New-York tribune., 1909-07-12
MR.. TAFT ON RELIGION
LAYING 4 CORNERSTONE.
Praises Wider Scope Of Church.
Tribute to L. S. En- mpIOyeS.
tFrom The Tribune Bureau.


Washington. july Il.-With President Taft hand
ling the trowe the cornerstone OF the Ingram
Memorial Congregational Church, 10th street and
Massachusetts avenue. Northeast laid this
afternoon. Several thousand persons witnessed the
ceremony, which included short address by the
President. Mr. Taft was In a particularly good
humor, and his bright stories and quick witted re-
plies aroused the enthusiasm of his auditors and
caused them to forget that the President is now in
Washington on the serious business of tariff
vision.
After the President had made his little talk"
which was interspersed with frequent applause, he
turned TO the Rev. Dr. J. W. Frizzel pastor OF the
church, and said: And now. Or. FrizzeH.
am an accomplished mason. I shall be glad to
tnue' Taking the trowe in hand and the
stone cap in the other. the President filed the
rowel with mortar and proceeded to his work
Yes I'm entitled do this. 1 have my card"
he said, with a smile. Il belong to the Steam
Shovellers' Union
The programme included addresses by the Rev
DIR. Charles n. Richards C New York and Repre-
sentative Esch, of Wisconsin
President Taft took occasion to pay a tribute to
the civil employees OF the government who, being
compelled TO remain in Washington while the
President goes 10 the seashore and legislators seek
their vacations, carry the work Of the govern
ment. He said. In part:
AS understand the plan OF this church it is
make religion part OF the life Of those who are
members OF the church. 1t is to furnish rational
amusement l. Is To make the church attractive
by reason OF its social qualities by reason Of
offering opportunity for physical exercise for
Intellectual exercise. that those who are members
Of it shall regard religion as a necessary part OF
ne and not which they regard as something apart
to be improved once every seven days. and then
To he taken in small doses possible and still
conform 10 the religious law. l glad 10 know,
10 see and TO believe that all churches in way.
not SO completely as this plan indicates. are adopt
ing the view that there is nothing inconsistent be-
.Wee31 religion and duty and happiness and rs,.
them Is not something that Is repellant to the real
religious soul
1t well the President said that the church
established in Washington the seat Of the
government OF the country by which, he said. ne
did not mean the President and the Cabinet. or
The Senate the House Of Representative. add
ing:
government as a machine that continues to operate
when the President goes to the seaCoast, and the
Senate and House so nome ana Wheh tue mem
hers Of the Cabinet disappear in various directions
rom this somewhat Iedted temperature. ana tlat
is the government of the civil servants trained
civil servants who know how things ought TO be
viii be carried on from now until the end Of time.
They are trained body Of servants. who are
willing for reasonable sauon-sometimes
much too low-to give out what Is best OF them 70
the carrying OF this government in an honest,
effective way. men who are philosophers enough
II thev rid themselves from the worry and the
corrodng erect OF h'eIti'.. IN tei-
get more happiness oui OF mle II. .ti rSi14re1
than by aspiring 10 be mionares and plutocra's-
The Ingram Memorial Congregational Church.
erected AZ a OF $4,000. the gift OF O. II
Ingram or Eau Claire. Wis. In memory OF his son.
Charles H. ingram Entirely new in a number OF
its features the church will only look after the
spiritual needs Of the people but will seek TO pro-
mote their physical and intellectual training. DR. |
J. " Frlzzen. through whose untiring efforts the |
church was founded and the gift of $4,000 made |
possible. says the only means to minister 10 the
rhvsical. social intellectual and spiritual needs |
Of the people. - maintain the worship Of God, !
20 proclaim Gospel OF Christ, 10 enlist men |
as His disciples instruct them in His way OF |
fe TO inspire them with love for truth, a |
ra ssion for righteousness and an enthusiasm Tor |
service is bv the maintenance Of progressive |
uulpit a well graded school of religious culture. a
popular lvCeum platform. gymnasium bowling |
alley swimming pool. shower baths. game rooms |
and clubs for boys and girls. men and women. This |
church believes IN the spiritual value of wisely |
directed physical training. recreation. wholesome
9musempnts the training OF the conscience and
the will In short 1t aims to become a social
centre OF good will and good fellowship and
school Of spiritual culture and character building
The church which will be unlike any other re-
Ii cious institution I'm the country. according to DR..
Frizzcl will. when completed represent an eX-
ppndlture of $52 600, including the cost OF the
ground. In a little more than one year the con
Pregation 2 has increased 20 one hundred and sixty
members and great interest is being manifested
IN the novel features of the new church.