Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-08-06
COOLIDGE TO CHURCH

Washington, Aug. Shy A. P.)-
President Coolidge rested and pray
ed today in preparation for the sad
events of the coming week.
While the Harding funeral train
was speeding eastward, the new
President attended morning services
at the First Congregational church
and then returned to his suite in the
New Willard hotel to relax for the
rest of the day.
Mr.. Coolidge. although he has not
spared himself long hours, showed
no signs of fatigue when he arose at
8 o'clock and, coming to the door of
his suite, called for morning papers
and light breakfast. A few min
utcs before II o'clock he again re-
appeared with Mrs. Coolidge and
their intimate friends, Mr.. and Mrs.
Frank w. Stearns, OF Boston, ready
for church.
Only n few persons we're gathered
about the door of the hotel as the
Presidential party left to enter an
automobile. A small crowd also
stood in front of the church, located
a few blocks from the hotel at
Tenth and G. Streets, n. w. The
The church which Mr.. and Mrs.
Coolidge have attended regularly
since coming to Washington. was
crowded, worshippers standing two
deep at the rear Of the auditorium.
The sermon was delivered by the
Rev. DR.. Jason Noble Pierce. the
pastor, formerly of Dorchester.
Mass, a graduate and trustee of
Amherst College. which the Presi-
dent attended. His theme was Love
Is Near"
1t was a brief sermon. woven into
the communion service. but in it DR..
Pierce referred with sorrow to the
train bearing Mr.. Harding back to
the Capitol and declared that while
a few hours ago there might have
been some men ready to crlticise any
chief magistrate. the heart Of
America now was filed with love,
sympathizing with Mrs. Harding in
cher hour of sorrow.
I'VE meet at the Lords table"
said DR.. Pierce, remembering what
we cannot forget-that train on its
way from the Pacific coast bearing
all that is mortal of him who few
hours ago was our President"
Mingled with our thankulness to
God is our deep sorrow, comprehend
ing love for the one who is bereaved
the most-the wife, the companion,
the lover, the partner of life.
"A few hours ago there could be
found men who would find fault with
any chief magistrate. But let come
what has, and all the heart Of Amer
lea is a heart of love, full of sorrow,
of sympathy, of comprehension.
Love is always near-the love OF
God that will not fail Mrs. Harding,
that will not fail the bereaved MEM
bers of the cabinet or the aged
father back in the home state, or the
brother and sisters-the love that
will not fail America. God will guide
the destiny of America"
The only direct reference made by
Or. Preice to the presence of Mr..
Coolidge was at the close of the SER
vice when he requested members OF
the congregation to remain in their
pews until after the Presidential
party had left the church. The Presi-
dent and Mrs. Coolidge occupied
pew formerly used by the late Sena-
tor Murray Crane of Massachusetts.
Despite oppressive heat. "a Mr..
Coolidge wore a cutaway coat and a
silk hat. Mrs. Coolidge was dressed
III "A gray SILK gown Will Dluo ueuI'o
and a bit of lace around the neck.
She wore a large black hat, gray
stockings and blue shoes.
Formal requests were sent today by
President Coolidge to the ministers
who have been selected TO conduct
the services in the Capitol rotunda.
Dr. A. Freeman Anderson. acting
pastor OF the Calvary Baptist church.
where Mr.. and Mrs. Harding wor-
shipped. and DIR. James Shera Mont
gomery. chaplain of the House OF
Representatives and pastor OF Cal
vary Methodist church.
The services will be according to
the ritual of the Baptist church and
it. was stated they would be as brief
as the dignity of the occasion per-
mits.
Announcement also was made that
the Knights Templar and the
Knights of Pythias would be the only
uniformed fraternal groups in the
funeral cortege. Permission for rep
resentatives of those orders TO wear
uniforms was granted. II was ex-
planned. because of the close rela-
tionship of Mr.. Harding to them.