erests of a society so obscure and of so recent
date. But he believed in his cause, and knew that success would come.
He had known Dr. Neale in Washington City, during his early ministry;
they were boys together. They met. It was a pleasant meeting. The Rev.
Mr. Neale vouched for him before the public. It was not particularly
necessary, for Brother Grimes carried a recommendation in his face: it
was written all over with veracity and benevolence.

Joyfully and successfully he hurried on his mission. He made friends
of the enemies of evangelical religion, and gathered a host of
admirers around him. The public saw in him not only the zealous pastor
of an humble little church, but the true friend of humanity. The
public ear was secured; his prayer was answered in the munificent
gifts that came in from every direction. Every person seemed anxious
to contribute something to this noble object.

It was a beautiful morning! The sun never shone brighter, nor the air
smelled sweeter or purer than on that memorable first day of August,
1850. The first persons to usher themselves into the street that
morning were the happy members of the "_Twelfth_ _Baptist Church_."
Every face told of the inward joy and peace of thankful hearts. Those
who had toiled long through the days of the church's "small things,"
felt that their long-cherished hopes were beginning to bud.

Long before the appointed hour the members and friends of the church
began to gather to participate in the "laying of the corner-stone of
the Twelfth Baptist Church." It was a sweet, solemn occasion.

"Rev. Drs. Sharp, Neale and Colver, together with the pastor of the
church, officiated on the occasion. The usual documents were deposited
with the stone, and the customary proceedings gone through with, in a
solemn and impressive manner."

The occasion lent an enthusiasm for the work hitherto unknown. They
were emboldened. The future looked bright, and on every hand the times
were propitious. Gradually the walls of the edifice grew heavenward,
and the building began to take on a pleasing phase. At length the
walls had reached their proper height, and the roof crowned all. Their
sky was never brighter. It is true a "little speck of cloud" was seen
in the distance; but they were as unsuspicious as children. The cloud
approached gradually, and, as it approached, took on its terrible
characteristics. It paused a while; it trembled. Then there was a
death-like silence in the