Evening Star Newspaper, April 1, 1893, Page 11

Dk. BALCH'S CAREER. ; Conspicuous in the Early Days of| Georgetown. | THE CHURCH HE BUILT. A Distinguished Divine Who Was the Friend of Washington—Connected With the Early | History of the District—The Old Academy and the Columbian Library. ee ete HE SUBJECT OF) this sketch, though hav- | ing passed away thirty | years before the of the writer, deserves carriage factory now stands. Soon after com- mencing his ‘terial labors he succeeded Jobn Rogers, who taught » classical academy here, among whose pupi author of the “British Spy” eral of the United States, esquire. once i Representatives. Dr. Balch was not only the pioneer in religion, but of education, the in- come from the academy supporting him while he labored to form a congregation and erect » church. and after his first sermon six followers of Calvin kuelt about him in silent prayer and took of the Lord's supper. Such was the Beginning of the Presbyterian Charch in the District. HIB MARRIAGE. July 10, 1781, he was vnited in marriage by Rev. Isaac Stockton Keith to Elizabeth Beall, the eldest daughter of George Beall. The cups used at the wedding were not much larger than athimble. The ladies of Georgetown being patriotic positively refused to ‘drink tee during the progress of the revolution. His wife was young, beautiful and in- dustrious ; uncomplaining and submissive in adverse circumstances. She reared nine children. In 1782 he succeeded in raising suf- THE EVENING STAR: WASHINGTON, globes and chemical apparatus used in the school. The books under the management of Rev. David Wiley soon became scattered. Not contented with being simply a teacher and librarian he pe tle aay of pg nem taneously in 5 was in- tendent of a turnpike road and editor of an agricultural paper at the same time. He was also postmaster, merchant, miller and preacher. He was out on surveys repeatedly to the neglect of his school, which was finally dis- porued, and the brary after a few years ex- became a matter of the past. He at Inst became a politician and served as mayor of the town from 1811 to 1812, and died in North Carolina while returning from a govern- ment survey. His intentions were always good and honorable, and whenever he married 0 couple ir the absence of the pastor he divided the fee with Mr. Balch. vices in the revolutionary war, which was granted him. HIS DEATH. On Sunday morning, September 22, 1833, at 9 o'clock a.m.,as he was preparing to go to church to perform his official duties, he was stricken with xy and sank to rest like the sun without a cloud to hide his luster. As the news of his death spread through the town the citizens, irrespective of religious creed, ex- pressed themselves with one accord: “Well lone good and faithful servant, enter thou into, the joy of thy Lord.” A sucessful plaster cast of bis face was taken just after his death. On Monday the board of aldermen common council of Georgetown passed the following resolution: ‘That we have learned with d regret the death of one aged and vent fellow citizen, Doctor Stephen Bloomer Balch. who for more than fifty-three years has been @ useful and honored minister of religion in the town, illustrating the holy profession he made through his long career bya life of uniform piety toward God, and benovolonce, liberality and kindness to his fellow men, descending to his tomb full of years, and rich in the rever- ence, esteem and love of the whole communi more mention than the ficient funds to erect a church about thirty feet brief epitaph on his square on the corner of 30th and M streets tomb in Oak Hill ceme- | northwest, and in 1783 he erected # mansion | which he called Mamre on « round green hill ag | near the river, on the east side of Duck lan Kev.Stephen Bloomer | now 33d street, south of Scotch row, whi Balch, D. D.. was born | the canal crosses the street. It was surrounded Resolved, that as a testimony of respect to memory, the members and officers of this cor- poration will attend his funeral tomorrow (Tuesday) at 10 o'clock am. Resolved, that the clerk of the corporation be requested to transmit a copy of these resolutions to the family of the deceased. The town was draped in mourning, business April 5, 1747, on Deer | creek, Harford county, ‘Md., which empties into | the Susquehanna river about thirty-five miles | from Paitimore. His grandfather came direct from Wales. His father removed to Maryland about 1740 and occupied a small farm on the banks of the creek, where, by tilling the so he provided for his family. The tide of emi gration directing them south to the then El Dorado— North Caroiina— they followed in its wake in 1769 and settled in Mecklenberg county near Charlotte. The family consisted of eight children—six boys and two girls. Three of the | brothers followed the plow and three took up | the cross and preached Christ and Him eruci- fied. The Rev. Hezekiah James Balch was one of the first signers of the celebrated Mecklen- berg Declaration of Independence May 20, 1775. 