The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-08-05

mortal Church, Attended by Many.
AS the dying strains Of Lead. kindly
Light" hoated under the high arches OF
Luther Place Memorial Church yesterday
afternoon. s2S the words drifted into the
last line. And with the morn those angel
faces SMILE" a stiffness deeper than any
that had gone before came over the as
semblage. and a final silent prayer was
offered in the name Of the man whose
body lay there in the coffin, Rev. d.
John George Butler.
A few moments later the casket was
carried out into the open air, laid in the
hearse, and started on its way TO oak Hill
Cemetery.
Rarely in the history Of men Of the
cloth. who have done their work in
Washington. and at the end Of their
time laid down their task. has there
been such tribute at the last service
such a gathering Of men and women from
other congregations and other denomi-
nations. and such a meeting OF clergy
men OF other faiths. The catholicity OF
DIR. Buffers endeavors brought 10 his
funeral. at the end. a concourse that
filed the church 70 its doors. and listened
tearfully to the praises OF the man who
thirty-six years ago founded the house
or worship from which his funeral was
held.
In the gathering there was more age than
~ -
were many gray heads. II was at DR..
Buffers last birthday celebration that
Senator Knute Nelson, OF Minnesota,
said the aged pastor taught the old-time
religion IN the old-tlme way.
Five MiniaterH Orficiated.
Five ministers OBLIGATED az the funeral
service: Rev. DR.. F. P. Hennighausen.
OF Baltimore. who studied theology under
DIT. Butler; Rev. DR.. John Chester, for
thirty years pastor OF Metropolitan Pres
byterian Church; Rev DR.. Garland, Of
Dayton. Ohio; Rev. J. Luther Frantz.
pastor OF 81. Marks Lutheran Church. Of
this city. and Rev. Dr. John NJ. Schick.
Following the invocation by Rev. Frantz,
the Scripture was read by DR.. Garland.
IN which he included the selection sug-
gested by DR.. Butler in letter to his
son. Rev. Charles Il. Butler. last Sunday.
when no found he was unable 10 attend
divine worship.
DR. Hennighausen made the first ad-
dress. In speaking OF DR.. Buffers untir-
ing loyalty TO his work, he asked;
Why his fidelity 10 the ministry? Was
II such a lucrative profession? No. He
protested against Increases IN his salary.
and is one OF the few men know OF who
OF his own voliucn caused Il 10 be
lowered that the funds OF the church
might DO increased He gave thousands
OF dollars in that way 10 the work 10
which he had consecrated his life
WAS he faithful because Il was an
honorable profession? Yes. Il is one
OF the most glorious works a man can
give himself 70. although by many il is
despised In that profession DIR. Buffers
ability and energy were recognized, and
he was considered by those who knew
the fruits OF his toll as one OF the best
workers for Christ the city Of Washing
ton has had.
Love Of His Work.
Was It because 1t was an easy ufeY
There was no ease IN it for him. In
every day OF his existence there was a
story OF hard work. Of tireless attack,
Of steady accomplishment. One cold
bleak December night I asked him what
It was that inspired him 10 such efforts.
7 love my work, I love my work.
1t cannot tire me" was his answer
That was the secret Of his life. Love
Of the Lord Jesus Christ was the in
spiration OF his mind. and faith was the
breath OF his body And finally they be-
came almost HIS physical sUstenance. He
was such a frugal cater that I often
wondered why his body cid not shrink
under the demands ne made ulon It.
for sheer lack Of food.
HIS work was a heart work He was
infexible to the point OF stubbornness
where truth. and principle. and right
were concerned; but he was always q
man OF tenderness and human SYM
pathy."
Lucius F. Randolph. jr.. sang a solo.
'One Sweetly Tender Thought" DR..
Chester, representing the Ministerial
Union. spoke OF Dr. Buffers work with
that organization, In which he was es-
pecially active on account Of his belief.
that the lines between the different de-
nominations were light and easily passed
Though DR.. Butler was loyal 10 his
own denomination" said DR.. Chester, "he
recognized the catholcity Of all faiths
The breadth OF his activities was remark
able. He was one OF the founders OF the
Young Mems Christian Association. and
lent a ready hand TO all civic movements
for temperance, purity. and the better
ment Of the condition Of all men and all
classes.
When he was Chaplain of the House
OF Representatives, and later Of the Sen
ate. my residence was on Capitol Hill
and ! happen 10 know something OF the
way he filed those positions. He did not
simply discharge his duties as they came
TO his hand. but entered zealously into
the spirit OF them. and became part OF
the lives OF the men with whom he was
thrown.
For the bigness Of his neart and the
width Of his activity. his influence in this
community win be felt for many years to