Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-07-04
RELIGION AND PATRIOTISM
BLENDING OFEHE TWO IN SERVICE
HHLD ITODAY.
Celebration OfHndependence Day Un-
der the Auspices of Sons of
thesRev0lutfOn.

Interesting religious and patriotic ser
vices were held sthisamorning at Ascension
Church, under the auspices of the Society
of the Sons of tho Revolution. Heretofore
these services have .becn held at the foot
Of the Washington monument. but the ex-
cessive heat Of ithe day changed the pro-
gram. The society marched in q body to
tho church. headed by Surgeon General
Walter Wyman. president of the society.
The religious feature Ct the exercises was
taken from the services proposed in the gen.
eral convention Of the Protestant Episcopal
Church in 1855. They were never adopted
ard the use Of them today was sanctioned
by the bishop OF Washington.
The music for the occasion was furnished
by the Marine Band, while. the regular choir
from St Johns and Trinity. Mr.. William
A. Kirkpatrick of Trinity was the organst
for the day, and Mr.. Francis Edward Camp
of Ascension director. These rendered in
excellent manner the hymns selected for
the day, and the Marine Band interspersed
the exercises with patriotic airs.
DIR. ElliOtt's Address.
After President Wym;n had announced
the regular order the religious part Of the
program began. with tic rendition of Pro-
cessional Hymn 1874. These exercises took
up e. little over an hour. Then came the
reading of the Declaration Of Independence
by Rev. Richard P. Williams. The address
Of the day was delivered by Rev. John H.
Elliott, pastor of Ascension Church. and
it was listened to with great interest by the
large audience present. After referring 10
the 124th anniversary of the birthday of
the nation he thanked the members of
the society for sanCtioning the Use of the
Proposed Service for their comnlemora-
ton of the day. The service, he said. had
for them more than an antiquarian inter
est. 1t enabled them 10 place themselves
by the side of the Sons OF the Revolution
century ago. and feel the throbbings of
their gratitude for the Geliverancc just
pase-the thrnbbings OF the hopes and anx-
ieties for the future of a country baptized
in their own blood DR.. Elliott referred TO
the conditions of the past, the Wilderness.
the solitary place ard the desert. Today
wav il" fields of grain and blossoms, with
a harvest broad as the continent and brim-
nv" over into other continents.
The solitary place is vocal with the hum
of happy cities and the shout of moving
trains, and today bonfires illuminate, max
ing glad our Independence day. and for
the wilderness there is a gathering at this
moment, In state far out in what was once
the wilderness. but now holds within its
boundaries as large a population the
thirteen states in 1116. convention to
nominate a candidate for the presidency
over forty-four states and about 15.ooO,0OO
people.
The Enchanted Wand.
What was the enchanted wand which
was waved over wilderness and solitary
place and brought beauty and gladness
Was it independence and the federal Con-
stitution? Independence made ready the
field the Constitution gathered the har-
vest. 1t was a republic of republics, a
commonwealth Of commonwealths-that
was the enchanted wand which had brought
all these things, about The speaker re-
ferred to the union of states, and the sys-
tenn which inspiredsa loftier patriotism
than is possible under any other govern
ment. The citizensS of the great republic
are animated by two patriotisms, two 10y
alties. These are not in conflict: they CO.
operate. They are mot rivals, but allies
The citizen of. Massachusetts loves his
state the better because she shares in the
glories and blessings of the Union. He
loves the Union the better for the loves
nurtured on the bosom of the bay state.
After the benediGtion the meeting adj
journed. Outside the church the members
| of the society2iwe photographed in a
group. e.