The Washington herald., 1909-07-18
nr AeNEs nLANcHE HlcKEY.

llEnlNs IL u HtEaStfAA 10 tNNA4 NFP-- ~AA~
moments when these great men laid aside
the cares and Importance OF state affairs
and sought the feet Of the Creator in
quiet humility.
AS during the first ten years Of the
young republic the Capital was situated
IN New York, there is no church in
Washington which can claim the first
President When at his estate Of Mount
Vernon. President Washington attended
an Episcopal church in Alexandria This
church still stands. and IN il are pre-
served many memorials OF the Father Of
His Country"
John Adams was also Of that period
previous TO the establishment of a per
manent Capital at Washington. Thomas
Jefferson being the first President who
was inaugirated in the new Capital.
which at that time was n struggling coun-
try town. There is no record of where
jefferson Worshiped IN Washington.
Probably the oldest church in which
Presidents have worshiped is the First
Presbyterian Church, John Marshall place
and street northwest Tt was estab-
lished in 1875. In this church Grover
Cleveland worshiped, and Mrs. Cleveland
was a member of X. The late pastor. Dr.
Sunderland performed the ceremony
which made Miss Folsom the first lady
Of the land" and he baptized all the
Cleveland children born in Washington
President Clevelands pew IS still pre-
served. Mrs. Cleveland gave literally to
all the church charities. often sending
flowers from the White House conserva-
tories for distribution among the hos
pitals Of the city During Mr.. Cleveland s
second administration the crowds that
gathered about the church worried him.
II Is said he had a fear of assassination.
and In the latter half Of the term he sell
dom attended the services
Grant Sometimes There.
President Jackson sometimes attended
this church; also President Polk Presi-
dent Pierce was a personal friend Of the
pastor. Or. Sunderland. frequently walk
ing down from the White House with
him. President Grant also attended this
church up 10 December 81 Of the year
he became President. although he was a
Methodist During the civil war the
church was thrown open for the care Of
wounded soldiers. and the women of the
congregation formed corps Of nurses.
On an opposite corner is the Metropoli-
tan Memorial Methodist Episcopal
Church. TO which President Grant went
spon its completion. He was one OF the
original trustees. and an earnest sup
UOIAET OF lLe GLlaElLleS ana UenENDleflL
enterprises. President Grant was unas-
suming in all his religious duties. and he
and Mrs Grant attended the church re-
ceptiOns. Rev. DR.. Newman, who after
ward was made a bishop. was pastor.
and warm personal friend Of the Presi-
dent. Gen. Logan was also a member
and a regular attendant at the services
A story is told which illustrates the char
acter Of Cen Logan One communion
Sunday Gen. Logan came up TO the altar
too late 10 get a place at the communion
rail Without hesitation he stepped
back and quietly knelt on the floor be-
hind the other communicates. and in
that position received the bread and
wine
President Mckinley was 2 member Of
this church. where up 10 the tragedy A.
Buffalo. he was never absent from the
morning service when in Washington
His quiet coming and going. and his
gentle dignity and air Of faith IN God"
said a member Of the congregation. was
the most beautiful and impressive thing I
ever beheid." Mrs. Mckinley. owing TO
her delicate health. seldom attended the
services. Vice President Fairbanks oc-
cupied the Presidents pew during the
Roosevelt administration
known ns 'IincOIn's Church.
AtN NllNlNn NVti4AiADlllf tdltfQ NE
Church Of Presidents is the New York
Avenue Presbyterian Church. This church
was established in the time Of jefferson.
when a handful OF Presbyterians" met
IN the lobby OF the old Treasury Hall
afterward destroyed by the British. to
worship Like the immortal acovn. 1T
grew" until to-day 1t is one Of the most
Important houses OF worship in the CITY
OF Washington. II IS also known as Lin
coins church, from the fact that during
his residence in Washington he was a
regular attendant there. and his pew IS
still preserved. In 1Ss7-SS the church was
repewed. and the retention OF President
Liucoln's pew was mildly urged. owing
20 a strong undercurrent Of secessionist
spirit. The lincoln pew being black and
The new pews light enabled the dissenters
to carry their point. and the new was
relegated to the basement. II remained
there until the women OF the church sue
ceeded in having II placed in the Sunday
school room. where il remained until 1893.
when fl was replaced in The church. and
IS now an interesting feature OF the
church auditorium.
Lincoln was the devoted friend of the
then pastor. Rev. Dr. Gurley. whose
counsel and advice he frequently sought
And when the terrible finale was reached.
II was this good man who knelt in PRAYER
beside the martyred President. delivered
the eulOgy In the East Room OF the
White House. and accompanied the body
to Springfield. On the way to the Illinois
city he wrote the hymn that was sung al
the burial services.
Illustrative OF Lincoln's abiding faitr
in the power Of prayer is an incident de.
tailed by the present pastor Of the
church One night Henry Ward Beecher
was informed by his servant that a gen
tisman wished TO see him but would
give no name. Upon entering the room
where the man was waiting, Nfr Beecher
was astonished to find Lincoln there.
''Mr. Beecher." said President Lincoln
I'VE have been friends for long time
and have come from Washington 10 ash
you to pray with me for the welfare Of
the country"
Adams Gives HIS Check.
President John Quincy Adams was ais,
a regular attendant upon this church
At one time he gave his check for s12O
to meet church emergencies. and at an
other gave a like amount to assist tn,
pastor in purchasing a home.
President jackson attended this church
In fact most Of Jackson's Cabinet wor.
SHIPPED these until the church was al
most disrupted by Mrs. Eaton. wife OF the
Secretary of War, more familiarly known
as Peggy O'Neal. Many Of the members
threatened 10 leave the church unless sht
ala and President Jackson brought upor
himself the censure of the indignant fac
ton and the pastor by upholding Mrs
Eaton IN her course The situation ended
i, a stormy interview between the pastor