Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-03-16
ACCIDENT IN CHURCH
Chandelier Falls and Broken
Gas Pipe Flames Up.
CHILDREN IN JEOPARDY
CONSERVATION Allayed When Clergy
man Starts Hymn and All Join In.
FAREWELL TO DR.. BRUNER
Big Congregation Fills Edifice to Do
Honor to Departing Pastor.
Tribute Paid to Him.
CHILDREN IN JEOPARDY
FAREWELL TO DR.. BRUNER

cd By the flare of lighted gas like q
flaming torch. flowing from the broken
pipe to which the chandelier had been
| connected in the ceiling. threw into con-
sternation a large audience and came
within an ace Of marring with a fatality
/ or two the farewell reception TO Rev. DR.
Weston Bruner and Mrs. Bruner at the
Fifth Baptist Church, f street southwest,
last night.
Children seated in the first peNs nm
able 10 move from directly beneath the
chandelier as it trembled to its fall,
strangely escaped the grave danger. The
chandelier swung clear of them, crash
ing to the floor between their seats and
the pulpit.
The terror of the assembly was as
suaged and threatening panic averted by
clerGymen in the pulpit. one assured the
audience that no one had been injured
Another Immediately started to sing a
hymn and the audience one by one Joined
in. until alarm was forgotten in the gem
eral chorus.
The gas supply to the chandelier was
turned off and the flowing light eXtin-
guiShed.
With this untoward Incident over the
program of the reception continued.
Church Was Crowded.
of Dr. and Mrs. Rruner who had come 10
wish them godspeed in their new fields OF
labor in San Antonio. Tex. where DR.
Bruner has accepted the pastorate of the
First Baptist Church.
Clinton c. James, the church clerk, who
was presiding. had just introduced Rev.
w. +. Johnson pastor of Grace Baptist
Church. The clergyman had begun a trib-
ute 10 tie worth OF Rev. DIR. Bruner as a
f-.a xx-l,r I,
delier. about thirty inches In diameter
and hung Immediately forward of the
center and over the front pews of the
church, suddenly swayed for a moment
There raSping sound of metal
upon metal. Mr.. Johnson paused The
chandelier of heavy glass and metal
| swung loose on its fastenings, hung sus-
pended by a thread for a moment. then
dropped to the floor. With a great crash
the mass fell directly in front of the pull
pit.
The gas from the broken pipe in the
ceiling fiared up. Men and women in fright
rose i'll their seats. For a moment il
seemed though panic would ensue. Blu,
there was a sigh of relief and the con-
sternation subsidized as Mr. Johnson an
nounced 10 the excited audience: NO
one is hurt.
Rev. f. Hez Sven, pastor of the Second
Baptist Church. advanced to the front OF
the platform and started 10 sing hymn
The audience joined in under his leader
ship.
fishers in various parts OF the house
rushed to the gas cocks which control the
gas. The supply Of gas to the flaming
pipe in the ceiling was shut off and the
fire was extinguished.
n The services then proceeded, Mr.. john
son continuing his address.
Children in Grave Danger.
Many in attendance consider it mirac-
uIous that no one was injured by the fall
ing chandelier. In the pews Immediately
below the heavy mass of iron and glass
sat about twenty little girls of the Sunda y
school They had had no time to move
away from the point of danger.
! The chandelier swung clear of the little
ones, dropping between the pulpit and the
first row of pews. None was SO much as
touched.
In his address Mr.. johnson said that DR..
! Bruner during his services in Washing
ton. had always been an inspiration 10
him in his ministry. He said he felt the
loss j.; his going away and that the San
Antonio c..tirch was TO be congratulated
Rev DR. j J. Muir pastor OF the Tenn
ME Raptist Church in a brief address
said:
after serving tLiS church well, DR..
Bruner goes under orders TO minister else
| where He did not seek the place; the
place sought him.
.'He goes to the great state OF Texas.
the only state in the ! MON where the
Merry Widow hat should be worn 1t j.
the state of bigness. Aud We expect
great things OF DR.. Bruner.
DR. Muir paid brief tribute to Mrs.
Bruner and the work she has accomplish
ed in the Fifth Baptist Church during
Or Burners pastorate. Rev. =. p. Stea-
lex and Rev T.. Hez Sven alsu delivered
short addresses
r. A. Ford superintendent Of the Fiftf
Baptist Sunday school presented DR.
Eruner with a silver service. gift of the
congregation.
Mrs w +. Carter. on the part of the
Mite Society. gave Mrs. Bruner large
silver candelabra and a bouquet or Rich
mond roses
DR.. Bruner responded say wing h and
Mrs. Bruner viii ever cherish the mem
DRY Of the Fifth Baptist Church members
and gratefully remember the aid they
gave him in his ministry in the CAPITA
city of the nation.
During the evening Mr.. Noiles os the
Southwest Tent Of RechaDite also pre-
scented DIR. Bruner with Il large bou,lGci
OF carnations a. . tribute 10 lis work -,
temperance.