his people by being
himself a living epistle. He encouraged the young, and set every one
who knew him an example of fidelity and efficiency in the smaller
matters of life.

His early experiences were now in demand. The entire community
recognized in him the elements of magnificent leadership. He was in
great demand in every direction. He was elected a Trustee of the
Howard University, of the Freedman's Saving Bank and Trust Company,
Commissioner of Washington Asylum, Sept. 3d, 1871, and Justice of the
Peace, 8th of April, 1869, and 9th of April, 1872. The vast amount of
work he did on the outside did not impair his usefulness as a pastor
or his faithfulness as a minister of the Gospel. On the contrary he
gathered ammunition and experience from every direction. He made
every thing help him in his preparation for the pulpit. His deep
spiritual life, his nearness to the Master gave him power with men. No
winter passed without a revival of grace and the conversion of scores
of sinners. Thus the work continued until the house was both too small
and unsafe. Plans were drawn and steps taken to build a new church
edifice.

On the first Sunday in March, 1871, the old house of worship, on the
corner of Nineteenth and I streets was abandoned, and the congregation
went to worship in the Stevens School building. The corner-stone of
the new building was laid on the 5th of April, 1871, and the new
edifice dedicated on the 19th of November, 1871, five months after the
work had begun. The dedicatory exercises were as follows:

At eleven o'clock precisely. Rev. D. W. Anderson, pastor in charge,
announced that the hour for the religious exercises to commence had
arrived, and he took pleasure in introducing his predecessor. Rev.
Samuel W. Madden, of Alexandria, Va., who gave out the 934th hymn,
which was sung with considerable fervor and spirit, the entire
congregation rising and participating; after which, Rev. Jas. A.
Handy, read from the 6th chapter, 2d Chronicles, and also addressed
the throne of grace.

"Lift up your heads, ye eternal gates" was admirably rendered by the
choir, when the following letter was read from the President:

"EXECUTIVE MANSION, }
WASHINGTON, Nov. 18, 1871. }

"To Rev. D. W. ANDERSON, No. 1971 I Street,

"SIR: The President directs me to say that your note of the 8th
inst., inviting him to be present at the dedi