The Washington herald., 1907-07-07
Sunday Morning Chat.

Sunday Morning Chat.
| One Of the wishes dear to the heart Of
the late DR.. Teunis S. Hamlin was 10 see
statue of John Witherspoon, the cele-
brated Presbyterian minister who was the
only clergyman among the slgners cf the
| Declaration OF Independence, erected in
the little triangle facing the Church of
the Covenant. Before his death he and
Gen. w Foster had been inter
ested II. project. and raised the sum
Of $4,000. in contributions Of $1,000 each.
Among those who have contributed to the
/ fund are +. Southard Parker, Mrs John
| Hay, Mrs Stanley Matthews, Gen. John
W. Foster. Hon. William Mckinley, Of
/ Illinois; John Wanamaker Of Philadel-
phia; Andrew Carnegie, and Morris X.
/ Jesup, of s<rw York The plan is 10 have
the memorial made Of bronze. at a cost OF
S200 000 AS yet no one has been selected
to construct the statue, bat those who
have the matter In charge are comforting
with several artists
The signers of the Declaration Of Inde-
| pendence have been rather sighted here
! in the way Of monuments. and all Wash
! ingtonians will take pride In the erection
OF this one. II seems fitting that the
statue should stand before a church. for
the patriot parson was no less dlstin-
guished In the religious world than in the
annals OF American history. Though he
served as one of the most influential
members Of the Continental Congress 20
which he was elected in INA. till the war
was over, his biogTapher. David Walker
Woods, tells US that while engaged IN the
duties Of a civilian, he did not lay aside
his ministry, often preaching from the
Presbyterian pulpits In Philadelphia, and
that some Of his sermons are not sur
passed by any theological writings in the
English language We are apt TO think OF
the sermons In his time as dOctrinal and
theoretical, but the following sentence
taken from one OF his baccalaurelte SER
mons. delivered at Princeton, would do
credit 70 one Of the up-tO-date practical
preachers OF to-day;
One does not 60 20 heaven or he'll as minister.
lawyer. physician soldier. OF merchant but as
mau.
DR.. WItherspoon came from his Scottish
| congregation 70 America in 1858, having
been elected president Of Princeton Col
lege. II was recorded that his advent at
the college over which he was 70 preside
was like that Of a prince coming to his
throne, and that he far excelled what was
expected Of him. He held the position
for tWenty-six years He was somewhat
reserved and stern, but with great kind
ness of heart and all a ScOtchmans fine
sense Of humor. This story has been
handed down as indicative OF his manner
toward the students A boy threw from
a window a basin Of water intended for q
/ fellow-student, who. just as he was abOur
20 emerge from the door. drew back %
let the president pass out The water
drenched the new coat Of the latter, much
20 the Youngsters dismay. Or Wither-
spoon walked 10 the culprlt's room and
knocked on the door When, with many
misglvings, It was opened by the student.
ne was greeted with the words
Dye see, young man. how Sc wet my
new coat?' and the president passed on.
Rev. DR.. Frederick d. Power, pastor Of
the Vermont Avenue Christian Church.
has been delivering, throughout the past
winter and spring, series Of Illustrated
Sunday evening lectures, Of which there
are several still TO come. They have COW
cred a great deal Of intensely interesting
ground. and included many Of the Old
Worlds places, which he has visited. IA
nous for their civic and religious his
tory. DR.. Powers clear, strong way Of
describing things gives unusual interest
10 the lectures, and the large congrega-
tions with which he is greeted each even
ing plainly show how heartily they are
appreciated
The recent fine weather We have had for
country strOlls reminds me Of a story told
about Dr. Power. who is an enthusiastic
lover Of nature and enjoys nothing better
than a long walk into the country One
day last summer he found himself at
Chevy Chase Circle. somewhat fatigued
by tramp Of several hours and decided
that ne would ride back 10 the city Be
fore his car arrived a shahbily-d dressed
stranger approached. and with an out-of-
work story asked for a charitable dOna-
ton. As II happened that cents was all
he had with him. Dr. Power naturally
hesltated, although he IS noted for his
beuevoleuce. which is not even exceeded
by his love OF natural scenery. In fact.
on this occasion II caused him 20 sacrifice
his personal comfort and give the plausi-
bic stranger his last nickel. But the sat
isfaction Of having done a kind act drove
away his tired feeling and he started on
his return journey with renewed energy
and q light heart He had not gone far
before the car which should have been his
whizzed past, and seated therein he
caught a glimpse Of his late impecunious
friend of the road Being fond of q Joke
as we'll as benevolent, and fond Of natural
scenery, he recovered his mental equili-
brium before the car was out Of sight.
and finally arrived home with a better ap-
petite, probably, and in at least as good
spirits as if he had refused 20 yield 10 his
charitable impulse.
Rev. c. F. Winbigler pastor of the
First Baptist Church. has departed for
California, where he intends 20 pass
his summer vacation. Dr. Winbigler's
first church after his ordination was al
Riverside. Cal. He is very much in love
with the glorious land Of sunshine and
has been heard to say that he hopes ne
IL