Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-09-22
THE HUMAN SIDE OF RELIGION
Two Presbyteries Meet
In Varied Settings
BY CAsPAR NAMES

BY CASPAR NAMES
Rensious News Editor of The Star
There was a sharp contrast in
meeting places this week when
two presbyteries held their OPEN
ing fall sessions.
The Potomac Presbytery. Pres
byterian Church. U. s.. met in
the Mount Washington Presby-
terrain Church. Baltimore, and
the Washington City Presbytery,
Presbyterian Church. U. S. A..
gathered in Georgetown Presby-
terrain Church here.
The Mount Washington church
Is a comparatively small white
building with a slate gray,
pointed roof. 1t is on the out
skirts of Baltimore, set of a coun-
trylike road part way up a hill,
High shade trees almost obscure
the 79-year-old Dutch Colonial
structure from the highway be-
low and shield it from the direct
rays of the sun.
The sanctuary. seating about
$50 persons, has a honey atmos-
phere. Bright polished slender
mahogany buttresses spring out
of the sides and curve gracefully
to the pointed ceiling. Behind
the center pulpit there is a small
organ. An intimate touch per-
vades the entire church.
Spaciousness is the dominant
quality Of renovated Georgetown
Presbyterian Church. The re-
Gently remodeled exterior and
interior, made to capture the APP
pearance of the original church
of more than 100 years ago, has
a brightness that makes the
building stand out from the
neighboring houses on p street
NV.
Where the Baltimore church
hides almost shyly on the wooded
hillside, the Washington struc-
ture in its beauty and newness
dominates the busy city street.
Each has a particular quality to
offer. and each appears right for
its setting.
y 4
New Congregation
DR.. Carl Gordon HOWE, min
lister Of Sherwood Presbyterian
Church. reported to the Wash
ington City Presbytery that it
has recently organized congre-
cation in st. Marys County, Md.
They have an organ. a church
bell and a place for the minister
to live even if they do not have
a church." Carl said. LAS I
understand it. the bell came from
Georgetown Church"
At that particular moment the
church bell above pealed forth
in no uncertain terms.
The Rev. Russell c. Stroup,
minister of the church, jumped
to his feet and exclaimed. This
bell rang all day when George
Washington died, and 1t has
been ringing here ever since.
We will be glad to give anything
we have to st. Mary's Church
except the bell"
x y \
Elders in Rear
At the Potomac Presbytery
meeting the Rev. Charles Cow
sert, minister of Fairlington
Presbyterian Church, Alexan-
dria. Va, noticed that nearly all
the elders. present at a meeting
for the first time, were sitting in
the rear.
How did all our new elders
learn so fast to sit in the back
of the room?" Charles asked.
impishly.
A voice from the rear replied,
"rhey came with their minis
ters."
\ \ X
"RaiIrOaded" Vote
The Rev. David Crawford,
popular Leesburg, Va, minister
was reelected moderator with
such speed and dispatch that he
barely had time to put the ques-
ton. The vote was a quick
unanimous voice yes.
THAT is railroading," Dave
objected, vainly.
X 4 4 x
Old-Timer, Too
The Methodist Preachers
meeting on Monday also pro-
duced its quot age,
give-and-take remarks.
A minister new to washington
was asked if he had been intro
duced to the gathering.
Il have had so many intro