The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-02-17
| NEW CHURCH HONE
A Separate Swarm" From the
First Presbyterian Hive.
WESTMINSTER PREseYTERlaNs,
Happy Opening Service Yesterdsy-Lin-
coins Religious yiews-south
Seattle Meshodtsrs.

z
hv-s-szn church Asl3 rs initial service yes
te--sav forsrooa 2 Prosch's hall under
azszufefcus circumstances. Thus IS c1lf1f-
mated a movement which really began far
hark IN TIE history o. tire First PreSby-
te-ar church, when certain members OF
that organization grew dissatisfied for va
-sosss reasons with the pastor Rev. Alex
s-sr- Alison, u. II. The dissatisfaction
se~pe-ea into a protest and the protes.
into a formal appeal 10 the preSbyfe~y 10
sIsolwe the relations between pastor and
people. TIE presbytery, IN sn effort 20
har-pcuizs al factions, failed utterly to
heal the breach. and DR.. Alison resigned.
Then for some reason ard by some means
the men who had opposed DR.. Alison were
made 70 feel that they we're no longer well
come as members OF the First church. IN
deed the action OF the rreshyfery itself de-
ruar1ed the withdrawal of some OF them.
Little by little the convictioa grew that
the only solution OF the yexed problem lay
in the organization OF distinct church.
which. without bitterness or antsgonism.
vet with SEPARATE PASTORAL and organic re-
fztiors might keep the unity OF the faith
Z the bond Of peace"
Elxhfy-flvs of the f1rmer members OF
TIE First church signed the petition ad-
dressed 10 the presbyfery for permission
to organize a new church The meeting OF
the presbytezy last week. its deliberations
ana its final action are fresh In the minds
OF all
A Large Congregation
How much in earnest the petitioners were
was shown yesterday IN the large and en-
thusiastic congregation which assembled
in Prosch's hall. The room on the second
floor which viii seat 30 people. was crowd
ed. There was not q single vacant seat,
ard a number OF gentlemen remained
standing throughout the service.
The room had been prepared for the oe-
caslon. temporarily carpeted with neat can
vas and provided with comfortable chairs
and handsome piano. Rev. Moaroe Drew.
Rho had actively espoused the cause OF ths
petitioners as a member 90 the presbytery,
conducted the service and delivered the
sermon Mrs. Charles E. Patterson pre-
sided at the piano. supported by a choir I'M
der the leadership Of E. l. MeAllaSter.
The opening Invocation OF the clergy
man were probably the first words OF
formal religious service ever held within
the walls. he chose as his text the appro-
pirate words from Psalms cxxyfi.1 'Ex-
cent the Lord build tbs house, they labor
IL vain that build it." his theme, as de-
dueed from the text. being The Necessity
OF Divine Foundation for the Church in
the World" He discussed his subject IN a
practical and forcihle manner. pointing out
one By one the qualifications necessary 10
1T a church for successful work. The chief
or these he held TO be personal conservation
on the part OF its members. and he beau
tifnlly developed the thought that In this
personal dedication lies the true incorpora-
ton OF the divine element which alone can
insure the success and perpstuity of the
church.
He made no further reference 10 the new
departure marked by the service OF the
morning except that which was found in
the application OF the text 10 the clrcum-
stances. He urged upon his hearers dill
gencs and faithfalness IN church work. reg
uiar attendance On the means OF grace. the
rearing OF the family altar and the maln-
fensncs OF home religion. and the reyer-
emf and Giligent study Of the Bible.
Organization OF the sunday school.
Immediately after the service new SUM-
day school was organized. the adult men,
bers meeting IN the hall on the .econa
hoor and the primary department IN the
room below. The session had appointed
George a. Virtue superintendent OF the
adult section and Airs. 3. r. Bush super
intendent Of the primary section, and the
two departments we're organized under
their direction with 3 total membership Ct
ninety-esgEE Ten separate classes were
formed. with as many teachers. among the
latter r. II. Thomson, who took charge Of
the Bible class composed OF ladies' and gem
tlensn. During the Sunday school exer-
c.ses Mrs 4 v. Bell presided az the piano
ana William McAdaul acted as precsnsor.
The primary department. was also FORUM
ate IN having . good plano in its room.
with Miss Carrie Bigharn 70 play il. The
school win use the International system q
lesson papers. and IS already abundantiy
supplied with the necessary literature
A Regular Pastor 10 Be Called
The church starts cut on a business basis.
one clause In the unwritten constitution cs
its leaders being. Don't go In debt" II
has leased the first and second floors OF
Prosch's hall, on Ninth avenue. near
Cherry street. for term Of one year. The
occupation OF this building viii give the
session time to look about and mature its
plans, which VIII undoubtedly contemplate
the erection or purchase Ct house OF NOT
ship. With that end IN view sinking fund
has already been established. whtch VIII
grow with the increase and age OF the con-
grcSation- For short time the services
Will be conducted by such preachers as may
hs available from Sabbath 20 Sabbath. bot
the session VIII call a regular pastor as
soon as possible. probably within -no1th.
The roll OF the church yesterday showed
fifty-eight members. many OF whom are
heads OF families Several additional let
tiers have been laid before the session fer
man bership, but had not been acted on up
10 yesterday.
The members OF the new church seem an
lmstea by no spirit OF bitterness toward
their late comrades and brethren " thu
First church, and there appears 10 Ens 10
desire among them 10 brood over men,
cries which might be unpleasant 20 either
side Several Of them have expressed
openly their hope and belief that IN the
friendly rivalry OF the two kindred socss-
ties wider field of usefulness and = larger
growth may result 20 the great church cf
which they are both members