The Washington times., 1904-05-16
DIR. PARSON RAPS
THE PRESIDENT
Says Man and Wife Should
Attend Same Church.
MAINTAINING FAMILY UNIT
Twenty fifth Anniversary of the Church
of the Reformation Celebrated
by Special Exercises.

Notwithstanding the example of the
President of the United States, a man
and wife had better go TO one church"
With these words DIR. William E. Par
son. of the Church of the Reformation.
III the course Of a sermon yesterday.
administered a mild reproof TO the head
CT the nation and his family for their
manner of observing their religious
duties
DR.. Parson expressed the opinion that
the members of one family should a.
tend the same church, even though TIE
doctrines of that church were contrary
to their beliefs. The maintenance Of the
family unit, he contended should take
precedence over the selection of a place
of worship, and would lead TO more gen.
eral happiness.
The criticism made by Dr. Parson was
based On the fact that the President at
tends Grace Reformed Church, while
Mrs. Roosevelt is a communicate at ST.
Johns Episcopal Church. The children
attend service at either church.
Union in Worship.
Although not directly referring to the
first family of the land. DR.. Parson in
timated that IT would not be well for the
members of his congregation to follow
the example set by the President. Dur
ing his ministry, he said, he had advised
men and women not to join his church,
when he knew that their wives or hus-
bands were followers of other creeds. II
would be better for one OF the two to
worship al the same church as his life's
partner. though 1t may happen that he
or she was believer in another denoui-
nation.
1--WE have not run a PROSECUTING cam.
paign," he said. I'VE have gone on the
principle that there might be some good
In other churches Ours is good enough
for US. Others find theirs good enough
for them
He then enumerated some of the cases
in which he had advised either man or
wife TO join another church when condi-
lions warranted such action, notwith-
standing the example set by the Presi-
dent OF the United States.
Twenty fifth Anniversary.
Yesterday was the twenty-fifth ami.
versary of the organization of the
church and the pastorate of DR.. Par
son, and the event was celebrated with
special services. In his sermon Dr.
Farson reviewed some of the things
accomplished by the church, and re-
ferred to the fact that during its entire
existence the church had never been
involved in QuarrelS such as frequently
occur among congregations.
In twenty-five years we have not
had a church fight. That is saying
much. wnen We remember that there is
Z Cut as much human nature i'll q
church member in twenty-four hours as
IN any other member of the family OF
Adam. do not desire 20 do any boast
| ing, merely to say The Lord Hath done
great things for us
II the evening the services were I'M
| der the direction OF the various socie-
ties connected with. the church. AZ
dresses were made by p. V. De Graw
| for the trustees, Mr.. Parson for the
council Mr.. Slater for the Sunda5
school, Mr.. Unger for the Young PEG
pies Society, Mrs. Sutherland for the
Missionary Society. and Mrs. Piker for
the Ladies' Aid Society.
The congregation will hold a reception
and meeting tonight
The Best Place to Dine
| IS at Hotel Manhattan. 604-6O6 9Th. Fine
table d'hote, daily, to 1870, soc.