The Washington bee., 1896-12-19
AN APPEAL. 70 THE PEOPLE

The Metropolitan Baptist church
was organized, in May, 1868, by
Rev. Henry Bailey whn built a
frame structure on the ground
where the church now stands. At
that time there was but a small lot
and dilspidated frame structure
which no doubt, corresponded with
the times and condition of the peo-
pie in that vicinity. 1t was neigh
borhood that will be long remem-
bered and one of which hist Try re-
cords many offeuses which were
menaces to civilization.
The founder of the structure
failed to reform the condition of
the people in that vicinity. Not un-
til the late Rev. John Brooks, one
of the apostles of r,form, arrived on
the scene and in connection with
Rev. johnson. this great divine,
was the section that was chrlstened
with the name that became obnox-
ious to the ears Of the people.
What can now be said Of this great
citizen and this section where the
Metropolitan church is located !?
1t is dedicated as =" Paradise
Found" The property of all
classes is valuable. Instead of one
or two churches there are many !;
in the places of the huts and novels,
we witness gifted palaces and mag
ni6cent edIfices which will be
handed down TO posterity, or to our
children and children's children.
The towering forms of the pioneers
will be only shadows and their
deeds will be emblazoned on the
scroll of fame.
The Metropolitan Baptist church
was formerly known as the Fourth
Baptist church. Rev. Robert John
son was elected pastor in June,
1870 and in 1882 the old frame
structure was torn down on account
of its weakness. The church was
35 by so feet. Rev. johnson by
push and energy succeeded in Iu-
creasing its membership. The
church became too small. The
people were enlightened in the
great truths of church reform.
Rev. johnson saw an opportunity
to enlarge so he purchased two lots
west of the church and now its
present capacity is ten thousand
| 10, ,OOO)square feet of good ground.
The present brick structure cost
forty-five thousand ($45, ,0O0) dol
lars and its dimension ia IS by Ito
feet, two (2) story presssbrIck front,
on which there is a mortgage of
twenty-five thousand ($22 ,0O0) dol
lars. 1t is no doubt the largest
colored Baptist church in this city
and a structure that Is monument
to the great Baptist denomination.
The church is about to be sold be-
cause its membership has not, on
account of the grea financial crash,
been able to meet its notes.
We have endesvored to do our
duty and to uphold this Christian
congregation we have worked as
siduously to maintain our credit
and promote the Christian religion.
Necessity now compels us to make
an appeal to the Christian people
for help. We need help and we
must have it. We believe that the
dissemination of the Christian doc
trine in this country does as much
to reform an immoral people as the
laws that are enacted to punish
crime.
The moral effect of the Christian
ministry upon a community hs'
demonstrated its power In th'
neIghborhood in which our church
is located. No one knows this bet
ter than those who are aware of th'
mast history of our church and th'
great work of r form that hs
been instituted by our pastor ant
his coworkers.
Must our work stop here on &C
count of our inability to liquidst
our church Indebtedness i? Ou
government has been made strong
on account of its crusadrs sgainS
crime and offenses. Our ruler
have been more or less Christian
t advocates aud promoters of goot
government.
The laws of church and stat'
have kept the people In tact.
Our Emancipation has taught u
to 90 on ward and upward and wha
we haze gained since Emancipation
by our industry and adherence t
the laws of church and state shoulC
not be lost in this era of our Chris
tian government and r form be
cause we are powerless to help our
selves. The God who controls tn
destiuy of nations, religious, creeds
etc., is asked to aid us in this hou
of distress. We make this appea
to the Christian people.
1st. Because the metropolitan
church is in need of financial aid
End. Because we can not pa
off the present Indebtedness of tn