Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-11-23
mr. Brpan to Be 5peaker
at Cburfb Gathering Tonigbt
0Mul Distuss "Ube @ortb of the Gburrb
to the Community at the Gtgbtp- fifth
Auninersarp of fourth presbpterlans

t<~ HE Worth of the Church to tbs
lyI Community is the subject the
Secretary of State, Mr.. Bryan
will discuss at the second meeting in OBJ
seryance of the eighty-tifth anniversary
of the Fourth Presbyterian congregation
at the church, 18th and Fairmont streets
this evening.
Mr.. Colin II. Livingston will take foi
his subject "a Forward Look, while
Mr.. A. B. Kelly will discuss "A Back
ward Glance"
At the service today at IL O'Clock Rev
Dr. Joseph I. Kelly, the pastor, will de-
liver historical sermon.
reception will mark the close OF
the anniversary observance tomorrow
evening.
At. the time OF the organization Of the
Fourth Church, November "A. ISIS the
city of Washington was still in its IN
fancy Only twenty-eieht years before
that, in $500. a small packet sioop laden
with all the records archives and fur-
niture which the infant republic possess
ed sailed from Philadelphia, where Con-
gress then sat. up the Potomac to the
new seat Of government. The British
had taken the city and burned the Capt.
tol in 1914. In 1873 the city was just re-
covering from this disaster, the Capitol
was rebuilt and the new beginning was
made of the great city whose growing
beauty and prosperity are the pride OF
he entire country.
The early city, with it's few buildings
extensive reaches Of common anu dense
forests around and south of the Wnlle
Housewife population in 1SO OF less
than 1900 whites and 5000 .ored. gave
little evidence of its great iu,ure.
into this early life the Fourth Church
came, being organized with twenty three
members November n, 1875. the first
meetings were held in schoOlhouse on
9th street near G, and then until the hrst
building was erected in the schooihouse
of Mr.. Brashears, at the southeast corner
OF 9th and IL streets. This was at tnat
time the northern boundary OF the popu-
lation OF Washington. and the young
church, it Is declared. manifested It's true
faith and courage in entering upon lhlS
field, which was then unprcm sing. The
section was at that time a neglected re-
gion, away from the center of population
and unprovideG for by the cit! govern
ment.
Within three months the first house OF
worship was erected on the east side OF
9th street between and IL. 1t was q
frame structure, known as the Little
White Church." and was occupied as a
house of worship for twelve years Here
the initial work of the compensation was
done under the ministry OF REV. joshua
". Danforth, who acted as stated supply
for three years, though never installed as
PASTOR and the passionate Of Rev. Mason
Noble. who served for seven years, Tom
1892 to 1889. These were both godly men,
1t is pointed out and the church was
established upon a solid foundation dur
ing their ministry.
In 1889 Rev. John c. Smith. who was
then pastor Of the old Bridge street
Church (now West Streep OF Georgetown.
entered upon his long and successful
career as pastor. which ended with his
death in January. 1878
The early officers of the church were
men regarded as Of sterling character and
enterprise. Mr. David n. Wilson was
the first ruling elder; man or deep piety