1 After Stephen removed to North Carolina he | experienced great Ities in obtaining an | education. Ey the vigor of his own mind he acquired a knowledge of Latin and Greek. He labored in summer and ta in winter, and in that way supplied himself with money which was needed for travel and matriculation. In 1772 he left the humble home of his parents and entered Princeton College, New Jersey, then under the superintendence of the distinguished John Witherspoon, D. D., one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. Among his classmates were William Bradford. attorney general of PennstIvania, and Anron Burr. He graduated in in a class of twenty, among whom was Brockholst Livingston, who was ap- pointed a justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. He left college for | REV. DR. STEPHEN B. BALCH. (From snold engraving. } Lower Marlboro’, Calvert county, Md. to assume charge of a — classical academy. While on his journey on reaching Philadelphia he found himself short of funds and alone in the city. He determined, how- ever, to call for what he needed at the hotel, and as a last resort to show his testimonials as an evidence that he was worthy to be trusted. | ‘The next morning as he was walking the crowded street, sad and dejected. he noticed a person who seemed to look at him seratinizingly, and tefore be had reached the hotel came up to him, stating that he wasa merchant from North | Carolina. and Dr. Baleh informed bim he ba relatives there. “Well. they have shown me | great kindness lately,” said the merchant, “‘and | perbaps lean pay back some of it by you.” This led Dr. Balch and the stranger willingly supplied 1t. AS A MILITIA CAPTAIN. After assuming charge of the academy on October 1, 1775, he was appointed captain of his pupils of age to begenrolled in the state! militia. He trained the youths of bis company | toaknowledge of the military exercises, that | they might be ready at any moment to ex- ebange their books for muskets, and they fol-! lowed him as their captain, always breasting danger where it existed. The field officers un- der whom he acted were Maj. Patrick Smith | and Col. Alexander Sommerville of the Mary- land militia. His company consisted of be-| tween forty and fifty youths, many of whom | were larger than himself. He was on duty and | did service as captain three years and was in | ice against the enemy from Decem- | to December 1, 1777. When the ber 1. enemy appeared on the shores of the Patuxent | river and Chesapeake bay he would march out | with bis company to assist’ in re-| ling them und suffered materially | : to the night air in that | Among his pupils were Dr. | nd Dr. Worthington, who never forgot their old preceptor for grounding ‘them in the languages, and attended his family gratuitously for many years, always declining compensation when offered. ‘He studied divin- ity at the same time and borrowed books from the Rev. Thos. Clagett, who was a planter of tobacco agd afterward a bishop. Dr. Balch ‘was accustomed to relate many anecdotes of the diocesans of Maryland. ‘They were a gay | community. The trustees paid him in eonti- | mental money, which ins few days was worth as much to him as the sands of the seashore, and he left Calvert county as poor as be entered it and went into Pennsylvania to be licensed by the Donegal presbytery. HOMEWARD rotxD. Six years had elapsed since he left the old homestead. and southward be wended his way. Arriving on Tuesday in Georgetown, D.C.. in 1779, be was invited to preach. The only place of worsbip at that time was the German Lu- theran Church, a log b ig located on the corner of charge of Rev. Clement Brooke. minister, and Col. Charie= tor to permit Dr. Ealeb Which he did. Bein ever Sunday Dr. Balch ing and evening. ing taken place it was nat see bis kindred after so lo a reaching North Carolina he d that his father had bequeathed his small | fortune to bis two « a leer dollar to each of his ix sons. He divided his dollar between bis two si ad atter linger- ing awhile in his old home he went abroad to preach among the people of the Carolinas and Georgia. In his wionary tour he experienc . jd many privations more than once among the tories in the gloomiest period of the revo Iution. He always endeavored to soothe the ‘angry passions that kindled up the Sames of in ternecine sirife. and often from the sacred desk rallsed our dispirited troops to the standard of our beloved He was one night beiaied in a strange hood and received » hospitable wel home of Col. Williams of South Carolina ing weary he soon retired. When Col. Williams returned home late in the evening. entering the roombe said: “I must inform you that Lallow u one who is not a whig to sleep under my roof. hen let me sleep in peace.” replied Dr. Balch, “for Iwas educated under Dr. John Wither- the signers of the Declaration of ‘On one occasion. when his | ngregation was somewhat divided. such was the state of feeling. that Col. Williams acted as | clerk and read out the hymns, clad in full regi- | mentals, with loxded pistol in his belt and | eword by his side. PEPARTURE ¥OB GEORGETOWN. Receiving many letters urging him to re- ntry again n foe. Be- was tobacco and warehouses— monuments to the industry of the inhabitants its chef or- naments. After due consideration he accepted the call, and resting here frou: his itineracy March 16, 1780, be arose in grand luminary, developing the moral