Evening star., 1897-06-05


| When the corporation established ten prt-
mary schoola11n addition to the four dis
trict schools IN 3fS40. two were located In
the basemenSGroon Of the church. and
from 1S49 TIL thewar Messrs. John FIJI.
Samuel KellAo MIRA r. N. Ogden. Misses
Emily Billings Lisxie Parsons and others
taught theTn.ot Nj
The MefhodIsts Take II.
In 1861 the CONGREGATION Of DR.. rustin
thought best to disband and sell the edifics.
The division fhaving taken place In the
NJ. E. Church. which led to the establish
ment of the M, E. Church South, some
Of the members had withdrawn from the
half-dozen ofda churches. These under the
lead Of Rev. ,Chafles A. Davis. q we'll
known local minister, who had joined the
new connection, formed a little society.
They In June. 1851, purchased the building
for $3.50. Among them were Messrs. H. F.
Zimmerman, Alpheus Edwards, Jackson
Edmonston. Josiah Melvin. Bertha Baker.
Tucker. The authorities of the church took
charge under especial care. the bishops
from time to time visiting and encouraging
the one church here and stationed here
some OF the most efficient ministers,
Among the pastors of this church up to
1860 were Rev. Messrs Rosser. Blackwell.
Duncan. GranbqEy tnow bishop and Dog
gett AS there were here many southern
families 1t is not surprising that the
church became a popular one. and soon
was regarded as one of importance. Then
was the rivalry with the mother church,
especially with Wesley from whence most
Of tho original members had come Prof
Daniel led the Wesley choir and Capt. F.
A Tucker the Southern. T., Jeff Magru-
der. farortte with the young people, con-
Quoted the Wesley Sunday school, and Mr..
81. F.. Zimmerman that of the Southern
Church. The consequence was that the
latter was a live organization. Captain
Tucker took fully two years building up
MS choir. and 1t became noted as one of
the finest volunteer choirs in Washington
In 1850 there was an accession of thirty or
forty members from Wesley, including
Messrs. 7. JET Magruder. John c. Nickel
den, Prcf. Daniel and Rev. J. Wesley Bote-
Ter. Rev. Mr. Proctor had been sent here,
and during the year there was quite a stir
in the choir and Sunday school. Prof.
Daniel taking Captain fuckers place. and
Prior to this so rapidly had the congrega-
tion grown that a new church edifice was
projected. A site at the northwest corner
OF 9th and E streets was selected. q build
ing committee. with Mr. W. r. Smithson
chairman. appointed, and the foundation
laid, but nothing further was done.
1t Is not surprising that among the at
tendants were some of the leading men of
N a9e country especially during the sessions
OF Congress When a representative. Pres
ldent johnson was frequently an attend
ant. Howell Cobb and occasionally the
cabinet officers, and on a few occasions
~SSSAAe WV oi5O WOTSulpeu In0re.
A Good Story.
The following amusing account of one OF
PRESIDENT Pierce's visits is recalled. The
President had been invited to attend the re-
opening OF the church. AS he entered the
church Mr.. Alfred Russell advanced down
the aisle to meet him and escort him to the
pew especially reserved for his use. Just
behind the President advancing up the aisle
Wa MrS
handsome woman. all Unconscious of the
distinguished gentleman before her. As the
President was about to enter his pew he
perceived lady close on his heels, and as
he pews were all well occupied. he quickly
turned about, and with a polite inclination
of his body and q directing wave of his
hand ushered her into his pew. AS the
fresident was ueaccompanied by any
member Of his family. she was of course
mistaken for fhis wife. and all eyes were
focused on hsr, particularly the female
ones. There she sal during the entire SER
vice. blissfully, ignorant of her distinguish
ed fellow occupant,of the pew, wondering
and wondering ,wfat made the people look
at her So never, she afterward declared
being so stared at in her life. When the
facts were matte known to her it afforded
much amusement, land it was commented
on as an illustration Of the refined gallan-
try OF the President
Southern .Sy ympa thies.
When Mr.. Broctor was returned to the
charge in 1851 bhe found that many Of his
flock were of his political as we'll as re-
ligious bias. fof some were wearing the ro-
settles 80 indicating OF course. the Union
lists hoticed this. indiscretion, and when
Mr.. Proctor a few months after went south
there was much feeling expressed. Though
without shepherd some faithfully con-
and regular prayer meetings being held
The attendance rapidly decreased, for 1t re-
qCired some courage at times to even per-
form church duty. They. however. he'd
the fort untn the government took posses
sion Of the building.
When in the summer Of 1862 the govern
ment required more hospital accommo-
dations, the building. with the neighboring
ings. was pressed into service. DR.. J.
Ford Thompson, as acting assisting sur
geon, took charge. and 1t was fitted up for
the reception of the sick and wounded.
about eighty beds being it's capacity. 1t
was, however. not used long for such pur-
poses, for there were buildings then in the
course of erection, and the following sum-
mer 1t was vacated by the government.
DE-. Dale. now deceased. was stationed in
this hospital. and among the attendants
was a young Israelite. Simon Stern, who
was of the congregation that subsequently
occupied the building. Thus che disciples
OF Esculaptus followed those of Calvin and
Wesley.
The NJ. E. Church South members had in
the meantime secured possession Of a mis-
sion originally started by Wesley Church
members on between 14th and 18th streets
and kept up an organization, standing the
test Of walking under the United States
flag hoisted over the door. From this they
went to a new frame church on NJ between
9th and 10th streets, to which Rev. w. V.
Tudor was appointed in 1854, and here
again was the flag test epplied. From this
in few years they removed to what is
now known as the Mt. Vernon M. E.
Church South.
Becomes Synagogue.
The present owners Of the site fthe
Hebrews. like some Of the church organi-
cations In the early days Of the District,
had little to build upon. 1t Is said that
early in the COS some of the faith held
meetings in the first ward It was not, how
ever. till early in 1855 that the organization
now in existence had beginning. Then
Henry King. jr.. H. Strasberger. z Stras-
berger and half dozen others engaged a
room on Pennsylvania avenue between Sd
and ~ streets. where prayers were regu-
larly offered. Others came in, and as the
band grew In size the quarters were chang
ed to rooms on 10th street above E, 4th
between D and e, 9th and D streets. and in
1S6O to F1nkman's Hall d street west of