The Washington times., 1909-05-09
WHOLE NATION PAYS
MOTHERS A TRIBUTE
White Flowers Are Worn in
Honor of the Pas
sion Sublime"

'If Mothers Day does nothing else it
ought to create seGtlment for an indus
trial insurance that W II litt "A crushing
load from the women and children of
America.
This sentence fr.sia the sermon Of the
Rev. John Van Schaick at the morning
service Of the Church of Our Father
rejects the sentiment that nils this
country today in its observance of
Mothers Day. Pulpit. platform, and
home throughout the nation are giving
forth their tributes to the motherhood
of the land; the white carnation, or the
white rose, as a symbol OF purity, may
be seen everywhere as flisI evidence
that the wesrer loves to honor his moth
er living, or her memory, If deed
The significance of Mothers Day, the
observance Of witch originated with
Miss Anna Jarvis, of PHILADELPHIA, has
spread into the m.uds and gripped the
hearts of men averyV here. ii several
of the States the governors fiFss pro
claimed the second srEday ia Iay as
the day. and IN number Of tie large
cities the mayors arc leaders H. i;s o5-
servancc.
No Greed IN Observance.
In Washington the Observance Is wide
spread. It is all observance that knows
no creed. no distinction of wealth o.
position; its spirit, as expressed in
churches, Sunday schools, lodge rooms,
and societies, is universal.
At the Young Mems Christian Associa-
tion the day was especially observed.
Most OF the members wore the emble-
matte flower. Late this afternoon n
meeting for men will be held IN the
gymnasium. 1876 , street, aud at 4
o clock, the Rev. George Galley. pastor
OF the Western Presbyterian Churcn.
will deliver an address ON The Passion
Sublime
1t was fitting that from one of the
leading pulpits OF the Capital should
| issue an appeal to men to acknowledge
their lasting obligation to motherhood
and to honor IL with all the strength
and devotion of manhood. The Rev.
| John Van SchaicF not only asked that
Mothers Day be given general OBJ
/ servance, but fervently advocated the
adoption, as governmental measure
ance that would free dependent moth
ers from the sting OF poverty that fol-
| lows the death of the breadwinDer. Ded-
| icating hfs sermon TO THE Day Of the
White Flower" Dr. Van Schaick said:
Burden Upon Mothers.
As society is organized today, It
/ places too heavy A burden on the moth
ers. If a wagewOrker is killed at his
posi- in Germany, the financial burden
| Is divided between and wife and moth
er. the employe and state. Here the
mother bears it all. If Mothers Day
does nothing else it ought to create
sentiment FOR an Industrial insurance
that will lift a crushing load from the
women and children OF America.
II doubt If ever a Mothers Day could
I be established by law, but / have no
doubt but what nth little effort the
custom could be firmly esta blished in
! especially set apart and dedicated to
our mothers. no instinct Is SO strong
ia humanity as the instinct of mother
| hood. No love that we ever have near
US is as much TO us, or some OF us at
least, as the love, of our mothers. No
| service rendered 10 the community or
/ the nation or the race Is as great as
Think first ct the typical mother
that ideal mother, the Blessed Mary,
mother Of Christ, Mary ought 10 oc-
/ cupy a higher place in our affections
/ than she does. What is called mari
| Olatry, or the alteration of the Virgin
/ Mary, accounts for some failure to
! study and understand and reverence her
/ beautiful character. Mariolatry is an
| opprobrious term applied by some
/ Protestants to the veneration of the
/ Virgin by Roman catholics 80 not
/ sympathize with these ProtesIants. !
] do appreciate the love and reverence
1 Of Catholics for Mary"
Tribute To Mary.
| In conclusion, Dr. Van Schaick paid
/ tribute 10 Mary az the ideal OF woman
hood. the standard from which all other
women should draw inspiration and
| higher life.
''ln some way" he added. MARY has
| become the friend OF the friendless. the
| helper of the helpless the hope Of the
hopeless. When we think of the sacri-
! nce on Calvary, let as remember that
there stood by 55e cross of Jesus his
mother. Her sauriliCe IS a symbol of
that made by mothers in all ages. Their
sacrifice for us calls us to- the support
| of laws that will make the lives of all
women sweeters freer, and brighter