The times., 1899-10-16


cation Of the Central Union Mission as an
evangelical auxiliary of the churches of
this city. was celebrated yesterday with
fitting services. Three meetings were held
during the day-in the morning at II
o'clock al the Street Baptist Church;
at 3 O'Clock in the afternoon at the mis-
sion. and 81 7:3e o'clock in the evening at
the First Congregational Church. The mis-
sion is an interdenominational organiza-
tion. and is governed by a board of di-
rectors. made up Of representatives of
almost every religious organization in the
District. The work carried on is purely
evangelical, and 1t is said that much good
has been accomplished. II numbers among
its friends almost every minister in the
city, and the members Of the various
churches respond generously when called
upon to contribute tc its support. II
maintains a vehicle. known as a gospel
wagon. in which its members make trips
TO every part OF the city. holding meetings
wherever they think necessary. Open air
meetings are also held each evening OF
the plaza, at the corner OF Seventh Street
and Louisiana Avenue northwest, and
MONDAY services are conducted through
the week at the mission.
The organization also conducts a lodging
house for the benefit OF strangers who are
without means and who win saw few
sticks CT wood Quite a sum is realized
each year from the proceeds Of the wood
thus cut by the penniless wayfarers.
There are also cheap accommodations for
those who cannot afford TO 90 to hotels
during their stay In the city. The board
Of directors AZ present consists OF O. B.
Brown, Chairman; A. L. Swartwout Sec
retary; J. c. Pratt, Treasurer; George w.
Wheeler. Allen Wood. W. c. Tyler Charles
J. Ladson. Silas Boyee, n. A Robbins. and
7. A. Harding
The Morning Service.
The first meeting OF the anniversary
series commenced promptly at IL O'Clock.
Through some misunderstanding Rev. J.
J. Muir. d. D., OF the Street Baptist
Church. had not been informed of the sub
ject on which he was expected to preach.
and he delivered a sermon he had prepared.
selecting Tor q subject. Jesus and the
Masses" explaining before he commenced
the reason Of the change in the lro-
grzmme
The Rev. Dr.. Muir selected for his text
Matthew ix:3s. But when he saw the null
titude he was moved with compassion on
them and they famished and were seat
tered abroad as sheep having no shepherd
Jesus mingled with the masses. said
Dr. Muir. and he knew their needs and
he has taught Us what TO do for them.
Jesus lad an eye foT the people. and sought
them, for be was social being. n all OF
his work We see him coming in contact
vita the people"
The preacher described how the Savior
went I'D and down the cities TO greet the
people. and said that Jesus was not sat
isiied with looking at them superaclalIy,
but that he looked beneath the surface.
He said that centuries had passed since
the words OF the text were uttered, and be
asked If the masses have changed. when
we step into the everyday experience of
the masses" he said we are compelled
10 believe that the multitudes ia cur towns 4
are prone 10 despair, and that many OF !
them feel that there is nothing before
them but a grave dug by the hand OF
charity
How many" he continued. "are asking
IN despair. Is life worth ivingg' When
Jesus saw the multitude he found them
uncared for. How Is It tcday2'' Or, Muir
declared that there is gulf deeper. wider,
and darker than il ought to be between the
church and the masses. He referred TO
the neglected poor in the tenement dis
tricts OF London and New York, and pic
tured with effect their sadness. want. and
misery. He said that Washington does not
have all Of these conditions. but that there
are people In this city. who. in the battle 4
for bread. il work should be lost them,
would have nothing TO look forward TO but
despair
Dr. Muir. referring to the work of the
Central Union Mission. said that some OF
those before him could tell stories Of ne
giect that ought 10 make civilization blush
from shame. Have you ever thought of
where Christ would go IL he again should
visit the earth2" asked the preacher.
Would he go to the houses OF the com
Portable and the well-to-do or would he
be found with the weary and lowly. and
struggling and sinful, endeavoring to BRING
about a bstter condition.
DR.. Muir then referred to the WORK OF
the Central Union Mission in the high
ways and byways. and declared that il did
not as had been said. oppose the church.
Dut that the mission was a hand of the
church extended TO help 20 do the Lords
service. The mission is a child Of the
church. he declared. and in no case can
il be a rival &"
he congratulated the mission upou the
work 1t had accomplished and wished /,
godepeed
The afternoon meeting was an interes,gno
one After the preliminary services OF
song and prayer, there were addresses by
w. ID. Ningling Rev A. s. Fiske. d d
Rev. II. x. Naylcr. ID. D.; Rev. J r. Bu,-
ler, D. D., and Rev. Joseph T. Kelley d. d
In addition 10 these. several converts of
the mission related their experiences ana
told OF the great spiritual benefit they had
received from the influences Of the insti-
tuition. The programme was thoroughly en-
5oyed by the audience.
The evening service was opened al 7.3u
o'clock az the First Congregational Church
with an organ voluntary by Prof. Bischon.
following which came q short song ssrvice
by the mission choir and orchestra. The
church had rapidly iiled Up during the frs,
part Of the service. ard by the tine the
Scripture was read by J. c Pratt every s.at
IN the auditorium and galleries was fllea
With very representative congregation.
The platform IN front OF the chc'- loft was
enlarged 10 accommodate the speakers. ana
the mission chorus. with the orchestra oc
cupied the choir loft The reading on the
lesson for the evening was followed by
prayer by Allen Ward, Of the mission ana
then Rev 5. =. Newman. Of the FIRST Con
EregatiOnal Church. delivered an address
solo was sung by Mrs Malice. wife Of tbs
blind evangelist. followed by the anpust
statement of the chairman OF the board a;
directors Of the work OF the mission. Al
dresses were made By q number Of the
converts Of the mission. after which Rev
J. J. Muir made an 7unaaf IA the .o-o-,