New-York tribune., 1913-12-29
PRESIDENT DODCES
THRONC AT CHURCH
Slips Out of Pass Christian
to Attend Service in
Gulfport.
HEARS SERMON ON
A FAVORITE THEME
Motors Through Mud to Biloxi
and Sees the Old Home OF
Jefferson Davis.

Gulfport. Miss, Dec 2S.-President VIII
son sat in a quaint little Presbyterian
church to-day among congregation VI
fewer than one hundred, and heard SER
mon ON the personaI accountability OF the
individual TO his Maker.
The President and Mrs. Wilson. accom-
panied by Dr. Cary T. Grayson' came uh-
expectedly. avoiding a crowd that hau
collected I'm the little church at Pass
Christian. eight miles away. the heV'
DIR. Herbert Albert Jones was as sur
prised as any OF his congregation at the
arrival OF the visitors, but he varieo nis
prepared service only slightly. Yet; oy
coincidence. he developed theme that
has long been one OF the proachments OF
the President.
.I selected "A text" said Or. Jones mot
knowing that il would be my distln-
guished honor to preach before the Presi-
dent OF the United States, but | wanted
TO give all OF you something helpful that
would remain with YOU i'm the days TO
come. II was the twelfth verse IN the
fourteenth chapter OF Paurs letters 10
the Romans: so then every one q. us
shall give account OF himself 10 God.
This principle OF accountability affects all
OF MS. for God cares for the humblest man
as I've does for the President OF the great
est nation on earth.
This is the last Sunday OF the year.
what has the year done for us? To some
who are In this presence II has been the
most glorious year I'm American history.
\ new era has dawned in the world
diplomacy that will see embla zoned
around the coronets OF princes ard the
crowns Of cmpcrors the teaching Of a
new Interpretation OF mans duty 10 man
Dr Jones did not know to-day WAS the
President birthday. though his sermon
vas devoted 10 reflections on the passing
twelve months.
"Methrsalah lived TO be So years old
said the preacher. but vas drowned In
the flood ne lived all these years. yet
as vc say In common parlance, he didn't
know enough TO come In out or the wet
The President smiled
Extemporaueously and with many an
illustration of homely thought the min
ister unfolded his ideas. lie was an in
tcresting ngure as he tslked-Uhite hair.
gold spectacles that hid sunken Eyes. n
wrinkled face and lips that trembled with
the nery business OF aRe-but he enunciated
his thought With intense feeling.
When the sermon vas ended a choir of
seven llfted their voices In song. Then
followed Il short prayer. concluding the
service
Tn, congregation stood In silence until
the President and his party passed out
At the doorstep the preacher thanked
them for their visit. 1T was the secord
great honor Of my life" he said.
And what vas the hrst?' inquired the
President
Il preached once before President Gar
neld." vas tho reply.
The Presidential party motored away
to Biloxi. twelve miles further east along
the coast. before turning hack 10 Pass
christian. ON the WAY thc President saw
four aged Confedcrat, veterans. in gray
uniforms. hobhlinr along the read. leau-
ing heavily on their canes.
How do you do?" said Mr. Wilson. as
he ordered his car 10 slow up.
"Howdy." they answered. but passed on
without recognizing the President
Further along IN" party saw BeauNoir.
the old home Of Jefferson Davis. with Us
tiny office near Ly.
The automobiles were covered with mud
when they got back to Pass Christian.
FOR heavy rain fell during the night
and a drizzIo continued most OF the morn
ing. At the cottage the President founh
many kilograms congratulating him on
his nny-sevcnth birthday.
Mr. Wilson took short nap after
luncheon. and started for walk late in
the afternoon. lie had not gone far who y
a little girl met him with "A bouquet II
flowers MANY happy returns OF tn
DAY" yhe said.
The President thanked her warmly. II
was "A simple tribute-the single Visible
evidence. II seemed. that the outside world
recalled the birthday Of the nation 5
chief Executive. II WAS a striking con-
trast TO the celebrations OF a year ago.
when Mr. Wilson stood at his birthplace.
in Staunton, Va, amid the brilliant
glamour Of celebrating crowds, but he
appreciated IL Just as much, nc told his
friends afterward.
Washington. Dee. 2s.--Messages OF good