Evening star., 1942-03-22
Honorary Canon Of Cathedral
Was EorIy-Doy Grid Star
Rev. james Henderson
Has fought Boys
For rs Years
BY JESSIE FAINT EVANS.

washington, the Rlgnt Rev. James
E. Freeman, OF the election of the
Rev. James Henderson, school chap
lain and senior master OF st. Adams
National Cathedral School for Boys,
as honorary canon Of the Cathedral,
pays fitting tribute to an Episcopal
clergyman who is one Of the most
popular private school oficias In
this city
His fortnight, sturdy. Christian
spirit appeals to st. Adams boys
today just as 1t did when he came
to the school nearly a quarter Of
a century ago. Then he was its new
master with a Nationwide renown
as an athlete and athletic coach
behind him. In fact, 50 flattering
were the many offers made to him
about that time by college presi-
dents seeking his prowess as a foot
ball coach he had to decide whether
to continue as clergyman in school
work among boys or to seek further
fame and considerable advance in
fortune as an athletic director.
Church and school work won over
the gridiron.
He Is Known as "Pop."
From this background Chaplain
Henderson might literally para
phrase the saying of the old French
philosopher, Nothing in a boys
heart is foreign to me-" To st.
Adams boys of the present, as well
as to several generations grown to
manhood, some with sons of their
own in the school. he is affec-
tionately known as Pop"
He has taught them mathematics
and their sacred studies and coached
them in athletic contests until two
years ago. Only then did he give
up the full program of athletic re-
sponsibility he first assumed when
he came to St. Adams in the fall
of 1918.
The vision and the ideals he has
implanted in his students along with
his instruction in their studies and
on the schools playing fields oring
them back to him from far and
near They bring their brides, too,
to be married by him in the Little
Sanctuary" which is the schools
chapel, just as they do their babies
to be christened by him. They write
to him from all around the world,
telling him of their joys and sor-
rows, achievements and misfortunes
Chaplain and Mrs. Henderson have
always lived in an apartment in the
school. Their present one is on the
third floor of the lower school, AS
any one can substantiate who has
ever tried to pay call on the Hen
derSons. it isn't possible to do so
without encountering student. past
or present, within their hospitable
midst. Sturdy. roomy chairs are an
invitation for the self-conscious to
relax within their comfortable
depths. Within convenient reach
are book-strewn tables with a bowl
of apples or a plate of crunchy
candy or cookies for the gratifica-
ton of a sweet tooth.
Born in Belfast.
Born in Belfast, Ireland, of
Scotch Irish parentage, he came to
this country with his parents when
he was years old. His heritage is
shown no less in his ready smile
and sympathetic understanding of
his students, than 1t is In his firm
insistence that they shall measure
up to the responsibilities they have
assumed or had invested In them.
The boys who revere him most in
many instances are those he has
disciplined for what he considered
an abuse of privilege, careless fail
ure to prepare a lesson assignment,
or unwillingness to practice team
work in common cause Vigor
characterizes both his spiritual and
his intellectual leadership. He sell
dom administers dement's.
His recipe for getting along with
boys? It's a simple one, according
to him. Once they realize you are
going to be fair and square with
them, it is possible to go almost any
place with them, provided you have
the patience and the wisdom"
Questioned as to his recollection Of
unintentional humorous student an
swers. he cited this one. In one Of
his sacred study classes during
World War I he asked the son of
the Secretary OF the Navy In Presi-
dent Wilson's cabinet ito name the
Apostles and where possible COM