Evening star., 1898-03-19

sented to the Eastern Presbyterian Church
On Capitol Hill, Rev. DR.. Thomas Chalmers
Easton. pastor, an elegant set of hags for
decorating the church on national holidays.
1t is Miss Andersons purpose also to up
holster the pulpit, and likewise to con-
tribute a cushion for the Bible. The East
on Literary Association, body of young
men in this church. contemplates disc uss-
ing at meetings to be commenced at an
early date questions that are of great In
terest to the young men in the District.
A mass meeting Of the District w. c. I.
L. will be held in Hamline Church. 9TH
and p streets northwest, Sunday evening,
for the purpose of observing the anniver-
sary of the birth of General Neal Dow OF
Maine, who for SO many years was the
leader of the prohibition party In this
country. The principal address will be de-
fvered by Rev. DR.. Walter III. Brook OF
the Nineteenth Street Baptist Church,
whose theme will be Lessons From the
Life of General Neal Dow" At the close
of the exercises proper, the matter of
clearing off the debt of the headquarters
of tho National w. c. T. U. at Chicago
will be brought before the meeting, with
the hope t. at those present will contribute
toward that purpose. 1t is said that the
audience will also be asked to express their
views as to the advisability of changing
the name of the headquarters to Willard
Temple, as a memorial to the late Frances
E. Willard. j.
Much interest is felt in one of the lead
ing Baptist churches Of this city regarding
proposition which has been made to
abolish the renting of pews and establish
''free sittings." The question of how far
a pewholder really controls a pew Is
subject which has been widely discussed,
and one Of the most prominent members
of the church in conversation said:
"a pewhOlder acquires only what has
been called a limited usufructuary interest
subject to the general right of the society
He has no title to the edifice or freehold
but a mere right of occupancy during the
however.
exclusive right to the possession and en-
jcyment of the pew for the purposes of
public worship by virtue of an individual
right of property derived in theory, at
least, from the corporation represented by
the trustees who are seized and possessed
of the temporalities of the church. All
pew owners hold and possess their seats
in Severalty in Subordination to the more
general right of the trustees in the sell
and freehold. These rights are distinct
and separate, and do not necessarily con-
f1ict with each other. A lease in perpetuity
of a pew confers only a right TO the use
of the pew during divine service. and the
lessee takes his title in subordination to
the more general right of the trustees,
and always subject to the right and power
of the trustees to repair and alter the church
building, and if in the making Of alterations
and repairing the pew is necessarily de-
stroyed. tie pewholder is not entitled to
an action of trespass or ejectment."
Wednesday evening the regular monthly
ciety, First Congregational Church, was
held, at which a large number were pres
ent Captain Johnson, an ex-saloon keeper
OF indianapolis, Ind, but now an ardent
supporter of the Anti-Saloon League of
this city, delivered address
Next Monday evening the annual meet
ing of the Congregational Club will be held
in the church parlor, followed by BAN
quet. Papers will be read by Mrs. J. Ellen
Foster, Mrs. Ruth G. D. Havens. Mrs.
Hamilton and Miss Warman; recitations
by Miss Merrifeld Music will be furnish
ed by the Ladies' Quartet, under the di-
rectfon of DR.. Bischoff.
Rev. William Duncan, who has done good
work of civilization among the Indians of
Alaska, several years ago was compelled
to leave British Columbia, and moved over
to American territory valuable industries
and property, and he Is now here trying
to secure protection for 1t from the gov
ernment. He leaves the city Monday. He
will speak for the last time in this city at
the Church of the Covenant tomorrow af-
ternoon.
The Fifth Congregational Church, Rev.
Adam Reoch, pastor. recently established
branch at Tuxedo, a small subdivision
In Maryland beyond Benning. That they
have good Sabbath school and a build
ing to worship in is said to be due princ-
pally to the labors of Rev. B. N. Seymour,
formerly pastor of the Fifth Church.
Bishop John M. Walden of Cincinnati,
who is soon to leave for Europe,
will preach at Metropolitan Methodist
Episcopal Church tomorrow morning and
in the evening at Wesley Chapel. corner
9th and streets northwest. Bishop Wal
den will spend about two years in Europe
In visiting various conferences of the Meth
odist Episcopal Church.