and in- tellectual facuities of min like unto the sun which seeks the plant for years hidden by the stalwart oak that it may bud and blossom. He hed bis first sermon ina small fram 1g Which was used as a school house in the week and as a church on the Sabbath which be bad rented for the purpose. It stood on the north side of street near 33d, where Cook & Jarboe’ our midst hke » | Rev. David Wiley was appointed by a few cottages. A short distance from the house a running brook made its way to the river, which has long since been hushed. In 1794 the Rev. Dr. Addison receiving infor- mation that there were some Episcopal families in the town, he paid it a visit and was invited by Dr. Balch tohold an Episcopal service in his church and encouraged him to organize an Episcopal congreration. and in 1796 Dr. Balch assisted Dr. Addision in soliciting subseriptions, and they succeeded in raising $1,500, which formed a nucleus for the erection of St. John's Church, corne> of Potomac avenue and O street northwest. The name of Dr. Balch appears as subscriber, and he also assisted in the dedica- tion of the new church. A few weeks after the death of his friend | Gen. George Washington, December 14, 1799, Dr. Balch gave notice that on a certain Sab- bath he would speak of his life and services. The people gathered from all the surrounding country he preached to more than 1,000 in | the open air. The text was the last verse of | the tenth chapter of the Book of Esther. “For | Mordecai, the Jew, was next unto King Abas- nerus and great among the Jews and accepted by the multitude of his brethren, seeking the wealth of his people and speaking peace to all his seed.” A TRYING PERIOD. In 1809, desiring to devote all his time to pastoral duties, he cc David Wiley, urging hi in the academy. which was accepted. that vear to 1807 was the most trying period in the old pastor's life. He had relinquished his business of instruction and applied himself to his duties as pastor, a step he did not take with- out reflection. for he derived from hia congre- gation b er support. Large sums of money i through his hands during his in- cumbeney of the classical academy, but he loved money oniy for the good it may be made to accomplish. He was a man of lavish gener: osity. and none ever appealed to him for help ief that he did not respond, expecting no reward save that which comes to a nobie soul for having helped the heipleas. He was con- tending with a multitude of cares at a cost greater than he could well afford. He had in- dorsed the paper of his friend, Rev. David Wiley, in the Columbian Bank to the extent of $2,000, which he had to pay, and his twoeldestsous were at Princeton Colle; Bat bis income lay in the church, which was “most in his thought, and ever in his sight.” His property consisted of anisland in the Potomac river called Patmos, from whieh a part of the fuel was obtained, and of Wilberforce, a lot of ten acres, ‘ich he had named after the British states great agency in abolishing the the coast of Africa. He wrote to Wilberforce about the honor conferred on him, and the statesman replied most politely in a letter from his cottage on the Lake of Uliswater. Wilber- force was but a short walk from the town and was highly cultivated. The frontage was superb. It declined from the hills into. mini and was abundantly watered. This was all except his home. His salary from the church was irregularly paid, but his marriago fees were considerable. Poverty showed among his family its grim features and the winter of 1804 was a severe and trying one. HIS HOME DESOLATED. Under the ordinance of May 11, 1799, the street was graded through the hill on which the house stood to connect the tobacco warehouse with the wharves and shipping. The house divided itself into halves and bricks and mortar fell into the street. The river was frozen toa thickness of two feet. Horses were galloping to the merry chimesof the sleigh belle. Happy boys and girls were sleighing and skating. In other homes fires were sparkling on the hearths, but in the old pastor's house was the scene of desolation and despair and to add to their mis- ery the larder was empty—a typical home of a pioneer pastor. The old pastor in his distress gathered dis family in praver and supplication ifiia who never deserts in time of need. when kind friends came to his relief, and his wife was domiciled for ths remainder of the winter | with one of his parishioners. My readers may wonder why he did not resume teaching, but having brought his friend here be was too honorable to engage in rivalry. But necessity compelled him toopen a female academy, which was soon filled with pupils, and the situation of his family was relieved and the home prospered. Notwith:tanding bis misfortunes, naturally possessed of a contented mind—more precious than gold—he went about town a cheerful, contented aud happy man, speaking words of good cheer to all he met, irrespective of creed orcondition. They were i to him as the children of one great family, having a common father —God. BALCH’S CLASSICAL ACADEMY. I must now return to the academy of which he assumed charge in 1780. The curriculum consisted of Latin, Greek, mathematics, science, surveying