Evening star., 1899-03-16
METHODIST HOMEFOR AGED
Mass Meeting in Its Interest Held at Ham
line Church.
Addresses by President of the Board
-COntributions Solicited.

A mass meeting in aid of the Home for
| the Aged of the Methodist Episcopal
churches in the District of Columbia was
| held last evening at Hamline NJ E. Church,
corner of 9th and P streets northwest, Rev.
W. r. Stricken, pastor. The edifice was
filled. and residents from every section of
the city were among those present.
On very large platform erected espe-
cially for the occasion there were seated
the majority of the lady managers of the
home, some 2o0 in number; also Rev. Dr.
L. B. Wilson, presiding elder, Washington
district: Rev. ]. F. Heisse, Rev. W. r.
Stricken, Mr. G. w. F. Swartzell Mr..
Andrew b. Duvall, Prof ]. w. Blschoff,
Dr. Thomas C. Smith, DR.. r. kingsman
and others.
of managers. presided and conducted the
devotional exercises Mr.. William ]. Palmer
was musical director.
Rev. DIR. Wilson explained the object of
the meeting and asked for liberal contri-
buttons from those present to help forward
the building of a new home for the aged,
which. he said, is absolutely needed in or
der that the work for which the present
home was established may not be retarded
home for the aged he remarked, was the
first great Christian institution, and was
established during the scenes attending the
cfuciiXion.
President Duya1Ts Address.
Mr. Andrew B. Duvall president of the
board of trustees of the home, told of the
origin of the institution. Methodism, he
said. had been in the District of Columbia
for nearly 100 years, but the denomination
has not advanced as much as it would have
done had every member done his or her
duty Mr. DuvalI said no Methodist should
feel discouraged because a writer hau
taken the reports made by the NJ II;
churches to the Baltimore conference ana
reached from them the conclusion that the
Methodists here had not increased in men,
bership as much during the last ten years
as they might have done. There was no
reason. in his opinion. to feel discouraged
because there had apparently been a de-
crease in membership. both in washington
and Baltimore, during the period men
toned
The NJ E. Home for the Aged, he said
was Incorporated in 1889. About a year
later the building now occupied was pur-
chased The home was thrown open to the
Methodist community April l. 1880, and 1t
has accomplished to a large extent the pur-
poses for which it was provided. The time
has come, he declared, when the present
building has become inadequate Tor the
wants and needs of the Methodist com
munity and steps must be taken to provide
larger quarters. Out of the movement to
found the home, Mr.. Duvall said, has
grown the Methodist Alliance and the
Methodist Union, while the members of the
various NJ. E churches have been brought
into closer and more harmonious relations
than existed previously. The speaker call
ed attention to the fact that the corporate
name of the institution is The Methodist
Home of the District of Columbia" and he
made this announcement. he said, so that
no one who might want TO leave something
to the institution in his will would make
any error in the name and the bequest
thereby be invalidated.
To Whom Credit is Due.
NJrc n Ctract Soi5 ba bopor Of found
ing the Home for the Aged was due to
former Methodist pastor who discovered one
old Methodist lady in the poorhouse and
another, who. if relief had not arrived
would have had to go there. 1t was nine
years ago this month that that magnificent
woman, the late Mrs. ]. Mckendree Kelley,
took charge of the home in the name of the
board of managers. Mrs. Street told about
the Improvements which had been made
from time to time. During the nine years of
the homes existence there have been raised
by the lady managers S2I 600. almost all of
which was contributed in small amounts.
The laI geSt gift received was one of 81 900
which made by a lady member of the
VI. e. Church South. There were five con-
tributions, she thought. of $1oo each. The
rest had come in small amounts. Some la
dies who had pledged themselves to raise
stipulated amount had been able to do so
only by making great sacrifices. Some had
made candy and sold it, some had done
economical on gloves and other articles
The home is now. Mrs. Street said, in
generally dilapidated condition. 1t has
been examined by men who were capable
of Judging, and declared to be too much
decayed to be placed in any better order
than 1t is.
A new building must be erected. and she
asked each one in the audience to give
something. IF, said she, you only have
car ticket, give that and walk home"
In conclusion. Mrs Street appointed
dience and take subscriptions Mrs. NJ E
Hartsock one of those selected. said she
would peldge herself TO raise 500 in the
northeast section of the city, the money to
be used in building new home.
Some Contributions.
Mrs. Street said she had been authorized
to state that DR.. Kingsman would give $500
Mr.. G. W. +. Swartzell a like amount, and
number of others 500 each.
In reply to a question from Mr.. Ashley.
Mr.. Duval, president of the board of trus-
tees, said the amount given in aid of the
purpose of the meeting would be credited
on what is known as the $50, 600 900 fund to
be raised by the Methodists of the United
States as twentieth century offering.
Then. remarked Mr.. Ashley Il will
give 500 for the home"
While the subscriptions We're being taken
appropriate remarks Were made BY DR. Will
son and Mrs. Street The latter stated, af-
ter canvass of the audience was completed
that there had not been as much money
raised as was expected, the hope having
! been to secure $1,000 She felt confident
however, that the ladies of the board would
be able TO get the amount of money neces-
sary to secure a new home
After the lifting of a basket collection
the benedicton was pronounced by DIR. VIII
son. following which a social hour was
spent and refreshments served in the leo
ture room of the church. During the ex
ercises of the meeting solos We're sung by
Miss Wahley and Mr.. ]. Walter Humphrey
lnVaids and others interested in the new
science OF healing can have literature and
Information mailed by addressing Oste-
opathy, 18th and q sts-Advt.