The Washington herald., 1909-08-03

uFlnes pLlA4duliHOplSlt lOI sixty years u
Lutheran minister in washington. pastor
Of the Luther Place Memorial Church
from its organization in 1873, and one OF
the most distinguished members OF the
Lutheran clergy In this country. died
suddenly at o'clock yesterday morning
at his home, hot Eleventh street north
west. at the age of eighty-three years.
Death was due to heart disease. Or.
Butler had been In poor health for the
past two and one-half years. He con-
tinusd his pulpit and pastoral work,
however, up 70 July II, when he Of1ciated
in Luther Place Memorial Church Tor the
last time. That occasion also marked
the completion Of sixty years Of active,
continuous service IN the ministry in
Washington.
On July u he went TO ocean Grove.
n. j.. where he remained until July a..
He made good progress toward recovery
until two days before his return, when
he experienced pains IN the chest and
extreme nausea. This added attack
tended greatly 10 break down his already
weakened system. and il was with diff
Guilty that he reached home Upon his
by Dr. George y. Acker, Dr. II. H.
PolSinh0rn. his sOn-in-law. and Dr.. W. K.
Butler, his son. They found indications
Of heart trouble. but the aged clergyman
was not informed Of his condition,
Sent Note 10 Congregation.
Throughout last week he improved until
Saturday evening. when he developed
greater weakness. He was obliged to
forego the privilege OF administering
communion IN his church Sunday morn
ing. He was able to write a note, which
his son, Rev. Charles II. Butler, assis-
tant pastor, read to the congregation
TO the last, Dr. Butler was bright and
hopeful, and fully expected 10 be restored
to health and strength
shortly before o'clock yesterday morn
iug he arose and went 20 the bath room
adjoining his sleeping room. Soon there
after he fell TO tie floor. Mrs Butler
went to him. and called for assistance
Or. PolldnhOrn. who lives nearby at
Twelfth and NJ streets northwest. and
DR.. w. K Butler. OF Chevy Chase, were
summoned, but death occurred before
they reached the stricken man, who
ceased to breath three or four minutes
after he fell
Dr.. Butler is survived by his wife, two
sons, and two daughters. Mrs H. H.
Pollinhorn, and Miss Ella c. Butler, who
resides at home.
Dr. Butler was born IN Cumberland.
Nd, on January Is, 1876 He was edu-
Gated at Pennsylvania College. Gettys-
burg. Pa, which he left in 1877 TO pursue
u course IN the Lutheran Theological
Seminary, Gettysburg. from which he was
graduated in 1919. He was ordained to
the ministry IN this city. and Al once en-
tered upon his ministerial career. which
was 90 extend over a period of three
score years.
His first charge was ST. PauTs church.
Eleventh and IL streets, where he la
bored from 1919 % 1913 In the latter wear.
with colony OF less than fifty persons he
withdrew from St PauTs, and organic ID
the Luther Place Memorial church.
which was continuously his charge until
his death.
Had Military Service.
At the opening Of the civil war he was
elected chaplain 81 the Fifth Pennsyl-
vania Regiment. one Of the first regiments
70 come 20 the defense Of the capital. At
the conclusion Of his term Of service.
President Lincoln appointed him hospital
chaplain, IN which capacity he served
throughout the war in and around Wash
ington.
In 1867 DR.. Butler was elected chaplain
Of the House Of Representatives. serving
throughout the Forty-frst. Forty-second
and FOrty-third Congresses In 1856 he
was chosen chaplain Of the Senate. which
position he held for seven years.
DOT twenty years. from 1S71, Dr. But
Ter was professor Of homiletics and
church history in Howard University. For
many years he was a regular contributor
70 the Lutheran Observer. Philadelphia
later correspondent for and since editor
OF the Lutheran Evangelist, which, under
his direction became one OF the most
influential papers Of the denomination.
DR.. Butler received the degree OF d. D.
from Pennsylvania College in 1868. and
I. L, D. from Newberry College. New
berry, S. @. in le0S
Under his ministry in St Paurs and
Luther Place Memorial the following
churches were established: Reformation.
lions Redeemer tnegro mission). and Kel-
Ter Memorial, or which his son, Rev
Charles II. Butler, was pastor for sixteen
years. Enthusiastically DR.. Butler rr1y be
called low church in his views, and he was
classed as an advanced general synod
man. hoping. praying, and working for
the ultimate union of all parts Of the
now divided Lutheran Church in the
United States.
BY reason OF his pro-union views the
ST. Paul's Church Of DR.. Buffers civil
war days grew rapidly, and many army
officers and civil dignitaries worshiped
there. The church. which now stands in
Luther place. Is a memorial to the deliv-
orance OF the land from slavery and war
In 1890 DR.. Butler established the Luther
Free Infrmary for the treatment Of dis
eases OF the eye. ear. and throat This
in1rmary was placed in charge OF Dr.
Buffers son, Or. w. K. Butler. who still
conducts the work.
Broad and fraternal in his sympathies,
OF kindly disposition, DIR. Butler was in
terested in all kinds OF religious and re-
form work, and was a stanch friend OF
the negro race.
He was an early member OF the Y NJ.
c. A, and active in the councils and
work of that organization a generation
ago AT the time Of his death he was
chairman OF the advisory ministerial
council OF the Central Union Mission.
and last year was made president of the
Ministerial Federation OF this city upon
its organization. DR.. Butler was a mem
Der Of the Luther Statue Association, and
prominent in the movement which re-
suited In the erection In 1884 OF the
statue OF Luther. This statue. which
graces the lawn before the main en-
trance Of the church. Is a duplicate Of
the central figure in the celebrated
Worms group.
Attended Booths Accomplish.
In his capacity as government chap
lain. DR.. Butler attended George A.
Atzerott. who was tried and convicted
rs an accomplice in the assassination OF
praelannA innnln In cnrnnanr NTH