and navigation. The acad- emy was not only patronized by those residing in the town and vicinity, but by many who re- sided at a distance, whose children boarded th his parishioners. His friend, Gen. George ‘ashington, sent his nephews’ and wards, George Steptoe and Lawrence Augustine Wash- ington. children of his brother Samuel, who died in 1751, to the academy to be educated, with the request that Dr. Balch receive the Sis sponded with Rev. to become his successor | From | OUSE WHERE DE. BALCH DIED. boys into his own family, 1800 he corresponded Wiley, a graduate of Princeton and a distinguished mathematician, urg- ing him to become his successor in the academy, whicu was then known as the Columbian Academy. a large two-story frame building, which crowned a round-pointed hill where the Barber house now stands, No. 3241 N street northwest, which commanded a fine view of the river from the study rooms up- stairs Ahigh porch crowned the entrance, from which hung the bell. Adjoining the school room was « large garden in the shape of an oblong square, about midway of which was planted a jessaimine arbor. Rev. David Wile; sumed charge of the academy in 1801. He was burdened with a large family and this state of circumstances urged him to take any kind of pupil. THE COLUMBIAN LIBRARY. Dr. Balch was one of the founders and « member of the board of twelve trustees of the Columbian library about 1803, in which he took an active interest. A dispute arose whether tales, romances and novels should be intro- duced. Some of the trustees thought them in- jurious by ereating a morbid taste, while others contended their effect was to quicken the imagination. Dr. Balch was opposed to novels, and in his speech remarked: “You may do as You please, but mark my words the tale shelf will have all the custom.” It was decided. how- ever, bya vote of nine to three that novels should be provided. The preliminaries being settled, the worke were purchased: in Philedat phia, and in due season they arrived by vessel packed in boxes. The library contained 2,000 “in 1778, volumes, which was afterward increased to. 3,500, and was open every Wednesday afternoon Pre til 5 o'clock, and twice a week dur- g. the in fourteen days inder @ penalty of 63 cents. bration. "The inter months, books to be returned | books were kept in the same room with the DR, BALCH’S CHURCH. ‘The church which he had erected in 1782 at the corner of 30th and M streets northwest | after ten years had elapsed would not seat all who desired to attend divine worship and it became necessary to enlarge the building by extending the north front in 179% and with | characteristic enterprise he had a steeple erected and a bell placed init. Soon after the | removal of the seat of government to Washing- ton city considerable accessions were made to the congregation and it was necessary to still further enlarge the church editice, which was done under the immediate superintendence of | Dr. Balch. All protestant denominations wor- | shiped here und received the word of God at | the mouth of Dr. Balch, and communed to- | gether at the same altar, such was the liberality | that prevailed in tho ys. In 1821. the building being insufticient to accommodate all | who desired to attend, it was determined to | pail down the old building and erect a much Inrger edifice. which rematued standing until the spring of 1873, wh material used in c: P near Slat street. ‘The Presbyterian Church was in fact the mother church of the town. Other denomina- tions ought shelter under its roof while their churen was being erected or remodeled. When | the Methodist Protestant Church was organ- «din 1829, Dr. Balch invited them to his church and labored and sympathized with them until they found a restiug place. He was afriend of Georgetown College in its in- fancy, and was a frequent visitor to the insti- tution and often dined with the priests of Catholic Trinity Church. On one occasion they apologized for the appearance of the table on fast day. Dr. Balch replied: ‘Well, well. brothers; if you call this fast day what do you have on feast day?” He was also instru- mental in organizing several Presbyterian churches within the bounds of the Synod of Baltimore, one of them in the city of Fred- erick, Md. where he often preached. Among those who attended his church was Gen. George Washin='on.who frequently visited here from Mount Ve..on; Thomas Jefferson, President of the United States, who on one oc- casion contributed $75; Albert Gallatin, Secre- tary of the Treasury, and the Frenca ambassa- dor, Monsieur Pechion, while residing here. M. Pechion and his wife were Huguenots. He had been sent over by Napoleon to receive the money which was paid for the purchase of Louisiana during the administration of Jeffer- son in 1908. The old pastor baptized his child and the next morning Pechion sent him a note containing 30, being as he explained in his broken English, “‘ten for de leetle boy, ten for de madame and ten for mineseif,” and he mentioned that in France it was customary to pay for baptisms. Some young men were guilty of te sacrilege of robbing the church of the Bible and hymn books, but the offense was never repeated. for on the Sunday following