The Washington herald., 1907-07-21
WEBER WRITES TO CLASS
Former Ohio Congressman Recalls
His Days Here.
Out of Public Life, but still an Ar
dent Champion of the Cause
of Temperance.

The following letter from Hon. A. r.
Webber, author Of the Weber Bill" and
teacher Of the class which bears his name
in the Vermont Avenue Christian Sun
day school. was written in response 10 a
communication from the assistant teacher.
accompanied by Photographic of the class
IT was not intended for publication, but
at the earnest request Of the class that it
might be so used. Mr.. Webber consented
10 have it made public.
The Weber Class was organized short
~ before the holidays, with Mr. Webber
as its teacher. in which capacity he con-
tinued until the close of Congress, and
although no longer a resident Of Wash
ingtOn IS still recognized as the leader Of
the class. The membership was small at
first, but increased rapidly, until the en-
rollment reached seventy-five. with an
attendance of from forty to fifty. 1t is
still vigorous and is pushing on to greater
things.
Dear Brother: Your very kind letter and also the
excellent photograph a the class received. Believe
me I deeply appreciate them both. Excuse my de-
las ia answering. as ! was away. The fact that
the interest Of the class remains undated is as
gratifying ~ NE cs % the friends cf the class To
from the start by those % whom ! was stranger
Will ever remain a reJi-letter period in my life. II
was indeed hard for me 70 pull away from the
dear associations u the class and the church. but
Il know that the work and interest do not lag
cJnpcnsates largely for the forced separation. /
have gone over the picture face By face. and pro
uauucc il most excellent. To start with. the artist
had good subjects. Then again, you were al to
gcthcr as a class interested IN the greatest theme
that can possibly engage the human mind. The
Christ IN whom al cur hope lies This fact. Of
course aroused the loticst emotions Of the heart.
wblch ever find expression in the face. To again
See the faces Of the faithful Sled me with happy
rccollections. The interest must not lag. Every
crook and Granny I'm that galCTy should Be occupied
bv some ono, and / believe viii be- knowing the
tiubers Of your leaders ard members. ! am IT.
jJlctd % the ever striking countenance OF the
leader Of tho Vermont Avenue Church. He IS one
among the millions ! shall never forget the plc-
tsue Of the morning when he stood before the Con
gTessi0nal committee and pleaded the cause Of hui
nanitv as only he could never saw him when TO nle
he looked 50 tail. noble. - all that Christian
living and talking can do for a man who faithfully
works at It f1r thirty YEARS He SWEPT the decks
l am a vtry busy m7n here, between professional
duties and the addresses ! am delivering here and
rher, In Ohio Temperance and good citizenship.
l wonder that people care TO hear mel. with but
one talent and a rasping voice, ard theme that
was supposed 20 have been exhausted thirty years
ago But ! read that the fellow with the two
talents got into trouble with his mastcr-not be-
ease he did not have ten but because he failed to
do the bess he could with his two. So pluck ND
courage and 90 ahead expecting some day 70 have
- settle for the way in which / have used this
one / beg of every member q ovr class 70 take
This divine lessen 20 heart, and 60 forward
feel 50 unworthy "a have the class bear my name.
I assure the class | truly appreciate Il, but am
willing that at any time the class shall be Of opin-
ion that some other name would help the work
along 1t may feel free drop the one it bears and
take the one that viii bring the best results You
mc9tion the matter Il my being returned again TO
CougEess. / assure you NY aspirations IN that