Omaha daily bee., 1898-06-12

morning service at the presidents church.
Many of these loiter outside until the presi-
dent has acknowledged their s%alutes, then
troop after him into the edifice.
The president is the most attentive wor-
SHIPPER of all the great congregation. His
eyes never wander from the preachers face
and apparently he drinks in every word of
the discourse. His position throughout the
service is one of ease and dignity. His
shoulders are placed squarely against the
back Of the seat. His hands are invarSbly
folded in his lap, but occasionally he places
one arm negligently along the back of the
seat. ...
The President as n Singer.
Music is the presidents great passion.
President Mckinley is a Methodist, and he
enters heartily into the service OF song.
His deep bass at times can be heard even
in the visitors galleries, which hang from
the sides of the church. Usually the presi-
dent, as he sings, drums with his fingers
on the forward bench. But the Doxology
moves him to greater demonstration. and the
toe of his boot beats an accompaniment on
the iioor with rhythmic regularity.
When the services are ended the presi-
dent fingers for a time and cordially greets
the worshipers near his pew Then he
walks rapidly down the aisle and to his
carriage. Few of the members of the con-
gregation leave their pews until the presi-
dent has passed. Visitors in the galleries,
however, rush pellmell to the front of the
church and watch the president enter his
carriage and drive away.
President Mckinley is one Of the few
public men who go to church alone. The
feeble health of Mrs. Mckinley often renders
it impossible for her to attend, and the other
members Of the executive household
frequently worship with the more fashionable
congregations in the Northwest district,
But the president never fails.
The coming of a new president to Wash
ington is an event which raises rivalry and
some dissensions among the churches of his
denomination. The enrolment of a church
going president has a big commercial value.
His attendance means a largely increased
congregation and a proportionate increase
in the revenues of the church. Every in
%fiuence, therefore, is brought to bear on the
incoming executive to secure his afiliation.
Social, political and philanthropic views OF
the matter are placed before him, and the
choosing of a place OF worship is not one
OF the least of the troubles OF a new presl-
dent,
Considerable OF this UNCONVENTIONAL
rivalry was manifested on the election OF
President Mckinley. The Methodist
churches commended long and earnestly for
the honor OF his membership. All sorts of
pressure was brought to bear. One church
was enterprising enough to enlist the aid
OF the presidents home pastor at Canton.
A Great Help 10 the Church.
The president affiliated with the church
most needing assistance. The Methodist
Memorial church is one OF the oldest and
best known churches in the city, but for
some years ii has not been on the list OF
the fashionable society churches. The great
growth of the city into the northwest has
left 1t alone among the shops and boarding
houses that s~upplant what was once a resi-
dence neighborhood Of wealth and fashion.
TIT material benefit to this church OF the
presidents attendance has resulted in a res
~tOration of some of its former prestige, the
increase OF the congregation by over one
third, and the complete liquidation of the
debt OF the congregation.
Preaching to a president Is no easy mat
ter. Many a good parson has come to grief
! in the process. Criticisms are rife, and
sermons delivered without thought OF harm