The Washington herald., 1907-02-17
SUNDAY MORNING CHAT
Chaplains, Churches, and Creeds.

The late Rev. Dr. William II Milburn.
known 10 WashingtOnians as the blind
chaplain Of the Senate, had a warm, sun
shiny nature, and saw the bright side Of
life In everything. His sermons were
strong. eloquent. and inspiring. and that
they were appreciated was shown by the
fact that whenever he filed a pulpit here.
which was often the case during the
months Congress was in session, his con-
gregatiOns were large and made Up Of
people OF all denominations. He was a
delightful conversationalist. His voice
was of wonderful depth and beauty, and
his intimate acquaintance with many dis
tinguished men and women made it q
rare treat 70 be within the charmed cir
Gle Of his friends when he was in d rem
iniscent mood. or the uninterrupted
friendship extending over many years be-
tween himself and Thomas Carlyle, he
loved to tell. The image OF a grud,
fault-inding Scotchman changed TO a
great, warm-hearted, loving, and lovable
personality, as I heard DR.. Milburn talk
Of the evenings they sat together on the
bench in the garden of Carlyle's home at
Chelsea, when the sun went down and
the stars came out-while he listened,
and Carlyle, in his marvellous way, talked
on and on, of books and men and wo-
men, Of the times, of his plans. and his
hopes. till 1t was often . or 3 o'clock in
the morning before they said goodnight.
On one occasion. said DR.. NHburn. when
a violent religious controversy was stir
ring England Carlyle, with characters
tic vigor. discussed religious-isms old and
new: then gently and with deep tender
ness. added;
"Ah. well; after all. I always go back
to the prayer I learned at my mothers
knee Our Father, who art in Heaven.
Which is Of interest in connection with
the fact that Tennyson, as recorded IN
the Memoir" by his son. said in refer
ence to 4 similar incident:
Carlyle IS the most reverent and IT.
reverent man 1 know"
The venerable preacher paid his friend
this beautiful and touching tribute:
Used as l am TO the exquisite kind
ness always shown 10 a blind man, I
never met any one who showed me quite
the depth of sympathy and never-failing
thoughtfulness of Thomas Carlyle
DIR. Milburn was an indefatigable work
er all his life. In spite of the loss Of
sight his reading was vast and varied.
He was an entertaining writer. and
lecturer of unusual ability. One thing In
him always struck me as remarkable.
There was no hint of blindness as he
talked The flush on the cheek, the
sparkle OF the eye, the varying aspects
Of natural scenery were spoken of by him
with a fine appreciation of detail, while
so graphic were his word piCtures Of great
paintings. buildings. or places where he
had been, It was hard to realize that his
knowledge of them did not come from
actual sight
The interest many of the ministers OF
this city take in the outdoor sports Of
Young men is worthy Of praise. One
of the best things about it is the friend
", everyday acquaintance It brings about
between the pastors and young men. !
think it is well for the churches that they
are nearly all making athletics Il branch
Of church work. If they had long ago
given it more thought, It may be the
perpleXing question never would have
doomed Up quite so large. why don't
men attend the chuTChss2' Church sur
rOundings and most kinds Of church work
appeal TO a large class of girls. They
naturally enjoy the social intermingling
the music. the friendly gossip. and the
Of church life With boys it
is different. There is not enough action
associated with church attendance to at
tract them. In these days. church-going.
Ike dancing, seems to be an acquired