Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-08-25

;taton for himself of the best pulpit
orators of the city. and has had wide
popularity. He has come to the conclusion.
however that his place in the church could
be better filled by a younger man. and for
this reason has preached in the old church
for the last time.
RumOr has connected the Assemblys-
Church for some years with the old First
Presbyterian Church. especially since the
death of Rev. DIR. Sunderland, who was
in charge of the latter congregation for
nearly three-quarters of a century. 1t has
been often proposed that these two congre-
cations consolidate on account of their
nearnesS and common interests 1t is stated
on the best authority that the resignation
of DR.. Wilson has precipitated this question
and that in all probability the union will
be soon effected.
Rumor Denied.
rumor that Rev DIR. Donald c. Mac
Leod pastor of the First Church is con-
temDlatng resigning was denied by that
minister today. DIR. MacLead said lie un-
derstood that the union of Assembly's and
First churches was a probability. now that
DR.. Wilson has resigned
The Assembly's Church is located at 9Th
and streets northwest and the First on
John Marshall place. just north of c street
The Assembly's Presbyterian Church at
eth ana streets northwest. was organ
ICED March O. 1853. by a committee ap-
pointed by the PreSbytery of the District
of Columbia, of which Rev. John c. Smith
ID. D.. OF the Fourth Presbyterian Church.
was the chairman. An unique feature of
rs history consists in the fact that the
building now occupied was completed prior
10 the organization of the church.
The church was originally designated the
Fifth Presbyterian Church, and was COM
posed of twelve members one from the
First. ten from the Fourth Presbyterian
Church and one from Wesley Chapel. On
May IL. 1850 the name of the church was
changed from the Fifth to the Assemblys
Tor reasons that will appear from the fol-
lowing letter written by the pastor of the
church. Rev. Andrew j. Carothers and pub
1855:
Adopted Unanimously.
The Assembly's Church is the name.
style and title adopted unanimously by the
church of which 1 am pastor The general
assembly OF the Presbyterian Church met
at the Fourth Church in this city in 1852.
spirit of church extension was then
awakened. which was felt here and through
out our extended Zion. The same year. in
response to an appeal for aid to erect a
new Presbyterian church, made by Rev
John {. Smith, ID. d. (whose self-sacrific-
ing persevering and successful efforts for
the church can never be too highly appre-
GATED by our citizens. and whose praise is
IN all the churches, contributions were re-
ceiVed from all parts of our country Con-
tTIoutors to this church reside within the,
bounds of nearly all of our synods and In
tWenty-three of the United States WITH
great appropriateness the Presbyterian mon
umental history commenced at VVasbipp
ton, the capital of our ocean-bounded pros
porous Christian cOnfederacy: for this edi
nee Is truly nations monument to the
slory OF God Or In ecclesiastical language
the Asscmbly's Church"
Inc church has had five naStors prInr 70
the present pastorate: Rev. Andrew !
Sarothers, 1888 to 1860: Rev T. b. Falls,
1871 to 1861; Rev. William Hart, lS68 to
$50; Rev. Charles b Boynton, ID. d. 1870
to lSDS. 80
Rev. DIR. George p. Wilson was installed
January Il. 1899 DIR. Wilson was graduate
ed from Washington and jefferson College
pennsylvania, in 1877. and from PrInceton
Theological Seminary in 1880. He received
the degree OF doctor of divinity from has
alma mater in 1891 He breaches with
great earnestness is clear in his exposition
OF the Scriptures practical and cvangeIistic
IN the application OF the truth and popu-
lar with his congregation.
Among Oldest Edifces.
The First Church Is one of the oldest
Presbyterian editiccs in the District of Co
lumbia. President Cleveland attended there
and was married by its old pastor, Rev.
Byron Sunderland. who preached in the
church for nearly three-quarters of a CEN
tury. ana who died several years ago at
the age of ninety years.
Toward the close of his career Dr. sun
derlaud became pastor emeritus. and was
succeeded in the active ministry by Rev
T. De Witt Talmadge. who enhanced the
reputation Of the church by his brilliant
preaching. and relieved 1t financially But
since the passing away of the Old pastors
there has been a growing disposition to
affiliate with the other church. which is
located not far away
As the original owner of the Assembly's
church property directed in his win that 1t
should b5 used only for church purposes,
1t is considered likely that in the event the
step Is taken the First Church will be
abandoned In favor of the church on 5th
street. A prominent member of the As
semblys Church congregation said last
night that the entire matter of a new
pastor and the amalgamation would prob.
ably be settled within the next few days