The morning times., 1897-02-22
SONS OF THE REVOLUTION
Their Services in CommemOra-
ton of Washington's Birthday.
A GREAT CROWD PRESENT
The Exercises Were Held at the
New York Avenue Presbyterian
Church-Rev. John II. Paxton De-
Iivered the Eulogy and Vice Presi-
dent Stevenson Made an Address.

~Hundreds of people were turned away
from the New York Avenue Presbyterian
Church yesterday afternoon. Special ser
vices in commemoration of Washington
birthday, under the joint auspices of the
Sons OF the Revolution and the Sons OF
the American Revolution, were the mag
net that drew them there.
The services began promptly at $3.50
Clock. A few moments before the APP
pointed time the members OF the two So
cieties marched from the basement OF
the building i'll double file and took the
seats reserved for them, While the United
States Marine Band played Fanciullis
March Religeuse" After them the crowd
surGed forward into the aisles and were
soon packed and jammed in every avail
able corner, as thick rs bees in hive.
The choir then started up the inspir-
ing strains of old Hundred" the audience
joining in with d vim. The invocation
was delivered by Rev. Wallace Radcliffe,
the pastor OF the church.
Mrs. Nellie W. ShirrCliff rendered
Mendelssohn's Hear, Ye Israel, Elijah. -"
Following the solo came a Scripture read
ing by Rev. Thomas S. Childs, ID. D.,
chaplain OF the Snus of the American
Revolution The beautiful hymn, 20 God,
Beneath Thy Guiding Hand was sung by
the choir and audience, after which the
Marine Band played MaSScnet s 'Angelus.
Rev John K. Paxton. ID. ID, of the
New York Society of the Sons OF the Revo-
luton delivered the eulogy on Wash
ington. He said in part that they We're
not there either to praise or to bury
Washington. There are some men who
are above all praise ana dIuang them was
Washington. He eclipScd ordinary men
as the suns bright rays eclipse the
moons pale beams The mention OF his
name in any company should be an act
of piety, for there is magic III the very
name. lie is dead, yet he speaketh Time
writes 40 wrinkles on his brow; nothing
dims his fame.
.',ieorgc Washington, The name is one
to Cpuiure with. 1t was a happy thought
of God to give such a nam2 TO such man
1t is certain that no one ever took liberties
with that nam. Even in mis- earliest days
it is difficult to cpfcPtve Of any one adj
dressing its owner as George, and still
more Impossible tD think that anybody ever
called him Wash
When we speak OF the average man we
refer To some one great thing for which
he is distinguished, hut George Washington
was great i'll all things. He was well
balanced man. rounded out in all his
parts. ma jestic In his development. George
Washington could SNAKE little occasions
great. and rise to great occasions. 1t takes
a Lincoln for battlefield OF Gettysburg
IL takes a Washington to command a con
| tinental army. He had impIcittrust i'll God.
He knew that ONLY duties belongto men. and
consequences belong to God.
We call min dead but he is not dead
he is greater IN what we call death than
| he was in what we call life o, mighty
man! Splendid in what we call the grave.
Washington said he did not know much
| about his forefatherS Hr probably re-
nIcinhered the old witticrSm that the best
, part of some people is under ground.
| He came OF gentle blood, but that did not
uIatter much. Genius has no forefathers
| except God. Blood is a good thing. 10
| be sure. and ii Will tell. but II is very
| difficult to tell who has the blood and
| vino has not until deeds have tried it.
Washington could not he mea Surcil.
| Carlyle thought ne could measure hinI, bat
| Carlyle never appeared so small as when
he tried to do it. Byron, who was wont
| to count no one great except those long
| since dead, paid q heartfelt tribute to
| Washington. Rouaparie thought he could
| understand WaShng gton but when he said
| if he had been i'll WaShipgton'> place he
| would have done as Washington did, he
| knew he lied. and he knew he lied again
| when he said that Washington n his place
| Y-oulH have done what ne did
| LAS a soldier, as q statesmen, as a
writer-even If he was a poor Spellcr-
| in his social and family life, in his
moral and religious character Washington
was surprising great. To his countrymen
| he has become a deni- god, and while man
| lives ON ca rth his name will live
The church quartet, consisting of Mrs.
| Shir-Cliff soprano; Miss Edna Scott Smith.
contralto; j. Taylor Cronin, baSso, and
NJ d. Hensey, tenor, rendered Shelley 5
ANGELS Of Jesus"
| Vice President Stevenson next delivered
take no pride in the achievements of noble
ancestors will never achieve anything
noble themselves. In honoring the names
of the founders of the country we honor
ourselves When 1 speak in praise of
| Washington | am led to recall the remark
| of a great French orator: Whenever | open
| my lips to eulogiZc the Prince of Conde,
| find myself overwhelmed by the greatness
| of the task and the nCedleSSneSs Of it y
Mr. Stevenson then spoke OF the great
| influence Washington had as President oi
| the constitutional convention, and how he
| used it to secure united government. II
| it had not been for Washington the Con
| stitution would probably not have been
| adopted The great weight of his in
| fluence saved the document which has
| proved to be So ma gnirieent in its con-
| ception. that during the los years of ma
ltonal life, while the country has growr
| from population of less than 100000
| to more than 20 100000. only fifteen
| amendments have been found necessary
| Then the audience arose and sang Amer
| lea" After the benediction, while the
Marine Band played The ar-Spangle(
| Banner. the members of the two societies
| arminarm in double file, marchedout. The
congregation waited to get an encore from
| Director Fanciulu
| The church was gracefully decorated
| with the national colors.
| Eastern Athletic Club Reception
The Eastern Athletic Club will hold its
| annual reception and dance this evening
r. N.