The Washington times., 1901-09-16
HIS CHRISTIAN CHARACTER
Touching Words at st. Johns by
DR.. Alexander Mackay-Smith.
The Personal Side of the Late Presi-
dents Life Reviewed - Mckinley,
the Man. and the Influence Exert
ed by His strong Personality.

| dents Life Reviewed - Mckinney,
| the Man, and the Influence Exert
ed by His strong Personality.
| In a short but touching tribute to the
| memory of President Mckinley, the Rev.
| Alexander MackayS Smith yesterday
| morning at St. John s Church told in sim
pie language the Christian life of the
martyred President, his manly qualities
and graces of character AS he spoke
| of the sorrow which is broadcast over the
| land tears stood in the eyes of the as
| semblage, and his own voice faltered with
| emotion.
| After the opening of the usual morning
| service. DIR. Mackay-Smith stepped for
| ward into the centre Of the chancel, with
| his head bowed and his eyes dimmed
with tears, and announced the death OF
| the President in an eloquent tribute to
| the latters memory. His voice was low,
| but as he spoke an absolute hush fell
| over the congregation and his voice pene-
| trated to every portion of the edifice- As
| he concluded many eyes were moist.
| There was no attempt to hide the tears
| which came to the eyes of those who
\ knew and loved the President.
| "On this sad Sabbath morning. it be-
comes my duty to announce TO you the
'
| thought that is uppermost in my mind,
| as | know 1t is in the minds of you all,
said the rector The President is <sSad
| whom we all knew and loved so well.
| Here in Washington to US he was known,
not as the statesman, not so much as the
| President of the United States, not, in
deed as he was known in other cities,
| but personally, as a man, friend, and
gentleman.
There is no feeling or sentiment for
vengeance against the miserable human
being to whom this overwhelming loss of
| ours is due there is no desire for re-
venge almost no thought of the punish
ment which is to be meted out to him.
Our loss is too keen. too great for that.
The death of President Mckinley has
come not, We feel, as the result of vio-
lence at the hands of man, but as an
act of nature, an inevitable occurrence,
to which We bow our heads in mute ac-
ceptance, knowing that God in his infinite
mercy and tenderness will provide and
care for US still. The death of our be-
loved President is too deep, too awful
and mysterious to be Immediately and
fully realized. 1t is rather the bolt OF
lightning from out of the blue.
.'The nation mourns saddened and soy
rowful, but not as the people of other
nations might mourn for the loss of their
ruler. We mourn, not because he was our
ruler and we are obliged to, but because
we love him. Our grief is a great, over
whelming, patriotic sorrow. We are proud
of our country and of our laws. and we
know that although the head of our State
has been removed from this life almost
within the passage of an instant, our IN
stitutions are safe. our peace and securt-
In Il
ger. We have no fear of discord or of
strife-no danger theatens from without /
or from within.
How great a thing 1t is to reflect that |
we have chosen men like our late beloved l
President, who have demonstrated always (
all the virtues and graces, to hold the /
highest Office in the land, to manage the (
affairs of state, and to uphold the dignity I
and integrity of the Government IL is !
a proud thing, indeed, that We can take I
men from among ourselves and find them /
possessed of all the beautiful characters I
tics which so distinguished President Nc /
kinley. On occasions before now we nave !
been called upon to pass through this or !
deal-we have never been disappointed IN Z
the beauty of the soul of the President, I
his virtues his strength of character, his .
Christian graces-
ITO US of this church President Nc /
Kinley was known as the Christian he i
was. Inc last time saw Nun Sdiu "
me that he had often wanted to attend 4
st. Johns more frequently. and that he /
intended to during this term IN office. i
St Johns, nearer the White House than
any other church. knew him well, admir- /
ed and loved hmi.
''On Thursday, while the services are 4
being held over the body Of our late be- ]
loved President, services will be held in 1
this church and simultaneously in all the /
churches of the country, by official
quest. | have said now all that shall /
say until then"
AS DIR. Mackay-Smith concluded there
was hush throughout the church. not I
a sound breaking the silence Of the
ment.
The congregation and choir then sang,
Lead. Kindly Light, each verse of which
seemed to apply so directly to President
Mckinley that eyes We're again dimmed
with the tears that could not be kept
back.