Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-02-02
HIS SILVER ANNIVERSARY
Rev. Dr.. Johnson's Twenty Fifth Year as
Minister Of the Gospel
Congratulatory Addresses by His
Friends at Meeting Held Last
Eycnfng-The Program.

A testimonial meeting commemorative of
the twenty-fifth anniversary of the ordina-
ton of Rev. ]. Albert johnson, D. D., as a
Christian minister was held last evening at
Metropolitan A. NJ. E. Church, NJ street
near 18th northwest Of which DR.. Johnson
is pastor.
The exercises were opened with an Or
gan solo by Prof. W. Braxton, organist of
the church, following which an invocation
was offered by Bishop Salter.
In introducing Bishop James A. Handy
as the presiding officer of the evening Mr..
Thomas H. Wright. chairman of the COM
mittee of arrangements, said in part:
Among the many notable events that
have taken place in this building since its
erection l know of none that has excited
warmer interest than the one that brings
us together at this hour. When few days
ago 1t became known to the officers and
members of this church that their pastor.
DR.. ]. A. johnson. who had served them so
faithfully and SO acceptably during his four
years pastorate, had been in the Christian
ministry twenty-five years they at once de-
termined that such an suspicious event in
his ministerial career should not be per-
mtted to pass unnoticed; that the oppor-
tunity thus presented should be utilized in
giving public expression to their apprecia-
ton of his work, not alone as 1t related to
his distinguished career as minister of
the gospel, but also as one of the ablest
opponents of the Christian religion that the
A. NJ. E. Church has ever had in the ma
tional capital city.
with such pastors as Rev. John Albert
Johnson occupying its pulpits African
Methodism Of l may be allowed to use that
term) has nothing to fear, but all things TO
hope for here. 1t will undoubtedly, in the
near future. take its proper place in the
uDbuldinQ and advancement Of the Mas
ter's Kingdom in the city Of Washington
and THIS great correctional Metropolitan
Church shall become what it's projectors no
doubt intended it should be, the representa-
tive church here of that great ecclesiastical
organization
Bishop Handy's Remarks.
Bishop Handy made a short address, in
which he referred to the A. NJ. E. Church
as a church in which all the members are
brothers. Mr.. Wesley was, he said. strict
churo hman. There is nothing more remark
able than the way in which the Divine head
of the church has raised up specially gifted
and qualified instruments to do His work.
Such men were Martin Luther, John Wes-
ley. Richard Allen. and last but not the
least. a man. a Christian, preacher, a
preacher of our day, whom this assembly is
here this day to honor, Rev. j. Albert john
SON."
For the Ministerial Union Rev. Dr. o. NJ
Waller spoke. saying in part: 1T is not
given to every man as to DR.. Johnson to
stand upright so courageously and inter-
estingly in the slippery places of leader
snip for quarter of century. So broad
is DIR. johnson in his sympathies that no
endeavor that looked to the amelioration
of our people. or indeed of our humanity.
has failed to elicit his interest and hearty
support. No wonder, indeed, to US that
they to whom he ministers speak of the
deep purity of his life, the helpfulness of
his sermons. and regard his presence
as a benefactor to our community. We
hope that DR.. johnson will long be spared
and assigned a continuance among US. For
we feel that long after he has left us and
his voice has ceased to plead in this holy
place the cause Of the Master and others
shall be blessed with his eloquence and his
life"
After solo by Prof. ]. T. Layton, Mr..
John F. Cook spoke for the citizens of
johnson he said, among other things:
THE government of the United States
was brought to Washington in 1902. A
census taken May g. 1904, showed the pop
ulation to be 1852. OF these 1.14O were
colored. III of whom were slaves. In 1910
the population, including that of George
town. was 5000 white persons and S,444
colored. of whom 1894 were slaves. In
in 1870. 1894; in 1880, 50, $685. the whites
numbering al the same time 11S,O06. and
today there are nearly or quite 10000 COL
ored people in the District Of Columbia"
Public Schools Represented.
Speaking on the part of the public schools.
Mrs. A. J. Cooper said, in part:
"A chaplet of fresh young buds I offer
Far costlier than pearls, more precious than
rubies. of more account by the scale of
values in Gods economy than all the myr-
lad worlds thronging the eternal spaces of
His universe. the lives of little children
teening with activity, burstinl, out with
capabilities. radiant with hope and promise,
responsive to the touch of sympathetic in
terest. sensitive to the inspiration of noble
example and ennobling suggestion, as is
the optic nerve to sunlight or hickory
sparks to the rising wind: for these pusing
bits of humanity. with all their Joys and
their sorrows, their needs and their Oppor-
tunities. their possibilities for good and
their capacities for evil. / say happy is
the man whose soul radiates loving kind
ness and cheer to bless and encourage, to
stimulate to high endeavor and glorious
achievement the young of his day and gen.
GRAFTON. Blessed, thrice blessed, is he whose
own life is sunset in the armament up to
dawn for warmth and growth and vitaliz-
ing power
Referring to Mr.. Johnsons life and ex-
ample. Mrs. Cooper sadd:
THE young of his flock can turn to him
with the actualities of Monday as we'll as
the longings Of Sunday
Rev. La ]. Coppin spoke words of congrat-
ulation on the part Of he A. NJ. E. conven-
Stoii, oiu olecA d SoCdl SOio ny MISS LOla
johnson and Mr.. Winston Payne respect
lively. Mrs NJ. NJ. Smith, on the part Of
Metropolitan Church. presented Dr. John
son with a silver tea service. Dr. Johnson
was also the recipient of several other pres
ents Of silver articles.
1t Is understood that resolution signed
by all the trustees, the stewards, the class
leaders. the superintendent Of the Sunday
school and the director Of the choir, was at
meeting of the bishops council pre-
sented to that body. asking that the pres
ent pastor of Metropolitan A. NJ. T.. Church
shall be returned to the charge for another
year.