Evening star., 1905-11-03
TALKED TO CHURChMLN
JUSTICE HARLAN AT NEW YORK
AVENUE PRESBYTERIAN.

last evening at the midweek meeting at
tho New York Avenue Church, of which
Mr. Justice Harlan is a member. he called
the attention OF It's members TO the scheme
which he outlined some months ago for
ne erection of a large Presbyterian church
i'm the city OF Washington He called atten-
tion to the circular sent out last February
and March to a large number of Presbyte-
rIan ministers an dlaymen, in which he
sought their Views upon the general subject
of a new Presbyterian Church in this city.
In that circular he said. among other
things:
washington Is a unique city, is the capi-
tai of the nation. In a degree not true
OF any other city, its life Is concentrated:
and my long connection with omcial affairs
and public officers here convinces me that
in Washington, Of all cities. there is place
for a great Presbyterian church. by means
OF which our denomination could make It's
influence felt more effectively In the capital
of the nation"
He also read extracts from numerous
letters received in answer 10 his circular.
Among the ministers who wrote to him on
the subject was Rev. DR.. Patton, president
OF Princeton theological Seminary. DR..
Patton, among other things. said in his
letter: Il have been Intending for some
time to write to you in reply to the letter
which you were kind enough to send me re-
gardlng the proposed cathedral church in
NuSNluS NOIl CdullOl SOY llldt L nave any
particular suggestion to make but 1 am
unwilling TO deny myself the pleasure of
saying To you that L heartily approve of
your suggestion and that wish you great
success in carrying it out. / am sure that
you will find throughout our church
sympathetic responses. Presbyterianism
needs something corresponding 10 the
cathedral system of England. There should
be in our great cities, and pre-eminently in
the capital of the nation. a church so well
equipped so independent of the ordinary
sources of revenue and so adapted to the
doing of work beyond the requirements of
a parish that within its walls and under
Its roof the best men of the nation and the
best men of the church could from time to
time give expression to their mature think
ing on the great themes of Christianity.
Is there any place in America today where
one can go and be sure to hear such up
lifting sermons as one may expect to hear
under the dome of st. Paus? Is there a
place in our land, is there a need In our
day for sermons somewhat different from
those which are prepared week by week
to meet the exigencies of an ordinary par
ish? think there Is. And If the Presbyte-
rian Church shall provide such a place and
open the way for the preaching of such
sermons. she will. in my judgment. do
great service to the cause of Christian
truth / am not looking at this matter
from the standpoint of denominational
pride. l am considering 1t in regard to
what l consider a great intellectual need:
and because our church is broad, liberal
and possessed of a catholicity which does
not unchurch those who belong to other
eommunions than own, l believe that
the door of opportunity is especially open
to her for the doing OF much-needed and
most important work in the direction in
dicated by your letter..
DR.. Van Dykes Reply.
DIR. Henry Van Dyke wrote Mr.. Justice
Harlan as follows: THE Importance of the
idea which you present impresses me i'm
mediately. 1t would be a great thing be-
yond doubt to have the broad constru ctlve
features of Christianity In Its Presbyterian
form (Which is, of course, that of Spir-
itual republic under divine headshtp) pre-
sented fully and powerfully In the city
which Is to be more and more the center
of our national life. Not only as a place or
worship. but also as source OF radiatlns
work, such church would be a command
Ing Influence The part which has been
played by St Giles since It's renovation
In the religious life of Edinburgh and or
Scotland Is an illustration OF what ought
to be hoped for, If such central Preau.-
teran church could be established in Wash
ington."
Extracts from many other letters We're
read by Justice Harlan. He said, among
other things, that when the matter shall
have been fully canvassed among Presoy-
terians of Washington the subject would
be brought to the attention of the pres
bytery.
1t is understood that the plan of Mr.. JUS
tice Harlan involves the union of the New
York Avenue Church, the First PreSfy-
terian Church and the Assembly Cul1 en-
into one body with a common place of "or-
ship in some central part of the city, the
property of the respective churches to be-
long to the new church. and to be utilized
by 1t In building the new structure.