Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1923-08-06
REST AND PRAYER
FILL COOLIDGE DAY
Attends Church in Morning
and Later Receives
Few Guests.


President Coolidge rested and pray
ed yesterday 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
return ed to his suite in the New Will
lard 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
eight o'clock and, coming to the door
of his suite, called for morning pa
pers and light breakfast; A few
minutes before II o'clock he again
reappeared with Mrs. Coolidge and
their intimate friends, Mr.. and Mrs.
Frank W. Stearns of Boston, ready
for church.
Church Crowded.
Only a few persons were gathered
about the door of the hotel as the
Presid entail party left to enter an
automobile. small crowd also stood
In front of the church. located a few
blocks from the hotel. at 10th and G.
streets, northwest. The church.
which Mr.. and Mrs. Coolidge have at
Washington, was crowded, worship
pers standing two deep at the rear of
the auditorium.
The sermon was delivered by the
Rev. DR.. Jason Noble Pierce, the pas
tor. formerly of Dorchester, Mass, a
graduate and trustee of Amherst Col
lege, which the President attended.
His theme was Love is Near"
Reference to Dead.
1t was a brief sermon, woven into
the communion service, but in 1T DIR.
Pierce referred with sorrow to the
train bearing Mr.. Harding's body to
the capital. and declared that while a
few hours ago there might have been
some men ready to critictse any
chief magistrate, the heart of Ameri-
"a now was filled with love. sympa-
,hizing with Mrs. Harding in her
hour of sorrow.
I'VE meet at the Lords table"
said DR.. Pierce, remembering what
1--WE cannot forget-that train on its
way. from the Pacific coast bearing
all that is mortal of him who a few
hours ago was our President.
Mingled with our thankfulness 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 mas, ana all the ledTI 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 broth
er and sisters-the love that will not
fail America. God will guide the
destiny of America"
In Crane Pew.
The only direct reference made by
DR.. Pierce to the presence OF Mr..
Coolidge was at the close of the
service when he requested members
of the congregation to remain in
their pews until after the presiden-
tial party had left the church. The
President and Mrs. Coolidge occu-
pied a pew formerly used by the
late Senator Murray Crane Of Massa-
6husettS.
Despite oppressive heat Mr.. Cool
idge wore q cutaway coat and a silk
hat Mrs. Coolidge was dressed in a
9ray silk gown with blue figures
and a bit of lace around the neck,
She wore a large black hat, gray
stockings and blue shoes.
Among those who called during the
day at the Coolidge suite were Sena-
tor ,Brandegee, republican. of Con-
Aecticut who said later he had mere
paid friendly call and William
y. Butler of Boston, republican ma
tional committeeman for Massa-
chusetts. Secretary and Mrs Hughes
also paid a half-hour visit.
The new President remained in his
hotel during the evening.
Rev DR.. Pierce. whose sermon he
had heard in the morning, preached
last night on Lessons From the Life
Of President Harding" Eulogizing
the late President as "diMnely HUI
man." he declared President Harding
had faced a harder task than any
other President in history.
Killed by Work.
I'm his own words, he had "a man
}5illing job said DIR. Pierce. 'At last
it has killed him. In the providence
Of God President Harding was led to
make his Vice President member
OF his cabinet. Think what value that
now signifies! And thank God that
our new President is q man of faith
Of strong religious convictions, of un
selfish service
Chief Justice Taft Yesterday tele-
graphed President Coolidge from
pointe au Pic, Quebec, that he would
participate in the Harding funeral
ceremonies, both here and in Marion.
In his message Mr.. Taft also said:
Let me express my high respect, my
deep sympathy with your heavy bur-
den and my confidence in the result"
He said he would arrive in Wash
lnSton tomorrow afternoon.