The Washington herald., 1908-07-27
HOLDS SERVICES
IN IOWA CIRCLE
Rev. DR.. Guthrie UnmOleSted
by Park Police.
WORSHIPERS COME IN AUTOS
Hymns Sung and Sermon Preached
on spot Where HamIine COnEreEa-
ton Was Not Permitted TO Meet
Last SuRday-~ChanEed Orders"
Text Taken by the Pastor

Surrounded BY an audience of more
than 80 persons. among whom were
many members OF his congregation, Rev
Charles Z Guthrie, pastor Of the Ham
line Methodist Episcopal Church. con-
Quoted open-air services at Iowa Circle
yesterday evening unnlolested by police
or park authorities Owing TO the cir
Cumstances attending the uDceremOn5oUs
election OF the wo-shippers last Sunday.
a number OF curiosity seekers were pres
ent at the meeting. but the clergyman
had come prepared Having obtained the
necessary permit signed by Col. BrOm-
well, he and his band OF church people
were allowed 10 worship In peace
Immediately upon arrival at the park.
a small organ was set UP and the male
members Of the band. or company as It
is called. distributed hymn books After
the usual preliminary prayers and sacred
songs, Rev NJ Guthrie took his place
facing the assemblage and announced
shat no bitterness was felt by the mem
bers OF Ha-nline Church toward any pub
lie official. and expressed his grateful
ness 10 the District authorities for allow
ing the service 10 continue
Contrary 10 expectation. the clergy
man in his sermon made no reference 70
the episode Of the week before
Many Come in Autos.
Notwithstanding the threatening clouds
that hung overhead. the crowd remained
until the conclusion OF the meeting A
number Of automobiles were lined around
the circle. and the occupants OF the ma
chimes aHshted and assisted IN the sing
ing
The pastor spoke on the subject.
Changed orders choosing as his text.
Jesus sayeth unto her. go 10 my breth-
ren-"
Mr.. Guthrie explained that the text IS
found in one Of the stories Of Easter.
and tells o. Mary NfaEdalen, who visited
the grave Of Jesus before dawn 10 en-
balm his body with spices. she found
the sepulche- empty. and as she was
about 20 return with her burden Of dis
appointment she met Jesus Himself who
commanded her 10 carry the news Of His
resurrection &c the sorrowing disciples In
Jerusalem
The story IS designed 10 set forth
two things: First, that the resurrection
was a discovery OF human things. the
evidence for i rests upon human testi-
uony- The other thing It IS intended 20
set forth IS that the message OF the
resurrection is 20 the living. In other
words. Christianity does not place the
/ emphasis upon mtnistering 10 the dead.
/ but Uuon serving the living Let ne call
your attention to what this change
means They were in great sorrow, and
among the dead She was sent back 10
the living.
Religion for the Living
This Is pathetic Christianity IS pre-
eminently a religion for living. struggling.
suffering. sorrowing people. It is some
times thought religion IS largely a matter
for the next world. and some churches
are built IN grayeyaTds. It Is not thought
a social thing or human thing or Of pres
ent service But Jesus sets these errors
az naught. and fin the pathetic words ad-
dressed 10 Mary sends her 10 the living.
and therein typifies what IS TO be ckarac-
Jerized Of mighty service.
Here IS what might prove beneficial
to emphasize q change Why should she
go 20 the living with comfort for their
sorrow2 The answer Is that Christianity
IS the only power that is equal 70 the
sOrr0ws encountered in life Legislation
IS a good thing for human betterment.
and education may accomplish much. but
religion IS the only power that can re-
move the evil that IS deep-seated and
that can make a ministry OF good per
Uanent and Its results abiding
Always VIII Be Failures.
There viii always be failures of so
called settlements and scientific charity
and human reforms until they are under
girded by the spiritual might OF the di-
vine This leads ne. IN a concluding
word. 70 dwell upon the Importance Of
such service being rendered by Christians
themselves It cannot be done by paid
emissaries. published leaflets. or sermons
Il IS a testimony Of the individual life
that has experienced in itself the change
wrought BY Christ's power that is most
eloquent in its appeal 10 others This
life. so changed IN itself. becomes social
in its expression until Il relates itself 10
every good thing among men. Labor re-
forms. the welfare Of children. the educa-
ton Of the people, the cleansing OF the
cities. the making OF this world. in a
word. into country Of God becomes the
burden and the passion Of every soul
which started 10 wipe out a grave and
found the living Chrst-cbanges It's com
mission TO a service 10 the living"