The Washington herald., 1909-01-26

Sweeping aside al distinctions Of creed
and class and al the petty eleavages OF
the secular life, the citizens Of Washing
toa hocked 20 q reception in honor OF the
second Bishop Of Washington and Mrs.
Harding last evening. The red room OF
the New Willard presented a brilliant
scene from s o'clock until q siIken rope
was finally thrown across the threshold
three hours later.
The reception came at the close Of the
greatest day IN the life OF Bishop Hard
ing In the morning the solemn ritual Of
conservation was carried out, when the
church bade him assume the episcopal
habit Scarcely was this splendid cere-
mOny OF the priesthood ever. making its
heavy demand upon the physical as well
as the spiritual resources OF the one thus
honored. when the new bishop was called
upon to undergo a severer but none the
less indispensable ordeal-that Of receiv-
ing tribute OF affection from his fellow
citizens OF this Capital
Bishop Harding Grateful
Il am deeply grateful to all my fellow
citizens" said Bishop Harding last night.
1T has been a notable evening. and a real
spiritual upllft- I particularly desire 10
thank the clergymen OF other denOmina-
tons who honored me by coming TO this
reception. Hundreds OF those who came
had neither churchIy nor personal rela-
tons with me. and It is their tribute I ap-
preciate most, for 1 know that their sup
port IN many an effort for the moral and
spiritual Upbuilding OF this city viii be
extended 70 ne"
When the doors swung open at s o'clock.
Peacock alley was flooded with daz-
zling color and jammed with hundreds
eager 70 reach the bishops side. The spec
tacle Sas enhanced by the masses Of
smarty frOcked women waiting upon the
steps that lead 10 the north entrance
Gay, alluring music echoed about the cor
ridOrs. laughter rang about, al was II
the spirit o q brilliant social function.
Young girls. all charuinsly dressed ruled
the scene al the outset. and the elders
gave way 10 their ardor. They were the
first to extend their blUshing cOngrat tula-
tiOns 70 the new bishop.
St. PauI's pride IN its former rector was
plain 10 be seen. All the Episcopal
churches OF the city were strongly repre-
scented. but none hovered about the prel-
2te NTH such affection and with such
welcome 70 the stranger as did MS for
mer parishioners. Bishop Harding and
his wife stood in a bower on the east
side Of the red room, and 10 al who
came aimed % give a real message Of
greeting far beyond the cOmmOnplaces Of.
the formal reception. IN this the prelate
succeeded. He threw himself into the
spirit OF the thing unreservedly. and
spiritual glow was IN his eve and in his
hand-shake- Mrs Harding was in equally
good spirits.
Five Thousand Present.
The stream Of visitors rose 10 the food
at $50 O'Clock. when the red room was
a dense mass OF humanity Bel hops
cried vainly, 'eThe right entrance out
please" but all attempts 20 break Up the
crush failed Il Is estimated that al least
500 persons attended the reception At
Bishop Harding's side stood another noted
prelate. Bishop Walker. OF Western New
York, who has made many warm friends
in his short stay here.
From the clerical point OF view the
scene was rich in contrasts Young
students from the theological seminaries
touched elbows with grave bishops. who
had acted as Co-cOuSeCratOrs. lay readers,
assistant rectOrs. and q multitude OF
smaller differences within the theological
pale were 70 be distinguished
But IL was not the clerics, but the lay
men. who were n the ascendant The
tribute came not from churchmen, but
from the citizenship Of Washington II
was an oUtpOuring bent on doing honor
such as the highest may have been proud
10 receive. and the second Bishop Of
Washington was not slow to- discern its
spiritual significance. nor the prophecy il I
gave OF q splendid future in his Office.
Committee on Arrangements.
Members Of the Churchman'S Guild. /
who managed the event. included Dr.. A /
B Young. Col. George -TruesdeH, z. Look /
CT, A X Paris, B. Adams. w 3. Dent.
A. S. Brown, r Chew, John Weaver. a 4
II Poynter. F. ". McReyuolds. and z. D. I
Blackstone.
Washington bids Bishop Harding Cod (
speed, serenely confident that he VIII T.
maintain the traditions Of his seat es-
tablished by his sanity predecessor. (
Henry Yates Satterlee-