Evening star. [volume], April 10, 1909, Image 28

About Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972

Image provided by: Library of Congress, Washington, DC

                
FUTURE OF 6RAGE CHURCH!
i
REV. F. M. THOMPSON ASSIGNED i
TC THE PASTORATE.
He Has Recently Been Pastor at
Lang-don M. E. Church?Will Re
organize Church Societies.
T;rv. Frank M. Tliompfnii, who was
a.-.vgned In tiie Baltimore .11111:1.11 ???n
ic.rnfp of the Methodist Fpiscopal Church I
tin- week to the pastorate of Grace i
Chun li, '."tli a:i?l S ^icets northwest. will |
prea. li his first sej-mon there tomorrow
morning. The selection of Rev. Mr. j
Thompson to tins pastorate is reg ?rded
?s an especially Important one in local 1
.Methodist Kpiscopn I churches, in view of
11 e forward movement which has been
1 .?*? 11 n in the church. For the past few
months it has been a well known fact j
that the present church edifice at J?th
?nd S streets is to he sold and tlie con
j:tegation to build a modern church in
the neighborhood of North Capitol street !
and Rhode Island avenue.
Tlie course was decided upon some time 1
ago by Rev. I>r. J. \V. R. Suinwalt. dis
trict superintendent of the Methodist
Kpiscopal churches of Washington, and
other leaders in the work, in view of the
fact that the congregation of Grace
Church has been steadily losing: ground,
Semi-Annual Meeting of Pies- j
bytery.
Much interest is being manifested by
Presbyterian churchmen in the semi-an
nijal meeting of the presbytery of Wash
ington city, which will be held in the
S'xth Presbyterian Church, tfth and C
streets soutiiwest, Monday evening and
Tuesday.
the meeting Monday evening the re
ti:niK moderator. Rev. <leorge M. C'um
mini;s. of the Garden Memorial Church,
will deliver a sermon which will be
followed by the election of a new moder
ator Rev. W. D. Moss*, pastor of the
.Washington Heights Church and Rev.
llenrv Ruiuer of tiie Kensington Presby
t? liari Church are regarded as logical '
candidates for the pesition.
Near the close of the session the com
mittee on arrangements will give a docket
of the work of the presbytery for Tues
day.
The business of the presbytery will
include th* selection of commissioners
10 represent the heal Presbyterians at
the general assembly to be held in Den
vci. Col., in May. The annual report
? ?1 the standing committees of the pres
bytery will be heard, as will the nar- j
iative of tlie state of religion in the va- >
1.011s churches of the presbytery. A gen-I
< ral report of tiie narrative will be made
to the general assembly later.
Tlie request of Rev. Hubert Rex Jolni
v?;u of the presbyter\ of Blairsville. Md..
to be r*<eived into the local presbytery
will be presented. The pastor has been
suppljing the Chev\ ?*ha>e Presbyterian
?'hnrcl. for some weeks past.
I
Twentieth Anniversary.
T o twentieth anniversary of the toiind
ing of the Garden Memorial Presbyterian
? huro!, Sunday School was celebiatcd at
t e church Tuesday evening. There was
a lar^e andicnee in attendance.
The list of those present who helped to]
organize t! c school included A. S Web- 1
.-tf". A. B Garden. who was apfMiintod
- .. n-rinteiideu: at that tlm? and he!d tha'
? fine for a number of \ears: Alex Uav'd
secretary, who alsu held ti nt ottice
it sixteen years; Miss Jeannie l>avidson.
v.,.owas appointed teacher of the primary
clas-. ai>d is still ;? teacher in that depart
ment of the schoo l, and Mrs. J. il. Simp
son. who was a teacher for a number
01 years and is still in active work in the
< i.nrch. The list of ?"firs? scholars" en
io!!ed was composed of Mrs. Owen, Miss
M 'iigic Garden. Mrs. Jennie lloojeu. Miss
.Icimie Simpson. Miss Uu\e Simpson
?ini John I>. Davidson.
.Mrs. Marie Uarlan. who became a mem
ber of the primary class just one month |
a:ier its organization, was in charge of
1 ?? program of the evening. It consisted
of a piano solo by Miss I.ucy Jackson.
H vocal solo by C. K. Snell recitation by
Father Gude. piano solos by Misses* Min
n:< Holm ,and Ida Holm, recitation by
Miss Esther Simpson and a vocal solo
b> Miss Clara Byron.
A. II. Garden ;;ave a history of tlie
"-??ho?i| from its organization. The re
freshment committee. 'Ot:s!sting <>T John
M<>nat chairman; M . .1 ? "teriand. W.
I!. Snell. I*. Sell G Suit'., secved re
rres!iiiient- during ?'??? i reriti'i-sio 1.
The hI,( ? . tiii.ii'i; ?? c I i* 1 ? ? . ?#*?? of
the (veiling were A -Snell >.ipt . it?
tendeut, Kcv. George M. Cuinmliigs, \V.
Rev. Frank M. Thompson.
the principal reason for this being the '
c'oso proximity to Hamline Church, which
is but three squares away. i
The decision to send Rev. Mr. Thomp
son to this church was reached after
in ich deliberation. His gocd work at the
l.angdon church lias been commented
upon in many quarters, and his efforts
?w'11 be a great aid to the mission Sunday
school recently established 011 Florida!
avenue as a forerunner of the proposed,
new church.
