Weekly Chillicothe crisis. (Chillicothe, Livingston Co., Mo.) 1878-19??, 1881-09-29
GARFIELD AS A CHRISTIAN.
What His Pastor Says of His Church
Relations.


Relations.
Washington Cor. New York Herald, Sept. 49,
Rev. Mr.. Power the pastor Of the
Vermont Avenue Church of the Dis.
ciples, of which President Garfield is a
member, was asked what would be the
effect of the presidents death on the
contemplated new church.
81 think" he said, "we shall in that
case make it memorial church, and
put up in some suitable place tablet
or monument to the presidents men,
ory. In all probability the family pew
will be preserved as relic and form
a part Of the accommodations for wor-
ship in the new ediice. When the
progress Of the injury looked more ia
vorable and the prospects of recovery
were bright, we thought of calling the
church memorial of the divine mer-
cy in sparing the life of our brother
Christian, but if God wills otherwise
we shall look upon the church as
memorial of a grand life spent in the
service of God and humanity"
1Iow has the shooting and subse-
quent events affected the subscrip-
tions," asked.
"They have grown quite large" he
replied, though some are as yet con-
ditional, or uncertain, so that | can not
give the precise m)unt at present.
We have enough to justify us in be-
ginning to build on the plan We had
adopted, and we had intended to do so
by the lst of October or perhaps Sep
tember. But the sad excitement of
the past eight weeks has interrupted
all our projects. In our anxiety as to
the issue of the injury we have had
no inclination to go to work ac lively
in the building"
1.-The presidents death will be felt
as great loss by your brotherhoodY
"Yes. We will feel it deeply all
over the country. President Gil ield
was, Of course, greatly admired bg all
of us, and we felt honored by The pub
lie success which attended his career.
But we felt toward him a wirmer
admiration than was awakened b. his
political advancement. He has al
ways shown Il Jealous and open inter-
est in religion and in the peculiar
faith and practice of our own fellow
ship. His record in this particular
made him beloved by rs all over the
country, and especially among those
Ohio communities where he was so
well and personally known. He was
an active member of our church in
this district from the start. When a
little group gathered in room in the
city hall, for lack of funds to engage
permanent quarters, Gen. Garfield was
one of the most prominent members,
often speaking at and taking charge
of the meetings. About ten years
ago the church had grown strong
enough TO engage regular pastor,
and since that time the president has
naturally occupied himself less with
the active management of church af-
fairs. lie has always been leading
member, however, and been Que of the
main supports Of the organization"
"Arc the whole family members of
the church?'
"The wife and mother are" said the
pastor, "and the children had always
been in the Sunday school until the
family broke up housekeeping here
when they went to Mentor. All the
family, on both sides, are adherents to
our tenants of faith"
This must have Eeen trying time
for all his friends and fellow worship
er5 in the little congregations"
at has been, indeed. They expect
every Sunday that | will be able to tell
them something comforting, and 1
have been in the habit of reading the
bulletins to them and explaining their
hopeful features. Latterly we have
had daily pray er-meetings, and, as
these are held soon after the night bull
letins are issued, l generally read what
is published and make what comment
seems proper. Last night it was a
hard thing to do, assure you, and
fear to-nights bulletin will be still
worse"
"The presidents mother and the
young children are not coming, l hear"
"No, believe not. The presidents
mother is too feeble to bear the fatigue
and excitement. Mrs. Garfield thinks
she would rather the young children
should not be part of the sad scene.
They are too small to fully appreciate
it, and she prefers their recollection of
their short stay at the White house
would be happy one"
81 have often thought of a remark
the presidents mother made" contin-
ued Mr.. Power, "as was talking with
her on the day of the Inauguration.
was speaking in warm terms of the
great honors which had followed one
after another till this last supreme
honor the day would consummate.
Yes she said, it's too good, it's too
good. l fear something will happen
have often thought of that remark
since the Inauguration, for since that
event there has been constant domestic
trouble'at the White house. First the
cid lady herself was seriously i'll, then
followed Mrs Garfeld's illness, and in
the midst of that the assassination"