The Washington times., 1895-02-18
HEARD LADY HENRY SPEAK
Warm Welcome to the Far-Famed
English NObleWOman.
APPLAUSE in THE CHURCH
First Congregational Packed to the Doors
with People Eager to See the Fair Aristo-
crat Who Devotes Herself to Humanity's
Highest Aims-standing Room Was at a
Premium and Scores Were Turned Away

Lady Henry Somerset, one of the most
prominent delegates at the National Council
of Women, was given an enthusiastic recep-
ton with waving handkerchiefs and clapping
hands at the First Congregational Church
last night.
She was richly dressed, but wore no orna-
nents. Her figure is stout, her face rounder
and fuller than in the fine picture presented
by THE TIMES yesterday, which was from
photograph taken several years ago. Her
hair is dark and abundant, pushed back In
fluffy masses from broad, white forehead
Her complexion is clear and soft. showing IN
telligent care.
In spite of her illness, OF which the most
noticeable feature is a cough, her voice was
clear and sweet and her manner spirited and
forceful. She did not differ in general ap-
pearanee from other leaders OF the w. @. I.
U. familiar to the public.
THE AUDIENCE ROSE AT HER.
Introduced by Rev. S. NJ. Newman, pastor
of the church, Lady Somerset came forward
with an easy quick movement. Then it was
handkerchiefs few, numbers rose to their
feet. and there was a round of applause, de-
spite the fact that it was Sunday night and
in church.
airs. Clara Hoffman, who preceded the
English noblewoman, had. however, IN a
measure prepared the way for this. There
was little round of hand clapping at one OF
| her hits I'm glad TO hear you clap, she
exclaimed. "even if it is Sunday night and IN
church. think it is great deal worse to
use tobacco in the house OF God than II Is 10
clap your hands" And a hearty round OF
! applause followed.
Lady Somerset first pointed out that peo-
! pie frequently little realized the character,
| the Importance OF the movements that go on
among them. The coming of Christ even
was not al all recognized as the greatest
| epoch in the worlds history. handful OF
| fanatics, as they are called, will write ana
talk and labor in q cause and tho world Will
laugh at them, but when their reform is &C.
| complished the nations look back and realize
that these hands wrought the great work.
WHAT FANATIC is.
''Hear my definition of fanatic. 1t is he
who first sees a great truth and earnestly
presents it. When more come to see ii he be-
coIoes an enthusiast; when everybody sees it
he is hero.
1--WE have n great petition with signers
from many lands in many tongues. 1t speaks
the earnest. faithful thought OF 100000.
| When little band began to gather these
names many said, 1t is no use. 1t will just
be waste OF time and energy and printer 8
ink. 1t will ye quickly put aside with many
others and forgotten
| ''And vet dare tonight to prophesy that
! the thoughts of that petition will stamp the
age. that it will be the most eloquent page in
the history OF the nineteenth century.
'This prophecy will be fulfilled as surely
| 81. 1t,rSs
tianity of Christ stands by men in the voting
booth and in the Senate hall; else is religion
vain and prayer to God mockery. The day
! is at hand when men wi no longer pray
THY will be done and then license the grog
| shop and the house OF ill-fame.
MIGHTY WORK BEING DONE.
"A mighty work is being here accom-
| plished. We are coming to understand the
solidarity of mankind. In the eloquent
words of Mr. Gladstone. in speaking to tho
Armenians the other day, The conscience Of
one nation is the conscience OF all nations,
! and that which makes for the upbuildiDg of
one nation makes for the upbuilding OF all.
Lady Somerset closed her address with q
series OF eloquent and pathetic illustrat ons
OF how the deepest and tenderest of human
sentiments and passions, old as the race, are
! yet ever new.
1T is an old story, too, she said, the wo-
the form of her loved one and listening for
tie stumbling football she breads to hear, but
! il is new now tonight many times over in a
thousand cities throughout the world. God
grant that governments everywhere may
| cause it 10 cease from of the earthn'
In the pulpit were the pastor, Mrs. Stevens
who has been representing Miss Willard here,
and Mrs. Hoffman. of Missouri. Palms and
day lilies furnished the decorations and tn ],
| palms were lowered to the floor 10 give un-
obstructed view of the speakers as the serv-
ices began. The music was fine. The sing
ing by Miss MTcNally of ''He leadeth me-
held the audience breathless as under the
magic of grand opera
STANDING ROOM ONLY.
The audience-room and galleries were
crowded; scores stood; dozens were turned
away from the locked doors.
Mrs Hoffman in her address pointed out
the advances ofthe past fifty years from wine
on the pastors table to its Punishment from
the social board of many leaders.
Children by hundreds. as she had been
shown in the church where she had delivered
an address half an hour before, are being
pledged against intoXicants, tobacco, pro-
family, and to purity of life. Fifteen millions
of school children are taught every year the
poisonous effects of alcohol, not on a senti-
mental but on q scientific basis. In spite ol
the pessimist Christian sentiment and life had
never before in the worlds history risen SC
high as it rises to-day
AT the close of her address, and just before
the closing song and benediction, Lady Som
erset and Mrs. Hoffman withdrew, and a
large number of the audience followed
them.
The feeling of many present had evidenti,
been expressed by a lady who said to hel
escort when Mrs. Hoffman was introduced
Lets so; 1 have seen Lady Henry and il
isn't worth while to stay for the rest