The new pastor plans to begin the work
in Grace Church with a systematic organ
ization of .all the church societies. He (
also plans to take a deep interest in the;
work of the young people.
lie prepared for college sit West Vir
ginia Wesleyan University Preparatory!
School. He then entered Allegheny Col
lege in Pennsylvania, wlier*
ill U??i with the degree
became a student at the I'niversitv of!
Boston, where he was given the decree!
of bachelor of sacred theology in ltNW. j
He was called to the pastorate of thr i
I angdon Methodist Church and at once j
met with much success.
While in Allegheny College Rev. Mr. |
Thompson played fullback on tl? varsity!
eleven and made a tine record in athleti *s. i
lie was manager of the varsity track'
team during his senior year at college and j
also played on the base ball team.
He was highly regarded as an orator,
and won "a contest of the Interstate Ora
torical Association, which included com
petitors from Virginia. Pennsylvania u4id
Ohio.
where he graduated!
e of A. 15. He then J
S. Webster. Mr. Westerland and Dr.
Havenner.
A special feature of the program was
the introduction of the present officers
and teachers of tlie school, so that all th*?
friends and parents of the children might
recognize under whose care the children
are placed while In the school. The nam'"1
of the present officers and teachers are
Rev. (J. M. Cunimings. pastor; William
A. Snell. superintendent, under whose ef
forts the school has acquired much of its
present success; John Mowat. assistant
superintendent; Grant Smith, superintend
ent of the adult Bible- class; Miss Lucy
Jackson, secretary; Miss Isa Davidson,
treasurer, and Mrs. Litherland pianist.
The teachers are A. B. Garden. John Mo
wat. Mr. Westerland. A. Davidson. C. F.
Snell. Mrs. Smith. >iiss ls-ahella Davids n
Miss l.?~iia Dodge and Miss Blanche Sill.
Tlie primary department teachers include
Mrs. Marie Harlan. Miss Jeannio David
son. Miss Soveilvjtt.s and M ss Anna
Jackson.
Solemn High Mass.
The sermon at the solemn high mass
tomorrow in St. Aloysius Church will be
preached by the Rev. Walter M. Drum.
S. J. Father Drum has just returned from
abroad. He spent several years in study
ing the eastern languages and Holy
Scripture, lie was first stationed at the
University of St. Joseph in Beirut. Syria,
and later at the Jesuit House of Studies
in Innsbruck. At present Father Drum is
professor of Holy Scripture and Hebrew
at Woodstock College. He was for a
while stationed at Gonzaga College.
Union Evangelistic Services.
The union evangelistic services which
Rev. I?r. Donald C. McLeod and A. VV.
Spooner have been conuuetinu in the
First Presbyterian Church have been
largely attended this week. A union com
munion seivke v. ill be hold tomorrow
evening.
"Decision Day."
The session of tlie First Presbyterian
CThtnch Sunday School tomorrow will be
known as "Decision day." A number of
tlie boys and girls are expected to an
nounce their determination to become
members of the church. T. F. Phillips
of Poughkeepsie. X. Y.. will make an ad
dress at the session. j
Dr. Bartlett's Subjects.
Rev. Dr. J. F. Bartlett. acting pastor of
the Fifth Baptist Church, will preach to
morrow morning upon "Some Easter
Certainties." In the evening his subject
will be "Greatheart Xehemiah." Dr. Bart
, lett. ?who is a preacher of ability, hap al
ready become popular with the member
ship of the Fifth Church.
Miss Walker's Class.
The members of Miss Walker's class of
girls of the Hamline M. E. Church Sun
day School recently cave a musical at
their teacher's residence. 1101 P street
northwest. The entertainment was open
ed by a piano solo by Miss Atliey. Vocal
selections were rendered by the Misses
I Stowell and Finney and Messrs. Hum
phrey hnd Jones. Mr. Falconer added to
the enjoyment of the evening by render
ing a few of his dialect recitations. Mrs.
Kllis rendered a violin solo. Other fea
1 tures of the program were a piano duet
by Mrs. Rochester and Miss Athey and a
I vocal duet by Miss Stowell and Mr. Jones.
After the musical part of the program
i efreshments ^werc served.
Secretary Elected.
At h meeting recently held the regents
j of the American Society of Religious
j Ed n ation unanimously elected Rev. Dr.
Joteph E. Smith to the position mc.de
; va- ant by the death of Rev. Dr. J E.
' Gilbert. Dr. Smith has been assistant
! secretary of the society for the past two
: years. He is familiar with its purposes
and methods. Relieving tiiat there is h?re
a wide Held for usefulness, the ne sec
retary will bend all his efforts to the
j accomplishment of the greatest results.
This society ha* for its object the
increase of popular interest in the
Sacred Scriptures and their more general
I and thorough study, and seeks also to
unite the eT?.?ts of scholars in promoting
i improve ! methods for the development
land cultivation of man's spiritual nature.
well as the introduction into the fam
j ily. the Sunday school and our institu
tions of learning of such methods of
i study as will make the Bible a more iielp
, ful book.
Ninth Annual J&eeting.
