The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-11-17
a GREAT DAY.
CELEBRATION OF THE BAPTIST
TABERNACLE ANNIVERSARY.
II Was Twenty Two Years Ago That
the Church Was Organized
It's Prosperous Career.

Its Prosperous Career.
Last Sabbath was a joyous day in the
history Of the Tabernacle church-one
OF the most aggressive and remarkable
religious organizations in the State. 1t
was exactly the twenty second anniver-
sary of it's organization, as it was begun
on the 18th of November, 1874.
Pastor Simms took for his text / Sam
uel, chapter and 18th verse, and dwelt
upon the fact that God had helped the
church in its work.
Its growth was remarkable. Starting
with ten members, it had grown to be one
OF the largest churches in the State, num-
bering at present $40 members. When
the fact is considered that it had to make
this growth in territory already occupied
by other churches, some of which were
strong and influential, and with the nat
ural drift of people to older organizations
with comfortable houses, it is indeed
remarkable growth. The fact also that
in its history 1,728 persons have been in
it's fellowship indicates the working OF
some mighty forces in it's behalf. As
many as eight ministers have gone out OF
it's membership to work in different
States, and a great number of active lay
men and consecrated women are now
found all over North Carolina who have
carried, like the Greek colonies, fire from
the home altar.
Its Sunday School hes grown from a
handful to be the largest i'm the State.
and in some respects TIE most renarka-
hln in tho world. I now has one-eighth
g She white population Of the city on its
rr-s roiIs, and is still growing. II has
always bpcn noted for its aggressive
.cirit, is desire 10 help the poor and
struggling and its conviction that there
! was in the toughest stone possible angel
| Il II aos thc best equipped school iii the
| S,atc EEery Sabbath finds a number
| 81. Visitors there who are inspecting its
work and carrying home with them new
| ideas To be wrought into work upon their
town fields.
1t is perhaps doing more to enthusc
| Sunday School workers, and to push the
work along new lines than any other
school in the South.
The number of young people who have
been in touch with 1t, and who have been
helped by it are legion.
The condition it's building is in also
indicates the help of God, Though it has
| never had a rich member in its fellowship,
it is to-day excellently fixed for religious
work with its auditorium seating 600, its
Sunday School room, seating 400, its
Boys Brigade department, its girls de-
partment. its handsome and new infant
class room, holding zoe.
All of this is the result Of n united band
Of men and women who have at the same
time been struggling for the necessary
expenses Of home life.
At the present time there are - Of its
members who are following business pur-
suits Of their own. There are 21S work
ing on a salary, or are wage earners,
some 81, who are children, supported by
parents, 1913 wives, a number Of whom
help to win the daily support OF
the family, and % persons who are de-
pendent upon family and friends and the
warm hearts of their Christian brethren.
The number who have been helped by
it in the struggle of life, who have felt its !
touch of sympathy and have been filed !
with renewed hope, no tongue can tell
Hundreds Of situations have been got !
ten for struggling men and women /
through its influence, and the fact that I
seyenty-fve clerks in Raleigh are to-day |
members Of this church, attests both their /
efficiency and the esteem in which they I
are held.
The congregation in the morning filed
the house, ana at night the aisles were !
lined with chairs
No church in Raleigh has a larger or /
more enthusiastic congregation
Two were received into fellowship ut
the morning service, one by letter and one I
by baptism
All lovers of Christ and humanity win /
join in wishing the Tabernacle a long life /
Of usefulness.
Dr. Simms is just now in the third /
month of his fourth year in the pastorate /
of the Tabernacle. 1t is not too much to |
say that he has been equal to the great |
responsibilities of the great work, meas !
uring up both in and out of the pulpit to |
the needs Of the large and useful congre- |
CATION.