The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-01-30

thanks to the resisting ability of his
headgear he escaped with only mo-
mentary scare.
The church was the oldest of the
Baptist denomination in this city, as It's
name indicates. 1t was organized by
Elder William X. Mott Aug. 26. 1s49
and the congregation was making elab-
crate preparations to celebrate its
semi centennial. one of the happy con-
temptations of the church members
that one Of the main features of the
anniversary exercises would be the
burning Of the mortgage there being
but $4,000 of the bonded debt remain
ing.
At the conclusion of the regular SER
vice last evening at the South Main
Avenue First Welsh Baptist church, a
congregational meeting was held and
resolutions of regret referring to the
sad loss OF the Scranton Street Baptist
church congregation I'm the destruction
of their church by fire IA few hours
previous. Benjamin Hughes presided
and James A. Evans and James r.
Hughes were appointed as the commit
tee to draw up the resolutions. The
resolutions conveyed sympathy and a
OTHER COMMUNICATIONS READ.
Similar communications bearing
upon the loss were sent from the con-
gregations of the Simpson Metho-
dist and Plymouth Congregational
churches. That of the former was
signed by the pastor, Rev. j. Il. Sweet,
and II. d. Jones and w. w. Davis. of
the official board. That Of the latter
was signed by the members Of the
board of trustees
From the Penn Avenue Baptist
church came the following:
Resolved, Having learned with pro-
found sadness of the sudden calamity
which has befallen the First BAPTIST
church Of Scranton, in the loss by fire Of
their Commodious church odihce, we
hereby express our prayerful and heart
! felt sympathies to the earnest and faith
, full pastor and to the mother church in
this hour of trial We assure them of our
| deep interest in all their church life and
| proffer them such use of our church ap-
| pointment and other material and spir-
| itual aid as may be within our power.
Though tried by fire we trust their faith
| in God may grow strong, the church con-
| tinue "A united, loyal body of Jesus Christ
and their temple rise with greater glory
| from the ashes of the past.
| With Christian greetings,
| BY order of the church,
Robert +. Y. Pierce. Pastor.
! II. j. Hall, Church Clerk.
These communications were received
at the meeting of the boards of trus-
tees and deacons held last evening al
the parsonage. The pastor Rev. S. F.
Matthews, presided and George Wat.
| kins acted as secretary. The members
| of the board of trustees are James NJ
Eaton chairman; Charles Bush, Jabes
| Floyd. Evan Jones and Robert Peck.
ms; of the board Of deacons. Johr
| owens, w. c. Davis, Randolph Jones
Charles Corliss. DR.. b. G.. Beddoe ant
| Charles p. Ashleman. There were
others connected with the severa
church societies and the congregation
who were present.
RECEIVED WITH GRATITUDE.
The official members received these
welcome messages of sympathy anC
prOfferment of assistance with deel
gratitude. After considerable discus
sion, it was agreed to hold a meetins
Of the members Of the congregation il
the basement of the First Welsh Bap
tist church, on South Main avenue thi
evening at 7.S0 o'clock.
Every member is urgently requested
to attend, as ways and means will b,
considered. Pending further action, tn
members of the official board and tn
pastor of the afflicted congregation de
sire to express their deep appreciation
of the many kind expressions of sym
pathy and offers of aid which have al
ready been made.