The Washington times., 1902-03-07
Continue Centennial Cele-
brdtiOn of Church in
Washington.
MANY MINISTERS PRESENT
Letters of Regret From President Roose-
velt and Lieutenant General Nelson A.
Milcs-Rev. Dr.. Sampson Orator of
the Evening.

"Reminiscences covering a long period
OF years in the history of the National
Capital, addresses by prominent clergy
men. and an enthusiastic assemblage of
church workers, last night, at the First
Baptist Church characterized the home
evening" in the centennial celebration of
the Baptist Church in Washington. Let
tiers of regret were read from President
Roosevelt and General Miles.
1t was strictly a meeting of believers
in that creed, which gathered under the
spacious roof of the Oldest Baptist Church
in the city. and with appropriate exer-
cises contributed to the celebration of
the Tooth anniversary of the Baptist re-
ligion here.
Many Ministers Present.
Well-known ministers of Washington,
as well IS those from other cities, were
seated upon the platform, with regard
only for creed. Among those who con-
tributed to the exercises of the notable
event was Rev. W. F. Brooks. the negro
pastor of the Nineteenth Street Baptist
Church.
For the first time since the beginning
of the series of devotional exercises in
commemoration of the great turning
point in the history of the Baptist
church in the Capital. Baptists alone.
those to whose efforts is largely due the
growth. strength, and vigor of the creed
in Washington, participated in the ad-
dresses of welcome, encouragement, and
hope.
The occasion was made what it was
originally planned TO be-a home even
ing" The universal brotherhood of man
as it applies to those associations
closest to mans heart, was the theme
underlying the orations delivered in re-
membrance OF the birthday.
The auditorium of the church was filled
with Baptists. II was truly Baptist"
evening, as we'll as home evening"
History of Church.
Over the platform was a large white
banner. upon which was shown the
geuealogy Of the Baptist Church in
Washington. Commencing with the
First Church, founded in 1902, of which
the ediice and congregation at Sixteenth
and o Streets is the successor. the entire
history OF the religion here was traced
in few words, significant and compre
hensive.
The churches growing out of the First
Church were given, together with their
locations, and the successive churches
formed from these were in turn shown. 1t
was a clever method OF expressing upon
"a few feet OF canvas the Baptist history
OF a big city.
Rev. n J. Huntington, d. D., presided.
In the opening address he spoke with
feeling OF the memory of the occasion
Singing, led by Mr. Percy S. Foster, was
followed by the opening prayer, deliv-
cred with added reverence by Rev. DR..
Muir An interesting and unique feature
of the evening was then presented, when
extracts of many letters from absent and
former members of the church were read.
Letter From President.
The letter of regret from President
Roosevelt was also read. 1t expressed to
the church the friendliest and most cor
dial congratulations, and regret that,
upon the anniversary of the First Baptist
Church, he could not be present. The
letter of regret from Lieut.. Gen Nelson
a. Miles. who was unable to be present,
was also Tedu 10 inc congregation Dy DT-
Huntington.
The hymn. Planted in Christ, the liv
ing yine," was sung by the entire congre-
cation, the immense auditorium resound-
ing with the volume of song. The Irin-
cipal address of the evening was delivered
by Rev. Thomas S. Sampson, d. D., of
Germantown, Pa.
DR.. Sampson expressed his great pleas
ure for the privilege of being present. His
AZ.
lecticns Of old Washington being brought
TO mind. It was his intention, be said,
net only because the pastor had requested
him, but because it was his desire, TO
speak of those men whose early efforts
brought about the great successes of the
present.
He first came into the Baptist Church,
he said. in 1860. during the war when con-
ditions we're unsettled, and mems minds
were deeply stirred. He mentioned by
name many of the former diyines of the
Washington of those days, and did not
forget to pay a tribute to the laymen and
women of the church, who accomplished
SO much for the cause of Christ.
Brought Congratulations.
.5 Greetings to the First Baptist Church
were many and sincere. Among those
*ho brought congratulations from their
various churches were Rev Edward
Brown, of Franklin, Pa; Rev. J. f. Judd,
Of Lewisburg, Pa; Rev. w. F. Brooks, OF
this city, and other local pastors.
The Centennial hymn, written for the |
.ccasion by Miss Mary A. McMakin and |
Percy $. Foster, was sung. The benedic- |
ion WAS pronounced by Rev DR.. Pol |
ard. pastor of the church
Exercises tonight at the First Baptist |
Thurch will be devoted to Anniversary |
Evening" Rev. ]. J. Muir will preside. |
An address will be delivered by Rev. |
Thomas Edwin Brown, DID.
ARMY AND NAVY Union SMOKER |