Evening star., 1923-05-13

brow OF Mount st. Alban. or Cathe-
oral Hill. the spot he loved SO we'll,
sre the mortal remains OF one who
for years worked unt!ringly in order
that there might be IN the nations
Capital a ntting structure that would
typify the love that all Episcopal
church members have for the Father.
building where all mankind might
offer up their prayers to God.
The selection Of this spot for the
resting place Of the body OF Bishop
Harding was most appropriate. for
he had watched with loving tender
ness the growth Of the sections that
are now in place. Those who knew
him we'll say that daily. in the late
afternoons. just as the sun was sink
ing to rest, he would walk slowly
around the mounting walls. Il was
like mother watching the growth
Of loved little one. He would turn
his gaze from the great piles of stone
and mortar toward the heavens. as If
10 offer a blessing that the material
part Of the great church was taking
substance He knew that his fellow
churchmen loved. as did he. the trib-
ute that was being reared to God.
AS the last rays of the sun would fall
upon the portions already in place.
he would take one last loving glance.
bow his head in thankfulness and
wend his way to home and loved ones
THE Rt. Rev. Alfred Harding
l. was born at Ilisburn. Ireland.
in 1852. the son of Richard and Mary
In Inn Sr-hn hc0, rh hat
family to the United States in 1867
and settled in Brooklyn. y. Y. Pre-
vious to his coming to this country he
attended the public schools at Dublin
and Pyper's Academy the latter one
OF the noted institutions Of learning
at Belfast.
The first few years Of his life in
this country were spent in fitting
himself for a business career. and
after having completed the course Of
instruction that he had mapped out
for himself. he became associated
with manufacturing concern in
Brooklyn. Here the lad. by his earnest
ness and ability, soon attracted the
attention of the heads Of the estab-
lishmert. and it was not long before
he was called into the Office and in
formed that he was to be manager Of
the concern. THIS step was taken be-
cause Of his marked ability to handle
men. while his keen insight into the
matter Of production had stamped
him as being a business man Of parts
Those associated with him In the
early days of his life often rema rk ed
that he was high type Of manhood.
ever disdaining to take the slightest
advantage Of a business condition
that was not absolutely fair to the
other man.
A business career was not however
to be the life work of the little lad
from Lisburn, and in 1915 he entered
Trinity College. Hartford, Conn,
where his natural leadership soon be-
came apparent in the student body
sort Of chap that everybody liked.
one that fellow student felt that he
could call upon for advice
He soon took high position in the
ranks Of the brilliant students and
was a prominent member of Alpha
Delta Phi
He graduated from Trinity College
in 1879 and then entered the Borlely
Divinity School at Middletown. Conn.,
for the three-year course. 1t was at
this place that he had the benefit of
the guidance and instruction Of the
Rt. Rev. John Williams. Bishop Of Con-
necticut and presiding bishop Of the
church in the United States Of America
He was ordained deacon in 1882 and
made priest in 1883. During his first
year in the ministry he served as asst
ant to Rev. Henry Nelson, rector OF
Trinity Church, Geneva, N Y. For four
years, from 1883, he was the beloved
assistant Of another distinguished cler-
gyman. DR.. ]. S. B. Hodges, rector OF
st. Paul's Church. Baltimore. and it was
a.: this point that he especially endeared
himself to the whole congregation.
He came to Washington. in which
the remainder Of his ministry was to
be spent. in 1887, and entered upon
the rectorship Of st. Pauls parish.
This parish he brought to a high
state Of organization and effective
ness. giving special attention to the
conduct of the worship. to religious
education and to pastoral care. He
soon became one of the most loved
.clergymen in Washington, widely
known all over the city. and was most
active in community undertakings.
u 4 x y
LIE was very prominent in the or
u i ganization Of the diocese Of
Washington and became the first
secretary of its standing committee.
He continued in that office until he
was consecrated bishop. and repre-
sented the diocese continually in the
general convention. He was made q
doctor of divinity by his alma mater
in 1902, and about the same time be-
came n canon Of the cathedral. On
st. Paul's day. January rs. 1903, he
was consecrated second Bishop Of
Washington in succession to the Rt.
Rev. Henry Y. Satterlee. D. D. Bishop
Harding. at the ensuing commence
ment of George Washington Cniver-
sity, received the degree OF LII d.
In the national church, Bishop
Harding took a leading part in COM
piling the mission hymnal. in the re-
vision Of the dictionary. in the care
of immigrants, in the management
Of the missionary work OF the church
and for many years was president Of
the board Of social service of the
province of Washington. He also
took leading part In, and was head
Of, the Diocesan School Institute and
rendered great aid in the modern
methods of religious education. He
was secretary of the board Of gov
ernors Of the Columbia Hospital for
Women, and president Of the Episco-
pal Eye. Ear and Throat Hospital and
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