The times., 1899-09-25
THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
Rev. Fred ID. Power Gives n History
of Alexander CampbeIPs Work.

hev. Fred ID. Power Gives History
of Alexander CnmpbeIPs Work.
Ihe discourse of Rev. Fred. d. Power,
d. d.. at the Mt. Vernon Christian Church
yesterday morning, took the form of his
tory of the Christian Church in this coun-
try. The first Church of what was then
known as the Disciples of Christ, was
founded in New York, where, the minister
stated. there was less progress in Church
development today than in any other sec
tion of the country. Under the date of
March /, 1875 a circular was addressed TO
churches of like faith and order to assem-
BILE together in New York and profess
obedience to and belief in the teachings of
Jesus Christ. The Church was formed on
very firm basis, but for long time it
had sort Of nomadic existence. There
was no regular meeting place and the con-
gregation was forced to borrow houses of
worship from various other denominations
before 1t finally secured home of it's own.
Then the movement spread TO Pennsyl-
vania and the remainder of the Eastern
and Southern States One of the princi-
pal workers in the Church at this period
and for many years afterward was the
Rev. Alexander Campbell. For long
time, and even in some sections of the
country today, the members of the Church
are called Campbellites on account of the
active work of Mr.. Campbell in the or
ganization of its forces. The order they
call the law of Christ, which is the funda-
mental principle of their creed, Is as fol-
lows:
We require that all whom we receive into
fellowship should believe in their heart and
fess with their mouth that Jesus is the Christ,
| that he died for our sins, according TO the
Scriptures, and that upon such confession, and
that alone, they should be baptized.
There were number of persons who be-
lieved in part of the creed or law thus
promulgated, but number did not concur
with the ideas on baptism. Several very
eloquent ministers were included in this
number, and they were not received into
the church. After detailing the work in
various parts of the country, DR.. Power
spoke of the organization of the church
in Washington.
The Disciples of Christ were late in
reaching the District of Columbia with
their preachers and organizers, and it was
not until MIR. Campbell passed through this
city in 1882 on his Southern trip, that ef-
forts were made to effect an organization
He complained of the want of religion and
Christianity in the Capital OF the nation.
and deplored the existing state OF affairs
With special reference to the members OF
Congress, Mr.. Campbell is reported TO have
said that it was hard for a Christian 10
represent unehristian constituencies, and
the politician rises by catering to the lusts
and passions of men. An effort was made
to effect an organization Of a congregation
in December, 1899 but there is no record
that it was successful. The first church
of which there is record was organized
by Rev. DR.. Barclay. and has continued
in active work since 1Sss- Mr. Campbei
revisited the city in 1850. when be was
asked 10 address the members OF Congress
at tne Capitol. and his sermon is said
to have been one OF tha most stirring ad-
dresses that was ever delivered In the halls
Of legislation shortly after this he took
up his residence here. Meetings were held
in private houses. public halls on thc
streets. IN tents. and on vacant lots for
several years, before building was con-
structed to accommodate the congregation
Then a plot Of ground vas secured In VI
Street northwess. and a small wooden
structure erected thereon. Here services
were held until the present church waz
erected, in Vermont Avenue. near y Street.
in 1854. There are several other churches
of the Christian denomination in this city
but the Vermont Avenue congregation were
the pioneers in the work
Dr. Power then stated the results of the
work in Virginia and the South, together
with New England, and closed his address
with glowing tribute to the powers and
personality OF Alexander Campbell. the
pioneer of pioneers, he said, in the building
of the organization throughout the country.