Evening star., 1903-11-16

was a f1ickering torch in the wilderness.
The state in that century had met it's prob
lens with resolution and intelligence-eX-
tended it's scepter across the continent and
the seas. The government has asserted and
confirmd it's right to life and empire; and
the church has gained a louder voice, a
stronger scepter, mightier congregation.
Contemporary With Capital Life.
1.-The century of this church's life is al
most contemporaneous with the life of the
capital and it's touch has been varied and
significant in the varied and significant life
of the capital and of the nation.
ut is asked How can you celebrate the
centennial of the New York Avenue Church,
whose present name dates back not much
further than fifty years. and In the presence
of an existent First Church which has not
yet, and will not for some years, attain its
centennial? Well, in the first place, let US
remember that the church which was the
beginning of this church was not associat-
ed, whilst it was an associate church with
the American Presbyterian Church, but was
for twenty years after its origin a part of
the Associated Reformed Church, of Scotch
origin, made up of those particularly tena-
cious in doctrine. and whose worship was
marked by the exclusive use of the Psalms.
The Associated Reformed Church, which
called itself the F Street Church, antedated
the First Presbyterian Church, but was not
associated with the Presbyterian Church of
America for many years. Then when the
day came for the union of the Street
Church and the Second Church, the mere
fact that in the absorption of one by the
other a new name was given does not
change the identity or life of the church.
Would any man claim that his wtfes life
is entirely limited to the time that she bears
his name and that the former name bore
no life and significance. Even legislatures
can change their names. though they cannot
change their individuality. We have a
church antedating all others, save one, In
the city of Washington. in existence since
the year 1903. in 1859 changing its name,
but not its identity.
when this church was organized Wash-
ington was not an attractive place; resi-
dences were few and scattered; slashas
were abundant; gardens and fields extended
up through this immediate neghborhood;
Pennsylvania avenue, the Appian Way or
Washington, was but small street, muddy
and full of ruts, crossed in the lower part
OF it by a few streets quite as unattrac
tive and often unusable; access was by
numbering coaches, from the Capitol to the
W hite House and on to Georgetown; the
huntsman shot quail yonder under the
shadow of the Capitol and brides went
seeking garlands for their bridals on the
AnacoStia flats.
1--WE are told that Jefferson personally
superintended the planting of the trees
along Pennsylvania avenue from the Cap
itoi to the White House; grass was growing
in the streets, and in those days when the
few people wended their way to church
they trod on grass in the streets or waited
patiently for the ruminating cow to step
aside. whose jingling bell was the only Sab
bath bell of Washington.
The Age Of Beginnings.
'It was the age Of the beginnings, ma
tional and ecclesiastical. 1t was the day of
the Louisiana purchase: the day of the
Jefferson administration: the day of the
beginnings of men and things for the larger