The Washington times., 1894-10-21

sAEEA4lE LAAEB--ll 4-lAcl-sAs-A : 1D4-4eas
''This church IS managed Just as large
mercantile establishment would be, - said Rev.
Dr. Newman, in speaking OF his charge, the
First Congregational Church, corner Of G and
Tenth streets northwest. The trustees are
most careful in their management Of affairs.
They hold monthly meetings, everything goes
through their hands and is examined Just the
sameas uuaecount oiany kind would be in bust
ness life. Then ourd doors are wide open always.
We werelhe arst church to be thrown open to
the salvation Army. and most large religious
gatherings are held inside our walls. We wei
come al. and the more they come the more
welcome they are.
DR.. Newman is finishing his tenth year
rs pastor Of this church. and if the affection
OF ms large congregation We're the Cniy
requisite many more ten years would roll
around and ind him stiu occupying the pull
pit He is just home from his three months
vacation. and is rested and eager Tor the
winters work. He lately joined the Maine
Association, Just formed N this city, and tins
ls proof that he comes from that tar Northern
=
cessiul school teacher, and il 1867 he grad
uatei from BOwd0ln College with the first
LonOrs Of MS class. Four years later he had
finished his course AT AndOyer and was called
10 Broadway Church, Eaut0n, Mass. For
seven years he ives pastor OF this church. and
during part OF the time served as q member
OF the board OF education OF Iaulgn. In 1873
he was called 70 the pastCrate Of the college
church OF MpCn. WIS. and served there
seven years. Daring the last two wears he
was professor OF mathematics IN the college.
in 1883 he was installed as pastor Ct lle
First Congregational Church ~ this city.
Three years ago his health failed and the
church came ucar losing him; buJ az assist
ant pastor and an annual vacation 81 three
months were given To Li-a. and he Tas a5le
10 remain. 1t this time. TOO, the presidency
OF Marietta College. Marietta. OHIO. was
rendered hin, but he lelL il LIS duty 70 re-
main here.
TEE STRUGGLES OF TIE CHURCH.
The church OF which he is the pastor has
had q varied and stormy existence. Back in
ls47 a Congregational church was estab-
Eshed here. It was founded on anti-slayery
principles. and claims the honor OF being tho
first church established il the South on such
q foundation. It's q remarkable coincidence
tl3t the present site OF the church is the last
piece OF siaVe-0perated land sold in Washing
ton, and that it was sold to the first church
IL the South having an autI-slavery govern
mGnt The church OF lS4I lasted only "a short
time, and the second attempt was made in
1852. Tho church managed TO exist until
1853, and then the doors were closed.
In 1868 the third attempt was made and
the result is lhe congregation OF TODAY.
Rev Charles II. B3yutOL was ats pastor IIe
was installed October I. 1866, the day upon
which the cornerstone WAS laid. During his
pastOrate the congregation wOrsnippsd IN
the old building now the police court. at the
corner OF SiNtl and y streets. Then il wor-
shipped in "a little hail oa Pennsylvania
avenue, and after that in the structure now
known us tle Columbia Law Building, on
Fifth street.
While services were being held here Dr.
BoyLton was elected chaplain OF the House.
and shortly after th.s the haIl Of The House Of
Representatives was secured as a place for
Sunday worship As q consequence The First
congregational Church. Of Washington, was
the first and Oniy established church to hold
regular services in I. e Capitol. IL was Gus
tomary in those DAYS TO refer 20 this body as
the Congressional Church The cOuCrega-
JOn also claims the honor OF inaucurGting
the movemeut which led TO Thanksgiving
Day as yearly occurrence. In 1868 com
mittee from the church called on President
Andrew johnson and requested him TO set
apart a Gay ia each year as a DAY OF thanks
giving ana prayer. This request was com
piled with. Dr. Boynton continued as pastor
OF the church until May !. 1869. When be
left l04 members took letters OF dismissal
with the purpose Of forming the Central Con-
gregationaI Church.
Rev. J. e. Rankin, D. D., became pastor Of
the church October 3. 1869, and remained un-
Ill June l3, 1884. when he became president
OF Howard University. The prosperity Os the
alasr lo-tv1iv~ 47Fra n IA eff of ~
Rankin. Wncu he assumed charge the or
GsnizGtion was on the brink OF ruin The
church had a membership OF l03 and a debt
OF nearly so. 900. with interest II 10 Der cent.
he LED his congregation for nearly fifteen
wears, and placed ii on a sure and successful
basis. Dr. Newman added TO the success. and
the church is now free from debt In addi-
tion a magnificent organ costing S12.0 900 has
been purchased and paid for. Besides lifting
this debt. about $50. 900 has been contributed
and expended through the various missionary
and benevolent societies for charitable OBJ
lects.
TIE woEEERs.
The church to-day has about 900 mem
bers and she growth is steady. Its large audi
ence ro. .-i is filed each Sunday and every
memt made worker. DR.. Newman oc-
cupie- 81. pulpit nearly every Sunday of the
nine d IrAs he spends IN the city. though he
at time ermiis Rev. n Ross Fishburn to
prea aa. I-. FishbUrn occupies the pulpit
with r. Newman each Sunday and leads in
tire rre.. r part Of the devotional services.
5Ir. l'l-s 3urn has entire charge OF tho Thurs
day evening meetings. and assists in all the
wor.- Cs the parish. He is now away on his
vacation ard has received q call 10 the
pastorate oi the Mount Pleasant Church. If
be nccepts be viii begin his duties in his new
charge about NoTember /, and the First Con-
gregaionaI Church Will look for a new as
sistaut pastor.
The trustees Of the church, the men who so
carefully manage its business interests. are
well known in this city. They are: Charles
III. Burgess. IT. N. Kingsley. John Tweedale.
Aaron skinner. and Alvin n. Lothrop. The
deacons are: Z. c. Clafin, George J. Cum
mings, Timothy T. Green zone year., S. S.
Gardner. william C. Tyler, Lendell A. Con-
nCr, ir. ltwo years., William Lamborn, I. C.
Severance, and William 7. Hughes Cthree
years The standing committee is composed
OF the pastors, deacons, SUnday-school super
intendent, and Charles X. Wead, Mrs. Mary
J.. Newman, and Miss Emily E. Robinson.
Its duties are to look after the poor and aid
in all church work.
The auxiliary societies are many and the
Work done is great As il every church, the