Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-05-24

In the early months of the present year
q plan was instituted among the members
OF the Baptist denomination of the city
whereby the Indebtedness on all the church
property of the white Baptist congrega-
tons in the District of Columbia would be
removed. and the success of that plan is
now assured. The membranes on the
various houses Of worship amount in the
aggregate to about $4,000. and of that sum
an obligation amounting to only two or
three thousand dollars remains unprovfled
for. but 1t is regarded as probable that
within a few weeks the total amount will
Be subscribed
This, it is conceded marks very great
departure in the life of the denomination
IN the District, and leaves every white
Baptist congregation. save one within the
jurisdiction Of the Columbia Associa ton
with a new or remOdeled church ediGce
free from debt.
The plan for raising this Indebtedness II
Is said. originated with Mr.. S W. Wood
ward. member of Calvary Baptist Church
Al MS request a number of gentlemen be-
longing 10 the various Baptist churches in
the city held a meeting to discuss tha s1h
1ect OF paying off the debts on the houses
OF worship. and as a result of the meeting
It CoilllhItiee OF NIFTY prominent Baptists,
representing the different congregat ions
was organized and the course of proceed
uIe was outlined The committee proposed
tIat IL would raise half of the total amount
10
cyhsfeS cations We're to provide an equal
amount. each in proportion to it's share of
lhe total indebtedness. The original promo
Slton was that the debts sh0uld lao re-
moved from the edifces in order tbat ~
way might be cleared for a larger benavn-
lcuCe. 80 'o'eNo-
Nearly all the churches have accented
the terms of the proposition and an hut =
lew nave already secured subscrintjors GOV,
tr.nS their allotted sums. and those conpre
Sa'ionS "hGh nave not as yet responded
expected 10 do so within short time
NaLVary church had no outstanding, dnht
ana the members of that congregation baIrc
rent very material assistance to some of
tht weaker churches which were ,1nab1e. 70
us - 5Ieir iuIl amounts. The movement has
,u'nlShed the opportunity for many beneyO-
rent acts on the part of men and women
connected with the denomination ana ~
IHe case or one church one man subscribed
Inc whole sum Of Indebtedness arnounting
10 several thousand dollars The 1areaS3
$1,000 INV P'iSoil was
Among the prominent laymen who have
peen closely associated with Mr. Woodward
IN this project are w s ShaIenherpsr CO
ohd assistant postmaster general: Mr. 7 T
harrington, Mr.. William H. Hoffman and
uthers- In the past fourteen years the Bap-
llSt denomination has doubled in numbers
WhlIe It's church property has more than
Aouo4ed In value, and the amounts con-
trlpIttd Tor the various benevoiences of the
th"rch nave increased more than a hundred
per cent
1t is said this plan of paying off the debts
On church property has commended itself to
church men in other cities. and in New York
and Philadelphia similar movements have
btth instituted By the combined Baptist
congregations, while In this city the Meth
Ddlsts have adopted like plan to clear
-heir property from incumbrance.
A great activity among the churches of
al examinations in the city has been no.
tic I since the hrst of the year. An unus-
udI number of new houses of worship have
pStn put under construction. and work on
edlnces as yet only planned will be com
menced before the year is ended. In addi-
non 10 the activity noticed in building new
churches' still another feature of the work
Is the successful efforts that have been
made by different congregations toward
paying on the Indebtedness of long stand
ing on their church structures
This state of affairs, it is held by those
interested, points to an Increased interest
IN religious matters and as the evidence of
a greater spirit of philanthropy among
iccai church members. Prominent church,
men OF the numerous denominations in the
city state that this year so far has been
especially characterized for its good re-
suits IN church work and they venture the
opinion that there is great religious re-
Tivdl in the air. the effects of which will
probably be more notably experienced be-
fore the close of 1907.
This first half year has also been marked
ny large number of INSTRUMENTATION
meetings, brought about to n great extent
by the various anniversary celebrations. in
which ministers representing different de-
nominations meet together and Interchange
views on religious matters in perfect good
fellowship. The sentiment expressed ct
these meetings has been particularly void
OF blSotry, it is cited. and it is regarded as
as not unlikely that those coming under
the Influence of the gatherings have been
greatly benefited.
The peace conference at The Hague was
Celebrated recently by the Friends Chris
tan Fellowship Union at the meeting
house. LIST and c streets northeast. After
devotional exercises Prof. R B. Warder
extended welcome to the guests and gave
a brief statement Of Grotius work and
American tribute to his tomb IN 1899 Mr.
l. I. CREST read extracts from Crosby's
new satire. Capt Jinks. Hero Mr.. L.
T.. Clark read a paper UNFOLDING the blood
less warfare against war. The exercises
Were cnlivened by appropriate music under
the direction Of Mr.. and Mrs. c. II. Easter
ling and with recitations by Edward D.
Clark ana Miss Margeric Morrison. Light
refreshments were served
The regular meeting of the Mems Society
of Bethany Chapel occurred Tuesday even
ing and an interesting program was rem
deTed. y large percentage of the member
ship was present. besides q number of in
Vited guests. The arrangements for the
n Getting We're In charge of Mr. Frank