Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-08-15

the Peggy O'Neal episode, which at one
time wrecked its fortunes. and as the
possessor of the Lincoln Pew, which
is yet retained.
Living in an age when all things were
possible. Peggy O'Neal, daughter of the
host at the Indian Queen Tavern, rose
rapidly from o5scurity from the moment
that members of President Jackson's cabi-
net first looked upon her charms. Up
the ladder of social successes she sprang
until .sle became the wife OF Maj. Eaton,
Secretary OF War.
AS did most of the cabinet members,
Maj. and Mrs. Eaton attended the New
York Avenue Church, OF which President
Jackson was a pew holder. The social
warfare changed from the rivalry of ball
room and boudoir and became warfare
of women and led to the ostracism OF
Mrs. Eaton in church life.
Then from the turmoil there stepped 6.
tall. resoiute man. He was President
jackson. But even the support Of the
Chief Executive could not quell the
troubled waters. and DIR. Campbell. unm-
pressed by Mrs. Elton's champion. did
not hesitate 10 tell the President, in no
fioWery terms, just what he thought of
the situation
DR.. Campbell was immovaDle: President
Jackson adamant. Members of the dis
rupted cabinet left the church and many
of the congregation followed their lead.
President Jackson. angefed. ceased his
attendance. Peggy ONeal. victorious in
the church fight. finally withdrew. leav-
ing DR.. Campbell in control of a shelter
without flock.
This house of worship, also known as
the Lincoln Church., Was attended by
the first martyred President, who took as
active an interest in the church affairs as
did any OF the congregation, and, unlike
any other President who ever attended
there, not only came to both services on
Sunday. but might be found In the church
upon prayer meeting nights.
x
II is told of Lincoln how, when, in
1867, the government had sent lumber to
convert the church into a hospital, a
presidential order saved the house of wor-
ship from this fate. Never a Sunday
passes that does not find strangers within
the doors of the church for the sole
purpose of seeing the Lincoln pew, which
has been preserved. and of touching the
faded upholstery of its seat.
The church is not closed on week days.
for then it is the mecca of srizzled and
aged veterans who come to the ediiice To
rest for a moment where Lincoln sat.
When the church was repewed in 1887 the
Lincoln pew, although of color darker
than the light oak furniture of the pres
emf church, was retained by order of the
trustees and marked with an inscribed
silver plate. In this pew President Roose-
welt SAT during his attendance at the
church centennial in 1903.
Phineas .. Gurley. the pastor who
preached TO Lincoln. prayed at the bed
side of the martyred President when he
lay dying in the house opposite Ford 5
Theater, OF 10th street northwest. Al
though more than four decades have
passed since President Lincoln sat be-
meath the voice of DIR. Gurley. the effect
of his attendance is still apparent through
all the years.
John Quincy Adams was il constant
attendance at the New York Avenue
Church in all Weaihers. WAS member of
the board OF trustees, and on one occa-
sion gave outright TO the church check
for S1.2ou 10 meet church emergencies.
and advanced IL the trustees like
amount Here il was thai President
ADAMS delivered that classic farewell
% Lafayette, the French patriot. upon
The occasion Of his last visit 10 this
country.
ST. Johns Episcopal Church is the