The Washington times., 1901-09-20


in the outpouring OF Patriotic
Citizens Gricyiug for the Tatiou's
Loss-At the Metropolitan Church
While the body of the beloved President
William Mckinley. was being placed
within the tomb at Canton yesterday, scr
vices of euIogy and reverence to his
memory Were being said in all the
churches of the Capital. From the affairs
of all denominations arose the same mes
sage of human supplication. Songs of
sorrow from thousands OF voices swellod
the air of the Nations Capital, and pray
ers of devotion We're offered up from the
pulpits in which the Divine blessing was
asked for the invalid widow
The occasion was the most unique one
In the history of the city Of Washington.
Never before, on secular day, have SO
many thousands of people gathered into
places of public worship. They came from
all walks and stations of life, and al
though in answer to the request of the
new President. But apart from any neces-
sity for such a command, the services
offered up were voluntary given out of
full hearts. surcharged with sorrow and
love. AT all of the churches hundreds of
people were turned from the overfiowing
doors. Never before had there been such
an influx of those seeking ministerial
words of comfort and hope. 1t was as
though each man and woman was drawn
toward the altar by the invisible hand of
God
Not only did the regular church mem
bers attend the services but the various
pastors expressed the belief that among
the great gatherings addressed from the
sr,.;.
scarcely ever before entered the portals
of a place of divine worship Gentle and
jew stood in crowded aisles upon n COM
mon footing, and the rich and exalted
pressed elbows with the poor and lowly.
Priests in their sacerdotal robes and
clergy in the vestments of their office
stood in their pulpits, and delivered eulo-
gies which brought tears to the eyes of
the eager and devout followers who list
ened to the comforting condolences.
Within the church which was the spir-
itual home of the late President loving
and sorrowing congregation gathered yes
tcrday in response to the proclamation of
President Roosevelt, and paid with deep
reverence the last tribute to the departed
Chief Magistrate of the United States.
Long before the hour of the opening of
the divine services the largest gathering
ever present in Metropolitan Church was
present to do homage to the memory of
the dead Executive.
The people came of one accord to honor
publicly for the last time the memory
of the man who was never absent from
his pew on Sabbath mornings, except |
when sickness absence from the Cap
itai prevented. The great crowd of sor-
rowing members of the church. their |
friends and Others entire strangers, many |
Of whom, perhaps, went into the church |
yesterday for the first time in their lives, |
filed the edifice. Every seat |
was taken, while rows of standing mourn
ers surged into the aisles. and covered |
every available inch of space within the
The galleries were filed, and
the rear of the organ in the choir loft
was banked with a dense mass of people.
When no more people could gain admit
lance into the church the Sunday school
room on the ground floor was thrown open
20 the crowds which gathered at the out {
vices. Services were held here also. Upon
he conclusion of the observance in the
main auditorium the speakers went to
he room below, where a similar pro-
;ramr,e was observed.
All creeds and denominations met on
.qual terms in the broad expanse of the
'hurch. There was nothing OF sect. All
'tood in mute beEediction, bowed down
With the sorrow of the past calamity.
The only empty pew in the great edificeal
was the one draped in heavy folds of sa
Die, in the fourth row on the right of the
,entTe aisle. The single word President
Ipon a plate Of silver, indicated that this
was the pew of the departed President
Around the walls OF the church were
owe of people. Many stood in silence.
While the organ played an anthem, the
speakers entered the church room. On
he platform were the presiding elder. H.
Z. Naylor DR.. w. H. Chapman, acting
astor; the Rev. Hugh Johnston. of Balti-
more, formerly a pastor of Metropolitan
the Rev. DR.. w. II. Crawford,
President of Allegheny College, at Mead
lille, Pa, and Bishop Henry ". Warren. | !
# Denver.
A hush fell upon the immense congre-
ton Presiding Elder Naylor stepped
forward and announced the opening
lynn. which was sung by the choir. con-
listing of Perry B. Turpin. leader and
enor; Miss Elisabeth Whaly, soprano;
Miss Matte E. Gray, alto. and Herbert
D. Lawson. bass. A. p. Tasker presided |
music, the Apostles Greed was said by |
he entire congregation, standing, after
rhich Rev. Hugh Johnston delivered the
pcning prayer.
A solo was then sung by Mr.. Turpin.
Sometime Wen Understand" after {
yhich the audience Joined in the singing
f the favorite hymn of the President
Nearer. My God. to Thee" The mo- I
nent was impressive in the extreme. AS
he volume of music sweIled it seemed to
AIRY with IL the benediction of great
alton. Louder and louder rung the rev.
rental words. I
Tears ran uncontrolled from the eyes of
he bereaved congregation, and many
-oices faltered as they took up the clos )
ng lines of the anthem. The last verse +
Fas sung almost in whisper, and as the !
cuud died away. there was stiffness for
moment, while the gathering paused :
IS though in contemplation OF the loss | I
'hich IL has sustained. /
The Rev DR.. Naylor then spoke of the | !
bsence OF the Rev. Frank NJ Bristol. | :
astor of the church, who is now in Eu- y
ppe, and who was uDroIe to reach the | a
'nited States in time for the service DR. i
'ristol. he said, had sent an expression of :,
is great grief and regrets by cablcgram | q
esterday.
The presiding elder then read 4 tribute /
rom Bishop Cranston. contained in a |
tier \
Bishop Warren concluded with an elo- =
uent tribute TO the memory of the mar