The Washington herald., 1908-02-10

Memorial services rivaling in inn
pressiveness any held in Washington
since the death of Lincoln were con
Quoted yesterday afternoon at Chase's
Theater in commemoradon Of the life
and character Of the late Rev. Dr. Denis
j. Stafford, pastor OF st. Patricks Church.
Inspired to eIoquence that held their
hearers speHbound and elected earnest
applause, speaker after speaker Of local
and national prominence stood before
the $500 men, women. and children who
packed the big playhouse to the doors.
and paid their tributes to the memory of
the much-loved, honored. and Iamentcd
priest. scholar. patriot. philosopher. and
citizen.
OutpOHFinE of People.
Not since the exercises held after the
death Of the martyred Mckinley have
the citizens Of Washington responded in
such numbers 20 pay their tithes Of rev
ereuce and respect to The memory Of
one dead. but sdn living in spirit in the
hearts Of thousands.
Fifteen minutes after the opening Of
the theater doors the auditorium was
filled to its capacity. The doors were
again closed, ana for hours several thou
sand disappointed citizens stood on the
sidewalk and street before the theater,
hoping to be able to enter before the
exercises came TO an end.
On the stage facing the great assem-
blage sat row upon row Of the most dis
tinguished men residing in the National
Capital Church state, the military.
and the body polite were represented
by men whose names are known through
out the nation.
They were there to do honor to the
memory Of one who was to many pres
ent a personal friend; TO others a glow
ing ideal. and TO still others a rever-
enced leader and teacher. and TO none as
little as a mere name.
The men whose eloquence pictured to
the assemblage the life and character of
the dead priest and citizen were as widely
separated in avocation and creed as the
thousands who listened to their words
OF tribute. Churchmen Of the three great
creeds that influence the Caucasian race
Catholic. Protestant. and Hebraic-states-
men, soldiers, diplomats. and District Of
ficials sang their paeans of praise for the
departed soldier of the cross.
To the eager auditors each fervent ad-
dress seemed better than the one pre-
ceding. and as al stood at the closing and
bowed their heads to the strains Of that
sweet old hymn. Nearer. NV God TO
Thee" it seemed that the spirit Of the
dead must have come and hovered over
the multitude. and breathed its benedic-
tion.
The Introductory Words.
First there were the weH-chosen words
of Commissioner Henry B. F. Macfar-
land. Introductory ana Of a dignity and
clarity that beftted what was to follow.
Then the deep tones of Vice Pres
ident Fairbanks rang to the farthest
recesses of the building as ne extoued
the virtues of Father Stafford, THE Cit
zen
Rev. Dr. John Van Schaick. Of the
Church Of Our Father. followed with
Father Stafford: The Friend" as his
subject, and showed how the life of such
as he sweeps away the barriers OF creed
and differences in belief.
DR. Hannis Taylor former Minister to
Spain, himself a scholar and philoso-
pher.' as Commissioner Macfarland said
IN introducing him. most abrilliantIy dis
cussed Father Stafford: The Scholar and
Philosopher"
To Father Thomas f. McGuigan, act
ing pastor Of st. Patriek's Church, fell