The Washington times., 1912-04-21
CAPITAL IS BOWED
IN SILENT PRAYER
FOR WRECK VICTIMS
Thousands, Led by Presi-
dent Taft, Hear Sermons
on Bravery of Heroes.
"NEARER, MY GOD"
STIRS CONGREGATION
Cardinal Gibbons Comments on
Subject at St. Stephens .s
Church.

ington clergymen and congregations to-
day held commemorative services for
the victims OF the Titanic.
Prayers were offere for the souls of
the departed and from hundred pull
pits preachers commented on the dis
aster and the bravery of the Washing
ton men who lost their lives a week ago.
1t was a day of church going for
President Taft, who attende st. Paurs
Episcopal Church at 9 o'clock and
All Souls Unitarian Church at II
o'clock, and announced his intention to
attend a third service at st. Johns
Church this afternoon. At the first of
these in particular the memorial SER
Wee related to the death of Major Butt,
who was an attendant there.
In another pulpit Cardinal Gibbons
commented on the disaster, the prelate
speaking at st. Stephens Church, where
he confirmed a large class.
At st. PauIs, President Taft arrived
five minutes before the service began,
Mrs. Taft accompanying him. Secre-
'taries Macveagh and Stmson entered
a few minutes later. Many members Of
the diplomatic service were also in the
pews.
Just before the rector, the Rev. Frank
Talbot, entered the pulpit Hymn No. 50i
was announced. This Is Near, MY
God, to Thee" and the singing of this
hymn, which the Titanic's bandsmen
played as the ship sank, moved every
one in the church. All present Joined
with the choir.
Church Militant Prayer.
Unusually significant too seemed the
words of the Prayer for the church
militant" which says:
And we also bless The Holy Name
for all Thy servants departed this life
in Thy faith and fear, beseeching Thee
to give us grace so to follow their good
examples that with them we may be
partakers of Thy heavenly kingdom"
The universal text today was the
words Greater love hath no man than
that he lay down his life for his broth
err"
1t is not my purpose" said the
Rev. MIR. Talbot, Ito dwell at length
this morning on the life, character and
death Of the gallant soldier who sacri-
feed his life for his brother man. This
IS not the place to speak nor to listen
to- human words. though we are here
together In this little church where our
beloved friend was accustomed, as he
said, to slip in from time to time, TO
attend early communion service with
which his duties did not interfere. But
we are here to listen to the words OF
that Man of Nazareth who centuries
aso died that man might live"
Indorses Movement.
The Rev Mr.. Talbot went on to In
dorse the proposition that a monument
be erected here in the National CaoitaI
to commemorate the death OF the IT.
tanic's victims.
after ALL" he said. in concluding his
sermon, length Of days does not count
mnoh 1t seems to me had our de-
ceased friend lived to a ripe old age.
his influence for bravery and for no
bility of character in others could no,
have been greater than 1t is todav.
His name and his valiant death will he
treasured up in song and story for
centuries to come"
President Taft was accompanied bN
Secretary Hilles to All Souls Church
which was crowded at the IL o'clocL
service. Mr.. and Mrs. John Hays Ham
mond were in a pew near the President
and various members OF the House and
Senate were also at this service.
Nations Flag Draped.
As In many other churches today. thC
American flag draped with crepe was II
evidence, and floral tributes were nu
merous The Rev. U. G. B. Pierce pas
tor of the church, preached sermon
on Faith" Mr.. Pierce referred less
specifically to the Titanic disaster thar
did many other pastors. He said:
This is a memorial service. but dur
ing the past week our hearts have hGe'
60 taxed-We have been strained with 81
many and so contrary emotions-tha
the virtue of this service must be thu
virtue OF self-restraint. We have hearC
enough. We have felt too much, ant
we are here now to drink anew at tn
fountain of life and to fan into fam
the hickering torch of our faith. w
need strength today in the face Of thi
affliction."
In a prayer before the sermon MI
Pierce said: Thou has seen At, OH
God. to visit us with this terrible af
fiction. Give us grace to say II Is We
because God hath done 1t.
Masses of Requiem.
In nearly all the Catholic churches c
the city announcements were made c
requiem masses to be sung tomorro'
or Tuesday, and there was no pastor Q
visiting priest preaching today who di
not speak OF the Titanic and of tn
heroism OF the men who died. Pract
cally all called attention to the fact tha
the self-sacrifce was general, eve
though some figures stood forth particu
larly.
The prayers of the congregations wer
asked for the souls of the departed an
these prayers were said with a fervC
and an earnestness which betokene