Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-02-04
TRIBUTE IS URGED
FOR WASHINGTON
Bishop Asks CIergymen to
Dedicate Services to First
President.

Episcopal clergymen throughout the
country have been invited by Righi
Rev. James E. Freeman, Bishop OF
Washington. 10 unite IL services, Gedl-
Gated 10 the spiritual ideals Of George
Washington on the Sunday nearest his
birthday anniversary. This observance
IS custom of long standing in the
City OF Washington and is expected to
receive nationwide attention this year
rs result OF Bishop Freeman's invita-
ton.
in the statement. explaining the pur-
pose Of the observance, which accom-
panied the letters sent by Bishop
Freeman 70 clergvnen in every State
attention is called to the plans initiated
by Congress for q nationwide COM
r3emoration in 1892 Of the 2ooth ami
yersary Of George Washington's birth
Bishops Statement.
A portion OF the statement issued by
Bishop Freeman follows: George
WASHINGTON recognized religion as a
vital factor n the building up Of our
country. There is convincing evidence
that he believed il impossible to build
3 durable civilization without faith in
God-that he sincerely subscribed 10
the words of the prophet. Where there
IS no vision. the people perish
THAT Washington felt this faith
should have visible expression in the
National Capital is attested by the fact
.hat at his suggestion. Mai. L'Enfant
jnclude6 III the plans for Americas
Federal City a great church for ma
tional purposes
For more than 100 years George
waShineton's vision Of a great church
structure in the Nations Capital lived
80. tnT snyN W.
1891 however. the task Of constructing
an inspiring ed;fce on the heights Of
Mount s.. Alban was taken up by
group @: consecrated men; and progress
s,ace that time has been continuous
Il is fitting. therefore. that American
cllu-chmea should have selected the
Sunday nearest George WaShington's
birthday anniversary as the day on
= hicll they should annually rededicate
themselves to the task Of Fastening the
Cay when il can no longer be said that
Wasilington-the Capital of our coun-
t:y-is without an adequate expression
O. the religious faith upon which the
strength OF the Nation has been built.
Quotes President Coolidge.
President Coolidge in a memorable
Washington's birthday address. last
sear. suggested that the religious insti-
-utions ot this country have a part
= the nationwide commemoration.
planned for 1892, the 20oth anniversary
o. Wash.ngtons birth.
What more glorious contribution
could be made TO such commemora-
ton by churchmen of America than
a completed Washington Cathedral.
crowning the heights Of the National
Capital in testimony TO this nations
faith in divine guidance-the realiza-
ton OF a cherished dream of our First
President?
Surely such a consumrnation would
be 8 noble tribute 10 the ideals Of this
country's first leader; and a Hosanna
Of Thanksgiving 10 Our Heavenly
Father, who in His infinite wisdom has
seen At 70 endow these United States
with a founder as iIlustrious. as noble
as deeply religious as George Wash
tngton-
Although the commemoration in
question is four years IN the future.
the time is al too short. The building
Of q great cathedral is long and diff
cult and costly undertaking. II, there
fore. the desired progress IS TO be made
by 1882, it is essential that churchmen
make a notable showing Of devotion on
this Washington Cathedral February
10. A generous offering at this time
viii mean much In the way OF en-
coursgement, as well as in additions 70
the Cathedral fabric"