The Washington weekly post. (Washington, D.C.) 1878-1916, 1899-08-22

jamestown, Conanicut. Island. r. T.,
Aug. 4.-Religious zeal has improved on
the Scriptural injunction TO go into the
highways and hyways and compel sinners
to attend church. The modern zeaIot
brings movable church to the highway
and byway wanderer and saves him the
trouble of walking. The leader i'm this
new method of lifting the church out of
rut is the Rev. Charles Earl Preston.
who is in charge of st. Matthews Church
on this island. Churches are few and far
between, and the people whom the good
minister wishes 10 reach are scattered all
over the island. One church is sufficient
for the inhabitants of several SQUARE
miles, but they will not come to church.
Therefore, the only thing to do is 10 take
the church TO them. But how? Necessi-
~ in this emergency conceived the idea
of a movable church. and the idea t6ok
tangible shape in a structure that has
just made its first trip drawn by team
of oxen loaned BY the pious farmers OF
this locality.
The building, which is the invention OF
the Rev. Mr. Preston, Is not a structure
OF minute proportions, but a pretentious
ediiice. the furnishings OF which alone
cost 5000. The audience room Of the
church measures Is by Il feet. and the fur
hiture is elaborate and beautiful. The
building Is mounted on a set OF wheels
substantial enough 10 safely bear the
weight Of the structure, and with tires
wide enough 10 pass readily over any
soft parts that may be encountered on
TIE roadway. The first journey Of the
n ovable church vas made without acct
dent CT injury 70 the building. The PEG
Pie assembled in great numbers to see the
CHURCH started on its tour. Men and oxen
came from MiddletOwn. and from the
northern part OF the island, where all the
native oxen are owned, and. after being
attached to the chapel. were ready for the
start There were twenty Of these an
Gent beasts Of burden in line. Mr. c. II.
Consdon, o. Rhode Island. was the mas
ter Of ceremonies.
Church on the Road
The rear wheels of the chanel had bAsn
slightly elevated upon Blanks. and as
soon as the breaks were of the building
besan 70 move, almost before the oxen
had Strengthened the chain. The leu
was struck and the little building grace.
fully rolled into West street. and after
being pulled through the soft grass ground
turned up Cole street and rounded into
NarragaEsett avenue. Down the remain
Ing length Of Sarraganseu avenue rolled
the church, the tones Of the bell peaiing
out nnerrily. The doors ard wlndows OF
dwellings were filled with eager faces.
and the sidewalks were at times crowded
With anxious persons, who wanted 20 Sc,
how the thing would go" The frat stot
made was a. A point where u vas neces-
sary % walt for lineman % cut a guy
wire. which had caused the e0iors 20 BE-
expediiiously lowered. Another halt was
made soon af1er. but this time il was 10
remove the detachable cross ands bail 30
that the spire could pass under the teie-
phone wires.
lineman seated himself upon the bel
fry. and raised, one By one. the many
main wires IN places where they erosz the
roadway until ali such distractions had
been successfully passed.
Once clear Of the town, up hHI and |
down dale rolled the movable church, the |
nature OF the roadway occasionally Ieees- |