The Washington times., 1901-09-20
UNION SERVICE AT TAKOMA
All Creeds Join in One Meeting at
the Presbyterian Church.
Addresses by Mayor shedd, the Rev.
David Barr and thesRev.rJohn Van
Ness--A Prayer by the Rev. J. w.
ghtman-PrOcla Read.

The entire town of Takoma Park, the
churches, and the people of al creeds
held a union service at the Presbyterian
Church at II o'clock yesterday in re-
sponse to the proclamation of the Presi-
dent and in accordance with the resolu-
ton of the town council and the procla-
nation of Mayor Shedd, made at their
meeting last Monday. The service was
reverent and sympathetic, the music.
prayers, and addresses being attuned ten
derly to the sadness and the pathos of
the occasion The church was entirely
filed, not only the Takoma people, but
many from other nearby towns respond
ing to the call for the service.
The church was decorated in harmony
with the sad occasion, a mass of great
and small American flags mingling with
many flowers and with sombre crepe TO
cover the entire c.lancel and to drape the
organ and reading desk. A portrait of
President Mckinley draped with black
and the national colors and entwined with
ivy was placed in front of the reading
desk
Mayor S. S. Shedd opened the service
by reading the proclamation of President
Roosevelt. He then read his own official
proclamation, which had been posted con-
that none might fail to learn of it. The
wording of the proclamation was as fol-
lows:
THE people of Takoma Park share in
the great sorrow which today overshad-
ows the nation, and feel keenly the loss
of q great nan. His long public career,
embracing brilliant service in the volun-
teer army of the civil war; in the halls of
Congress, as the Executive of a great
State of the Union, and finally twice ele-
waited to the highest office in the gift Of
free people, is an enviable record of
distinguished service and proud achieve
ment. Born of the people, he was at all
times their earnest advocate and their
best friend. That a man so typical of a
free Government and of personality so
loVable should fall at the hands of
cowardly assassin is one of the things
to human intelligence inscrutabe.
1T is fitting that at this time our peo-
pie should in public manner express
their tribute of affection for his we'll
spent life and sorrowfrlly bow in grief
over his untimely death.
Now, therefore, l. Samuel S. Shedd
mayor of the town Of rakoma Park, Md,
by authority and direction of the town
council thereof, and in accordance with
the proclamation of President Roosevelt,
earnestly recommend that all our people
gather in divine worship at the Presby-
terian Church, in Takoma Park, Thurs
day, the 18th day of September, 1901 at
IL o'clock a. m, there to bow in submis-
sion to the will of God and to pay our
ory of our late President. whose death
has made the whole world mourn"
Mayor Shedd followed the proclamations
with short address in eulogy of the dead
President, who exhibited on his death
bed, he said, the finest attributes of true
Christian manhood, love of God, pity for
his assassin, and calm bravery and forti-
tude He said that the President was a
martyr slain for the Republic, its people
and its laws and that his assassination
was direct blow at liberty and good
government by the elements of lawless-
ness and disorder.
After the singing of the hymn Lead,
Kindly Light by the congregation the
Rev. }. w. Wightman, of the Presbyte-
rian Church, read appropriate selections
from the Old and New Testaments and
delivered an eloquent prayer asking that
the people may learn from the life and
death of President Mckinley gentleness,
loving kindness. bravery and patriotism
and Invoking divine consolation for his
stricken home and for all those that mourn
for him.
Harry Campbell the choir leader of the
Presbyterian Church, sang the solo. One
Sweetly Solemn Thought" effectively and
with much tenderness.
The Rev. David Barr. rector of Trinity
Episcopal Church. read short and elo-
quent editorial tribute to the character
of the dead President from "A local paper
The Rev John Van Ness, pastor of the
Presbyterian Church. delivered the ad-
and death of Mr.. Mckinley were a book
that taught the lessons: BE true to Your
countrys laws, Cherish the home. ("
Trust God" This book. he said, might
be Lovingly dedicated to God to home
and to native land.
After singing the Presidents favorite
hymn, Nearer. My God. to Thee" and
the reading of prayers from the Episcopal
with the delivery of the benediction bv
the Rev j. III. Remington.