Dr. Balch made the most thrilling and eloquent appeal ever heard from the pulpit. Every eve was wandering over the congregation in search of the perpe- trators. The supposed agents in the affair were ever afterward held in contempt and some of them left the town. In the closing years of his life the congregation provided Dr. Balch with assistant ministers. AS A PREACHER AND A SCHOLAR. Dr. Balch was a man of robust, vigorous con- stitution and of a bold, honest countenance. Arrayed in his gown and bands be made an im- posing appearance in the pulpit. His style of oratory was forcible and impassioned. Though bold in his appeals he always addressed the af- flicted with astonishing tenderness. He at times resembled Whitfield. In the dispensation of the Lord's supper be was without a rival in his sublimity both in language and manner. Among the classics he preferred Horace to Virgil, He might easily have been a man of extensive reading, but chained to the school room the greater part of his life he was obliged to confine himself to a system. He was a kind and affectionate father, and in his social relations of life few men possessed more urbanity of manner, Pleasantry and anecdote. He was an inv erate chewer of tobacco, especially when en- gaged in solving problems in the school room or in animated conversation. During the course of his well-spent life he educated seventy-four youths for the ministry and a large number for the different professions, some of whom became eminent. Si what he preached: “‘It is not good that man should be alone,” and believed in tying the marriage knot. As an example to others he married twice after passing four score years, His first wife. Elizabeth Beall, died on June 27, 1827, aged sixty-five vears, and on November 5, 1828, he married Elizabeth King, who sur- vived the ceremony but three weeks, and died November 23, 1828, aged fifty-eight years, On November 9, 1830, he married Mrs. Jane Par- rott of Easton, Md., formerly ‘of Georgetown, who survived him many years. He performed more matrimonial ceremonies than any other clergyman in the District at that time, and night or day he was always ready to attend to candidates for matrimony. On th south side of the Potomac river there was a district called Cooney Neck. mostly inhabited by the laboring classes. On one occasion this worthy man related that a couple from Cooney called at his house at midnight. He had re- tired to his bed room, and as he undressed pre- tory to lying down he heard a rap at the rout door. He raised the window and was in- formed that a couple at the door desired to be united in wedlock. He requested them to make ready and he would marry them from the win- dow. ‘The service performed he wished them good luck and good night and requested them to leave the fee under the front door. Sure enough in the morning he found tucked under the door two shillings and sixpence. On another occasion from the same neighborhood a couple called about noon. They were invited into the parlor and were married. ‘The usual command, “Salute your bride,” was given, when the young man acted 1m an ignorant man- ner, which showed that he did not comprehend the command, when Dr. Balch called out “Kiss your bride.” "Love couples from all sections, money or no money, came to him to get mar- ried, and on one oceasion a couple from the country gave him as marriage fee one-half peck each of dried apples and peaches. He always spoke weil of the dead if he could, and on one o¢casion, when performing the last sad rites of a wicked old man, of whom nobody remembered any virtue, after general remarks upon the solemnity of death, he concluied as follows: “I deem it my duty in this ead hour to say of the departed that we were school mates, and « finer mathematician I did not know." Meeting » Methodist minister who complained to Dr. Balch that he was very ill ia bed on Sas- at ough on \y to preach against Calvinism Dr. Balch replied: “Then, brother, Saturday was your best day.” Only two of his sermons were ever printed. one an “Infant Baptism” and the other on “ Perseverance of Sainte,” BURNED OUT. In 1831, while residing at 8816 N rt, his wife neglected to cover up the coals t was demolished and the | tructing a new church on | | E | from Acts vii, | tri | chapel. | | William W. Corcoran wrote to bis children re- | places were closed, and all the bells tolled as the remains of this faithful apostle of God was carried from his residence, No. 3302 N street, to the church where he formed the last sad rites to hundre sands. Ministers of all denominations, includ- ing eight priests representing the Catholic Church, who had loved and venerated him in life, joued in the funeral cortege. When the hearse reached the church the procession was still forming at the residence. The funeral sermon, an eloquent discourse on the life and services of deceased, was preached by Rev. Elijah Harrison, of Alexandria, Va., And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamenta- tion over him." After the faneral sermon his remains were incased in the front wall of the eburch. His life was checkered with many severe Dug out of one home, flooded out of another and burnt out of a third, yet his forti- tude