Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-07-03
man WHO LED ATTACK
ON TAINTED MONEY DEAD
DIR. Washington GLADDEN. Expires at
His Home In Columbus, Ohio,
After Suffering Stroke.
GREAT SOCIAL REFoRMER
Also Won Fame in Political Cam.
paign In Home City, and, Follow
ing His Election as Councilman,
Obtained Reduced Car Fares.
10y Associated Press. !

COLUMBUS. OHIO. July 2.-Rcv. DIR.
Washington GLADDEN.. nationally known
Congregational minister. and author.
Of this city. died this morning. fol-
lowing a second stroke Of paralysis
suffered last Sunday. DR.. GLADDEN. was
eighty-two years of age.
The Rev. DIR. Washington GLADDEN..
pastor of the First Congregational
Church. OF Columbus. Ohio, for the
thrty-two years from 1882 to 1914. and
since then pastor emeritus, was one OF
the most widely known preachers and
writer's OF his denomination In the.
United States. He strovc both in the
pulpit and in his books for great social
reforms. and his success in influencing
the spirit Of the church was widely ac-
knowledged.
Although but an incident of his ca
reer. he will be remembered particular
~ through the fact that in 1906 he was
the fearless leader of attack on
tainted money" The question arose
when John D. Re cl:efeller offered the
American board Of commissioners for
foreign missions Of the Congregational
Church 100000 for It's work in the con-
version of the heather. Dr. GLADDEN.
opposed acceptance OF the gift. dcclar-
ill-sotten wealth and unnt for Chris
uan use. III the church units itself
for work by taking bribea of tainted
money" he said, "she ought to perish
with the money. nd she will" DR..
Gladden's uncompromising stand gave
rise TO d widespread controversy. and
though he was overruled by the board
OF missions, he continued his fight
against allowing the church TO form
close relations with predatory wealth"
DR.. Gladdcn's courage as a rcformcr
led him also into slight venture in
politics. He placed himself as can
didate for member of the City Coun-
Gil in a municipal election at Column
bus. and althouG drumming as an lrde-
pendent in the richest residence ward
"f the city, where there was normally a
large Republican majority. he won by
scventy-siN votes over the regular
nominee. After his election he led in
the successful yht. which attracted
nationwide interest. for the reduc-
ton OF street car fares in Columbus
FAVORED ESTABLISHING:
MUNICIPAL CHURCHES
One OF Or. Gladdcns notable utter
ances was his reiterated plea that every
community should have a "nlunicipal
church" The slackening power OF the
church was due largely. he held. to its
neglect Of social and municipal func-
tons. II was highly probable. he be-
lieved. that the first Christian churches
were municipal churches; that in
every town or city was one church
!, with several local congregations. each
with its elder leader and all CO.
operating IN the work of the city. He
believed that the need of the hour was
the restoration TO every town or CITY
OF the municipal church. Its claim 10
the philanihropic leadership Of the
community would not be disputed he
said.
Or GLADDEN. was horn February II.
$50. AT Potts Grove Pa. In his "Rccol-
iections.' published in 1910. he tells
that both his grandfathcrs were shoe
: makers and his father "A country school
teacher. He rould read AT family pray-
ers before he was three years old. and
, he memorized portions Of an English
grammar before he was four wears old
His rather died when he was very
young. and his mother took him to her
country home in New York state where
ne worked on a farm. was printers
hoy. went 10 school. and finally entered
Williams College, taught, preached and
at last. with no attendance at a theo-
logical school was ordained and he
came pastor OF a little country church
re was later pastor OF small churches
in Brooklyn. New York City and North
ADAMS and Springfield. Mass. and for
-FOUR years was connected with the
editorial staff OF the independent The
FIRST Congressional Church in Column
bus OF which he was pastor for the
greater part of his life. was one Of the
most famous churches of the city.
Ills writings include not only a
long list OF books on Christian living
and allied subjects. but many poems
and several hymns. such as The Dis
ciple' which have taken their Mace
among the permanent hymns of .he
church - arc