Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1933-03-06
ROOSEVELT Goes
TO Church SERVICE
President Attends Morning
Rites; Unable to Be Pres
ent at Cathedral.

The administration of Franklin D.
Roosevelt opened under religious aus
pices. Following his attendance at St.
Johns Church, Sixteenth street, on his
way to the Capitol to be sworn Sat-
urday morning, the new President went
to st. Thomas Church, Eighteenth
street, yesterday morning and was pre-
vented only by the emergency banking
situation from being present at a great
patriotic service of dedication at Wash
ington Cathedral yesterday afternoon
At the latter he was represented by his
mother, Mrs. Sara Delano Roosevelt.
The service at st. Thomas was as
homely and intimate as it might have
been had the scene been st. Marks, the
little Church at Hyde Park where the
Roosevelt family has worshiped for
many years. There was an informal
quality about the occasion. Rev. Dr. c.
Ernest Smith, rector. attempted no pull
pit oratory. He contented himself with
a brief discussion of immortality as
view by agnostics. doubters and unbe-
younger members of the congregation
some so children who restlessly filled
half dozen pews in the south tran
sept-seemed symbolic of the thought
which he wished to convey to Mr.. Roose-
welt. A little boy. he said, was about
to be punished for disobedience He
asked If he might pray and the request
was granted. Falling on his knees, he
addressed his maker. Dear God, II ever
you have had a mind to help little
Teller, please do it now" The Presi-
dent smiled at the anecdote.
st. Thomas was crowded to its doors
when Mr.. and Mrs. Roosevelt arrived
DR.. Smith met them at the west door
and they were conducted to a place
midway toward the altar. The Presi-
dent leaned on the arm Of his son
James, He was followed by his mother
his daughter. Mrs. Curtis Dali. Louis
McHenry Howe and other members OF
his personal and official family The
service began as soon as the party had
been seated.
Appeared Refreshed.
DR.. Smith twice made direct ref
erence to Mr. Roosevelt. He spoke Of
his attendance at st. Thomas from
1918 to 1921 and welcomed him back
the first President to be member OF
the parish. Again. in a prayer he
asked the Holy Spirit to guide and
opening Of the communion ritual he
carried the elements from the chancel
to Mr.. Roosevelt and the President par
took as he sat In his pew in the elev-
enth row. Mrs. Roosevelt, Mrs. Sara
Roosevelt, Mrs. Dali, James Roosevelt
and Mr.. Howe took their places at the
rail with other worshipers in the Gus
tomary manner.
The President appeared rested and
refreshed. He was closely attentive
throughout the 80 minutes of the
service, following every word of DR.
Smiths short sermon and listening in
tently to the music. The choir of men
and women sang Kipling's "Recessional'
mpressively and Mr.. Roosevelt's counte-
nance was bright with appreciation OF
the hymn. During momentary inter-
ludes he glanced about the church
quietly smiling to persons he recog-
nized. Many were present who had
known him when he was q vestryman
at st. Thomas.
The whole spirit of the service was
warm and friendly. There was general
agreement in DR.. Smiths simple and
kindly expression Of the sentiment of
welcome home"
Outside q crowd much larger than
I1laG ACKNOWLEDGEMENT W1tllnl CUllCCGCu
see Mr.. Roosevelt depart. They cheersd
when they caught sight of him entering
his car for the trip back to the White
House. He lifted his hat and smiled as
he was driven away. A large detail Of
the metropolitan police guarded the
Presidents party.
The Cathedral service was a much
more formal occasion. Crowds had be-
gun to gather in the close early in the
afternoon. BY 4 O'Clock the Great
Choir was filled. It was not until the
last moment that the Secret Service ad-
vised the Cathedral authorities that
the President would be unable to be
present. Three dark oak chairs stood
empty in the front row. They had beer
reserved for Mr.. and Mrs Roosevelt and
their son James, his fathers unfailine
companion.
Rev. DR.. Raymond L. Wolven had
charge Of the service arrangements ant
led the Nturgical recitations. The Ole
Testament lesson was read by Rev. DR.
James Shera Montgomery, chaplain Of
the House Of Representatives. and thu
New Testament lesson by Rev. DR.. II
Barney T. Phillips, chaplain Of the Sen.
ate The choir, conducted by Edgar
Priest, sang John Stainer's "Magnif1cat'
and "Nunc Dimittis in B Flat"
n ths name q he Christian con