The St. Louis Republic., 1902-09-15
POLITICAL TRADE IN PULPIT
DISCOMFITS THE PRESIDENT.
Memorial Address Requested by Sir Roosevelt
Trusts and Concentrated Wealth-Preaches Uncu
Flattery Caused Chief Executive to Flush and
Become Acknowledgements of
Minister'S Course.
EEPiBI.IC SpE,TAI.

EEPi'BI-IC SPE,TAL
Oyster Bay. Long Island. y. Y. Sept. IL
In Christ Episcopal Church this mornin,
the Reverend Henry Homan washburl
the rector. delivered a sermon on the ami
versary of the death of President McKin
ley. which bore closer resemblance to q
political diatribe than a memorial address
To the surprise OF his congregation ano
the evident chagrin of President Roose
Welt, who attended church with his family
the rector abandoned scriptural texts x-ld
launched out into furious attack on trusts
and the wealthy and powerful classes. who
he said. were displaying their animosity
toward the head of the nation.
NEXED PRESIDENT
Mr. Washburn's discourse was an indorse-
ment OF the Presidents efforts TO place
great corporations under Government con-
troll. But 30 replete was II with broad nat
iery OF the nations Chief Executive, who
sat before him. so direct were his allusions
TO the personality OF the President that
the latter was thunderstruck and could not
conceal his vexation.
President Roosevelt fairly writhed in his
pew and his face flushed His ears turned
purple rs the oyerzealoas rector praised
his honesty. his bravery. his positive con-
victions. resolute purpose. frankness. i'm
Partially. independence and innumerable
other qualities.
Mr.. Washburn is firm In the belief that
the great combinations OF capital will
surely culnirate IN social revolution
fraught with the perils of fire and sword.
His social and economic theories. which are
known 10 be decidedly radical. were woven
into the body of his memorial address
Shortly after the death of Mckinley he
delivered sensational sermon. in which
he intImated that that very event was 6l-
rect'y due TO the discomfort of the working
classes by reason of increasing power ard
influence exercised by groups OF men con-
trolling immense capital
While the rector was speaking the eyes
Of hundreds OF people in the crowded church
were turned upon the President to observe
how he was taking Mr.. washburn's dis
course. Even the Presidents young sons
were interested in the situation and kept
glancing from the rector to their father.
DSAPPRovED SERMON.
When Mr.. Washburn had concluded Pres
ident Roosevelt turned to Mrs Roosevelt.
who WAS seated beside him in the pew. and
said in an andsrtOne: He shouldn't have
done that
When the President left the church he
also made statement in the first flush OF
his humiliation. saying that he was greatly
surprised At the tenor OF Mr.. washbu-n's $
sermon.
He said that when he had asked Mr..
NashbU-n TO preach a memorial sermon on
the death OF President Mckinley. he had
no idea that the sermon would take the
trend It did.
He was panied that the rector should have
touched on his personality and the trusts
and that he had no previous intimation that
this world occur.
What increased the Presidents annoyance
over the affair was that a week ago,
through one OF his secretaries. he had re-
qucsted Mr.. Washburn TO preach a memo
rial sermon.
The fact that this request was sent
broadcast over the country and the pastors
OF the churches OF denominations deter
death OF President Mckinley with similar
President Roosevelt felt that he might
be placed in the false light Of having sug
gested that his own praises be sung in his
own presence.
Friends Of the President sought to pre-
mon, which follows. In part:
THE SERMON.
Doctor Washburn took for his text the
fourth and fifth verses of the fourth chap
ter OF Galatians:
But when the fullness OF the time was
come. God sent forth mis- son. made Of
woman. made under the law. to redeem
hem that were under the law. that we
might receive the adoption OF sons
The ''fullness OF time Doctor Washburn
aid. came on various occasions when great
historical events passed into history. He
discussed the Decisration OF independents.
he sgitations leading to the Civil War and
their bearing on the slavery question. and
hen reached the part In Americas history
when William Mckinley entered on his
;arecr.
The Civil War;" said Doctor washbura.