The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-06-15
MINISTER TOO WEAK
TO RESIST DISEASE
Clergyman Had Been in Charge
of the Congregation Fifteen
Years.
Continued from First Pagel

Pennsylvania He attended Pennsyl-
yania College and graduated in 1887 with
high honors. While a student in the
Yale Law School ne was the temporary
pastor OF two churches in Wisconsin,
and shortly after his graduation in 1891
he was ordained in the Congregational
ministry. His first charge was in Rox-
bury, Conn. He came from that place
70 the First Congregational Church in
Washington in 1901 In his first year
in Washington he married Miss Emma
Hummell. OF Harrisburg. Since 1894 he
has been the pastor of the Mt Pleasant
Congregational Church.
Funeral services for DR.. Fishburn
have been set for Thursday, but the
hour has not leen fixed The tentative
plan is TO have a prayer service at the
home at 1920 o'clock, and from there
his body viii be taken to the altar OF
the church he served and there lie in
state until 2.So O'Clock in the afternoon.
Al that time a public service viii prob
ably be held and interment win take
place later in a Washington cemetery
Associates to 0ffciate
The Rev. Dr.. s. NJ. Newman. former
" pastor OF the First Congregational
Church, under whom DR. Ffshburn serv-
ed as an assistant. and the Rev Dr.
s II. Woodrow. present pastor OF that
church. with whom DR. Fishburn was
closely associated in his ministerial
work, viii probably conduct the serv-
ices at the home and at the church.
The influence OF DIR. Fishburn has not
been limited 70 his own congregation
during his ministry in Washington
Several times he has been moderator
OF the Congregational Churches of the
District and was, TO the time Of his
death, @ secretary of the Federation Of
Washington Ministers an fnterdenomf-
national Organization that includes
practically all the pastors Of Washing
ION.
His activities have not been con
hned TO his own congregation. but, as
a mem Der Of the Ministerial Associa-
ton, he has been a leader in move
ments for the unificatiOn of religious
work, and has been stanch advo-
cate of INSTRUMENTATION co-opera-
ton for general religious work
he was the most cosmopolitan pas
tor I have known, said Norton M
Little. general superintendent Of the
At- Pleasant Church Sunday school,
this morning. An evidence OF this is
the roster Of his congregation, which at
times has included representatives of
from ten TO twenty other denomina-
tons. He began his pastorate at Nj.
Pleasant at a time when there were few
churches within easy reach Of residents
Of that section, and his creed was broad
enough to include members of nearly
all other denominations. he was not
& proselyter.
las churches grew up around him he
counseled mem bers 10 return TO their
own church homes Despite this -aauy
remained and many more came, as is
attested BY the 80 members enrolled in
his church today
Honored by College.
Only two weeks ago DR.. Fishburn
was signaIly honored by RawIins Col
iege. of Florida. which bestowed upon
him the degree Of doctor of divinity.
The honor vas the more pronounced
since Dr. Fishhurn had Just passed into
his forty-second year and was one OF
the youngest pastors In his denomina-
ton who had received this degree.
Dr. Fishburn was also TO deliver the
baccaiaureate sermon at the college two
weeks ago frcm last Sunday. but on the
Saturday before he was stricken oy
Eilat proved 70 be his last illness.
Though he was unable 20 be present
the degree was conferred.
A Practical Preacher.
The work OF DR.. Fishburn wss nsrk-
ed by close personal association with
practically all OF his 500 members. As
preacher he was elear-cut and prae-
teal His sermons did not tend toward [
eloquence in the accepted sense. They /
were rather heart-to-heart talks with
his hearers and Sunday after Sunday I
even during the last month h4 prea ched. /
Wien the weather was sultry and many
members of his congregation were out /
os the city. the large auditorium Of his 4
church was well filed.
But Il was IN his pastoral work his 1
members say. that he vas prominent
Despite the increasing SIZE OF his con- /
gregatiOn, which would have been a /
strain upon two men, he persistently re- /
fused 70 employ an assistant, preferring !
ne said, 70 keep N personal touch with /
the members OF his congregation. And /
he did In his church are officials high 4
IN Government and municipal positions. /
yet Il was his pride that his cOngrega-
ton has never assumed he aspect Of a 1
rich mans church..
He delighted 10 go 10 The homes OF his /
members and officers OF ois church de- 4
clare his knowledge Of ths home life and
the individual needs OF MS members was /
little short Of phenomenll
Was Hard woker.
He was known among Washington
ministers as an apostle OF the strenuous
life He devoted the enffe DAY 70 Wis
ring HIS members ana IN answering
other caiis upon him as 2 pastor, and
prepared his sermons al night.
An Incident showing nj devotion TO
his work was told this mrning by ono
OF his members. He had been urged
By a member of his congregation 70
offer a prayer az the unwilling Of the
John WitherspOOn statue. Though ne
was confined 70 his bed = an illness +
which was the fOrerunner q the attack
OF typhoid ne secuted at tie fears OF
his family and was present 4 the exer-
cises 10 fulfill bis promise
Stories are also told OF hi. charita bic
work. He declined 10 Officially Identity
himself with any organized charity
work, declaring that his time belonged
70 mis- congregation. But quietly
though none the less edectivey. he was
a prime mover in many effors 10 raise
special funds for various reiiiious pur-
poses His church has also ben one or
The largest contributors 10 Missionary
work IN his denomination.
Commissioner West said Ills morn
EnR:
'The death Of Mr.. Fishbun is not
only q loss to the city. bat is TO me N
a personal bereavement. / had Known
him intimately for mere han ten
years, and ] never knew anyone
whose character was so absolutely II
free from every blemfsh. H. was
manly, clear minded, wholesome
Christian, who knew not hypocrisy,
and whose earnest and slnOre ST
forts 70 do good for his fellow men
were untainted by seidshness OF. osten-
tation. lie literally sacrificed Rnseif