The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1902-08-30

GOOD PurpOses-An Effort VIII Be-
Made to Establish Chureh-Au.
other Entertainment Is to be
Given Sept. llth. Etc.
Correspondence OF THE FREE LANcrl
Lewiston. Va. August 25th. 1902.
The brilliant success. on Fridaylast. of
the Horse SHOW and the eNcning enter
tainment at the Lewiston Hall. for the
benefit OF the Episcopal church seems to
AhurI occasion Tor some record of the
building and its usefulness 10 the neirh.
borhood. since its erection.
Ii seems due to the many friends ,bo
have assisted by their interest. efforts
aud means. in the building of the Ham
20 give some account OF what has been
effected 10y their liberal help.
ne irst effort to raise funds for this
purpose was an entertainment given. hy
the eind permission of MIR. !. L. Uolla-
day, ON his lawn This was the most
beautiful and striking success of an the
entertainments given for the Hall. Nine.
~ dollars or about that sum was real
i1ed. With this the building was bepun
though. of course. it was necessary to
borrow more 10 bring the house to its
present state-that of a large. commo-
dious hau. with wide rostrum at one
end. and gallery at the other. and
benches 10 seat comfortably large au-
dience. The Interior is as vet. unfinished
Hy successive entertainments realizino
respectively from $50 to 81. a debt Of m
wards OF a hundred dollars has becr
pad OF, with interest. and a fund of
about seventy dollars i laid by in bank
towards the completion of the interior.
heatlng, painting. &c.-plans for all ni
winch objects the promoters confidently
nope 70 mature and execute. Thehouse il
undedlcated. since IL was intended as =
pace ior social. as well as religious gath
erirg and since If il had been Dedicated
II would be unavailable for the former
Of these purposes.
10 has been urci several times "A vear
Tor entertainments. aud has been a con
venient centre for the meeting of a con
gregatiun Tor religious services. and for
Sunday schools. during the summer. and
sometimes far into the winter. As on
portunity afforded. and minister's could
Toe obtained. religious SER, ICES have
occurred with greater and greater
reluency. until. Tor the past year or
two. regular preaching has been estab-
lished. conducted iir-t by the Rev e.. y.
Iyndell and later by the Rev. j L. Cole
man ot the Episcopal church 4 small
circulating library ofimproNing literature
has been established at the hail for the
use Oi the neighborhOOd. Although there.
have been trials and disappointments.th the
builders OF the hall have their hopes more
than realized in the usefulness of the
building to the community. and look for
ward 90 seeing lasting fruits Of its bene-
hts and influence. So lar it has afforded
opportunities Tor the members of the diff
ierent denominations to enjoy the ser
wees Oi their ministers at a convenient
point Tor the assembling of good con.
gregatlons. lt has been the means of
forming nucleus for the establishment
OF regular Episcopal services much eniov-
ed by the community. The little band
ot Episcopalians are greatly encouraged
ana rom outside some members have al
ready been added TO the church. and
have become active workers for its estab-
lishment. And lately the hall is lending
ITS influence ana energy TO the raising of
a fnnd TO erect a church at Lewiston
which shall be a means OF carving on
and extending the work il has begun.
lhe hall has, so far. for the most part
served very nearly the purpose OF what
Is called in England THE Church Room"
an undedlcated hall. either side by side
with the church or forming a part of the
Rector's home. and used for gatherings
OF the congregation forsocial enjoyment.
or IN company with their pastors and
teachers. The present account of Lewis
ton Hall, its building and usefulness. will
not only serve to inform the many who
are interested in its work, but as a sug-
gestion 70 Others in country communities.
Qi method OF Infringing good and elevat-
ing influences TO bear on the Intellectual.
social and religious life of a neighbor-
hood.
1t is proposed that there shall be an
other entertainment at the hall on Thurs
day, Sept llth, for the benefit of the fund
Tor finishing the hail, which is greatly de-
sired to do before cold weather. in order
that there may be no interruption of the
services. There will be charming pro-
gramme-refreshment and two dainty
little plays" Best laid Plans" bv Paul
leicester Ford, and when Angry. count
Hundred, given by members of the
neighborhoOd families and visitors.