The ninth annual meeting of the Wom
an's Interdenominational Mission Union
of the District of Columbia will be held
in the Euther Memorial Church. Thomas
Circle. Monday at 10 o'clock. An after
noon session will also be held at 2
o'clock- Luncheon will be served in the
church parlors for those in attendance.
Mrs. John Newton Culbertson. presi
' dent of the organization, will preside at
the morning session, and Mrs. Sarah l>.
; LaFetra at the one to be held in the
1 afternoon.
The program for the meeting is as fol
I lows:
H>mn. "Come Thou Fount of Every
Blessing": Scripture lesson, Mrs. J. G.
i Butler. Lutheran Church: chain of
? prayer, led by Mrs. \V. B. Hartley. Meth
odist Protestant Church: annual reports,
recording secretary. Mrs. F. L. Barrin
ger, Protestant Episcopal Church; cor
responding secretary. Mrs. Robert Wha
ley. Methodist Episcopal Church South;
treasurer. Mrs. Washington fopham.
Fnited Brethren Church; solo: standing
committees, prayer meeting, Mrs. L. F.
Mrs. Sarah D. LaFetra.
Oiney. Baptist Church; legislation. Mrs.
Samuel J\m>kogi.\. Methodist Kpiscopal
Church: place of meeting. Mrs. M. E.
Cailin. Congregational Church: work for
foreigners. Mrs. \V. I). Windom. Presby
terian Church; temperauce. Mrs. M. C.
Sliitin. Christian Church; hymn. "Rescue
the Perishing"; an hour with city mis
sions. Mrs. Oiney in charge; roll-call *of
denominations, vice presidents and local
representatives (respond with verse of'
Scripture); chain of prayer, led l?y Mrs.
H. P. Viles. Presbyterian Church, vice
president at large; announcements.
Luncheon. 1 to p.m. Committee of
arrangements. Mrs. E. F. Randolph. Mrs.
Kate Bright, Mrs. Luther Apple, Lutheran
Church. .
?J p.m.?Mrs. S. L>. I^iFetia. W. c. T.
I"., presiding; hymn, "I Love to Tell the
Story"; Scripture lesson and prayer. Mrs.
H. B. F. Maofarland. the McCall Auxil
iary; election of officers. (Nominations
from the floor. Members of evangelical
churches in the District entitled to vote.)
Address. "The World-wide Work of the
Sunday School." Mrs. Wiimir F. Crafts,
international reform bureau: chain of
prayer, led by Mrs. C. P. Wiles, Lutheran
Church: offering; solo; closing message,,
' Mrs. Ri.^e I. Steele, I'nion Bible Study
I Association; report of committee on res
\ olutions. Mrs. Isaac Clark, chairman,
j Congregational Church: Mrs. Isabella
i Banks. Presbyterian Church: Mrs. Wil
liam Caldwell. Reformed Church; prayer
and benediction. Rev. .1. CI. Butler; in
'chaise of music. Mrs. Lewis Mauro. Pro
testant Episcopal Church.
Annual Institute.
Mrs. Charles H Gray, president of the
Washington Sunday School Te.i?hers"
I'nion for the beginners, primary ami
junior giades. will preside over the an
nual institute of that organization to bo
held in the Memorial I'nited Brethren
Church, corner of R and North (.apitol
streets. Wednesday. Two sessions will h">
held, tbe llrst in the afternoon at 4:15
o',clock and the latter at o'clock.
Supper will he served by the ladies of the
church at 0 o'clock. The program is as
follows:
Afternoon session.?1:15 o'clock, devo
tional. Rev. C. E. Fultz; addsess. "Un
folding Life." Mrs. A. A. T?unoreau\:
musjc: beginners' lesson. Mrs. J. T. Curry;
missionary suggestions. Miss H..da North;
primary lesson. Mrs. A. A. Lamoreaux.
Supper at ?> o'clock.
EVening session.?7 :."U> o'clock, devo
tional. Rev. William Taliaferro Thomp
son; supplemental Bible work. Miss Lydia
Marshall: junior lesson. Mrs. W. F.
| Crafts; music; address. "Teaching That
Builds Character." Mrs,. A. A. Lamo
I reaux.
The Washington Sunday School Teach
! ers' I'nion was organized October 22.
1XS1. Meetings are iield every Friday
i at 4 p.m. at the W. C. T. L". building.
! 522 tith street northwest. At these ses
| sious the international Sunday school les
i son for the following Sunday is taught;
? also short talks on supplemental work.
I lectures on child study by Mrs. Wilbur
j F. Crafts, and during the month of May
! Miss Patterson of the Protestant Episco
1 pal Church gives special lectures on
church fea-sts. Special music is given by
Mrs. J. W. Mollyday. and blackboard in
struction by Miss Hilda North.
An excellent library on child and teach
er training is owned by the union, and is
free to all teachers of children.
The best and most advanced methods
in Sunday school teaching are presented.
