The record-union., 1899-10-26
METHODIST JUBILEE BEGINS
SIXTH-sTREET SERVICES AT
TRACT MANY PEOPLE.
Brief and Interesting Addresses a
Feature of the Initial
Meeting.

There was a large attendance at the
Sixth-street NJ. E. Church last night,
the occasion being the commemoratlon
Of the fiftieth year of the church's eX-
istence.
The church was beautifully decorated
and the services consisted Of singing
and brief speeches by three former
pastors. They were Rev. ]. w. Ross
Rev. H. B. Heacock and Rev. NJ. d.
Buck.
The sixth-street M. Z. Church was
founded by Rev. Isaac owen IN Octo-
ber, 1S49, at DR.. Millers store. The
membership at the outset was seventy
two. but there has been wonderful
growth since then, so that to-day there
are 440 members.
Since the church began there mas
been a. long line Of pastors. The follow
ing table shows the pastors and the
years they were in charge: Isaac owen,
1S49-50; M c. Briggs, 1S505l; Royal
b. Stratton, 1S51-53; Warren Oliver
and r. Merchant, 1S53-55; n. P. Heath
1855; George S. Phillips. 1S55-57; j. w
Ross, 1S57-59; ]. d. Blain, lSo9-6li
Jesse T. Peck, 1S61-63; M. c. Briggs
1S63-65; j. w. Ross, 1S65-6S; J. ri
Wythe, 186S-70; H. B. Heacock, 1870
20; A. NJ. Hough. 1S73-75; NJ. G. Briggs
1S75-7S; r. Bentley, 1S1S-Sl; I. D
Dunn, 1SS1-S4; L. r. Ollie, 1SS4-ot'
Arnold T, Needham, 1SS7-9l; I. e.
George, 1S91-93: c. V. Anthony 1894
and M. d. Buck 1894 to 1897; s. j.
Carroll 1897.
The material for the first house OF
-g,f, hxrf he
from Baltimore around Cape Horn
When erected it made building 24x3t
feet in dimensions. The lot upon which
il was located at Seventh and L streets
was donated for the purpose by zen
eral Sutter.
The organization was called the Sev-
enth-street Methodist Church. In 100
a brick structure was erected in It's
place, but soon after it's dedication, IN
the same year, it was destroyed by the
great fire. A. cheap structure was useo
for some time and then sold to the
Jewish congregation, the Methodist
members using a hall over the ole
Postoflce until the present edifice or
Sixth street, between x and l., coulc
be built The building has tifty-twc
feet front and something over 100 feel
depth, and it's cost was about S45,U0U
A few years ago Peter Bohl donated
lot in the rear. of the church and the
building was enlarged to permit the
installation therein of a magnificent
organ.
Last nights meeting was attended by
many who were familiar with the fore
going facts and who have been witt
oh, i'm ceg-
To them the services We're peculiarly
impressive and interesting.
After the preliminary singing Rev. NJ
d. Buck read from the Scriptures. He
was followed by Rev. S. ]. Carroll In
further readings, after which Rev. j
w. Ross invoked Gods blessing on the
congregation and on churches in al
lands There was further singing, after
which the pastor made various an
nouncements concerning meetings ol
the week He also said that the roI
of the church would be called during
the meetings, whereupon each person
might respond with a testimonial te
salvation.
Our hope is" he said, that tn.
meetings will emphasize the value OF
spiritual life 1 do not care much fol
names, dates and figures. but for the
wider fact of salvation. If / cared tC
look backward, however, l might say
there has been a remarkable series ol
pastors here. Even before Rev. Isaac
owen came, in 1919, a layman helc
services here. DR.. Briggs was also 9
wonderful man in the church. He die
much to shape things, right at the crit.
ical moment. Others of ability followed
him, and q line of consecrated mer
and women have built this church int
power. feel how great their service
and feel, too. that thousands have
been made happy by the fellowship
formed in this church"
Rev. J. w. Ross followed in a brie'
address, in which he outlined the his
tory OF past church work.
I am asked to say why the fathers
We're more successful than we are il
getting converts to the faith. / have
been a member of the church for more
than sixty years, and I confess that
cannot fully answer the question.
am satisfied they had no better equip
ments than we have. One reason they
succeeded better than we is that We
have less raw material than they had
in their day only person in fourteen
professed religion; to-day one in three