Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-09-03
ROBERT J. BuRDErTEs CHURCH TN LOS ANGELES.

the superlative" He means that those who
live here and own property and other things
take excessive pride in their possessions,
and believe, or at least represent to strang-
ers. that whatever concerns them Is great
er and better than can be found elsewhere
We have seen several of the biggest
things in the world since We have been
here, and am confident that the men who
described them were honest, for the time
being. We have seen the finest club. the
finest auditorium, the finest street cars.
have heard the finest organ and have had
other advantages While we were visiting
a certain place the other day we were
shown several objects of interest and were
told that they were the greatest or the
finest of their kind in the world. l took the
liberty to question that fact and recalled
several exceptions in Europe and elsewhere
in the United States. The owner took the
admonition kindly. Opinions are often
elastic; and after leaving, when l unfoded
some typewriter memoranda he had pre-
pared for my use, l discovered that he had
stricken out the word world wherever it
occurred in half dozen places and insert
ed the word coast" instead, thus reducing
the area of his claims to superiority from
the entire universe TO California and the
contiguous states.
The other morning, when l inquired for
Mr.. Whittlesey, the architect, in one or the
downtown shops, / was informed that he
could be found in the Hellman building,
seven or eight blocks up the street, and my
informant kindly suggested that | examine
that structure while there because he
said, III is the finest business block this
side of New York Following his instruc-
lions, 1 walked along a considerable dis
lance, and, as did not recognize the build
ing, l took the liberty of stopping a we'll
dressed gentleman and asking him the same
question.
"Oh, yes" he replied promptly "Just a
little farther on-and, by the way. If you
a stranger here, it may interest you to
know that it is the finest building west of
Chicago"
Reaching my destination, 1 asked the ele-
vator starter where l could find Mr.
Whittleseys offices. He politely gave me
the proper directions and added, This is
the finest building west of St Louis,'
Rev. r. J. Burdette's Auditorium.
Mr. Whittlesey is building a great audi
torium to accommodate the large congrega-
tions which gather every Sunday to hear
the Rev. Robert ]. Burdette preach. 1t is
our own Bob" Burdette. formerly the
funny man. of the Burlington Hawkeye,
whose wit and humor have given so much
pleasure to SO many millions. young and
old. He is a Clergyman now of the Baptist
persuasion, and draws the largest congre-
cations Gin the world" according to local
parlance), that is. the largest in Los An
geles, with the exception of those who
listen to Rev. DR.. Mcintyre of the First
Methodist Church. DR.. Mcintyre is famous
as lecturer as well as a preacher and
has one of the largest and finest churches
Gin the worldly in Los Angeles which is
always crowded. Los Angeles Is blessed
with able and eloquent preachers Rev.
Hugh Walker of Emanuel Presbyterian
Church is strong man and eloquent
preacher Frank Dewitt Talmage, son of
the late DR. T. Dewitt Talmage. IS pastor
Of the First Presbyterian Church, and DIR.
Co.'S ,xR H.
Catholic University at Washington, is
bishop of this diocese. He is very popular
and influential.
Robert j. Burdette selected Pasadena as
his home while he was on the lecture plat
form, and spent his vacation months there.
because the climate was favorable to the
health of the late Mrs. Burdette, who was
an invalid. She died there. few years
later he married Mrs. Baker. rich widow
who had been his playmate in childhood
and owns one of the most beautiful villas
In that charming resort. One summer,
few years ago. when the Presbyterian min
lister at Pasadena needed a vacation. Mr..
Burdette agreed to conduct the services
each Sunday morning during his absence.
He was SO successful in that new role that
he was persuaded to transfer his talent
from the platform to the pulpit, was or
dained. and took charge OF Baptist con-
gresation In the city of Los Angeles, which
happened to be without a pastor.
The church has grown In numbers, wealth
and influence until Its house of worship Is
too small to accommodate half the people
who want to hear Burdette preach. He
catches the floating population especially.
Los Angeles is crowded with strangers In
the winter season and a church In the hotel
section of the city has been very much
needed. To supply this want the trustees
stock company. Most of the business men
OF the city, regardless OF denominations.
have taken shares and are now erecting z
thn n1sr n n