The present officers of the union arc:
President. Mrs. Charles llambly Grav;
junior vice president. Mr. Charles Hamblv
Gray; primary vice president. Miss Mar
garet A. Fox: beginners* vice president,
Mrs. J. T. Curry; recording secretary,
Mrs. Washington Topham; corresponding
secretary. Mrs. John E Piwson: treas
urer. Mrs. Gardner; librarian. Miss I>clia
C. Miller; assistant librarian. Mrs. \V. K.
! Muffley; pianist. Mrs. John W llollyday;
! elementary council, Mrs. C. II Gray,
i chairman; Mrs. Washington Topham. sec
j retary; Mr. Theodore Hostetler. Mr Was'i
i Topham. Mr. John E. Dawson. Mrs. W.
F. ( rafts. Mrs. V\. E. Mt:fflev. Mrs. J
! W. McLanc.
Work in Calvary M. E. Sunday
School.
i The exercises ,ii calvary M. E. Sunday
j school last S u:day morning were in the
] niture of a- jubilee. Four years ag<\
' when ti c church waa dedicated, tlie
i school subsc ribed $1,000. of this amount
! over JXO" hail been paid, and an effort
was made this year to pay off the re
i maining amount through the-aid of tith
: ing purses. The effort proved successful.
I'JtiO being raised. The school started In
Post OfHce Hall, on Park road, in the
j winter .">f 19ol4'i as an afternoon school.
J disbanding in the summer. A number
! who were then members of the school
are still identified with it. The present
: school w as organized in December, ltinil.
with an enrollment of forty-three, and
has held continuous sess'ons since. It
haM steadily grown, until now it has an
enrollment of For the past four
years, since the church lias been in its
present building:, the average attendance
each Sunday has been 17o. During the
' six and one-third years of its existence
i the Sunday school bas raised JM.lSo.l.l. of
I which amount $1.17;'. was for the church
I building fund.
The officers of the school are as fol
lows: Superintendent. F. i". Croxt> n; as
! sistant superintendents. Edwin William
son and Mrs. Joseph Dawson; secretaries.
F. B. Walker and John H. Small, jr.;
treasurer. B. H. I.eary. jr.: librarian.
Seth E. Tracy: superintendent primary
i department. Mrs. C. F. Balch; superin
: tendent home department. Mrs. F. M.
' Calvert.
I The Ladies' Guild of Calvary M. E.
| Church had it's monthly meeting Tues
| day last. The reports showed that dur
ing the year just about to close the five
circles of the guild raised a total of
X1.iiC8.Wi toward paying off the church
{debt* In four years the ladies have raised
' ?4.000 for th's purpose.
Varied ^cticities ^ntong the
? -* ~
Epworth League.
Topic for tomorrow: Missionary tcp'c
"Comforted l?v a Ruen Savior.Joun.
xx
Board of Control.
The monthly meeting of the board was
well attended, and much business was
transacted. Conference President K. H.
Rochester announced that plans for the
proposed excursion to the annual con
vention of the International Epworth
League at Seattle are being perfected.
The convention will open July 7 and re
main in session for five days. Cheap
railroad rates are promised, and it Is ex
pected that the Washington district will
be well represented.
The annual moonlight excursion of the
District League on the Potomac will be
held as usual, probably in June.
The twe itieth anniversary of the organ
ization <f the Epworth League will b>
commemorated in a fitting manner by the
District League. Messrs. Frank J. Mot
calf. district secretary: B. J. Howard,
president of Waugh. and William K.
Springer, president of Rrookland, were
appointed a committee to make arrange
ments for this event
Glowing reports were received of the
conference league anniversary service
he'd in Baltimore. On-? hundred and
twenty-three attended from Washington.
It was decided that no official delegate
would b* sent to Silver Bay this year, but
it is expected that a number of leaguers
from the Distr'ct will atte id, as has been
the ease in past years.
Annual Convention.
The annual convention of the Washing
ton District Epworth League will be held
at Douglas Memorial Church on the even
ings of April and 2< Arrangements
for the program of the convention will
be made by the district cabinet, who will
announce the details at an ??arly date.
Each chapter will be entitled to five dele
gates for tlie first fifty members, and
one for each additional fifty or part
thereof. Messrs. D. A. Defantiorf. presi
dent. of Douglas; W. K. Sniffin. president
? of Trinity, and former District President
) 1.. I.. Derrick have been appointed a
! nominating committee, and will submit
at the convention the immes of candidates
; for office in the district caSinet during
the coming league year. Departmental
conferences will be held at the conven
tion. prominent speakers will l>e secured
and other interesting features will ho pro
vided t<> make this convention one of the
j most instructive and enjoyable league
gatherings of the Washington chapters.
Brookland.
j The "reds'* will entertain the "whites"
'next Monday evening in connection with
i the regular business meeting. This was
decided at a hurried conference as being
the best plan for two reasons?in order
to have a record attendance, which this
is sure to bring out, and also to keep the
social functions in the church calendar
fewer In number, but higher in quality.
Owing to the interest taken in the <on
tcst the "reds" are preparing to furnish
amusement for HOti people at the church
Easter Monday evening.
Union.
Second Vice President Wood Freeman
I
had charge of the devotional service Sun
day. A large number of the audience ac
tively participated in the discussion of the
] topic. An admirable system of type
'wri.ten references brought out many ex
I pressious of thought on the subject The
j future outlook for the g:owth of th*
| chapter is bright. a number of earnest
f young men having recently afliliated with
j the organization.
I # Q
! I T
Christian Endeavor.
