The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1897-03-11
M'k|NLEY ATTENDED CHURCH.
THE NEW PRESIDENT SETS A
GOOD EXAMPLE FOR THE
WASHINGTONIANS.
CHURCH and STREET WERE PACKED
BY Temporary Christians Anxious to
Catch G!impse'of the Man From
Canton-Bishop Newman Deliv- a
cred the Sermon.

Washington. March 7-President Nc
Kinley attended church on his first Sun
day in Washington. So did about 6OOO
private citizens who wished to get a good
glimpse of him.
Although it has been settled that the
president is to be regular attendant
at Foundry church, his first church
going was by special arrangement to hear
a sermon by Bishop John 2. Newman
at the Metropolitan Methodist church.
The street in front of the church was
packed with people two hours before the
regular time for services, but anticipating
the crush, only pew holders were admit
ted up to half past ten. Then the crowd
was let in gradually and filled every
available foot of standing room from a
triple row of chairs in front of the chan
Gel to the back row of the gallery. When
there was not room for another individu-
al inside the front doors, the crowd turn
ed to DR.. Talmage's church, the First
Presbyterian, only a half block away,
and this was soon filled to the doors,
while the street in front of both churches
was packed from curb to curb. When
services commenced, fully 1000 people
were left outside.
The president drove from the White
House with Mother Mckinley and Mr..
Osborne. There was double file
of policemen under Lieut.. Kelly at the
door. and these cleared the way for the
party, which entered the church, the
president supporting his mother on his
arm and Gen. Osborne following. There
had been pew reserved near the CEN
ter of the church and in this was seated
Private Secretary j. ADDISON Porter.
President Mckinley bowed his head for
a moment after being seated and then
leaned back in a corner of the pew, wait
ing for the service to begin. Rev. Hugh
johnson, pastor of the church, assisted
the bishop, making the opening prayer
and announcing the hymns. On the pull
pt also was Rev. DR.. Manchester of
Canton, President Mckinley's former
pastor. The first hymn was particularly
appropriate, beginning with the lines:
"Watchman. tell us of the night
What its signs of promise are"
DR.. Johnson also specifically mentioned
the president. the cabinet and congress
in the petition for blessing in his open
ing prayer.
Bishop Newmans sermon was on the
text in the Gospel of st. Matthew: "For
He came not to call the righteous, but
sinners, to repentance"
1t was rather q pointed sermon to the
generation of modern society," whose hope.
the speaker declared lay not in govern
ment, education nor philanthropy, but in
accepting the doctrine and philosophy. of
Christ. He warned statesmen, especial
ly. to stand back and not be deluded by
the belief that any form of government,
aristocratic, democratic or republican,
could suppress vice and foster virtue to
the ultimate health and we'll being of
the nation.
The presidential party remained till the
singing of the final hymn, at the conclu-
sion of which they arose and left the
auditorium and were driven back to the
White House.
During the afternoon the president. in
company with Mr.. McWillams of Chica-
go. went out for short walk. Their
stroll took them in direction north of the
executive mansion and along Sixteenth
street, one of the most fashionable thor
oughfares in the city. The weather was
charming and the streets were filled with
pedestrians, many of whom recognized
the president and bowed. After a walk
of about twenty minutes Mr.. Mckinley
returned to the White House. The even
ing was spent very quietly. there being
a family gathering at the White House.
including some Of those who are soon
to leave the city for their homes.