The morning times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1897, 1895-11-17
WIVES OF OUR MINISTERS
Some of the Charming Women
Who Work for Christianity.
THEIR TASKS ARE NOT EASY
Powerful Aids in the Efforts of Their
HeIpmeets to Advance the Cause OF
Christ-They Contribute Largely OF
Their Time and Means to Various
Charitable Obiects.

George Eliot, that profound reader OF
human nature, says in one of her delightful
books: Never risk a single prophecy on
mans career until you see the style OF
woman he falls in love with
Perhaps in no profession is mans sue
cess so dependent on his wife as in the minis
terial calling. The history of our most
eminent divines, with rev exceptions is a
history of wifeiy encouragement, devotion,
and help OF course. some of our good men
have become great in spite OF Indifferent
wives and uncougenial homes, but the
ma jority owe their success to entreIy
Opposite conditions.
The positions which the minister's wife
occupies to the congregation Is extremely
difficult and trying. Ia the fierce hSht
that beats upon the throne her every action
is exposed tu 1ull view, and often To neeu-
less criticism, and the woman who STANDS
the ordeal successfully is always one OF
high capabilities
Here in Washington there are numerous
ministers whose powerful individuality has
Impressed itself not only on lucal but on
patIonalaifairs. Foriustance, Bishop hurst,
the Chancellor or the J american University,
and Methodist clergyman, whose attain
ments are familiar to the entire American
churches
and both have proven stepping stones to
higher fields of usefulness. The first Mrs
Hurst was woman whose sanity character
and untiring zeal is too well known To
Washingtonians to need more than pass
ing word.
The great scheme of a Methodist Uni
versity here at the nations capital, found
its first and most faithful friend In the
, wife of the chancellor. 1t was her money
that made the initial payment on the future
site OF the college buildings, and her words
OF hope and encouragement often inspired
confidence in the bisnop, when the outlook
was rather dreary ana uninviting. Her
death caused profound sorrow throughout
the country.
About three years ago Bishop Hurst con-
tracted his second marriage, His bride
was Miss Root of Buffalo, n. Y, lady
about thirty years OF age, very bright and
Intellectual, and In every way fitted to
occupy the high position for which she was
chosen. Mrs. Hurst has shown great &C
| tivity in all work connected with the church
and by her pleasant, anIiable manners, has
won hosts of friends TO her husbands
! cause.
| Just now, she and Mrs. E. ]. Somers are
| engrossed in the success of q little mission
| church called st. Paul's NJ. E. Chapel, near
| Dupont Circle. 1t was recently purchased
| from the Episcopalians, and was known
as the Church of the Holy Communion.
Since these ladies have taken charge of
| affairs, the church has been entirely re-
| fitted and improved in every way. Mrs.
| Hurst has borne considerable of this eX-
! pense, and additionally. she is head of the
| Sunday school and leader of the choir.
Last Christmas q son was born to the
| bishop but the new duties thus devolving
| on Mrs. Hurst, although scrupuiously per-
! formed, have not interrupted her good
| work for the cause OF Methodism. MIS-.
| Hurst and her little son are now in Buffalo
| spending some time with her invalid mother.
The pastor of the Foundry Church is
| notable national figure, Rev. o. A. Brown.
| at present considered the most prominent
| candidate for chaplain of the House. Every
| one connected with church work knows
| Mrs. Brown and every one likes her.
| She is mddle-aged woman, with
| kind. motherly face, dark eyes and hair,
| tall slender and very distinguished look
| ing. A an entire success Mrs. Brown has
| no compeer among the wives of our
| ministers and her home on G street is the
| focus of all the social, literary. and mission
| work among local Methodists. She is an
| indefatigab BILE workcrin the Epworth League
! and the Woman's Home and Foreign Mis-
sionary Society The Foundry is one of
the most flourishing churches in Washing.
ton and it owes as much to the wife OF
the pastor as to the pastor himself. DR..
| and Mrs. Brown have large family and
| Mrs Browns domestic and maternal Qual-
ties are the strongest and most beautiful
| traits of her character.
Another woman, who is her husbands
| first lieutenant, is Mrs. S. NJ. Hartsock,
wife OF the pastor of the Ryland Church.
| Mrs. Hartsock is one of the most charming
! women in Washington. She is very
pretty brunette, tall and rather slender.
| bright talker, full or tact and sympathy.
Dr. and Mrs. Hartsock had house warm
ing last week and their comfortable new
parsonage was overcrowdcd with friends
and we'll wish ers. Mrs. Hartsock's So
cial capabilities were most enlinentlyprov
and everywhere it was conceded that while
the pastor was an extraordinary success In
financial and spiritual matters Mrs. Hart
sock was instrumental In both and de-
serving of all their love and gratitude.
| Last year this gifted woman was evangelist
for the woman's Christian Temperance
Union and her work has made her cause
famous.
There is no church in Washington band
somer or more prosperous than the First
Baptist Church on Sixteenth street, and
there are no two people more beloved
than its minister and his wife, DR.. and Mrs.
Charles A. stakely. They are both young,