Evening star., 1921-09-25


REV. DIR. WALLACE RADCLIFFE.
glimpse of President Roosevelt and
failed. Those mountain boys would
like than anything else" secured
a morning appointment for the next
day. Arriving there. I found several
important officials waiting and told
her we would have time only for
word and a handshake. "Oh. l don't
look at him. The door swung sud
denly open and to the familiar voice
Of ''Well. DOCTOR the missionary
was presented. He recognized her
field as the scene Of one of John Fox,s
novels. Fox is great friend Of mine;
her other field as the scene of James
Lane Aliens recent book-''Was reading
| that book only last night'-praised
her work. and kept her In genial
sympathetic talk for more than ten
| waited-a very characteristic and
! beautiful incident. OF course, the
little missionary came back home
walking on air.
/ Some Eminent Presbyterian Elders.
1t is to be regretted. however. that
many of our public men are not as
, good churchmen as they were twenty
five years ago. but there are splendid
exemplars still. Because of their
punctual and faithful appearance at
both Sabbath services it became a
proverb that Service in New York
Avenue Church does not begin till
Justice Harlan and Senator Frye are
Presbyterianism had many faithful and
honored elders. of whom Elder Will
liam Ballantyne, though not In pub
lie life, is worthy of distinct mention
| because of his wide knowledge ana
| interest in the churches. his unswerv-
| ing loyalty and untiring industry:
Among public men Justice william
Strong, John w. Foster and soon
thereafter Justice John NJ. Harlan made
distinguished and enduring records in
our church life. Justice Harlan espe.
cially became a, tower of strength and
a recognized and beloved representative.
The Harlan Bible Class became an in
stitution in the community: Chief JUS
about his Presbyterian enthusiasm. say
| ing. Brother Harlan goes to bed every
night with the Constitution OF the
United States in one hand and IN the
other the constitution Of the Presbyte-
| rian Church" He was outspoken. sym
pathetic broad. yet uncOmpromising on
Christian doctrine and public morality,
q great man, q loyal churchman, an
humble Christian.
| SSrhe Church Of the Presidents."
This old church has had memorable
attendance OF Presidents during their
it has earned the colloduiai designation
Of Church of the Presidents" Its most
ldistinguished and cherished association
is with the great name Of Lincoln. HIS
pew has been retained in its original
location and is sought out yearly by
hundreds of tourists. have seen civil
war veterans stand around 1t and weep
in freshened memory of their great
leader. At the remarkable centennial
Of the church in 1903 President Roose-
stoned tribute to Lincoln's memory. ex-
pressing the hope that the pew would be
kept in it's place throughout the years
as reminder and inspiration to the
| American people, and Secretary John
Hay, following him. read an unpublish-
ed prayer and meditation written by
Lincoln at one of the darkest periods Of
the war. Rev. DR.. Lyman Whitney Al
len wrote the graceful poem upon upon The The
Lincoln Pew. which has been very
highly appreciated.
LINCOLN's PEW.
|
Perceived it. Twas the pew where Lincoln
The only Lincoln Cod hath given to m.n-
Dark like the sixties, place and past akin,
All else has changed. but this remains the
A s.nesaar; ; in d sanctuary.
Where Lincoln prayed!-what passion had his
Mkt faith and anguish melting into prayer
Upon the burning altar Of Gods fame.
A nations altar even as his own.
Where Lincoln pfayed!-such worshipers as he
Make thin ranks down the ages. would'st thou
His spirit suppliant? Then must thou feel
Wars fiery baptism, taste hates bitter cup,
Spend similar sweat Of blood vicafious.
From stricken heart In new Gethsemane.
The pew remains. with what Goa gave him
And all the world through him. So let 1t be
One Of the peoples shfnes.
| The Lincoln Few.
This pew is an important contrihu-
tion to the recurring controversy con-
cerning the religious life of the great
have had in his earlier days, sincere
doubts and questions, and possibly
uttered careless and deregatety
words. but there can be no honest
doubt, about his later and matured
convictions. He was regular and
faithful in attendance and support OF
public worship here and in close
spiritual fellowship with the pastor,
as. with others. in the solemn per-
+; plexities of his life: He was man
never made profession OF his faith
by church membership. but evidence
Is available that he assured the pas
tor. Of this church-Dr. Gurley-that
II he were spared to end his term
such public profession ana that he
only deferred 1t because if made
while in offiee the occasion would
make vulgar noise and be misun-
derstood and inisrepresented.
An Unpublished Lincoln Incident.
His prayerfilness is authenticated
by an incident not heretofore pub-
lished: During certain anxious time
of the civil war he was observed
ings Of this chareh, sitting modestly
in q rear seat. This continued regu-
larly for successive meetings. Then
his presence suddenly ceased. His
absence was readily explained by the
pressure Of public duties; But It sub
his presence stimulated and he had
become impatient with the attention
his presence stimulated an dhe had
made q quiet arrangement with the
! sexton by which he entered by rear
door and sat by himself iii the dark
ened room, with the door Ajar. That
dark modest room. with the golden
! memory is as significant ana impress
sive as the beautiful and classic
memorial in Potomac Park. and elo-
quent and convincing that this su-
preme and commanding character
was built and sustained by a gen
uine faith In the invisible and eternal
things of God in Christ Jesus.