The Washington herald., 1912-06-12
TAFT HAS PRAISE
FOR MISSIONARIES
President Credits Safety of Foreign
ers in Chinese Revolution to
Good Work of Churchmsn.
TWO BISHOPS CONGRATULATED

Crediting the fact that almost no injury
has been sustained by foreigners In the
revolution in China to the guidance and
counsel which the missionaries had given
in that movement. President Taft, in an
address Monday night before a large au-
dience at the reception In honor OF Bishops
Earl Cranstop and W. p. Thlrkieid, at
Foundry Methodist Episcopal Church,
Sixteenth and P Streets Northwest, de-
clared that the unsedsh work OF the
missionaries furnishes 10 the heather
peoples the best example OF American
civilization.
when I heard that my friend, Presi-
dent Thirkield, now Bishop Thirkield, !"
said President Taft, was to meet his
friends here, together with Bishop Gran
ston. an old friend OF mine, could not,
II I would, avoid coming here TO give
my felicitations TO Bishop Thirkield for
his promotion-his deserved promotion
to a high office in the church-and TO
tender my congratulations to the church
that, through its proper chosen author
tiles, should have had the good sense to
promote such a man. / don't know why
II is, but / suppose II Is an evidence OF
the great good common sense Of the
Methodist Church that II, too, SIrns to
Ohio when It wants real good men.
Bishop Cranston, the senior Bishop, and
Bishop Thirkield, the Junior Bisnop,
make both ends, and that is a very i'm
Portant part Of the Bishopric.'
President Praises Missionaries.
In speaking of his knowledge OF the
good work OF the missionaries, gained
through his travel in the foreign coun-
tries in which they are located, Presi-
dent Taft told OF meeting many bishops
OF the Methodist and also other denOmi-
nations, and gave them much praise for
their unselfsh devotion to duty.
with Bishop Thirkield.'' continued the
President, Il came closely into common
action through our common sympathy
with the problem OF educating the col
ored race. Bishop ThirkIeld has done a
great work as the head OF Howard Uni
versity. Howard University is one Of a
few institutions for the higher education
Of colored youth that are carrying on a
work essential in the development Of that
race. II is frequently said that the COL
Ored race ought to be educated in pri-
mary education and in Industrial educa-
tion, but that money spent in higher ed
ucation Is thrown away That only
shows that the person who says so has
not studied the problem. There is not
the slightest danger that too much money
Will be thrown away in the higher educa-
ton Of the Colored race"
DIR. wedderspOon PreSIdea.
Rev. ". r. wedderspoon. pastor OF
the church, presided and introduced the
speakers. The reception opened with the
singing OF a hymn. following which Rev.
s. w. Grafflin, OF Anacostia, offered
prayer. Rev. DR.. Wedderspoon made a
short Introductory address. following
which he introduced DR.. ]. w. r. Sum
walt superintendent OF the Washington
District OF the Methodist Episcopal
Church. who responded in behalf OF the
members OF the clergy. Justice T. II.
Anderson, Of the District Supreme Court.
a member OF the Metropolitan NJ. Z.
Church. extended the congratulations OF
the laity TO Bishop Cranston as senior
bishop.
Mrs. Sarah R Gilbert spoke in behalf
OF the women Of the District. and ex-
tended greetings to both the bishops and
Mrs. Cranston and Mrs. ThIrkieId.
George w F. SwartzeIl. president Of the
Methodist Union, OF the District, also
spoke.
In responding. Bishop Cranston ex-
pressed his appreciation Of the greetings
in a feeling manner. Bishop ThIrkield,
in his address, expressed his apprecia-
tion OF the kindnesses OF the people OF
Washington and OF Foundry Church.
Bishop ThirkIeld paid a high tribute to
President Taft, whom he declared had
done more TO establish Howard Univer-
sty on a firm basis than any previous
President.
Music was furnished by the church
quartet. The benedlction was given by
Rev. ]. H. Nicholson.