The evening times., 1895-11-15

The final meeting of the session Of the
First Presbyterian Church before the open
ing Of the grand centennial celebration wal
held last evening at that church. There
were present Rev. Dr. Sunderland, Rev.
Adolos Allen, Elders Otis C. Wight, Alfred
LockharJ, Fred Il, Dalryinple, and Theodore
F. Sargent.
Invitations have been Drenared, and were
mailed last night to all pastors and their
congregations iD the city. Letters OF ac-
ceptance and assurances OF attendance have
been received from all the distinguished
speakers from outside the city who are eX-
pected to odeliver addresses onstated subjects,
SO that now there is nothing to be done but
to await the Opening OF the centennial week,
which will begin on Sunday next
The Visiting speakers win stop at the
Arlington hotel, the first of these who
win arrive being Rev. Charles L. Thoinp-
sou, d. D., OF the Madison Avenue
Presbyterian Church In New York.
Some changes were made in tho pro-
gramme, which, as finally arranged, is az
follows:
PROGRAMME OF SERVICE.
Sunday morning, historical sermon by
DR.. Sunderland.
Monday evening, subject: presbyterian
ism and the Nation" Rev. Dr. A. W.
Pitzer, presiding speaker, Rev. Dr.. Thomp-
son.
Tuesday evening, "Presbyterians and
Education;" Rev. DR.. Talmage; presiding
speakers, Chancellor Henry N. AcCracken,
ID. D., and Rev. Ethelbert d. Warfield,
Ii. D., President Of Lafayette College.
Wednesday evening. "Presbyterianism in
the District of Columbia;" Rev. George o.
Little, ID. D.; presiding speakers, Hon. John
W. Foster, Rev. b. F. Bittinger, d. D., and
Rev. ]. q. Butler.
Friday evening, a reception at the church.
1t is expected that the Rev. DIR. Suner-
lands address, the historical sermon, viii
subject which is only about fifty years
older than his personal service as a pastor
in the District Of Columbia.
Rev. DR.. Bittinger has also a subject
which will command general attention
There win be, it is said, some revelations
III his paper. as it is promised that he will
relate some incidents and facts in the long
history of Presbyterianism In the District,
which have never been published.
Rev. j. G. Butler, of Luther Memorial
Church, who is the oldest in service in
this city OF any OF its pa stors, will repre-
sent the other denominations on the occa-
sion and speak their messages to the
Presbyterian denomination.
The committee on arrangements will
distribute ON the opening day memorial
programme. &hiCh so far they have man
aged TO keep quite secret. All that is
known about il is that IL will contain
three illustrations, one OF which VIII be
the carpenters shop at the White House
in which in 1875 the first Presbyterian
congregation assembled: second, cut OF
the Little white chapel under the HILL
of which a sketch obtained from DR.. Sun
deriand. was published some time ago in
The Times, and third, the First Presby-
terian Church as IT appeared before 1t was
remodeled into its present shape.
The programme is not only one OF in
terest to the Presbyterians, but TO all
who have n taste for the antique in
architecture.
One OF the interesting traditions about
the Little white church" is that II was
never destroyed. but like the houses OF
Pompeii can be brought 10 light again by
Industrious digging. 1t stood on the slope
OF the hill about 100 yards west Of the
Butler house on street southeast.