The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-03-08
MKINLEY At CHURCH.
The President Listens to a Sermon
by Bishop Newman.
OROWDssURRoUNDED THE EDIFIoE
1t Was Necessary to Have Squad Of Police
on Hand to Escort the President and His
Overlooking.

on Hand to Escort the President and His
Mother-The Church Quickly Filled to
Overlooking.
Washington, March g. President
Mckinley attended church on his first
Sunday in Washington. So did about
5000 private citizens who wished to
catch a glimpse of him. Although 1t
has been settled that the president is
to be a regular attendant at Foundry
church, at Fourteenth and G streets
his first churchgoing was by special
arrangement to hear a sermon by
Bishop Jokl P. Newman at the Met
ropolitan Methodist church.
The street in front of the church was
packed with people two hours before
the regular time for service. but, an
ticipating the crush, only pewholders
were admitted at 1890 o'clock. Then
the crowd was let in gradually, and
filled every available space of standing
room, from triple row of chairs In
front of the chance to the back row of
gallery. When there was not
room for another individual inside the
front doors the crowd turned to DR..
Talmage's church, the First Presby-
terian, only half a block away. and
this also was soon filled to the doors,
while the street in front of both
churches was packed from carb to
curb. When service was commenced
fully 1000 people were left outside.
The president drove down from the
White House with Mother Mckinley
and General Osborne There was a
,e at ho
and these cleared the way for the party,
President Mckinley supporting his
mother on his arm and General Os-
borne following.
A pew had been reserved near the
front of the church, and in this. with
the presidents party, was Secretary j.
Addison Porter and Mrs. Porter. Pres
ident Mckinley bowed his head for
moment after being seated, and then
leaned back in the corner Of the pew
waiting for the service to begin.
Rev. Hugh Johnstone, pastor of the
church, assisted the bishop, making
the opening prayer and announcing the
hymns In the pulpit also was Rev.
DR.. Manchester of Canton, President
McKinley's former pastor. The first
hymn was particularly appropriate, be-
ginning with the lines:
"Watchman, tell us of the night,
What it's signs of promise are
DR.. Johnstone also specifically mem
toned the president, the cabinet and
congress in the petition for blessing in
his opening prayer.
Bishop Newman's sermon was on the
text In the Gospel of St. Matthew, For
l,a riob h,It
sinners to repentance" 1t was rather
a pointed sermon on the regeneration
of modern society, whose hope, the
speaker declared. lay not in govern
ment education, nor philanthropy, but
In accepting the doctrine and philoso-
ply of Christ.
He warned statesmen especially to
"stand back" and not be deluded by
the belief that any form Of government
--autocratic, aristocratic, democratic or
republican-could suppress vice and
foster virtue to the ultimate health
and we'll being of the nation"
When this warning was uttered there
came an audible and devout Amen
from the corner near the chancel
The presidential party remained until
the singing of the final hymn, the last
verse of which they arose, and, pre-
ceded by two ushers. ksft the audi
torium and were driven back to the
White House.
During the afternoon the president.
in company with Mr.. McWillams, of
Chicago, went out for a short walk.
Their stroll took them in direction
north of the executive mansion and
along Sixteenth street, one of the most
fashionable thorOughfares of the city.
The weather was charming, and the
streets were filled with pedestrians,
many of whom recognized the presi-
dent and bowed. The evening was
spent very quietly, there being fam
lily gathering at the White House, in
cudng some of those who are soon to
leave the city for their homes