Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-05-06
PRESIDENT URGES
FA|TH|N RELIGION
u. S. Founded on Reliance in
Divine Providence, He
Tells Bishops.

Ii the Cnlte0 states Is 10 MAINTAIN
it's national existence, the people of
this country must continue to cherish
and foster religion, because it under
lies and pervades all enduring achieve
ment, President Coolidge declared in
brief address delivered today to the
Board of Bishops of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, gathered in Wash
ington from all parts of the world
for their semi-annual meeting, and
who called at the White House to
greet the executive.
The President reminded his audi
ence that the signers of the Declara-
ton of Independence declared their
reliance upon the protection OF a
Divine Providence which. he said,
was in accord with the basic truths
of the universe. Because this Gov
ernment has been founded upon reli-
gion, the President declared, it has
derived strength and stability from
the religious nature of the people.
This spirit must be perpetuated, the
President added. Amplifying that 50
long as the people adhere to the
eternal varieties of religion they will
not fail to keep that inspiration which
has carried the Nation through
nearly $50 years.
Replies to Bishop Berry.
The Presidents remarks were brief
and were in response to a short ad-
dress made by Bishop Joseph F. Berry,
senior bishop of the board. The latter
reminded the President that it has
been the custom of the board of
bishops since the time of Washington
to call upon the Chief Executive to
= al, xx,h fhoty
in the Capital and pledge their faith
and allegiance. He praised high
ly the administration of President
Coolidge. saying that in the name of
nearly 90 1000, 600 of members and ad-
herents he and his associates admire
his consistent devotion to the duties
of his office. In this connection he
congratulated the President upon his
economy program, the reduction of
the tax burden, his steadfast stand in
behalf of world peace, his advocacy of
American adherence to the World
Court and his insistence upon the en-
forcement of the laws of the land.
The President spoke in full as fol-
lows:
1T is pleasure to receive the
bishops of the Methodist Episcopal
Church. For the kind words of
personal nature which Bishop Beery
has spoken on behalf of your great
and influential organization | am
thankful.
Refers to First Visit.
with the keenest qualification l
have listened to the renewal of your
pledge to promote with increasing
devotion the spirit of true patriotism
l am not unmindful Of that historical
occasion in May, 1883, wnen Bishop
Coke and Bishop Asbury, on behalf
of the first Christian chuch to for
mally greet the President of our new
Republic, called on George Washing
ton and besought for him that divine
guidance and support without which
the efforts of the founders of the Re
public would have been In vain.
Il am told it has been a custom
for your Board of Bishops whenever
they have been in Washington to call
upon the Chief Executive of the United
States and to declare to him their
faith in that Power which guides our
'destinies. and to assure the President
of their answering allegiance.
From the days of Asbury, whose
services in carrying the word through
the length and breadth of our infant
Nation are commemorated in a
statue in this city, your bishops have
been consecrated, outstanding men,
fighting for the cause of righteous
ness, justice and humanity.
"Other denominations and sects
have developed courageous, patriotic
leaders whose striking services to hui
manity and country shall not be for
gotten. We have been particularly
blessed in that our Government al
ways has been able to count on the
earnest and active support Of the gov
erning bodies as well as all the mem
bers Of the various faiths enjoying
the benefits of the religious freedom
guaranteed to them by our Constitu-
ton.
Reliance i'm Divine Providence.
"It was in accord with basic truths
of the universe that the signers of the
Declaration of Independence declared
their reliance upon the protection of
a Divine Providence. Founded upon
religion. our Government has derived
strength and stability from the re-
ligious nature of its people. If we are
to maintain our, national existence, we
must continue 10 cherish and foster