The Washington herald., 1909-03-15
PRESIDENT TAFT
GOES TO CHURCH
Takes His Seat Quietly and
Is UnrecOgnized.
WALKS BACK TO WHITE HOUSE
Rev. DR.. :. r. HerridEe, of Ottawa,
Canada breaches Sermon at New
York Avenue Presbyterian Church.
Declares that Strongest Impulse Of
Human Race Is Desire To Live.

With President Taft and Justice Har-
Ian. whom he has often visited az his
summer home in Canada. seated among
the congregation. Rev. Dr. T. Her
ridge, pastor Of the First Presbyterian
Church. Of Ottawa Canada. preached the
sermon yesterday morning at the services
OF the New York Avenue Presbyterian
/ Church.
Accompanied by his sister-in-law,
Mrs. Charles P. Anderson. and two
Secret Service men, the President
walked to church from the White
House and took a seat in the Lin
coin pew so quietly that few members
OF the congregation even suspected his
presence. until at the end OF the service
they were requested 10 remain standing
until the President departed.
Walks Along Street.
Where is he? Where is he? There he
goes were the remarks that were
heard. as the congregation tried 10 get
good look al the Chief Executive. The
President went down New York avenue
10 Pennsylvania avenue, and thence 20
the White House.
After he left the church but few per
sons recognized the President as he
walked along the street. followed by the
Secret Service men. who wore silk hats
and frock coats. At Madison place he
met Dr. Harvey W. Wiley. and greeted
the chief Of the Bureau of Chemistry
cordially.
Mrs. Taft at 81. Johns.
Mrs. Anderson left her distinguished
escort when they reached Lafayette
Square. returning. and went 10 the home
OF her sister-in-law. Mrs. Nicholas An
derson. whose guest she was during the
inauguration. and until she went 20 the
White House last Friday
Mrs. Taft with her other sister. and
house guest. Mrs. Lewis More. OF Gin
cinnati. attended the morning service al
St Johns. and occupied the Presidents
pew.
Taking as his text II have come that
they might have life" Or. Herridce
preached an eloquent sermon. 10 which
the President and Justice Harlan gave
strict attention.
Dr. Herridge said that the strongest
impulse OF the human race was a desire
TO live. and that even the suicide was
a pathetic attempt 10 escape from some
kind Of death. such IS that Of solitude
or failure. our age is given 10 pulling
things 10 pieces. he said The flIl grown
Pessimist Is one Of the products Of the
times. He looks al life sectionaIy. The
responsibility for earths keenest woes
rests With us. and not with God.
Extremes of Error.
The impeffect understanding OF life
leads to two opposite extremes OF error.
be said. There are those who look Ar
everything in life as temporary. make
the most of IL. snatch the neeting day.
and WoTTv not about tomorrow. and
those whose sensitive minds are worried
about the rush and turmoil OF life. so
that they look upon q as something to
be tolerated until the hour Of emancipa-
ton arrives
No one. without peril. the pastor said.
can acquire the habit OF looking az life
from the standpoint Of either foolish
frivolity or rigid asceticism.
"A healthy JOY IN living. accepting life
as a fine school OF mental and moral
training. is the proper attitude % as
sumo" he said "The unfinching hero
ism Of those who strive 20 follow Christ
furnishes a moral tonic 10 mankind To
appreciate the world. the vision must be
bounded by the horizon Of the sense. not
by the provincialisms OF this little world
Death does not end ALL" Dr Herridge
continued Although We carry nothing
else away. we carry ourselves There is
a continuity i'm the thread Of existence.
Where We are is Of much less cOuse-
QUenCe than what We are
THE discomfort which springs from
partial failure and the challenge Of the
unattained Is an indication OF the divine
origin OF man.
Virtue Is Something More.
Caution. he continued. cannot be re-
garded as an aIl-suffcing excellence Vir-
tue is something more than the mere alb
sence o. vice. It is a choice between
sharp alternatives Positiveuess is also
admirable. We must accept the chances
Of life. There is a coil OF good bound up
in everything evil and that is why Christ
never despaired Of man. You cannot be
sober II you are alive; you must have a
choice Of Inspirations. Christ gIorides in
every kind Of service. SO we should rev
el in hard work. and not fear the biting
wind. which merely strengthens mans
endurance.
II is not our doubt he said. OF our
scrupulousness, which causes us trouble.
but our uneXecuted convictions. Il is not
enough 10 say that we have done no
HARM but We must also say what we
have done that is good.
Dr. Herridge concluded Shall We al
lev ourselves 10 be thrOttled by eowardly
materialism. or shall we. by patience.
win our souls and prove that we an
diyine?"
PRESIDENT GOES RIDING