Daily Davenport Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1864-1874, 1869-03-13

wsshir gton (Mareh y Correspondence Of the
New York Herald.
President Grsrt, with his family. arrived
At he Metropolitan Methodist Church,
shortly after the service commenced, this
morning. The Church was filed to over
Rowing, many persons being compelled to
stand in the asses. The President, fol-
lowed by his family, wa'k,d up the centre
aisle, toward the pew set apart for the
President of the United States. When he
reached it, however, he found it occupied.
The persons 10 il, instead Of attempting -
make way for the President, sat looking q
him 10 curious amaxsment. Grant glanced
around the church IL search OF vacant
pew, but nobody seemed willing to die.
commods himself BY helping him to one.
Finally, tha President turned around 70 HE
wife. Who. with her sisters and the childrsn,
was standing behind him, sngsgsd. like
himself, Unlocking for seat. THIS seemed
70 be . signal for retreat Mrs. Grant, who
was in the rear, Immediately turned and
walked down the aisle toward the door.
This seemed to break the spell which had
unac ,ountably, for the moment, seized up
on the whole congregation. The preacher.
who had manifestly observed the whole
movement from the pulpit, suspended his
discourse for minute. Some ofths officers
Of the church near the altar, recovering
from the psrsly zing effects OF Grants pres.
snce, rushed down the aisle, after the dis
tinguished party, with . view Of arresting
their progress. Others set about providing
chairs in front Of the altar. The excited
individual who rushed wildly down the
aisle succeeded in oveItaking Mrs. Grant
and whispering something in her ear. She
did not stop, however, but kept straight Oh
toward the door, followed by the whole party.
When tnev had retired, the preacher, the
Rev. Dr.. Hamil, stopped his discourse for
the purpose OF saying that he regretted
very much the unfortunate occurrence
which they had is, witnessed. There wss
. pew PROVIDED for the President Of the
United States, and be hoped in the II.
ture 1t would be reserved for him, Wheth
or he attended the church or not. This
Vas . matter which the trustees Of the
church should attend to, and be was
very sorry it had been overlooked to day.
The regular services then proceeded.
When the President and his family left
the Metropolitan church, they immsdiate.
y proceeded to the FIRST Presbyterian
church, Rev. Dr.. Sunderland's. which 10
IN the immediate vicinity. Whom they
reached the church tho services we're we'll
under way. Their entrance, Of course. at-
tracted the attention Gf the congregation,
which WAS an unusually large one, and in
cluded many Senators and members. The
sexton Of this church 10 negro, aud %
| soon - he recognized the President be
rushed up the aisle to Grants pew (hs
rented . pew in this church before his else-
tom. opened the door, and saw the party
comfortably seated. Beyond the usual
gazing Of the congregation at Giant, noths
ing occurred to mar the services. The theme
Of the preacher wls the usiversal denim.
ion Of Jesss Christ. In the course Of the
sermon he referred to he scenes Wit
nessed in the city during the past week.
when the people saw with undisguissd
sstisfac,ion the greatest ccnquefor Of the
age elevated to the highest position with.
in their gift. This, he continued, was %
nothing compared with the acclaim Of
jev with which the people OF God would
crown Jesus Lord OF ali.