and pie ion and cheerfulness forsook him not. Keeping his eye steadfastly fixed on his sacred calling, he was to his expir- ing henith faithful to his master. His family consisted of nine children, as follows: ma: atter bis d th she married Gen. Alexander MeCo:nb. who fought the b: in 1814. She was a woman of remazka- v and gifts, 1 a leader in society in or many years. Anna Elinore mar= 1es Campbell Wilson and resided hap- his city for forty years, Jane Whana, a very talented woman, married Wilham Will- jamson, who was a fine classical scholar and had tive brothers in the Presbyterian ministry. r ried Rev. Septimis Tustin, a noted Presbyterinn erator. Their four daughters died in this city. His eldest son became a d guished judge in Nashville, Tenn. George, father of Admiral Buich, became a lawyer. Louis P. Witherspoon was a talented lawyer and scholar; was elected judge in West Vir- gina, Thomas Bloomer decume one of the lights of the Presbyterian ministry, was a man of thrilling eloquence and a voluminous writer. He married Miss Carter, firat cousin of the confederate leader, Kobert E. Lee, a lady of splendid classical attainments, Franklin died young, and Hezekiah died on reaching man- hood. HIS FIRST MONUMENT. In October, 1835, a handsome monument was erected, not by the Presbyterian congregation, but by his family, to his memory, in front of the church he founded and so long presided over. It was of white marble, representing « pyramidal tablet resting upon a solid [onic | base against the wall between the doors of the main entrance. with no other ornament than a wreath beautifully sculptured at the top. It bore the following inscription and had a chaste and handsome appearance: SiCRED To the memory of Stephen Baleh, D. D., Who died September 22, 1823, In the eighty-seventh year of his age. He was the founder of this church, And for more than haif « century revered pastor. He planted the gospel in this town, And his example was for many years A light to its inhabitants, He being dead, yet speaketh, Retiquia mortales Stephani Bloomer Balch, D. D., Sub hoc marmore In humantue. His children have erected this tablet To record The virtue of the dead and the Gratitude of the living. REINTERRED IN OAK HILL In the spring of 1873, when the church was demolished, his remains were reinterred in the Presbyterian cemetery on 33 street near tho In the spring of 1874 the philanthropic questing the privilege of removing the remains to Onk Hill cemetery, which was granted. Writing to his son, Rev. Thomas B. Balch, he said: “‘I knew your father from boyhood, and the sentiments of profound esteem with which at an early age I regarded him were undiminished at the close of his protracted and exemplary life.” Andon June 15, 1874, the remains of this apostle of God were reinterred near the Swiss Chapel in Oak Hill cemetery amid the trees where the birds nest their young and the plants bud and blossom. A neat mural tablet ordered by W. W. Corcoran was mounted on the wall in the Swiss Chapel bearing the following inserip- tion in letters of gold: IN Hoxon oF STEPHEN BLOOMER BALCH, D.D., rn on “Deer Creek,” near Balt., Md., April, A. D. 1847. Came to Georgetown, D. C., March 16, A. D. 1780. Died September 22, A. D. 1833, He planted the Gospel in Georgetown. Founded “The Bridge Street Presbyterian Church,” And was for more than 50 years its Pastor. In life he Practiced what he Preached. No Eulogy can add to such ‘® record, It is my desire that this sketch may be the means of arousing not only the Presbyterians of the District, but the citizens of Georgetown, toerect in some public place « monument to this worthy pioneer of religion and education, for many years ‘a’ lamp unto our feet ands light unto our path.” W. 8. Jackson, —————— “In Ispahan.* Made smooth some centuries ago By praying eastern devotees, Blurred by those dusky nuked fect, And somewhat worn by shaming knees, In Ispanan. It lies upon my modern floor, And no one prays there any more, It never feit the worldly tread Of smart bottines, high-heeled and red, In Ispahan. And no one prays there now, I said? Ah, well, that was a hasty word. Once, with my face upon its woof, A flercer prayer it never heard In Ispahan. Bat still I lived who prayed that night ‘That death might come ere came the light. Bldany soul in black despair Breathe, kneeling here, that reckless prayer In Ispanant I trust that heaven lent {Kinder ear than lent to me. ‘some brown ancient, weeping, begged To have his suffering soul vet free Tm Ispanan. I fancy I shall like to meet ‘The dead who prayed here and whose feet ‘Once made this rich old t red. Peace to your souls, my friends who prayed a Iapanan. "Y is Anne REEVE ALDRICH. —-e-+—____ British Uniforms Sold to Beggars. © costume for Sandwich men, and I sympathize entirely with their feelings. Bat what would these feolings be could they but witness what has been lately seen in South Africa? I hear from Durbes that hundreds of old tunics trousers wi manly form of Mr. Adsins have lately been, sold ot 20 coolies and natives of Natal. One witness tiesto having Just seen fn the stfeet © coolle attired trows of « highland regiment South Stafordshire tunic. I endeavored in recent srticle to