Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-08-22
VISIT TO coNwELL's TEMPLE.
History and work OF This Great
Church, College, and Hospital.
written for the Dispatch)

written for the Dispatch)
on recent visit TO Philadelphia It
was my privilege to be entertained at
the home OF the Rev. George a. Peltz,
D. D.. associate pastor Of Grace Temple.
Arriving at the Reading and Pcnnsyl-
vania depot. I was met by Rev. Thomas
E.ear. the prison evangelist, who preach
al so accoptably 10 the men Of Rich
lnond FIVE Sunday evenings last year
no the Young Mems Christian Associa-
,on. / then went 20 the homo Of Dr.
Pelz adjoining the temple. My visit
to the temple was the most wonderful
rart of my trip. Conwelrs Temple ranks
i1 fame and influence among the fore
most of institutional churches Under
Che unique leadership Of the pastor. Rev.
Russell II. COnwcn 81 has developed a
wider system of ministries than can be
found anywhere else I'm America. II
.ertakcs. fl a large way. "a tnreefold
ministry, based on the example or jesus
who went about preaching, teaching
and healing.
Preaching IS represented by the multi
tulnous religious service held in the
e..t auditorium, the forum. and other
rooms of the temple. Teaching IS the
function Of its Sunday school and the
Temple College. Healing is the mission
d. tho Samaritan Hospital The Rev.
George A. Poltz is the efficient co-pastor
with Dr. Conweu. and on Sunday eve
rnes. while the great temple above holds
an audience Of well nigh four thousand
hearers another preaching service Is
being carried on in the lower temple.
The business organization Is managed
~ men experienced in money matters
who bring 10 the church finances the
same system that would be applied TO
treasury or banking affairs. Sometimes
2O,1 PENNIES are found i'm the basket in
tbo loose change. The money Is put in
bags and made ready for removal 10 the
hank. and every night the chairman OF
the Finance Committee looks over the
books and gives receipts for The money.
IL requires 500 TO meet the expenses OF
each Sunday. -.,-
Endcavor societies connected with TINS
church. each complete ia its officers and
committees holding its separate meet
inps and doing it's individual work. but
OH brought together in an occasional
-aUv Under revival services conducted
bv Rev. Or. r. NJ. Wharton, of Balti-
more seventy-seyen came into the
church at one time and these were or
cqnfzed into q Christian EndeaVor 80
.iet, which still bears the name OF
.eevantv-seyen. Two Junior Christian
Tndeavor societies-one Tor boys and
one for girls-must be added 70 he
thirteen making fifteen. a boys pIl-
rade nourlshes under the direction oil
an cv-.aptain Of the National Guard
when the boys are a little oluer, they
become members Of the Temple Guard
owning ms own rifles and accoutrements
An emplovment bureau is found to be
usefuI feature. The desk Of DR.. Peltl H
5ued with applications Tor work OF eVeIS
Bind and a list of those who wish u
secure help Of every sort.
ADMISSION BY TICKETS.
vcars ago IL was found that the only
rosslble way Of securing for the member
NJ Grace church sittings to hear lheH
o0n pastor was to give them tlche'S
Ticl,ef-holdcrs are admitted by door vi
he side but at given signal the whol'
house is thrown open 10 visitors. AZ t''
morning service you are likely 10 llhu
s.ttlng but I'm the evening every Feat j.
taken in the great auditorium ana ihui
t.tulcs who cannot find room theIe en-
',v the full church services IN the lo"V
t.Dule. o,..,- o,or,
street. and the sidewalks were lhrohsS
,.h pedestrians as we approached TN
goat temple into which the people Wei'
rronrlng. Having procured tickets W.
,..ra admitted through the rear door w
,..r. told that this IS the largest chuiC'
auditorium for a Protestant Cohsie - @
t1r I'm America. IL seats 4.WV people
Plush orchestra chairs In place OF pew
make it possible TO utilize every ,
The main floor slopes upward, anu =
divided into sections. pointing III W.
shape toward the platform, While peg o-n
D. . kind Of parquet circle. An lnlhehs
r.n.r. Win rows Of seats rising tie
uuon tier. stretches around three siuD
OF the building while the fourth size
occupied by am enormous organ presluV
over bv David Wood. the blind oIsahlS'
bud chorus choir Of 20 voices.
Tho centre OF all eyes Is the Kew. Nus
sen "a. C0nwell. He seems Ike a grea
dynamo producing electricity enough q
thru each soul OF the 1000 before mn
us bis Quick eve sweeps every part y
the great building. lie is TAIL suons.
built muscular. quick in moFe"o''' .
unc.a .ous of effect as a chic YET pea
Ing Ue unmistakablc tokens OF pOl
leadership During the singing ne SCI SCI,
10 take The part OF precen.o' -
and DIS powerful voice rings out audlDl
amid the swelling melody OF the BIC"
chorus ali organ.
The Scripture lesson contains ireS'
conception and beauty while DR.. Con
wen reads Upon his knees in praye
you seem % hear one OF Gods children
speaking simply for the other children
20 q Father who listens well pleased
end having abundant blessings TO be De
slowed for the asking. Prayer is pour
I'D out for the Samaritan Hospital. ina
Die boy struck down by accident r"
be- made wei: that the girl who wa
saved from death at the hand Of an IN
same person may he restored. the -
tse is remembered. with the petuo
Aat friends may be raised up 10 carr
39 its work through the coming yeai
lAough not long prayer. II ex2resse
.aly iongings that incline the wof
mtpcrs 10 feel. 81 they DO not say. Amer
AS BROTHER TO BROTHER
Iae sermon has the unique characte
iae speaker. The preacher talks a
brother man to brother men. out 2
own experience, interpreting thel
Hences touching their hearts, u
rhs ana guiding them 10 bette
''Nt With an abfuptness that starue
NE sermon closes. You happen !
80 ma - "a