<#
Two Representatives.
The Kndeavcr Union is represented by
two members on the interdenominational
missionary committee of this city. Miss
Isabe-Ila Campbell of the Church of the
Covenant Christian Endeavor Society was
this week appointed by the union s Pres
ident as one of these representatives to
succeed L. P. Rudoflf. Miss Flora L. 1*.
Johnson of the First Congregational
Church is the other representative.
Temple Baptist.
The now officers of the Temple Baptist
Christian Kndeavor Society were inducted
into office Sunday evening. A brief charge
Rev. Dr. J. J. Muir.
was delivered to these oflii-ers by the
pastor. Ftev. .1. J. Mtiir. Lawrence M.
Thompson was re-elet-ted president. The
other officers arfj Robert \V. Kdmonds,
vice president; Miss Alice Ilea, secretary;
If. Tl. Smith, treasurer. Mr. Thompson is
arranging for a scries of interesting pro
I
j grams ? during the coming season. An
t executive committee meeting was held
l Tuesday evening, at which committees
were formed and plaits arranged for the
prosecution of work with renewed zeal.
Bible Studies.
For the benefit of busy Endeavorers
arrangements have been made with Mrs.
R. I. Steele, secretary of the Union Bible
Study Association, to ghe four of her
Bibl<> studies at Christian Endeavor head
quarters, 7::<> Bond building. The first one
will be given this evening at 8 o'clock.
.Mrs. Stee-'e's classes have attracted a
considerable attendance a: the Young
Men's Christian Association this winter,
and many of her lessons have been re
peated at the different churches. She
has kindly offered her services for this
course in order to reach a still larger
number of young people with her mes
sage. The classes will meet each Sat
urday evening for four weeks. Each les
son is complete in itself and therefore
profitable even if i he whole course can
not be attended. Bibles should be brought
bv those who wish to make the most of
this opportunity.
Annual Social.
The annual social given by tlie Christian
Endeavor Society of the First Congrega
tional Church to the members of the
churrh was held Friday evening, with
several hundred present. The Endeav
orers played "The District Schoolmaster."
^Albert J. Osgood acted as schoolmaster.
Following the serving of refreshments
tl ere was a parade about the room by
the participants, many baiiig dressed in
old-fashioned costumes.
April Meeting.
The April meeting of the District of Co
lumbia Christian Endeavor Union, held
Monday evening in the Vermont Avenue
Christian Church, was well attended by
society representatives who were interest
ed in learning more of the personally con
ducted tour of Endeavorers from this
section to the international Christian En
deavor convention that will be held in St.
Paul July 7 to VI. Edward Tarring, the
manager of this trip, showed about seven
ty-five stereopticon views of scenes en
route and told of the arrangements that
had been made for the comfort and pleas
ure of those who wish to go on the En
deavor train.
V V
Brotherhood of St. Andrew.
* *
Preparations are steadily going forward
for the approaching annual gathering: of
the tri-diocesan assembly of the Brother
hood of St. Andrew, which is to meet in
this city May 15 and 16. The arrangements
for the program, winch is in charge of
Bert T. Amos of Washington. H. W. At
kinson of Baltimore and Worthington
Bordley of CenterviHe. Md.. are rapidly
nearing completion. Active steps are fac
ing taken to secure as preachers several
notable c'.ergymen and laymen of the
church as speakers for the services and
j conferences.
At the regular monthly service held
under the auspices of t.ie Brotherhood
Chapter of St. Paul's Church last Sunday
evening the sermon was delivered by the
Rev. Arthur S. Jones, rector of Christ
Church, navy yard.
'
i An addition jo the field secretaries of the
I Brotherhood o." St. Andrew was recently
made In the appointment of Leonard V.
Webb of Buffalo, X. V.. who has volun
teered to serve the organisation and has
for the present been assigned to western
and central New York. Mr. Webb, who
? was a vounp lawyer with a promising
' future, voluntarily tave up his profession
! that he might devote his ent're time to
' the work of the brotherhood.
? The Junior Brotherhood Assembly has
secured as speaker for their next regular
monthly meeting, which will be held in
the Sunday school room of the Church of
the Epiphany. Monday evening, Walter
B. Wessells. president t>f the Junior As
sembly of the diocese of Maryland.
The Brotherhood chapter of St. Marga
ret's Church has chosen the following to
serve as officers for the fiscal year ending
St. Andrew's day: Director. F. Granville
Munson; vice director. Lieut. C. EJ. Gallo
way: secretary and treasurer. S. A. Mc
Carthy.
The Junior Brotherhood chapter of St.
Agnes Chapel was recently revived and
reorganized under very favorable auspices.
ttiajj ? ^riynoi ?? fipasmt ^$far ? Hbmomroi
[ I'F.TI.Ii i?KLIVI"UKI? I "ROM TKISON. Act?.
t : 1 1*J.
IXTHODr?'TION.?The earliest perse
cutions of t lie Christians were instigated
by the Jewish hierarchy. But in tlie year
4 1 A. 1). the civil authorities were en
listed in the same cruel hostility. Ilerod
' Agrippa. grandson of Herod the Great,
received from the emperor the tet rare hies
of Philip and I.ysanias. and with the title
I of king was Anally set over the whole
ter. itory of the Holy L^and. A Roman
1.V education and an Indumean by birth,
lie had ambitions for extensive power.
