Evening star., 1902-03-05
CENTURY OF SERVICE
One Hundredth Anniversary
of Baptist Church.
MEETING LAST NIGHT
ADDRESSES BY COMMISSIONERS
MCFARLAND AND OTHERS.
The Denomination Receives Congratu-
latory Greetings-Progress Of
the Church Reviewed.
MEETING LAST NIGHT

The second weekday demonstration OF
the centennial celebration of the annver-
sary of the Baptist denomination in the
District occurred last night at the First
Baptist Church. 1t was an interdenomina-
tional meeting, in which Commissioner H.
B. F. Macfarland and pastors from several
city churches took part The pulpit plat
form presented a pleasing appearance with
it's green setting Of palms and plants. To
the right of the PLATFORM a level with
the choir loft, were the significant figures
1902 made from foliage, while "1902
occupied a similar position to the left of
the platform
DIR. E. B. Pollard, pastor of the First
Church, presided and made a short address
in which he extended cordial welcome to
the representatives of other churches. In
closing Dr. Pollard introduced Commits
sioner Macfarland whom he referred to as
an earnest Christian, a Jealous patriot ana
an hOnora BILE citizen.
Commissioner Macfarland, in behalf of
the District government, said:
The government of the District of Co
umbia gladly pays tribute to tbs ceIebra-
ton of a century of honor l'acause the
state has no union with the church il can
appreciate and admire the church $ good
work the more. Because it does not have
/
1t has nothing to do with the creeds cf the
church. and therefore it has nothing to do
with the controversies of the church But
it is benefited by the deeds nf the church,
and there fore 1t is grateful for the successes
of the church.
Century of Service.
"It sees in this commemoration a hundred
years of noble faithful ana disinterested
service of the community. 1t sees hun
{ nI
ua BILE contribution to the commonwealth
1t sees thousands upon thousands of men
and women boys and girls, led in the way
of the highest Christian citizenship. 1t
sees more than three generations of right
eous and patriotic living, which has en-
riched us all.
Imagine all that the Baptist church has
done in the District of Columbia, sub
stracted from our history and our pres
ent possession, and you learn the meas
ure of our debt to that great denomination.
That is debt which cannot and should
not be payable in money, directly or in
directly. The church should support the
state, and not the state the church. But it
is Il debt to be paid in honor, reverence
and affection by the community.
1T is one of the glOries of our voluntary
system that the churches splendidly
supported by their own members that
they are better off than if they were sup
ported by the state. and are so well able
to discharge their obligations to the state.
But from time TO time and espe cially on
occasions like this. the state may well
acknowledge and liquidate, far that
is possible, its obligations of gratitude
And with thanksgiving we can
mingle rejoicing that the tree which has
yielded such abundant and wholesome
fruit, is larger and stronger than ever,
and shows promise of greater and better
results in the future
Extends Congratulation.
Dr P1-1 he of
Luther Place Memorial Church, was next
introduced and he extended his congratula-
tons to the Baptist people. He said he
did not believe the time would come
when all people would be enrolled in q
universal church. The difference in tenn
permanent of people. he said, requires and
would always require different denomina-
tions. He said, however that interdenom-
national union was growing and while
members were loyal to their own particu-
lar church. there were cooperating for the
upbuiding of all.
DR.. Butler said he was glad for the spirit
of comfy existing among the churches of
the city. He believed Washington is not
only the best governed city, but the most
religious city in the country, and that the
highest types OF religious lie can be found
here.
Other Addresses.
After DR. Buffers remarks a beautiful
solo was sung by Miss Eleanor Simonds.
DR. J. NJ Schick of the Grace Reformed
Church was next introduced by the chair
man. with complimentary remarks. DR..
Schick congratulated the Baptist people on
the good they had accomplished here and
on their healthy condition after one hun
dred years of active work. He hoped for
their continued growth and increase. DIR.
Schick did not believe God had blundered in
permitting the organization OF dlnerent de-
nOminati tionS.
DR.. Teunis s. Hamlin of the Church of
the Covenant extended congratulations on
behalf Of the PreSby terianS. He said he did
not believe God ought to be charged with
the denominations formed on petty differ
ences. involving no principle. He firmly be-
lieved, he said. that the time will come
when all Christian people will be united as
one He referred to conditions in churches
and nations of today. which could not nave
been experienced thirty years ago, and
mentioned as an instance the visit of Prince
Henry to this country. He said the people
of the world are coming together on things
on which they agree ana are refusing 10
contend on matters in which they differ.
The congratulations of the Congregational
churches were brought by DIR. S. M. New
man Of the First Church. He believes. he
said that there are many non-essential
things which form a gulf between the de-
nominations, and these differences he said.
must be closed up before Christian people
can accomplish their full purpose. He com
pared the past one hundred years OF the
Rautist Church in the District to the period
of soil cultivation and seed sowing, and eX-
pressed the belief that the next century
will witness a great harvest for that de-
nomination.
DR.. r. D. Power of the Vermont Avenue
Christian Church expressed the hope that
the denominations will continue to grow
into more friendly relations and become
one He said the Baptists and Disciples
ought to unite and that it wouldn't take
much to push down the barrier between
the two churches:
DIR. Merrill E. Gates paid glowing trib
ute to the Baptist Church for the great
work 1t has done in the interests of Chris
tian education.
DR. Mackay-Smith of St. Johns Episcopal
and Dr. Frank NJ. Bristol of Metropolitan
M E. Church were unable to attend and
Dr. Pollard referred to their absence with
regret
Concluding Remarks.
Dr. Samuel H. Greene. in the concluding
address, presented greetings from Calvary
Baptist Church to the Mother Church."
and spoke feeling of the relations existing
In the home family and church. He said
he felt gratifed that representatives of
other households of faith came to bring
such hearty congratulations and well
wishes, and he thanked the visiting pas
tors for their words of good cheer, which