Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1922-04-23
CORNER STONE LAID
FOR FREE RELIGION
Secretary Hughes Lauds
Pioneers of Liberty at Bap-
fist Memorial Ceremony.

Before a gathering OF several
| hundred persons attending the cere-
| monies yesterday afternoon incident
to the laying of the corner stone Of
the national Baptist memorial to
Roger Williams and religious liberty.
at 18th street and Columbia road,
Charles E. Hughes. Secretary Of
State. the principal speaker. paid a
glowing tribute to 1.-The pioneer who
first in America. erected the standard
of religious freedom"
Religious liberty is distinctly an
ciple first found effective expression
in governmental Institutions" the
Secretary said.
The memorial. in course of con-
struction, Secretary Hughes declared.
was lat once a tribute and a pledge.
the services and ideals of those who
founded and preserved the Union are
fittingly memorialized, to one of their
great forerunners-Roger Williams
1t is also tribute to that earnest
group of believers who. amid scorn
and persecution, were steadfast to
their distinctive tenet which was to
become the vital principle of our free
institutions. 1t is also a pledge that
this principle shall be held invio-
late"
Honor to Anabaptists.
Mr. Hughes declared that Ito the
Anabaptists. the most scorned of
sects, belongs the imperishable honor
Of declaring and persistently urging
the fundamental doctrine that rulers
of states should not intervene In af-
fairs of conscience, and that civil
stability should not be predicted
upon religious belief.
"Others might pledge federation or
maintain a passive resistance to au-
thority." Mr.. Hughes continued. but
the Anabaptists were not asking to
be tolerated.: they were not content
for the cardinal principle of their
faith. Their demand for absolute
freedom Of religion from civil control
was an essential part of their con-
ception of religion. But 1t was a
long process.
nation to the true pathway of
free people. To him-preacher, pro-
phet and statesman-we erect this
memorial of the lasting obligation
of men and women Of all creeds and
races"
Oscar str.us Guest.
A number of men and women PROM
pied seats upon the platform. Among
the latter were Mr.. and Mrs. oscar
S. Straus, the former a member OF
President Roosevelt's cabinet, and
author of 'The Life of Roger Will
liams." a copy Of which was a,,d pasce a.
the box, which was sealed In the
corner stone of the memorial.
The ceremonies were presided over
nv Rev. E. B. Jackson OF Alexandria.
va, chairman Of the national Bap-
fist building committee. Brief a6-
Hunt of Lewisourg. Pa. president OF
Bucknell University. and chairman
Of the Northern Baptist Convention
committee on the memorial. and Rev:
G, G. johnson. pastor OF Immanuel
BAPTIST Church, which donated the
ing for the memorial. Percy S. Fos-
ter Of Emmanuel Church. led the
singing: Rev. w. s. Abernethy, pastor
Of Calvary Baptist Church. said the
PRAYER, and DR.. ]. M. Pitcher of Vir-
Rinia gave the benediction.
Trowel to BE Engraved.
Placing Of the various articles in
the box laid in the corner stone was
done by Mr.. johnson and the box
Secretary Hughes laid the first trowel
of mortar, and it was announced after
ward that the trowel would be suit
ably engraved and placed in the
m enoriai room Of Emmanuel Church.
An interesting feature w was -, the sing,
Glee Club.
Among the articles placed in the
corner stone box were an autographed
s ,nS a o nhsotostat Of the original edict
n Knitting Roger Williams to re-
= tier Massachusetts. q copy Of The
Evening Star Of yesterdays issue,
history and directory of the I'M
manuel Church. a copy of the Baptist
year hook. current issues of Baptist
napers. q picture of Roger Williams
and one OF the pastor of Emmanuel
Church and a prayer book and Bible