Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-03-08
M'KINLEY DRAWS A CROWD.
THOUSANDS TURNED AWAY FROM
THE CHURCH HE ATTENDED.
Overflow Went to DIR. Ta1mnEe's
Church and still 1000 Were Left
Outsidc-Presidcnt Went to
Hear Bishop Newman.

Washington. March 7.-President Mckin-
ley attended church on his first Sunday in
Washington. So did about 6Go0 private
citizens who wished to catch a glimpse of
him. Although II has been settled that the
president is to be regular attendant at
Foundry church, at Fourteenth and G
streets. his first churchgoing was by spe-
cial arrangement to hear sermon by
Bishop John P. Newman, at the Metropol-
itan Methodist church. at Fourth and C
streets. The street in front of the church
was packed with people two hours before
the regular time for service. but, antici-
pating the crush, only pewholders were
admitted up to 1890 o'clock 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 chancel
to the back row OF the gallery. When
there was not room for another Individual
inside the front doors, the crowd turned to
DIR. Talmage's church. the First Presbyter-
ian only half a block away. and this also
was soon filled to the doors, while the
street in front of both churchesswas packed
from curb to curb. When the service COM
menced. fully 2.O0 people were left outside
The president drove down from the White
House with Mother Mckinley and General
Osborn. There was a double file of police
men under Lieutenant Kelly at the door.
and these cleared the way for the party
which entered the church. President Me
kinley supporting his mother on his arm,
and General Osborn following.
A pew had been reserved near the front
of the church, and in this. with the presi-
Porter and Mrs. Porter President McKfn-
ley 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 Johnson pastor of the church.
assisted the bishop. making the opening
HYMNS
pulpit also was Rev. DR.. Manchester. OF
Canton; President Mckinley.s former pas
tor The first hymn was particularly ap-
propriate. beginning with the lines:
"watchman. tell us of the night,
What its signs of promise are
Mr.. Johnston also specially mentioned 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 He
came not to call the righteous but sinners
sermon on the regeneration of modern So
ciety. whose hope, the speaker declared.
lay not in government. education and phi
lanthropy. but in accepting the doctrine
and philosophy of Christ.
He warned statesmen especially to stand
back and not be deluded by the belief that
any form of government, autocratic. aristo-
cratic, Democratic or Republican. could
suppress vice and foster virtue to the uIti-
mate health and well being of the ma
ton.
When this warning was uttered there
came an audible and devout amen" from
the corner near the chanceI.
The presidential party remained till the
singing of the final hymn. at the last verse
of which they arose and. preceded by two
ushers. left the auditorium and We're driy-
Ell back to the White House.
During the afternoon the president in
company with Mr. McWilliams of Chi
caSo. went out for short walk in the di-
reotion 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
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, in
Guiding some of those who are soon to
leave the city for their homes.