The Washington herald., 1908-05-17
PRESIDENT GIVES
METHODISTS ADVICE
Confined from Page One.

bers Of the gathering win sing the Presi-
dents hymn, Elm Feste Burg Ist Unser
Gott'-"A Mighty Fortress Is Our God"
This announcement pleased the Presi-
dent greatly. and, turning 10 Bishop
Cranston. he said: Fine; that's fine; /
Ike that"
About forty voices joined in the hymn.
which was given in German. At the first
bars the President stepped to the front
of the platform and joined in singing the
entire hymn, after which he again ex-
pressed his pleasure, and, in taking his
seat. said: THAT was good. know that
by heart"
Address by Cranston.
At the close Of the hymn Bishop Gran
ston spoke as follows:
For years the American University
had no other grant OF being than the
purpose and plan Of It's founder, Bishop
John F. Hurst Time viii allow but the
briefest summary OF It's history to date.
This site was purchased in 1890. Congress
granted the charter in 1898. The College
OF History building vas completed, al
a cost Of sl7s.OOO in 1855, and the corner
stone OF the College OF Government was
laid by President Roosevelt IN 1902. That
building now stands before Us. its noble
proportions appealing for the funds need
ed for its completion.
iii health compelled the resignation,
in 1902. of Bishop Hurst, as chancellor,
and when Bishop McCabe. his successor
was removed by death, Rev Franklin
Hamilton, D. D.. was chosen 20 that re-
| sponsible Office. He, in fact, > the first
/ chancellor TO devote all his time and
energies to this great work, and he has
entered upon his duties with ali the zeal
and courage characteristic Of the dis
| tinguished family TO which he belongs
! Under his leadership new hopes have al
ready been inspired for the early open
/ ing OF class work.
The bold plans OF Bishop Hurst were
| a daring challenge to the benevolence
and enterprise Of a great church. which
had already engaged in building and en-
dowing numerous schools Of high grade.
Many leaders were as doubtful as he was
| confident Of the expedience OF the move
ment, But before us Is the proof that he
did not believe and plan in vain. Two
| millions Of dollars are no mean sum for
a beginning.
Must Be Impressed.
To-day, for the first time, the church
looks upon what has been accomplished.
| This great gathering of representative
men and women must be impressed by
what they see, and will tell even to our
remotest bounds beyond the ocean that
the American University Is already more
| than the dream OF a devout scholar.
Local ambitions have sometimes led the
| church into educational ventures that
time has proved to have been prena-
ture and disastrous, but it Is simply in
conceivable that this great enterprise at
| the Capital OF the nation. commanded
into being BY both need and opportunity,
and with millions worth OF equipment
at hand. and indorsed by successive gen.
eral conferences. shall fail of ultimate
triumph.
Every consideration that should APP
peal to a wealthy and progressive body
| Of Protestant Christians demands the
earliest possible opening Of these marble
halls Scholars the world must have, so
let Christ be Head Master over the
schools.
To-day will re-enforce your interest in
this our most conspicuous and compre-
hensive undertaking. Ours, yet not ours.
The very name American forbids the
word sectarian. Broad as TIE universe
must be the plan Of modern university
free as the essential spirit OF Protestant
ism and no less reyerent its search for
truth.
Delegates, friends. and Christian edu-
Gators. we covet your closer af1liation
with US in the inspiring purpose TO create
here an institution that shall keep every
avenue of the most advanced learning
open all the way and all the time to God
and His Christ.
And now a happy privilege is mine.
I am h0nored by the trustees OF the
American University with the duty OF
presenting 10 you the President Of the
! United Ststes-a ruler for whom you are
taught to pray and do pray with fervent
spirit; the ruler who represents the
sovereignty Of the American people, but
whose hand I have seen heartily offered
TO an American workman; a ruler who is
in cordial sympathy with all the churches;
a ruler who has lifted politics TO the
| plane OF craftsmanship and forced
! diplomacy into the open: a ruler who
takes the people into his confidence be-
cause he has nothing 20 conceal; ruler
! who is none the less a man because q
ruler, and who, as man, I'm the intensity
Of his convictions and feelings, In his
/ zeal for righteousness, social, CONNER
cial, political, ethical; In his fearless re-
buking Of iniquity, and his belief In a
! judgment day for evil doers. as well as
| in his readiness TO bear witness to the
faith that Is In him-is a born Methodist,
but was enthusiastically misplaced in early
life. He is not cut OF place. but at home
with the family here to-day.
''Methodists OF all the Americas and OF
Mexico; Methodists OF Germany, Norway,
Sweden, Denmark. and Italy; Methodists
Of Japan and Korea, Of China, India,
Malaysia. and Africa, your salutations
to Theodore Roosevelt, President Of the
United States Of America, friend Of high
er learning and Of every good cause. .
Cheered Every Reference.
At every reference to President Roose-
Welt, the crowd cheered. and when the
President was introduced it was several
minutes before he could enjoin silence. SC
great was the enthusiasm.
The President when the noise had sub
sided somewhat. turned to Bishop Gran
ston and said:
Il want TO thank you for that presen.
tation- I feel 1t more than can express.
Then facing the audience, he said:
II do feel It. feel close kin to you.
These statements again evoked the en-.
thusiasm Of the crowd.
Then turning to the singers. President
Roosevelt said.
II thank you for singing. II was q
treat sing badly, but joined in every
verse with you"
He then repeated the first four or five
lines OF the hymn in German. and then, q
smile spreading over his face. he said
You're in luck I don't repeat II all
The Presidents Address.
He then entered on his regular dis.
course, saying:
/ It is a pleaslre to Be with you to-day and Il
/ - .k.ff - -,