induce the British army to take a little more pride in its official but if this sort of thing is not stopped I that ‘no amount of ent will provent soldiers being ashamed of their clothes. ——_=—————s ‘UwarvatsD, Dr. Ball's Cough yrep, Harriet | tied James Rt. Wilson, a purser in the navy: | ‘Written for The Evening Star. DECLINED THE PRESIDENCY. A Notable Letter That Gen. Sherman Wrote Before the Convention of 1884. HE HAD NEVER BEAD A PARTY PLATFORM AND HAD NEVER VOTED FOR ANY ONE BUT BU- CHAXAN—THR “SHALLOW FLATTERY” OF THE WHITE HOUSE cnowD. NE OF THE GREAT MAGAZINES IS engaged in the publication of an interest- ing series of letters between Gen, W. T. Sher- man and his brother, Senator John Sherman. None of them is of greater interest or of more historic importance than a letter which Gen. Sherman wrote nearly nine years ago to Mra. John B. Henderson, the original of which came into my hands » short time ago. It will be published as one of many original letters in Mra. Ellen Hardin Walworth’s “American Monthly Magazine” in its next issue, but I have the per- mission of Mrs. Henderson to use its chief features here. The letter has an interesting history. It was written at the time when the republican national convention was in session at Chi in answer to letter of Mrs. Henderson on the subject of the desire of many of the leaders of that convention to make Gen. Sherman the republican nominee for the presidency. Mr. Henderson was the permanent chairman of the convention, and he was in the movement to nom- inate Gen. Sherman, not from any antagonism to Mr. Blaine, but because he thought that Mr. Biaine could’ not be sure of election and he thought that Gen. Sherman could. Before going to Chicago Mr. Henderson approached Gen. Sherman on the subject of permitting the use of his name before the convention and he gave n qualified negative. Afterward when the leaders of the opposition determined to nominate Gen. Sherman if possible they \asked Mr. Henderson to communicate with him. Mr. Henderscn telegraphed to the gen- | eral and at the same time Mrs. Henderson, wio knew bim very well and who had been present at the interview with him before the conven- tion, wrote to him urging him to permit the use of his name. Mr. Henderson received a reply by teiegraph—n decided negative—and Mrs. Henderson received a little later a long characteristic letter. EXTRACTS PROM THE LETTER. a delightful, rambling letter, as frank ursive as Gen. Sher:nan’s conversatia It | Sherman willever forget his conversational abit Here are some extracts from the letter (it St. Louis, June 5, 1884): “Chicago at the hour of my writing i the scene in *M b mixing their po: of ference whether the “root of hemlock the dark’ went in before the So ina few days, when the convention journed, you will care little as to the ‘provided the pot boils and, there is an average good man. Henderson’ speech was good enough and it was all-sufficient that iy dispatch got there in time. Our young friend Roosevelt can use the material of his m- | tended nomination speech for Sherman at the | next or the next national convention for some other fellow, no matter whom. “Ihave been behind the curtain at the White House and have seen the skeletons in every closet and every room—Harrison, Taylor. Li coin and Garfield. You and I both know the green room and the east room and know the shallow flatterv of the crowd which has gathered there, and will gathe: there for years, no mat- ter who the occupant may be. I don't want the place. Mrs. Sherman would be simply wretched there, and every time she went to church or any time a priest entered the wails it would be heralded tothe four corners of the world. Lizzie don't want to go there and Rachael hesitates. My only remaining son would be poisoned and ruined by the place, as so many boys have hitherto been. With these facts branded in my ,nemory, why should i covet the honor? Henderson said well, the country labors under the ‘em- barras de richesses; i.e., of too many men qualified and willing. | There is no war, 10 conscription, no compu'sory process, so I’ am as feirly outas any freedman should be. Where comes in the patriotism? Iam not the only savioz—run Jacob Townsend with a specific for all diveases—on the contrary I believe the country is healthy and better not to be doctored atall. I look upon all political parties as pretty much alike, governed by tho same selfish rules, and might unconsciously adoptsome democratic measure and be admonished by the newspapers having the administration in charge that it was not in the platform. Why, I never reada politieal platform in my life, and don't believe I will Toad the one now which has been compounded in the witches’ pot in Chicago. I never voted but once in my life, then voted wrong—dis- franchised myself—and if pardoned will neve= vote again. ‘This was in California—I had to choose between Fremont and Buchanan. 1 knew Fremont was not qualified and went itblindfor Buchanan —on the mathematical doc- trine of probabilities that he might be. If cal on today todetine my position I would sa; Tho Star Spangied Banner and the Lord's Prayer.” “Tm litical candi- date. fell Henderxon the only candidate I ever had for President was our old friend Spotted Tail. chief of the Ogal- lala Sioux, handsome, dignified and undoubt- edly a‘native American.’ He was killed in arow up at the agency, and I am now a widow and don’t much care who is to be our next Presi- dent—Blaine, Arthur, John Sherman, Lincoln, Gresham, Edmunds, Harrison or Joe Hawley— and if this great people cannot chose out of them and must look to the democratic party, there is Tilden, Jeff Davis and the devil—ot which three I would prefer the iatter—certain that we now swnd #o firmly on a basis of strength (thanks to the brave men who fought in 1861-5) that our fabric of government can- not be shaken,” WHERE IT WAS WRITTEN. READ, READ, READ! Hon. Samuel H. Barnes Sends Greeting---The Battle is Won. D. C, SATURDAY, APRIL 1, 1893—SIXTEEN PAGES. il Hon. Samuel H. Barnes of New Haven, Conn., has issued in that city the following open letter, which ts given verbatim. Mr. Barnes has heen a prosperous business man there for 20 ye but is one of the most infuential men in the city. To Whom it may Concern, Greeting: ‘The battle is fought and the victory won. Paine’s celery compound has done its wo dreadful disease as eczema. In the year 1863 I was taken with a breaking out om my breast of terrible itching, so much so that I could not sleep mignts. over my body. cure. six months at a time, but it did me no good. tion that 1 was in. Praise God, from whom all blessings flow. He has held no more important office than councilman and sidermam His greeting, published in Col. Osvorn’s paper, the “Register,” is as follows: New HaveN, Conn., Mareh 3, 19m Thanks to the good Lord who enabled man to make such a compound to cure such @ it went of I went to @ doctor and he said { haf eczema, and he gave me medicine, but it did not do me any good, and there was Bo ‘Then, for many years, I traveled from one doctor to anotuer. For twenty-six years I tried homeopath and allopath, but I did not get much help. I lived on nothing but beefsteak and hot water for I have been up nights for an hour at @ time itching terribly. I was so bad that at one time I had to sell out my business at a loss. Words cannot express the cond But here [ am now, after taking 14 bottles of Paine’s celery compound, with my skin as soft as a child's and as smooth as any neaithy man’s can be. of work this winter. T am well; better than I have been for 26 years. My blood is hot, but there is no itch. Apel now if there is any one who ts aMicted with this disease, in the name of all that is good, try Paine’s ce? ‘Stop wat you are well, if it takes 90 bottles, tor you can rest assured that it will do its work. I wruld like to hear from those wio are aMicted with a like disease. I go to bed and sleep as good as @ child, and have done the hardest kind ery compound, and do a@ Sauce. H. Bamwms This letter was written undoubtedly in the little room to the left of the entrance to Gen. Sherman's home on Garrison avenue in St. Louis. It was his study—balf library, half office—with a tlat-topped desk standing in the middle of the floor. The house was a double brick on one of the fashionable streets of the city, now left far behind in the growth of St. Louis, away from the river front toward the west. The house was the gift of the citizens of St. Louis to Gen. Sherman. It was not very large or costly. It stood just oppoiite the brick palace of a dealer in bams named Whit- taker, and aclerical wit known beyond the narrow limits of his city, Dr. John Snyder of the Unitarian Church, ‘is ted with comparing the two structures for the benefit of a visitor to the city as typifying the superiority of the pen over the sword. In this home Gen. Sherman spent a number of years and he would probably have died there but for some controversies which he had with the city over water license and some other little dis- cords, which so jarred on his nerves that he de- termined to move to New York. While he lived in St. Louis Gen. Sherman devoted himself al- most entirely to social pleasures. He delighted in a game of whist and he reveled in story tell- ing. One of my first experiences in active journalism was when I called at his house to interview him on some question connected with the government of the state militia. I found him in his little office and he welcomed me pleasantly and talked very. freely. I ‘think that I never spent s pleasanter half hour on any business mission. Gen. Sherman filled the time with pleasant anecdote and entertain- ing suggestion on the subject about which I had come to see him. He liked # good listener, for he liked to talk, and his conversation, while rambling and disconnected at times, was al entertaining. He was a frequent prey to the ‘was ne doubt that he could have had the nomi- Se ke nm it. votes Pde! tn Saf ine My as who could have held together the anti-Blaine = the convention. That he would have elected if he had been nominated was admitted by Mr. Blaine himself when the name of Gen. Sherman was suggested to tho"fonrenlon had” met a F ft i, hy 2) F Rf i E ti t § | it SG) SALE OF THE STOCK oF 907 PA. AVE. N.W.. Consisting of Wrars, Mussseny, Hostear Usprawean, C. Hutchinson, ERY CHEAP To Crosz Ocr. Z. H. 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