From policy and from sentiments of su
i perstitioiis reverence he was ardently at
i tachcd to the Jewish ceremonial. Natu
! rally opposed to a faith that was subver
sive of Judaism, and anxious to conciliate
; Jewish favor. he seized James. the
brother of John, and put him to iTeath by
I the sword (verse 'Ji. Thus this apostle,
who asked for a first place in Christ's
kingdom (Mark. xaVIWi, was the first
I after Stephen to endure martyrdom.
IMPRISONED. ? Finding that his
! course pleased the Jews (verse 3). Herod
apprehended Peter and cast him into
prison, intending after Kaster to bring him
forth to the people (verse 4) to suffer as
they might direct. To make sure of his
prisoner he was bound with chains, and at
' night a soldier was placed on either side
of bin. (verses and 6). Nothing dis
turbed b> ihese circumstances, the apos
tle fell asleep Remembrance of former
deliverances <A? ts. v:2J-^S> may have
encouraged him. Tlie composure with
which this good man took his rest is a
beautiful illustration of the simple faith
of tho*e early days, when men trusted in
the superintending cure of an ever-watch
ful Providence (Psalm cxxvli:2). It was
the same heroic faith which Daniel had
in the den of lion* tDaniel. vi:1?), which
indeed characterized all the illustrious
men "f biblical times (Hebrews. xi:&t).
YI8ITKD. No man meets tiial
alone (Psalms. xx.\lv:17?. Though u"
s<*en. help is near, and when he least ex
pc ts j.i.l by a manner wh'eh he could
not have predicted deliverance \> i>| corn*.
Peter sleeping ii i':r prison was sii Idenlv I
awakfiKd. lie found iiis room lighted I
up and ai? u.tgej standing near (verges 7
I
; anil x>. frequent mention is made !n
! Scripture of celestial lyings, who come
at times to ^xeeute punishment upon the
wicked (Gen.. xix:li and at oilier times
to aid the righteous <Htb.. i:14>- The
visitor from tile spirit world struck off
Peter's chains and set him free. Other
instructions were quickly given, "gird
thyself." "bind on thy sandals." "cast
thy garment about thee." "follow me."
diiectlons pertaining only to the proper
adjustment of the loos? oriental ap
parel. which had been partly laid aside
tor the night, but which must be re
stored. Peter must come out of \nc
prison, leaving nothing behind.
MBBRATED. - The soldiers slept on.
knowing nothing of what was transpiring,
a supernatural slumber perhaps induced
(Matt.. xxvlii:4). The angel l>d the way
and Peter followed, hardly aware what
would befall him. Probably a strange
power, a subtle spiritual influence, made
the one willing and obedient to the other.
They passed the first ward and
the second without difficulty. At their
approach the iron gate that led out
into the street of the city opened of its
own accord, moved on its hinges by an
unseen hanJ. They passed through be
yond the prison walls, out into the liberty
that belongs to righteous men. And
then, suddenly, the heavenly guide was
gone and the influence t;iat iTad passed
over the apostle departed likewise. So
gentle and sw.^et and mighty was that in
fluence that while under iis ?>ower Peter
thought he saw a vision, as at Joppa ]
i Acts, ix:IO?. But now, standing alone j
on the street, reealling what had happen-j
ed. he perceived that the l.onl had de
livered him (verses !>-lh.
PRAYING. All tiiis time. even
through the night. ihe brethren had been
praying (verse The death of Stephen
and of James had aroused them to a real
ization of the danger that confronted
them. Tiiey knew tiiat on the morning
another apostle's head might be severed
by the cruel Herod to gain the plaudits
of the populace. A whole night of pra\er
was in nowise too great an eiYori to ;
avert such a calamity. They must have
believed that their pleadings would avail.
They did not belong to that modern
school woo make the Almighty deaf and
hard-hearted. It was in answer to ihose
prayers that the angel was sent, the same
method by which Christ declared He j
might secure aid iMatt., xxvi:.">:?>. Moving'
along the deserted streets, the liberated
Peter guided his footsteps to one of those
prayer meetings, then in progress in the
house of Mary the mother of Mark, who
afterward became a companion of Paul i
(verse 12).
I
ASTONISHED.?Prayer is an act ot
faith. But 110 <jne prays unless lie fully
believes. It is one of the peculiarities ot
religious experience and practice that men
frequently usk God for what they do not
expect to receive <1 Tim.. xi:8>. Accord
ingly. the Good Father is constantly
granting to His children far beyond what
they ask (Kph., iii:'JO?. It was so 011 this
occasion. No one knows the nature ot
the prayers in Mary's house. Did tiie
brethren ask that Peter might be sus
tained or that he might he released?
This is certain, that he waited outside,
knocking: si damsel came to listen. and
hastily returned to report his presence
to the assembled supplicants. When, a
little later, the door was opened ard he
stood before them unharmed, refreshed
by ttye night's ? sleep, they were aston
ished (verses i:{-l?>?. Their faith had not
anticipated such a speedy and marvelous
deliverance.
