Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-03-18

Der of Wesley NJ. f. Church. He was born
in Lancaster, Pa, in 1851 the year of the
great awakening in America. He learned
the trade of printing. and was favorably
situated for the development of a Christian
character but he drifted to various cities
and gradually acquired the drink habit.
Sauntering along Pennsylvania avenue one
Sunday evening his attention was arrested
by a street meeting, held at that time by
the Central Union Mission. and he was con-
verified. He at once began to exhibit en-
ergy In Christian service For eleven years
he superintendent of the Central Union
Mission, but when the Peoples Mission was
organized seven years ago, he interested
himself in its work, and most of the time
since then has been one of the evangelSts
in charge, frequently doing the mechan-
icaI, as well as the larger part of the edi-
torial work on The Evangelist, the weekly
paper published by the mission to represent
its interests. Soon after his conversion Mr..
McMichael united with Wesley Church ana
was licensed as local preacher. In addi-
ton to his many other duties, he frequently
performs such pastoral services as may be
required by the exgencies of mission work,
visiting the sick, helping the unfortunate
to secure work and lodging, attending
funerals and conversing with those who
desire to amend their lives and characters.
Time for the Cause.
Mr.. James p McCurdy. well known in
religious circles for his interest in Sunday
schools and Christian Endeavor societies,
is the second bass of the quartet, one of
the organists and the treasurer of the mis-
sion He is successful business man, but
finds time to devote to the cause which he
has pspOused He brings to n S duties
practical love for the helpless and unfortu-
aate. and his own personal experience has
uuipped him to deal with young men VINO
need friendship Mr. McCurdy was born -
Philadelphia but removed to Baltimore,
where. at the age of twenty, he became
member of Brantly Baptist Church, OF
which Rev. H. NJ. Wharton was pastor,
and for months he was DR. Wh1rton'S az
companist In gospel meetings He became
interested in mission work a the time the
Central Union Mission occupied quarters at
$50 Pennsylvania avenue. and later became
identified with the Peoples Mission. He
has charge of the Saturday night services,
which have become second in Importance
and power to the Sunday night meetings.
Mr. McCurdy is a member of the board Of
trustees, and one of the missions strongest
supporters.
Realizing that the needs of the mission
demanded a the time something in addl-
ton to the ordinary service of song, testt-
monies and eXhortatiOns, arrangements
were made early this winter whereby Rev.
James B. Clayton, an evangelist and pastor
of twenty years experience, was secured
to preach every Sunday night Mr.. Clay
ton is the descendant. on his mothers side
of the Campbell elan of Scotland, and on
his fathers side from Sir Robert Clayton,
a prime minister OF England in the six
teenth century. He united with the First
Baptist Church of this city, then woship-
ing on 18th street, at the age of thirteen,
and before a year had expired was fire.
duentIy assigned by DIR. Cuthbert to take
charge of the mid-week service of the
church Under DIR. Cuthbert's instruction
and supervision he began. before he was
fourteen years of age TO read theology. At
the age of nineteen he was licensed to
preach. and soon after was fully ordained
TO the ministry of the Baptist denomina-
ton He IS a member of the Baptist min
isters' conference Of this city and a COM
muncant in the Temple Baptist Church
Preached in Many Churches.
Mr. Clayton has preached in nearly all of
the evangelical churches of the District,