Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-05-17
SAYS He FEELS
LIKE A METHODIST
President Pleased With Exer.
Cises Yesterday.
ENTHUSIASTIC OVER HYMN
Three Thousand Churchmen Hear
His Address.
DELEGATION FROM BALTIMORE
As Trustee of American Univer-
sity, Senator Dolliver Tells of It's
Auspicious Beginning.

II am glad to address you here. ana TO
most earnestly wish you we'll in your pnr-
pose to plant here q great American UNI
versity a university that shall fulhll the
dream of the greatest and first of Amer
lean Presidents George Washington
Interpoating this thought In his address
before the bishops and members of the
general conference of the Methodist Epis-
copal Church. gathered to meet him yes
terday afternoon on the site of the new
American university. near Tenleytown.
President Roosevelt paid tribute not only
to the ambition of his auditors to carry
out the magnificent project of Bishop
Hurst. but he recalled that part of the
plan of the Father of His Country which
the Capital city not only as
the seat of the legislative. administrative
and judiciary departments of the govern
ment but also as the center of learning
of the nation.
This was not the only departure of the
President from the text of his formal ad-
dress. as printed in full in The Star yes
terday. He reused fully as much en-
thusiasm as did Bishop Cranston. who
characterized President Roosevelt born
Methodist but ecclesia stically misplaced
in early life when, in replying to that
remark. he declared: Il do feel mighty
kin to you.
President Likes Hymn.
Perhaps no feature of the exercises oc-
casioned the President more real delight
than the singing by the German members
of the general conference of Elm Feste
Burg ist Unser Gott." the English OF
which is "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.
the hymn sung by the adherents of Mar
tin Luther at the time of the Reformation.
THAT is fine" he exclaimed when
Bishop Cranston announced the song, ana
as the Marine Band struck up the air the
President advanced to the edge OF the
platform and Joined heartily in the chorus.
Most of the German singers in the audi
ence referred TO the printed words as
they sang. but the President knew both
words and music by heart.
That's fine he cried again TO Bishop
Cranston as he took his seat. 1t is one
of my favortes.
What was 10 have been feature Of the
occa sion-a reception of the delegates by
the President and Mrs. Roosevelt In tie
College of History-was abandoned owing
to an engagement which the President
previously had made.
More than one voice in the audience
Joined in the shout -Four years more! as
the President turned to leave the stand.
His only reply was to smile and snake
his head. Then there We're cries for Mrs.
Roosevelt. and the President led her to
the center of the stand to bow her ac-
acknowledgements.
Many Bishops on Platform.
Other addresses were made by Senator
J. P Dolliver of Iowa. and Bishop Earl
Cranston, resident Bishop of Washington.
Among those seated on the platform were
Bishops Thomas B. Nicely of South Amer
lea, Burt of Zurich. Switzerland: Warren
at,niSr
Moore, Portland, Ore; Mcdowell. chica-
go: L. B. Wilson. Chattanooga: Spell
meyer, Cincinnati: Goodsell. Boston,
Hartzell. Africa. Walden retlred), I'm
Warne and Robinson. lndia Har-
ris. Korea, and Mallalieu. East Orange
n. j.
The Marine Band. under leadership OF
Lieut. Santelmann, furnished music for
the singing and also played patriotic
airs.
Fully 1000 Methodists, members of tile
conference which is IN session
this month in Baltimore, their families
and members of different congregations of
the denomination in the Monumental city.
anne to Washington yesterday afternoon
to participate in the exercises on the
american University grounds. 1t was es-
timated. also. that another thousand
Methodists. resident in the Capital city,
made the journey TO Tenleytown and
thence through the Loughborough road
and Nebras ska avenue TO the scene OF the
celebration, SO that the audience which
aced President Roosevelt. Senator Dolli-
yer and Bishop cranston totaled fuliy
1000 persons.
The exercises were begun promptly at
/; clock when Rev. DR. Franklin Hamil-
ton. chancellor of the university. intro
luced Bishop Earl ClaQston as chairman.
The latter called uron Bishop Henry w.
of Colorado to pronounce the in
roca ton. and this in turn was followed
oy the singing of the Methodist hymn.
Faith OF Our Fathers.
Purpose of Visit.
The whole purpose of the visit of the
general conference to Washington was TO
meet President Roosevelt and to view the
progress on the institution for which
he church stands sponsor aand Bishop
,ranston filled the role of presiding Of
icer with rare grace when, in introdue-
ng President Roosevelt he not only paid
, glowing tribute to the Chief Executive.
out also stated the present status of the
and spoke with reverence OF
he late Bishop Hurst. founder OF the
ns tuition. In part, he said:
For years the American University
lad no otner grant OF being than the
purpose and plan of its founder. Bishop
Jobu +. Hurst Time will allow but the
crie fest summary of its history tQ date.
This site was purchased In 1S.0.o Con-
granted the clldlttI III 1870. li'5
,cllese Of History building was completed.
At a cost of S116,00O in 1898 and the
corner stone of the College of Govern
,,ent was laid by President Roosevelt
N 1902 That building now stands be-
lore us it's noble proportions appealing
for the funds needed for its completion.
[khealth compelled the resignation. in
.H, of Bishop Hurst as chancellor. and
when Bishop McCabe. his successor. was
,emoved by death the Rev. DR.. Franklin
Hamilton was chosen to that responsible
,ffice He in fact, was the first chancel-
or to devote all his time and energies
o this great work. and he has entered
IDOL his duties with all the zeal and
,ourage characteristic of the distinguished
an.ily TO which he belongs. Under his
new hopes have already been
inspired for the early opening of class
work.
The bold plans of Bishop Hurst were
daring challenge 10 the benevolence
lnd enterprise OF great church. which
lad already engaged in building and en-
lowing nu.nerous schools of high grade
Many leaders were doubtful as he
vas confident of the eXpedence of the
movement. But before us is the proof
har he did not believe and plan in vain.
Two millions of dollars are no mean sum
or d beginning. Today, for the first time.