EXPL.AJ NED.?Imagination might
easily and properly picture the sc?ne as
the disciples gathered about their re
covered friend. The demonstrations of
joy and of affection mingled with ex
pressions of wonder, possibly with traces
of doubt and superstition, for some
thought Rlioda had seen, not Peter, but
his angel (verse 15). Repressing any
boisterous procedures, the apostles re
STORIES FOR THE EASTER SEASON.
Tamahana. a New Zealand chief, visited
a gentleman in England, lie had become
a Christian and wa*> deeply in love with
his Bible and his heart was much set 011
j tlie glorious home that Jesus was prepar
; ing for his people.
1 One day his host took him to see a
beautiful mansion in London. He ex
pected to find Tamahana overwhelmed
and delighted with the splendor of every
thing. To his surprise, however. Tama
' liana seemed little interested !n all the
splendor. He listener! a while in silence
' to his friend's talk about the costly
1 furniture. then he linker) around, and.
| pointing to the beaut:ful walls, he said:
"Ah. m> father's house is finer than all
this;
?'Voui father's house!" exclaimed the
gentleman, who knew thnt the man's
father lived in a little mud hut.
"Yes, my Father's house finer than
this." he insisted, and he took from his
pocket a New Testament and be^an to
read some of'the descriptions of heaven
in the last two chapters of the Bible.
That man was setting his affections on
things above, and r.ot on things on the
earth.
A famous actress was found sitting 011
the seashore, her Bible open on her knee,
as she sat watehing the sunset. "Why
did you leave the stage?" asked the in
utiisitiye guest.
??Because it made me i;tie less fi>r this"
toueh'ii-i the Bible on her knee?"ar.d
> I<n?k less at that,"' p-?intlu3 i<> the miin.set.
! Sef n those tllil'.s U'hieh ale it hove.
' vA'hc soul that i;- 1 ?iiI> risen w.th Cluisl
| cares less and less for the things of the
earth and more and more for the higher
things, the things of Christ.
Ilhode Island Ave. M. P. Church.
The Young People's Christian Circle of
Endeavor of the Rhode Island Avenue
M. P. Church. 1st and Rhode Island ave
nue northwest, had for its topic Sunday
"A tiuide for Life's Journey." This was
consecration meeting and was led by the
j resident. E. Lester B-illurd.
The meeting tomoriow evening will be
conducted by Miss Viola Xe:il. A spec'a 1
uiu?it;t!l program ! .is keen arranged for
the occasion. All stiangers yrc most vor-'
diallj welcomed.
hearsed briefly the whole affair. The ,
soldiers, the chains, the prison, the super
natural light, the angel visitor, the words ;
of instruction, ihe holy influence, the safe |
conduct?all this was told to attentive
listeners, as proof of the Lord's presence i
and care, a fulfillment of His gracious !
words of promise (John, xiv:23>.
DEPARTED.?Out again into the
I night went Peter alone, leaving the dis
1 ciples to pray, or sing, or converse, <?r.re
1 joice tverse 1T?- Why did he go? Was it
; under some prompting of the spirit, or 1
I was he urged by timid brethren who fear
ed tor his sai'etv? Did lie hear some call
1 to duty even like that which Philip had
when he suddenly departed from Samaria? ,
Where did he go? "To another place." :
the lesson declares. Many have vainly
j speculated concerning the Held chosen by
Peter after his flight from Jerusalem. And
this is the last said of him for some time
in ecclesiastical history. A new center
is forming. The chapter of Jewish
Christian activity will soon close and
tli'i work of the Gentile-Christian
| church with its headquarters at An
i tioch will be speedily ojiened under
I Paul. The delivered Peter in Lis new
home will become the compromising force
between the extreme Jewish and radical
sections of Christianity.
CONCLUSION.?The great theme of
the lesson is deliverance. The leader of
the apostolic college is saved from the
sword by direct and miraculous interven
tion. Not that he might remain in Jeru
salem, the head of the church there, but
that he might go forth into a new fleld to
do a new work, of which no record is
made. He lives to labor in obscunity.
Does any one believe that the servant of
God dies before his mission is accom
plished? Are enemies let loose to destroy
him who is in the path of duty? The
same apostle declared to the contrary
(I Peter, 111:13) in his epistle written
fifteen years after. But spared life means
renewed obligation and sometimes charg
ed opportunity. As we know little from
Scripture concerning Peter's after career,
it may not b? improper to mention the
tradition in the church that he died a
? martyr at Rome. But Herod, h's enemy, i
i came to an' ignoble end (verse :!??. The '
j lire of every mui is an object lesson for
I after ?generations. full of narrow est-a pes |
I through th; hit rventiun u. a gracious :
Providence. i
SHERIDAN A6AIN PRESIDENT
METHODIST PROTESTANTS RE
ELECT HIM LEADER
| Former Pastor of St. James' Church.
Kent County. Md.?Has Always
Been an Earnest Worker
Methodist Protectants of this <il> .i-?
miii-li pleased with the re-election of Kcw
| Hr. .! M. Sheridan as president of tiie
Marviaiul annual conference of that de
nomination. w ii< h is now in session in
[ Baltimore. The election was held Tlnns
day. shortly after the conference opeticri
in St. John's Church. St. Paul and tIt
streets. Baltimore. Rev. J. M. Hill, pus
tor of the Rhode Island Avenue Church
of this city. was one of the minister*
who received a number of votes in t -
| election
Rev. I ?r Sheridan was formerly past.?r
i of St. James' Church, Kent county. Mil
land has always been regarded as one of
the foremost workers iti the conference
During the session the president
thanked the conference for its mark
continued confidence in hir.? and assure <
the members that lie itas oniy tiie we
fare of the church at heart.
