Sunday, October 1, 1916
Ministers from Ballston Spa’s Methodist and Presbyterian churches join local Baptists in bidding farewell to Rev. Charles W. Briggs tonight, The Saratogian reports.
The unity service ends five years in the local pulpit for Briggs, who will become assistant secretary of the New York State Baptist convention, with responsibility for the denomination’s young people’s societies. His object is to interest “especially the young men” in church work.
“Through the request of the retiring pastor that personalities be omitted it developed into a service emphasizing the unity of the churches of the village in the service of the Master,” the paper’s Ballston Spa correspondent writes.
Briggs tells the congregation that “present day churches are devoting more effort to the training and Christian education of the young.” Despite his enthusiasm for his new project, the pastor “will never miss an opportunity to visit this, his first and only pastorate, and shake the hands of his many warm friends.”
His friends include Rev. John M. Harris of the Methodist church, who calls Briggs “the premier pastor of the village.” Rev. Dr. Martin of the Presbyterian Church praises Brigg’s commitment to interdenominational efforts in the village. “While all can be loyal to their individual church, it requires also the supreme loyalty to Christ’s larger church.”
Briggs began his ministry in the U.S.-ruled Philippine Islands, staying there ten years until poor health compelled him to return home. His family will leave tomorrow for his new home in Mt. Vernon. In his time in Ballston Spa Briggs “has made many warm and close friends, who deeply regret his call to another field [but] wish for him the highest success in the work he is about to take up.”
CAR ACCIDENT
Mrs. James B. Carroll is “quite badly injured” when her husband’s car is rearended on the Schuylerville-Saratoga road near the Thorn Farm this afternoon.
James Carroll is deemed at fault for having swerved from his side of the road to avoid hitting a dog. The swerve takes him into the path of an Oldsmobile driven by an unidentified Troy woman.
WHAT’S HAPPENING
The Broadway Theatre calls Anita Stewart and Earl Williams “America’s Most Popular Screen Stars.” The film couple starts in the five-reel feature My Lady’s Slipper tonight.
Along with the movie, patrons are treated to a live vaudeville program featuring the St. Goodhart Trio (“European Instrumentalists and Vocalists”), Billy Barlow (“Whirlwind Extemporaneous Comedian”) and Eliot & Eliot (“Variety’s Greatest Eccentric Novelty”).
Elsewhere in town, the Palace presents Edmund Breese in The Weakness of Strength, while the Lyric offers Bessie Barriscale and William Desmond in Raymond B. West’s The Payment.