church was organized
in 1863. and has now one Of the largest con-
RregatiOns in the city. The membership is
between 800 and 800. notwithstan4 ling the
fact that two Of the other churches of this de-
nomination i'm fine eitr- draw larrraIv- from
con regGtion when they were organized. The
church is free from debt. is generous IN Civ
tng. and is always glad to welcome strangers.
The Trustees are James ". Barker. 4. J.. john
son, Jesse ID. Wilson, 4. II. Follin. J. Z.
Baird. DR.. Hammet Barker and l. IJOhu-
son. The stewards are J. w. Barker A. L.
johnson, j. NJ. Follin. c. ID. Bulia j. r.
Eague, J. u. Baird. Clarendon Smith. sam
uel Blackwell. DR.. Frank Hyatt Isaac Bus
sey, William James, Z. A Ster, w. ". MILAN,
and George Deltrick.
IN TIE sUNDAv-scHooL.
The Sunday-school is larger than it has
ever been in the history Of the church. mum
Bering about 400. Rev. t. a. stier is super
intendent, and is assisted by faithful corps
Of officers and teachers. Henry Knowles is
the secretary; J. E. Baird, the treasurer. and
Miss Annie Walker, the superintendent Of the
infant department. The school has a large
library. which is under the management of
j. nj. Follin. librarian, assisted by Thomas
Murray. Lee Williams, Howard Barker and
Howard Wilson. The school meets at $50
O'Clock each Sunday morning. and the
services are those Of other schools Of the
same denomination.
The officers the church and school, how
ever. do not believe in offering prizes, and
having a roll OF honor. thinking it better 10
let the work Of the school be so interesting
aH..-A l. F.. -HE
being made TO more thoroughly interest the
parents, and in this way enlarge the field Of
usefulness.
The young people Of the church have q So
ciety OF Christian Endeayor which meets
every Sunday evening. Ii isone of the largest
societies IN the city and is doing 2 great
work. Mr Henry Knowles is president. Some
day this society viii be merged into a chapter
Of the EpWOnh League. At the meeting Of
the general conference Of the Methodist EBis-
copM Church South. held last May it was
decided that this denomination should have
chapters Of the Epyorth League ia its various
churches. Before this there was no iegis.a-
tion on this subject, and some of the churches
instituted societies OF Christion Endeavor. 1t
is not deemed advisable IN such cases TO
make the change at once though is viii be
done gradually. The Junior Society Of
Christian EndeavOr meets every Friday at
p. m, and Is led by Miss Anna Walker. This
strumental in a number OF conversions.
THE MISSIONARY SOCIETIES.
There are three missionary societies which
are each doing q good work The Woman's
Missionary Society, with fifty members. meets
the first Tuesday Of each month at 2 p. N.
Mrs Elizabeth Moses is president. The meet
ing are seasons Of spiritual profit and Joy. Juv-
emile Missionary Society meets twice q month
on Sunday afternoons. A large number OF
children attend and the exercises are con
Quoted by Mrs. Lima Robinson. the president.
Miss Mae Petty is president Of the Parsonage
ard Home Missionary Society, which meets
monthly. one hour before prayer-meetinc. on
Thursday evenings. The annual meeting
which was held recently in the church. was a
most pleasant occasion.
One Of the most important societies is the
Ladies' Aid. 1t looks after the furnishing OF
the parsonage and does its duties well. There
are forty members and each contributes 10