Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-04-24
DEFENDS HIS CREED
Presidents Taft's Plea for the
Unitarian Faith.
CENTRAL CHURCH NEEDED
Urges the Denomination to Build
Large House of Worship in
Washington.

plea to all Cnitarans to stand
forth and aid the faith and to provide
in Washington "a principal church to
correspond with the cathedrals OF other
denominations was made in remarks
by President Taft yesterday at
the regular service in All Souls Uni
tartan Church, Of which he is a regu
lar attendant In his address. made
from the platform of the church. in the
interest of a movement for a large
Unitarian edifice, he referred to the
discussion of his religious faith during
his presidential campaign.
What Unitarianism Means.
The President said that to some peo-
pie it may not seem a necessary task
to have d church which should show
forth what Unitarianism Is to the
country. ANY one who has run for
office" said he. land has received tele-
grams from various parts of the coun-
try saying 1T is reported here that
YOU are Unitarian: telegraph at once
TO silence this outrageous report will
understand the necessity for showing
what Unitarianism Is, and that 1t is
progressive Christianity, illustrating
al" YAH iHS loI dS tHe supreme
ideal the fatherhood Of God and the
brotherhood of man.
Now, believe this is a time for us to
open our pockets. and. If We haven't the
money in them, to assume some obliga-
tons ahead with a view to making this
monument to liberal religion a suitable
one in the capital Of our nation. Other
churches, by reason of the organization,
have Cathedrals. the church seat Of the
hierarchy. We have no bishops, but We
have a clergyman who. If we did have
bishops, would be worthy OF filling such
a place. and it Is entirely fitting, there
fore, that we should have here. in the cap
ital OF the nation. a principal church that
corresponds to the cathedral in other
churches.
Sounds the Duty Call.
Though a temporary resident among
YOU. and one who will only have the
privilege Of worshiping in this church for
short time, I venture to urge that we
all, residents or non-residents, assume a
burden and sacrifice something substan-
tal that this home for preaching broad,
liberal and tolerant Christianity shall be
worthy OF the cause"
The President referred to himself as a
layman only, and divided such an audi
ence as he was addressing into three
classes-Washington Cnitarians, who look
ioi "0lu " "oTSHipfiS tne Unitarian
Church all their lives: temporary resi-
dents. like himself, and that class not
visible who answer the description Of the
late Senator Hoar of Massachusetts, a
member and attendant of this church,
when he asked q brother senator. What
is your church that you don't go toy
Washington a Thought Center.
He urged all these classes to aid the
church. saying that Washington Is grow
ing to be more and more the center Of
thought In this country, typical of the
whole country "a city beautiful"
where may we'll be established q nucleus
for liberal religious thought and educa-
tion-a church IMPLYING broad. liberal
and tolerant Christianity"
The response made to the first call for
subscriptions to the building fund en-
couraged the committee in charge and the
congregation. 1t is understood $4,000 has
already been contributed to the fund
Before President Taft spoke speeches
urging cooperation with the building
committee were made by James A. Sam
pie, Delbert H. Decker and Senator Dun
can L. Fletcher.