The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1924-07-04
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carved on the center of the desk; on
the left is an eagle holding the
Bible, symbolic of the Church, while
on the right is another holding
shield bearing the arms of the United
States symbolic Of the State.
In richly carved, canopied niche
in the lectern stands the Washington
Burk memorial statuette, given in
memory of the late Abbie J. Reeves
Burk, wife Of the Rev. DR.. w. Herbert
Burk. The memorial is Of bronze, the
work of the famous American sculptor,
Franklin Simmons. and is pronounced
the finest figure of Washington since
Houdon's wonderful work preserved in
the capitol at Richmond.
Altar Weighs Ten Tons.
The altar is one block Of Indiana
limestone Weighing ten tons. In the
face is set the plate from Washing
toms overlook, which fell to the floor
Of the vault and was overlooked when
the sarcophagus was sealed. It bears
the inscription: "George Washington,
Born February %, 1892. Died Deem
Der IL, 1799." Cut in the steps leading
to the altar is Tennyson's tribute to
Washington:
His work Is done:
But while the race of mankind endure,
Let his great example stand
Colossal seen of every land.
And Resp the soldier firm, the states
Till In ali lands. and thro' all human
story.
The Roof of the Republic, supported
by carved oak angels with outstretched
wings symbolical of the Providence Of
God, contains forty-eight panels, one
for each state in the Union. In the
floor under each bay Of the roof is a
bronze tablet with the arms Of the
state represented above. the names
of the states and names Of the donors.
The Cloister of the Colonies,
unique monument of patriotism, forms
a porte cochere to the chapel and one
of the entrances to the Washington
Memorial cemetery. The open air pull
pit at the end Of the cloister over
looks rows Of stately oaks, which form
a beautiful woodland cathedral where
thousands of worshipers already have
Joined in patriotic services in. memory
Of 1.-THE Father Of His Country"
Colonies Represented.
Each of the thirteen original col
onies is represented in the cloister by
a bay, that of New Hampshire forming
the entrance to the chapel and the
choir. The ceilings are of oak and on
the central boss of each are en-
blazoned the state arms. Over the
arch of the Virginia bay are the
arms Of the Virginia company, con-
sisting Of the arms of England, Scot
land Ireland and France and the
motto: EN- dat Virginia quintam."
This bay, erected in 1907, marks the
three hundredth anniversary Of the
Of Jamestown and the estab-
lishment Of English life and institu-
lions in America. Above the inner arch
are the arms of Washington. the great
The New York bay con.
tains the open air pulpit.
The Thanksgiving tower, yet to be
will be the most prominent
feature of the memorial. its entrance
will be at the end of the Porch of the
Allies. furthest from the chapel, and
will form the approach to the large as
sembly hall and museum on the second
floor of Patriots hall. Each step of
the stairway to the second floor will be
a memorial to an American patriot; the
memorial tablets will be set on the
risers of these Steps of Fame" There
will be thirteen bells in the chime,
each representing one of the original
colonies.