Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-07-23

his studies In Columbian College, was en-
gagged Superintendent, and also to preach
and conduct religious meetings in the hall.
The school and meetings, having been
continued with increasing interest for near
ly year, it was deemed important to as
certain the views of the congregations of
the d ,fferent Baptist churches as to the
property of organizing regular Baptist
church he.e, and a notice was sent 10
four churches, inviting a meeting OF Such
as could attend. in order that a fair ex-
press.on of opinion might be obtained. Such
a meeting was held Sunday evening, June
-, 1851, at Island Hall, Brother G. C.
Meador acting as chairman, and Brother
John |. G.ren as secretary. After a gen.
eral discuss. on, participated in by Rev.
George W. Samson. George w. Dorance,
Andrew Lothwell. Mr.. Heath and others,
resolutions were adopted unanimously.
resolutions in which those present at the
NEE sings expressed the opinion that 1t was
"expedient that a new Baptist church be
constituted in this section.
The Council Approves.
Sunday afternoon, July D. 1851, in COM
pllance with an invitation sent to the sew
eral Baptist churches requesting each to
send the pastor and five delegates to sit
in council. another meeting was held at
Island Hall. Rev. T. w. Greer, pastor of
the Navy Yard Church, was chosen moder-
ator, and Brother F. II. Stickney of the
Fourth Church was chosen secretary. The
record goes on to say that this council,
after careful consideration of the reasons
for founding a new church, and an eXalnl-
nation OF the faith of the proposed MEM
bers, approved the proposition by sgnlng
a Certlncate, which appears In the official
record. Public exercises were then held in
the hall and soon the church had twenty
one constituent members, who invited
Brother Meador to become their pastor. OF
the members of the new church thirteen
came from the E Street Church Mr..
Meador was offered a salary of 500 a year,
and he accepted the position. committee
was selected to make arrangements for the
ordination of the new pastor, September
49, 1857, but in the church record says
Mr.. Yeatman, there is no account of the
ordination service either on that or any
other date. The first clerk of the church
was j. +. F. Carlin, the first treasurer,
James Frazer, and the first deacons, George
Nj. Kendall, Richal d Farmhouse and James
Frazer. Mr.. Yeatmans history continues:
Admission to Maryland Association.
THE church made application to the
Maryland Baptist Union Association for
admission to membership at the meeting of
that association, November, 1857, at Cum
berland, Md, and was received into the
fellowship of the body. At this time there
was a membership of twentyfour.
'Since the church was organized up to
the meeting of the association in Novem-
Der last 500 members had been received
into the church, S76 of whom were received
by baptism, numbers which compare nota-
bly, with the largest in the history of this
organization of Baptist churches. In its
first letter TO the association, in 1857, the
church reported the purchase OF a lot on
which to erect a suitable house of worship.
The next year it reported a membership
three times as large as when org lnized. In
1859 report is made Of the purchase of a
house and lot at a cos OF 81 500.
The Effects of the War.
1.-THE church seriously felt the effects of
the war. In his report to the executive
board of the association in 1861 Brother
Meador says: AT one time l thought that
our church would soon be entirely broken
up. We have succeeded, however In keep
ing the congregation together thus far. and
/ s,.ll hope there are better times IN store
for u.s.
The history then dwells on the special in
terest mani tested shortly after this time
in religious work. Then 1T says In 1862
the church reports that hard trials have
been encountered, resulting in the decrease
of membership and congregation. In 1858
the executive board notes the fact that
Brother Meador has had to resort 70 sscu-
lar employment for support. In 1850 the
church reports that our churcn IS renewed
from debt. 50 that we can truly say that
we owe no man. Congrega atoms are large
and our pastor faithful
I'm 1861 the church reports the COM
mencement of the construction of new
house of worship. The occupation of the
building is reported in 1853. Five yea
later the Maryland BIptis, Union Assoca-
ton held its meetings n this structure, the
upper room being then in an diminished
condition In 1877. in common with the
other churches of the District of Column
bia the church severed It's connection with
the Maryland A ISOLATION, for the purpose
of joining the new association of the DIS
trict
New Buildings Constructed.
The completed building was dedicated
October 6, 1878. Ten years later a chapel.
built for our mission school, was dedicated.
We purchased the lot on which the present
bu;lding stands in 1891, and ten years after
ward began the construction of the new
church dedication exercises being held
Sunday, November 16, 1902. In 1891 we un-
dertook the support of a missionary in
China. and still carry on this work Our
missionary, Brother r. r. Chambers, PAD
US a visit few years ago.
The paper by Mr.. Yeatman CONCLUDES
with a eulogy of the courage and stead
fastness of pastor and people in bringing
the church to it's present prosperous condi-
ton. Hitherto has the Lord helped us,
he says, quoting from the Scr Dtures.
A Diagnosis in 1776.