Evening star., 1901-09-16
Sentiments Of Washington Ministers
Regarding Dead President.
HIS PUBLIC LIFE AND SERVICES
Tender Tributes to Man Whose
Death the Nation Mourns.
AN IDEAL EXECUTIVE

Wasnington's churches resounded with
| eulogy OF the late President yesterday.
Every pulpit gave forth its encomium.
| every clergyman contributed an impas-
| stoned panegyric. while the members OF
| every congregation bowed their heads and
with sorrowful spirit listened to the glow
| Ing tributes paid to the lamented dead.
In many OF the churches Of the city
Lead, Kindly Light" Mr.. McKinley's
favorite hymn, was sung. while Nearer,
My God. to Thee" the last sentence to
leave the dying Presidents lips, were
echoed by thousands. The churches were
thronged with people, sad faced and tear
full. There was depressing air about all.
and many Of the pulpit orations laudatory
Of the dead President brought tears and
sobs from those who sat silently sending
up their heartfelt prayers.
At the Metropolitan M. E. Church. where
President Mckinley worshiped. and where
| ne attended service every Sunday when
| possible while In Washington, special exer-
| cises were held to honor his memory. The
presidential pew was draped in funereal
black, and throughout the services it re-
mained unoccupied reminder that he
who Worshiped there would occupy 1t no
| more. The interior of the church was
draped In crepe, while the services. impress
sive and solemn, aroused memory Of
nlm Tor whom they were being held.
Rev. George Leech offered prayer, during
the course of which he referred briefly to
the tragedy at Buffalo DR.. Melville NJ.
nation issued Saturday night by President
Roosevelt. appointing Thursday as the day
| of prayer, after which the choir rendered
Lead, Kindly Light"
"Judah Mourneth."
Rev. Frank M. Bristol the pastor of the
church. is in London and Rev. William H.
Chapman delivered a short sermon from
the pulpit yesterday. He took for his text
the words, Judah Mourneth." from Jere-
miah xiv, 2. and said:
Equally true is it that the great Ameri-
can judah mourneth. The land is filled
with mourning and all hearts are bowed
with brief and sadness. Mr.. McKinley's
death Is great calamity, as is the death
OF every good man, as was recognized by
for the godly man ceaseth, the faithful fail
from among the children Of men, The
nation greatly honored itself in it's selec-
tion Of William Mckinley to direct national
affairs His administration was a blessing
to the country. recognition Of this fact
have we in his being chosen by the peo-
pie for second quadriennial term Under
his administration great prosperity has
come to the country in all its sections, a
prospect which still continues
NO safer, purer man than William Nc
Kinley has ever presided over the great
republic and none more admired than he.
He was endowed with the highest and
| noblest virtues that lent dignity and force
to his character and moral bearing to his
| life. He was Christian man and exem-
plifed in his daily life the sublime prin-
ciples OF Christianity and their wisdom and
excellency.
"He left behind him to kindred and coun-
try a rich legacy of splendid character and
unsullied record: Christian example Of a
life that says to others. This is the way.
| walk We in it, and the way that leads to
moral wealth. which is above all material
God"
Rev. Samuel D. Paine, past grand chap
lain Of the Grand Army Of the Republic
and a member Of the same commandery OF
the Loyal Legion with President Mckinley,
delivered the concluding prayer. The hymn
Nearer My God, to Thee" was then sung
with such touching pathos that many in
| the congregation wept
Resolution Adopted.
Immediately after the services members
of the official board Of the church met in
the lecture room and adopted a resolution
eulogizing the dead President The resolu-
tion will be placed In the church rectory
| and copy will be sent to Mrs. Mckinley.
It Is as follows:
Resolved by the official board of the
Metropolitan Methodist Church Of the city
of Washington District OF Columbia. That
the following be entered upon our records
this 10th day of September, AID. 1901: En-
shrouded in darkness of shadows of the
awful tragedy which has removed from us
our beloved President. William Mckinley,
and altogether unable to penetrate the
mystery of the dire event, we nevertheless
bow In submission to the Divine will, and
pray for our stricken and afflicted church
and country.
'It has been our privilege to enjoy a
church fellowship with this first citizen OF
the republic during the memorable period
wherein he has so acceptably and success
fully guided the ship Of state. and we have
noted the regularity and constancy OF his
devotion to the sanctuary on Lords day,
and the humble and unaffected demeanor
with which he joyfully united with US in
the services, publicly acknowledging and
honoring his Lord and Master.
Early In life becoming q member of our
communion, he served at his home as Office
bearer in the Sabbath school and church.
and after coming to the capital city. in
clination and found time to perform his
duties as a member Of the church OF his
youthful choice.
"rhe natural gifts which made him con-
spicuous and popular were evidently mel
lowed and sanctified by the graces Of the
spirit and thus he easily won and retained
the favor Of all with whom he came In
contact. Strong In faith. rich In hope and
full Of charity. he has fought a good fight
We are not surprised to learn that he
gloriously finished his course, declaring in
the very valley of the shadow Of death
that it was Gods way. Let His win be
done,' and that he breathed out his mag
unanimous soul prayerfully chanting a hymn
of the church, Nearer. My God. to Thee
His example as an humble and consistent
Christian will ever be among our most
cherished recollectfons. We have also been
deeply touched with his exhibition OF tender
affection for his devoted wife. and in this
hour Of her deep distress, we commend her
In our prayers to the God Of all grace.
who Is too wise to err, and too good to
be unkind.' es
Resolved. further. that copy Of the
foregoing be forwarded to Mrs. Mckinley"
The resolution was signed by Andrew B.
DuvalI, Richard Kingsman, William c. HI
bridge and Rev. William 81. Chapman. act
ing pastor.
REPORTERS TICKETS.