Evening star., 1902-03-08
FINAL MEETING HELD
BAPTIST CENTENNIAL CELEBRA-
TON BROUGHT TO A CLOSE.
Addresses by DR.. Thomas Edwin Brown
and Others-Dr. Mackay-Smith
Extends Congratulations.

The centennial anniversary exercises Of
the Baptist Church, which have been held
here the past week, were brought to a close
last night with the conclusion of the ami
versary evening exercises at First Baptist
Church. The week has been a memorable
one in the history of the Baptist denomi-
nation in Washington, and there has been
large attendance at every meeting.
The largest audience of the week was
that of last night, the auditorium being
crowded with Baptists and their friends
who came to pay their respects to the
church that has seen service in the District
of Columbia for hundred years. DR..
]. j. Muir, pastor of the E Street Baptist
Church. presided over the exercises. The
opening prayer was made by Rev ]. L.
Lodge, ID. d., who was formerly pastor of
the North Baptist Church, in this city.
The principal address of last evening was
by Rev. Thomas Edwin Brown, D. D., of
Franklin. Pa. who spoke on the subject
THE Century of Baptist Principles" DR..
Brown is a nephew of Rev. Obadiah B.
Brown who the first pastor of the
First Church, and boy attended church
and Sunday school in the old First Baptist
Church. He spoke of the work that had
been accomplished by the denomination in
the last century, and anticipated greater
results in the future His address was lis
tened to with great interest by the large
the close.
Mr. John H. Duffey sang solo. after
which DR.. Muir Introduced Rev. DR.. Alex
ander Mackay-Smith. rector of st. Johns
Episcopal Church. DIR. Muir said the Bap-
lists as we'll as every other denomination
in the city would regret the departure of
DIR. Mackay-Smith when he goes to as
sumo the duties of bishop coadjutor of the
Pennsylvania diocese. He said the Chris
tian people of Washington felt that Dr.
Mackay- Smith belonged to all and did not
consider him in the narrow light of de-
nominationaliSm.
Extends Congratulations.
DIR. MackaySmith spoke briefly Of his
pleasure in meeting with the Baptist people
and congratulated them for their years of
successful labor. He said he enjoyed the
interdenominational meetings and was glad
to see the increased friendliness between
churches of different doctrines. He paid
tribute to the founders of the Baptist faith
in Washington AMI said their work showed
them to be men of great determination.
In speaking of the Baptist fathers he
said he did not want to forget the Baptist
mothers. who held up the hands Of the men,
and knew their weaknesses-but who never
mentioned them. Another work upon which
he commended the Baptist people he re-
fcrred to as the labors among the colored
people, and the good accomplished in that
work. He believed that in the great day Of
diadem Of the Baptist Church would be due
to the good 1t had done for the colored
race.
The centennial hymn was sung, after
which Dr. S. H. Greene of Calvary Baptist
Church pronounced the benediction.
After the meeting in the auditorium the
ladies Of the First Church held an informal
reception in the Sunday school room.
Light refreshments were served and a most
enjoyable time was spent in social con-
verse. the older people present recounting
incidents Of the past.
On the walls in the reception room were
hung large portraits Of former pastors Of
the church. among them being those of Rev
0. B. Brown. DID,, pastor from 1907 to
1870; Rev Stephen p. Hill, DID,, pastor
from 1850 to 1860; Rev. Isaac Cole, co-pas-
tor from 1859 to 1860: Rev. George w
Samson. DID,, pastor from 1850 to 1863;
Rev \. G. Gillette, ID. pastor from 1863
to 1869 and Rev ]. II. Cuthbert, DID, pas
tor from 1869 to 1887
The hour was late when the last Of the
guests departed.