Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-08-06
Young Roosevelt's
Sunday School Class

Theodore Roosevelt, jr., the President s
eldest son, for many months last fall and
winter taught a Sunday school class Of
boys in the little Chapel of the Good Shep-
herd in the northeast So careful was his
father and the rector of the chapel to keep
the matter secret that it not until
early spring that the fact became generally
known. And this in spite of the additional
fact that Mrs. Roosevelt was in the habit
of making frequent visits TO the church
and that the President himself went sew
eral times during the season. II was re-
ported that the President did not attend
church the Sunday following his Inaugural
ton, and thousands of visitors who expect
ed to see him at Grace Reformed Church
were disappointed. 1t remained for The
Sunday Star 10 give the first account of the
visits of the executive family TO the little
Episcopal mission. 1t was here that Mr..
Roosevelt went to church Sunday, March 3.
Teddy" Junior, is now reported hav-
ing another Sunday school class. this time
at Oyster Bay. The following account of
his work is given:
Seven boys of oyster Bay are members of
the Sunday school class taught by Theodore
Roosevelt jr. Last Sunday was its second
Sunday. All the other boys wish they Were
in il. The seven boys who belong to it
get to the church an hour before Sunday
school opens.
Theodore Roosevelt, jr., not yet out of
his teens, has much of the earnestness and
the vigor of his father, and he has entered
Sunday school work with the energy his
father shows in his larger affairs. The
Roosevelts have been members of Christ
Episcopal Church at Oyster Bay for years.
When young Theodore, with his Bible I'M
der his arm, walked briskly up the gravel
Sunday cluster
clean-faced youngsters grouped about the
door exclaimed: There's Mr.. Roosevelt"
and hurried inside.
The class that Theodore teaches is a
bright. healthy lot of youngsters. John
Duffy, the eldest, is just eleven years old
His father is a gardener Others are Willis
Rogers ten, whose father Is Long Island
railway conductor; ChriSty Carl, ten, a
farmers son: Herbert and Frank Southern.
ten and eight respectively, a carpenter
sons: Willie Webster. nine, whose father
works in the post Office and Allen Morris,
son of a storekeeper.
After the opening exercises the classes
drew closer to their teachers, and Mr.
Roosevelt's young charges almost sat in
his lap in their eagerness TO hear. He first
asked them how they all felt, and they
promptly responded: Pretty well, thank
you.
That's good" said the teacher earnestly.
Boys ought to be in very good health.
They must take care of themselves"
Yes, SIR they assented.
Then the Presidents son opened his b.
BILE, turning to the fifth chapter OF III Kings.
He read very slowly the story of how Naa-
man was cured of leprosy by Elisha by
dipping himself seven times in the river
Jordan He drew moral from the act or
Gehazi the servant of Elisha, in extorting
money from Naaman, and his punishment
by Elisha, turning him into a leper.
IF Gehazi had been honest, said the
teacher, "he would not have been so sorely
punished. We should all be honest at all
times $50
Closing the Bible the teacher had If
teen-minute chat.
And what do you do In winter?' he
asked.
.Oh, we go shedding and skating and have
lots of fun said Willie Rogers.
And get hurt sometimes added John
Duffy. .
"Oh. we do-too" said Mr.. Roosevelt.
Several people were all cut up at Saga
more Hill last winter But shedding Is great
sport
The Presidents son told how he broke
his nose playing hockey when he was much
younger, and how his finger was broken IN
a coasting accident. He told the boys 10
have all good. wholesome sport they could;
but to be careful Then the pastor entered
the Sunday--school, the benediction was
pronounced and Sunday school adjourned.