New-York tribune., 1918-02-24

ister" for February IA, "has
been so busy doing the word" that it is
generally forgotten chow zealously he
hears the word Religious principle un-
derlies all the Colonels activities in behalf
of the public good, believes this writer,
who pursues his theme thus:
"As this is written, news which makes the
whole nation grateful is that former Presi-
dent Roosevelts recovery is expected. Our
redoubtable countrymen as a patient is un-
familiar to US; we shall be quite happy
when we learn that he is abroad in the land
stirring up the gift to use the Great
Apostles admonition to his friend the young
preacher, Timothy. There is a charge.
dynamic, to every word and action of this
gladiator of democracy which compels the
attention If not invariably the assent of
virtually all of the people. Wherever he is
he Is the centre of interest; and when some
accuse him OF loving the limelight, it is we'll
for them to remember that the limelight
also loves htm, and after the approved fash
ION OF the calcium it turns and follows him
up and down the stage in his continuous
performance in behalf of the common good.
There are times when he seems partisan,
and OF these 1t would not be pertinent to
speak. Generally he is aboundinglv human
and amazingly like the great majority Of
men. That is why he gets a place on the
hrst page. The intrinsic value and force of
"haI ne says and Is about and its kinshin
WIN the common man-it IS this the editors
sense accurately as the thing the people will
read. lie speaks in elemental terms and
KNOWS how TO feel the popular pulse Than
thls thefe are many engagements which in
limited circles receive higher appraisal: but
we have profound respect for the man in
whom predominates the clay common 10 rs
all The voice Of the people saying Amen
means something.
"A rehglous paper cannot leave off with
out saying word about the sources upon
"nlcn such personality makes draughts
Tor his enrlchuent and quckening. Mr..
Hoosevelt's catholic tastes in literature and
learning are firmly at.ested by his own pro-
auctions m the field Of letters There is
tame enough here for any able and ambitious
man. In respect OF political leadership the
facts are fresh in our minds. When his
greatest achievement is written, we believe
1t VIII be OF that period when as Executive
o. o. the Nation he brought his slashing, Isaiah
Ike denunciations 10 intrenched social
wrongs, and led the way for seven Years to
the ew era OF righteousness. not in one field
put III every Held of our common life. Things
that had passed without blame became
wrong lney remain wrong to tl;s da;. We
adopted higher ethical standard.
'" nat has this to 90 with sources? Every
hlhg. MI Roosevelt has been SO busy doing
,ne word as he knows il that it is forgotten
low zealoGsly he hears the word. His fidelity
tc the church is q life habit The Importance
OF the church TO him is illustrated bv what
happened when he went 10 Washington in
1901 as Vice-Presid ident. There vas no con,
sreeatlon Of the Dutch Reformed Church: OF
Nhlch he was confirmed member in tbe
capital; but there was q small congregation
OF the Reformed Church Of the United States
tNo hneal successor of the German Reformed
church, founded upon the same creedal basis
as the other. the Heidelberg Catechism. Tn,
pastor. Dr. John ". Schick, now deceased
invited Mr. Roosevelt 70 worship thore. !.
was modest little bl:cA chapel. ontere;
from marrow side street. and the conore
CATION was small. To the sanctuary in all
sorts OF weather he Went. q Gevout and
hearty worshipper. He continued through
ms Presidency His pastor informed the
writer tnat II he could nog attend he would
always communicate with LIN. evnjainin,
WY. The church and religion aad Cod-aiJ
they mean much to Mr. Roosevelt? In Wash
ington to-day there is a monument into
which he has built some Of the stones. thouob
they beas not his name. It is the stately.
worshipful Gothic house Of prayer which tho
reformed congregation erected before he
left Washington