Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-11-16
Church Of Presidents.


'This Is commonly called the church OF
presidents" In regular attendance we ma
such names as John quincy Adams, Andrew
jackson, Willard Fillmore, Martin Van
Buren,. Franklin Pierce, Abraham Lincoln,
Andrew Johnson, William Henry Harrison
and, before his presidency, BENJAMIN Har-
rtSon. You go down through the line OF the
Vice Presidents cabinet officers, Justices or
the Supreme Court, senators and repre-.
sentatives, heads of departments, men or
conspicuous standing in the army and navy
and it is a magnificent roll. This church
has caught inspiration doubtless from that
fact; but its patriotism has also been Win
ming influence, as it caught the eye and won
the attention of these men.
1t is specially known as the Lincoln
church. We cherish that great name we
are proud of his association here; We hold
still yonder the Lincoln pew and are proud
that 1t Is ours, as we hope that the genera
ton by our patriotism. by our dellghteo
and delightful memory cherish and carry
into the generations the name and influence
of Abraham Lincoln. think we will all
indorse the words once used by pastor OF
this church when he said that I had rather
sit in that pew, If it were made OF mud or
dirt, than of beaten gold: that 1t would be
a Mecca for our Presbyterians and an intiu-
ence for patriotism for our children and our
children's children
This has been a mother church, and she
has been Spartan mother. The young
mems meeting organized that which subse-
quently became the North Presbyterian
Church; again, the Gurley Memorial
Chapel; again. the Church Of the Covenant,
with fifty-two members and a large gift OF
money. and recently fanother large gift OF
membership, and recently the church on
Washington Heights had sexistence and
shape by numbers from the communion roll
of this church and gifts of money.
"Wondrous memories cluster around US
rich, fragrant memosfes In our rejoicing
n ntth yJyQ f1xrr 7,.<x,,
fathers. where are they? The Oldest living
member of this church isDMr Joseph A.
Decide, with US today jpicing with us In
this centennial JOY. 1.-THE fathers unseen
abide in the word they spake. in the grace
they lived. in the contribution they gave
and in the rigor and atmosphere OF their
memory. IA. II
"Our faithfulness In Its loyalty to that
same church. IN the grace of that same hos
pttality, In the glow of that same patriot
ism. in the sacrifice Of that same service.
that will to the generations following de-
clare that their Godis our God. and this
God will be their God to abide and to crown
with grace and glory"
The Evening Service.
Rev. Teunis S. Hamlin. pastor of the
Church OF the Covenant, made the open
ing prayer at the evening service, at
which an attempt was made to revive the
conditions Of the early days In fitting
accompaniment to the reminiscent char
acter of the addresses the music was led
in part by the flute and violin. as 1t had
been when DR.. Laurie was pastor and
the hymns were lined OUT to the con-
gregation, as was the custom when the
singers were poor and books were scarce
and costly. = 3's'-@f
Walter C. Clephane delivered the first
address, on the subject aSuggestive Incl
dents" The mcfdents recalled the stern
pfety OF the carly church members and
their undertaking adherence to ortho-
session showed that it had tried persons
Tor intemperance, swearing, non-pay-