The times., 1897-04-26
TEXTS IN THE CHURCHES
President, With Secretary Alger,
Occupies His Usual Pew.
REFERENCES TO GRANT DAY
Pastor Johnston Preachrs From the
First Text Commented Upon at
the Metropoiitan-Thre Great Ma
tional Characters-Bishop Satter-
lee Confirms at st. Mark'4

President Mckinley was accomplished to
his church, the Metropolitan, yesterday
by Secretary Aiger. The President takes
d different friend nearly every Sunday.
His intimate acquaintances, especially those
who knew him in Canton, say that this
was his plan there, too, and that he
induced many to go with him who would
otherwise have stayed at home
The congregation was large one yester-
day, and the summer weather had induced
the ladies to wear The nattiest ana pret
tiest OF bonnets and gowns The church
was sunny and bright with them
Dr. JoInston's sermon had special ref
erence to the Grant celebration in New
York toinorro W. His text was from
Ezekiel, xivii:9-"And everything shall
live whittier the river cometh =
DR.. Johnston in his opening remarks
said that this text was that announced
from the pulpit OF the church on its first
service, the preacher beiEg bishop simp-
son and the sermon his great dedication
sermon.
1T was most singular Dr. Johnston
said, but this same text had been chosen
for the afternoon service in the church on
that day by the great Wesleyan preacher,
DR.. Punshon. He had come "a great way
to preach his sermon and was obliged to
preach from a different text.
This vision Of the river, Dr Johnston
said, was designed to represent the origin
the progress, and the life-givins results
OF the Gospel These efforts were two
fold, the direct and Indirect The indiIect
results were seen In the trees that grew
upon the banks of the river, the diIect in
the life of the river itself
These blessings extend from the indi-
vidual to the nation. History traces mosu
nations back to some great founder and
good and wise men are to a commonwealth
what living springs are to most Iivers
The three great characters OF this ma ton,
DR.. Johnston said, We're Washington. Lin
coin, aud Grant, all Christ-formed charac-
ters.
Referring to the memorial celebration,
he said it was unequaled in solennity and
Importance, since the day when France
transferred the remains OF the great
Napoleon from st. Helena 10 that stately
nausoleum under the dome OF the Hotel
ties Iaralides DR.. johnson called attention
20 The peculiar manner in WHICH the Metro
poiitan church, this natiohT Methodist
sanctuary, is related to these august cere-
monies, which would he witnessed by at
least million people.
The memorial prayer will be offered
by Bishop Newman, three times pastor OF
the church. The nations dead hero was
a trustee OF the church and for eight
years a constant worsbiper beneath its
roof '.The official address and the re-
view or the land parade of 10000 men
and the imposing naval display on the
North River, opposite the tomb, viii he
made by the first citizen of the nation the
honored and beloved President who rever-
emily worshlps with u.s.
Or Johnston also paid a fine tribute
to the energy, the seifrelanee. the great
simplicity and the tender magnaminity
of Grant. such character could not
have been found outside OF Christian
influences
lie closed, MAY the soldiers OF the
Soath and the defenders of the Union who
stand over this patriots grave work to-
cether TO promote the highest interest OF
a common country"
Dr. johnston in the prayer asked for guild
ance to those who took part in the cere-
mony for good weather for the day, and
that this expression OF nations gratitude
might handle tie fires Of patriotism and
master together all sections of the land
Numerous felicitations over the sermon
were expressed to DR.. Johnston by his
friends and admirers.