Evening star., 1897-04-12
FOR ST. MATTHEW'S CHURCH.
Tnking Steps to Meet tn.
Debt ON 1t.

Debt on 1t.
Cardinal Gibbons addressed a meeting of
St. Matthew'S congregation, held last
night in St. Matthews Institute. K street.
The meeting was called TO devise ways and
means to meet the payment of the interest
on the church debt. The cost of the site
on which the new St. Matthews Church
has been built was $1oS,3I1. A mortgage
of 100000 was placed on the old church
property, 18th and H streets. and later
mortgages on the new property of s135,OOO.
The interest on these three loans amounts
10 $1,000. and it is to meet this immediate
need that the help of the congregation has
been asked.
Rear Admiral Ramsay was elected chair
man and Mr.. Alex. Porter Morse the sec
retary of the meeting. Rev. Thomas l..
Lee. rector of ST. Matthews. read a state
ment Of the financial condition of the
church and of the receipts and expendi-
lures of the past year, showing balance
on hand Of over 5000. This latter sum- he
added, might be counted Upon a near
estimate of what could be used from the
regular income of the church toward pay
ing the interest of the debt Cardinal Glib
bonS said that he attended the meeting to
show mis- lively personal interest in what
anected ST. Matthews parish. 1t had long
been conspicuous congregation, not only
in the diocese, but throughout the country.
and Its congregation had always numbered
men high in the honor of the nation, either
In its political or social life. He counseled
perfect unity between pastor and people,
and paid high tribute to the piety and
zeal of Father Lee which remarks were
received with great applause. He was glad
10 near the cheer given to ST. Matthew'S
pastor, and incidentally remarked that the
latter had not drawn any salary the past
year. To show. his practical interest the
cardinal authorized the secretary to draw
hrvv1 fnr
emergency. At the conclusion of his ad-
dress theaeaFdinal and. Father Lee with
drew from the meeting
justice Morris offered a series of resolu-
llohs turning over the whole matter to a
committee of twenty-one gentlemen Of the
parish. Mr.: Preston Sands, Mr. Henry
May, Mr.. Thos. f. Waggaman. Mr.. Emile
Montgomery, Gen. Vincent and others
look part IN the discussion, and various
amendments to Justice Morris resolution
were offered. The committee was subse-
quently enlarged to forty members a ma
Jority of the names of those who will form
II pelng at once suggested and approved.
The resolutions offered by Justice Morris
for the formation of church union to
assist in the liquidation of the debt met
with the general Endorsement of those pres
eht- Inc ideas embodied. he said, were in
the rough. but would start the discus
sion, from which something better might
be evolved. Following the example of the
cardinal, Justice Morris and Mr. Thoma,
+. Waggaman although contributors be-
fore to the same object. made additional
subscriptions of $50 each.
The committee of forty will meet at the
same time and place Easter Monday night.
Inc nst OF its members so far announced
are Col James. G. Berret, Dr. Daniel b.
Clark Senator Murphy, Senator Smith,
Justice White, Justice Morris, Cen Vim
cent. Admiral Franklin, Admiral Ramsay.
MI X: e. kerens. Mr. Rodriguez, Mr. Man
gan. Mr.. Thos E. Waggaman. Mr.. W. ].
Miller, Mr.. James 3. Orme Mr. j. W. Pill
ing. Mr.. Henry May. Mr.. James F. Bar
bour, Mr.. T. A. Lambert, Col G. H. Ell
w. F. Downey, Mr.. w. K Carr, Mr..
Sands and Mr.. Alex Porter Morse