The Washington times., 1894-08-19

city, and it tells its story equally well in legend
or picture-tbe story of the life OF one OF
Americas most gifted orators-Edwin Hub
bell Chaplin, d. d.
BEAUTIFUL GLASS AT THE COVENANT.
The Church of the Covenant, with its quaint
lantern roof and its square, tall. open tower.
is one of the most paintable churches tho
artist can find, either when bathed in sunshine
or hall revealed in moonlight. Within, the
artistic sense is no less gratifed, for 1t has
three windows which seem more like poets
dream than mere paintins 5 on glass.
The great quadruple window on the N
street side of the church IS memorial to
Admiral John Adolph Dahlgren.
Here the inscription finds Interpretation In
the picture As on the first panel blessed
are the dead who die in the Lord from hence
forth saith the spirit that they may rest from
their labors," an angel, seemingly debating
this sentiment to John, the Evangelist, who
sits below ready to write the divine message
as it is received on the tablet on his knees.
The second panel represents the shepherds
vision of the heavenly host announcing the
birth of the Saviour; the third, st. Johns ac-
count of the meeting of Mary and Jesus in
the garden where Joseph's tomb was "Ra-
boni' she says on recognizing his beloved
voice. The fourth panel pictures the magi
offering gifts to the infant Lord.
In the round Doric head of this quadruple
window is a group of seraphins' heads.
Opposite this magnificent allegory is
window designed and executed by st.
Gaudens, and the gift of Mr.. and Mrs Thomas
Wilson, entitled "Memoram Cordium."
While not strictly religious subject, the ex-
treme delicacy and refinement entitle 1t to
any place as sacred as a sanctuary or a
church.
The exquisitely lovely figure is of young
girl with fair face, lit up with musical
ecstasy, while she draws memories from her
violin. 1t reminds ole OF our own beautiful
artist. Maud Powell, both in pose and ex-
preston. This fair girl seems to be standing
on the tessellated floor OF Gothic door.
through which one sees deep blue back
ground of clear sky. The richly-colored
crimson dress with an oiive-tinted robe,
thrown back from the throat. forms most
lovely color scheme. as fine in effect as an oil
painting. for it has what but few artists attempt
on glass-perfect perspective. Looking out
through that open door one seems to be gaz-
ing into eternity and to hear sweet echoes Of
happy memories dropping in notes OF silver,
so much does this lovely window take hold
of the Imagination. At the same time
solemn tenderness is evoked as one gazes
spellbound out into the blue of space and
yearns for
The touch of a vanished hand.
The sound of a voice that Is still
IN MEMORY OF STANLEY MATTHEWS.
The large front window facing Connecticut
avenue is the memorial to Associate Justice
of the Supreme Court Stanley Matthews 1t is
a superb piece of glass-painting. The figures
are life size, strongly drawn, and they stand
out boldly in clear colors and with much ex-
preston of face and attitude. The subjects
delineated are Jesus telling the parable Of the
Good Shepherd and the three Marys at the
Saviours tomb on Easter morning. The group
around the vacant tomb is striking one. in
which rather somber colors and draperies are
managed most effectively and with much ar
tistic skill.
Mary the mother of Jesus, wears, dark
blue robe. Mary Magdalen is in olive, or is
it the Mary who had chosen the better part?
The angel sitting at the open grave is in a
robe of gray relieved by heliotrope. The
other Mary is seen only in the back. The
faces of the two Marys express vividly both
wonder and amazement, while the counte-
nance of the angel is most serene and noble,
as he points 10 the empty tomb-'He is
risenr'
In the apex of this noble window Moses is
seated transcribing the Ten Commandments.
In the right, over the first panel, an angel is
depicted with flaming sword; over the sec
ond is typifed Justice" who holds the
scales and balance. This finely executed
window was made in New York.
There probably would be something incon-
gruous in an artists name or initials appear
ing on a memorial picture window designed
for church. but 1t would be great con-
venience at this season of the year, when
pastors and everybody supposed to know all
about their church art decorations are out Of
town on their annual leave.
From the Church of the Covenant to ST.
Johns picturesque old church on Sixteenth
street is an easy transition.