I?r. Sheridan appealed especially to th*
I conference for greater efforts along two
[lines?the care of suj?*rannuated jninis
' ters and increasing the powers and fund"
?t
Rev. Dr. J. M. Sheridan.
of the church extension fund. "We owe
it to the men who have spent their live*
working at a nominal figure," he said,
j "which was too small bv far to permit
the accumulation of a fund to take cai <?
of their old age. that when they at*
I unable to work longer we will take cai?
j of th'*ni and protect them from want
! They are the men who nave built our
| denomination and we should not see tlietu
| suffer."
| In discussing the church extension
! movement he said: "The amount nf
work along this line should be at lea--t
.doubled. We have not built a church i:i
Baltimore for a number of years, ami
j have not built one in Washington for .a
I much longer period. This is a most im
portant work, and one of the surest wa\ s
of bringing men to < hrist. We should
? have ;i large increase in the number of
lour churches not only in thc.se two
| cities, but in tin- rural parts of the con
i ference."
? ?
j Christian Endeavor Hour. !
, *5"
OtiiiJili'tM liy Grace l.Itiiigft n llill Lttt*.
.Topic, "Kisrn \\ itli Christ." i ICattrr in?-??tirtr >
Culusaiis*, ili : 1-4.
i
i "
There is a great challenge in the words
of our text: "It" ye then be risen with
'Christ. seek those things which are
above."
Why is it that we have to be admon
ished to "set your affection on things
above, not on things on the earth?" and
j to be reminded: "For ye are dead, an I
: your life is hid with Christ in GoJ?"*
Is there then some question that some
I of us who are all too apparently not seek
ing things above, and plainly setting our
affections on earth, are not risen with
I Christ? It is worth looking into
! A great many are seeking to blend the
i life of the Christian Into the life of th>
! world, ami to make themselves tl ink it -
.quite right to ho>d broad views, and l><*
011 good terms with the pleasures and fol
lies of those who know not <'hrist. Per
haps they have forgotten this injunction
to seek higher things, and perhaps they
have never yet seen the vision of what
that life may be if they will only enter in
They feel that the life hid with < ""hrist n
God is a dull dead life, dreary and una
tractive. Alexander Madareu says;
"There is a vast reaim of real exi*teu>'
of which your risen Lord is th<' centei
and the life. Make it a point to whi ii
you strive. That will not lead you to <le
[spising earth and nearer object- Tl;e-e.
iso far as they are really go< d and worth>
'stand right in the line of direction whi? h
[our efforts will take if we are setkinir
the things that are above and may all be
; stages on our Journey <'hrist ward. Th*
lower objects are i?est secured by those
who live for the higher. N"o niaM is so we !
able to do the smallest duties Ik-re. or to
bear the passing troubles of this world
of illusion and change, or to wring the
last drop of sweetness out <?f swiftly fleck
ing joys, as lie to whom everything ? n
earth is dwarfed by th< eteinity beyond
as some hut beside a {?ala'-e. and i.- great
because it is like a little w ndow a !'<???
square through which infinite deaths ???"
sky with all their stars shine in upon
him. The true meaning and greatness <?
| the present is that it is the vestibule >>T
'the august future. The staina.-?- leading
to the presence chamber of the king may
be of poor deal, narrow, crooked, ami
stowed away in a dark turret, hut it ha?
dignity by reason of that to w hi-fi it
gives access. So let our aims pas* thr ni.;h
the earthly and find in them helps to the
things tha: are above."
Hints to the Leader.
The Kndeavor Hymnal. S2. JHJ 3C
204. :>?2.
If you ran have a lily in bloom it wo . (
be good to speak of the lily life, risen -in.l 4
lifted up toward the sun. The ily looks
up constantly, ever reaching to tin* 1 .??? ? "
above it. drinking in the sun. it does no
grovel nor bend its lovely head to s.? .
to obtain nourishment and enj< ynient ?!
| life from tiie earth, whence it 1 as come
So we. if we are risen with Chrb".
Ehou'd reach up. looking ever to the Sun
of Righteousness. So may we keep our
garments spotless and grow daily niortj ?
beautiful.
After your own talk a good variation
would be to call for the sentence prayers. ^
If possible have s-onie i.ne sing "I l\rtoW
Th-it My Redeemer Livcth."
KtiiM tli"e more smt.-lv mansion*. ?? mr ?? if.
As I In- KWifr si-afin.s n>lt!
t.i-MVe ttiv null" ?l phsI ?
l.<*l carli n?*n l?ui|?!e noMi-r llr'u Hi' txst
Shut the- from |i?-.iv?-n vliii .1 inm>- \a*l
THI tlwxi nt Iriigl !? hI t frn .
b'tiviiu t!iin?- outgrown -ln-l! itv lit. - mr,.i >ig
???. - yilvn \VctKltll liolun a.