The Washington herald., 1907-04-21
SUNDAY MORNING CHAT
ANNIVERSARY OF HANDEL-ALEXANDER CAMPBELL
IN Observation-Disclosures A CAMPBELLITE

ing in the basement Of the recently
erected Baptist meeting house rendered
to US very cOurteOusly by Elder Teas
dale.
Gen. Garfield. upon entering Congress in
1853, Immediately identified himself with
the church, and at once became promi-
nent in it's membership. The older MEM
beers are fond of telling how he shared
I'm their poverty and obscunty. their in
terests and labors. and often spoke in
their public meetings Later when he was
elevated 90 the Presidency and hundreds
failed TO get into the Court Church" an
indignant American citizen went away de-
nouncing IL as an outrage that the Presi-
dent of the United States should worship
IN that little Campbellite shanty.
The following BIT OF history was handed
down by Judge Black The little band
found that war period a trying one At
its close so difficult was it 10 raise the
minister's salary that they applied 10
Judge Black and Gen. GARFIELD 10 assist
them by securing a departmental clerk
ship for him. and thus enable him 10 re-
main and serve the congregation These
gentlemen waited upon President Johnson,
who had formerly been a member Of the
same communion, and asked for the APP
pointment which was made; although,
after all 1t was not accepted. The story
got out that Gen. Garfield and Judge
Black, two men representing the most
ultra republican and democratic elements.
had gone TO President Johnson, who was
then regarded as on the fence. and held
a long conference. The matter grew until
the newspaper men began to sharpen
their pencils for a choice item. 1t was
alleged that a conspiracy was being form
ed. Finally "a reporter came to Gen. Car
field and asked as 10 the subject OF the
mysterious consultation. He assumed "a
serious air. and said he was compelled to
admit there had been a conspiracy.
But" said he. you would not have me
tell it, that would not be fair 10 my
co-conspirators Finally, when pressed
for an answer. he exclaimed: well. 1
may as we'll make a clean breast Of the
THIS, I suppose. There has been a con-
spiracy between Judge Black. Andrew
Johnson. and myself-a conspiracy 10 get
the ancient Gospel preached in the city
Of Washington according 10 the principles
Of the people known as Disciples"
A letter President Garfield wrote to
DR.. Power when asked for any suggestion
he might desire TO make in regard to
plans for the new church shows that
he was a practical believer in the simple
life. To-day when so much attention is
paid 10 magnitude and ornamental dis
play, the words Of this letter might well
be given serious consideration by build
ing committees.
Il am glad" the President wrote, ito
hear the work is 10 be undertaken, and
in answer to your inquiry, l beg leave
to offer but one suggestion, and that is
that our brethren do not undertake to
build too large a house Let Us keep
within our means, and also avoid any
thing like ostentation either in size or
ornamentation. Let IT. be a neat, modest
church of undersize rather than oversize"
President Garfield's death occurred be-
fore the church was built The Garfield
pew IN the little frame chapel has been
preserved and is now in the Vermont
Avenue Church, where il is an object of
interest to visitors. It is a small old
fashioned bench. on which is a faded
cushion. On the back is a silver plate
bearing the name James A. Garfield"
also the date of his birth and of his
death. In the pastors study is a fine
portrait Of President Garfield. and pic
ture Of his tomb.