646 Chronicles of the Cape Fear Rwer

the rabbi and directors of the temple, tendering to their grieving
friends the use of that sacred edifice for any and all occasions
that require a church, and, in general, to make the temple their
religious home. The invitation was gratefully accepted, and
for a little over two years the bereft Methodist Episcopal con-
gregation regularly worshiped there, and the Young Men’s
Christian Association of that church met there. During that
time there never was a conflict of the hours of service between
the owners of the building and their guests. When either con-
gregation needed the temple for special services, its minister in-
formed the minister of the other congregation, and between
them the-hours were conveniently arranged. And not only did
the ministers accommodate each other in the matter of time, but
several times one took the place of the other when that other
was out of town.

Officers, 1876: Solomon Bear, president; Abraham Weill,
vice-president; Nathaniel Jacobi, treasurer; Jacob I. Macks,
secretary. Directors: M. M. Katz, N. Greenwalde, F. Rhein-
stein, H. Marcus, H. Brunhied.

Officers, 1915: B. Solomon, president; M. W. Jacobi, vice-
president; Albert Solomon, treasurer; J. N. J acobi, secretary.
Directors: Samuel Bear, jr., L. Bluethenthal, Abe Schultz,
Isadore Bear, G. Dannenbaum.

Cuestnut Street PrResBYTERIAN CHURCH.

The Holy Ghost, working when, where, and in whom He will,
made it possible for negroes to receive religious instruction at a
time when they could not provide intelligent and needful in-
struction for themselves. Master and slave, often at the same
time, heard the same message of God’s love, and together united
in prayer and praise.

Slaves were usually inclined to the religious faith of their
masters. Many were taught the catechism, and were acquainted
with the Confession of Faith, the form of government, and the
worship of the Presbyterian Church.

At the close of the War between the States, the negroes began
to withdraw their membership from the white organizations,
and form congregations of their own. The colored members of
the First Presbyterian Church, thirty-four in number, were,
on the 21st of April, 1867, organized as the First Colored
Presbyterian Church. They purchased the house of worship on

Peace Restored 647

Chestnut Street between Seventh and Eighth Streets, which
was formerly used by the Second Presbyterian Chureh, known
now as St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, and the colored
congregation has since been known as the Chestnut Street Pres-
byterian Church.

Splendid material was in the organization, and through the
years the church has been proud of its membership. The dis-
tinguishing features of a Presbyterian Church have been main-
tained ; an intelligent ministry, an orderly and dignified service,
and a ceaseless effort to win souls.

Under the several pastors, some of whom were men of recog-
nized ability, consecration, and piety, the church has had vary-
ing success, but has always exerted a healthful influence in the
community. It is now enjoying a period of peace and progress,
with one hundred and three members, a well organized Sabbath-
school, a Young People’s Society, and an active Woman’s Mis-

slonary Society.