The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-09-29
TO OPEN WITH A WEDDING.
FIRST SERVICE IN THE LAWToN
MEMORIAL A MARRIAGE.

The Date of Its Occupancy by the
Second Presbyterian Congregation
Undecidcd-WII Not BE Until Col.
LawtOn's Return to savnnnah-Mr.
Charles Il. StratOn and Miss Laura
Cooper to he Married There Next
Wednesday,.
There is some doubt as to when the
Lawton Memorial Will be occupied. 1t
cannot be said just when the congrega-
ton of the Second Presbyterian Church
will get into the new building
Rev. w. A. Nisbet, pastor of the Second
Presbyterian, was seen yesterday, but he
was not able to give any information re-
garding the definite time of the occupan-
cy. Mr.. Nisbet said the building will not
be used until after the return of Col. A.
r. Lawton. AS he is expected here within
week, 1t is not improbable that the con-
gregation will worship ia the memorial
before great while
Col. Lawton's presence is desired here
IN order that he may draw up the agree
ment that will exist between the Layton
estate and the congregation of the Second
church regarding the latter's tenure of the
building. The terms upon which 1t will
Col Lawton has prepared the paper, 1t
Will be submitted to Mr.. Nisbet or the
trustees of the church. A meeting of the
congregation will be called, and the agree
ment will be considered. If ratified by
the members of the church, as 1t undoubt-
edly will be, as it is said the understand
ing in the matter has been perfect all
the time, the agreement will be signed
and the congregation will then probably
occupy the memorial for the first service
after the ratification.
Some time ago 1t was thought the con-
gregation would have been In the build
ing before this. but two causes have pre-
vented. The first was a matter relating
to the furnishings of the building. All
the furniture is now In with the excep-
ton of that for the pulpit. Just the style
desired could not be secured here and,
as it was not desired to turn over the mem
orlal In an incomplete condition, 1t was
decided to delay the formal transfer to
the congregation until 1t could be OBJ
tanned. This furniture is expected at any
time. Capt. H. c. Cunningham, who is
now in New York, having agreed to order
il on his arrival there
The furniture will probably get here and
be put in place before the final arrange
ments for turning the property over to
the church have been completed. In view
of its early arrival, and when unaware
that the regiment of which Col. Lawton
is in command is soon to be mustered out
of the service, thus admitting him to re-
turn to Savannah, Capt. Cunningham had
| agreed to draw up the papers to make the
proposed transfer to the church. He vas
on the point of doing So when he learn
ed of the likelihood of Col. Lawtons early
return. AS he thought it the better plan
to allow Col Lawton to attend to the mat
ter, he being more familiar with the de-
tails of all the transactions relative to
the erection of the memorial to his father.
Capt. Cunningham decided to await his
coming.
The first service of any kind In the
memorial will be a marriage. At this
marriage, Rev. John D. Jordan, pastor
of the First Baptist Church, will oficiate,
assisted by Rev. Mr.. Nisbet. Cards an
nouncing the marriage are now out. 1t
Will be that of Miss Laura Gertrude
Cooper and Mr. Charles Edward Straton,
to take place next Wednesday morning
at $50 o'clock.