Evening star., 1944-04-10

/ Religious Leaders
Term Observance
Here Outstanding
Washington paused in the grim
task of prosecuting the war to wor-
ship the risen Christ at Easter Sum
rise and traditional morning serv-
ices throughout the District in what
religious leaders said was an out
standing observance of the Holy
Day.
DR.. Frederick E. Reissig, execu-
tive secretary of the Washington
Federation of Churches, estimated
that between 100000 and 100000
persons attended services during
the day throughout metropolitan
Washington.
Dawn services at Arlington Ma
tional Cemetery, Fort Lincoln
Heights ard the jefferson Memorial
drew overflow crowds of the devout.
ST. Matthews Cathedral and ST.
Patricks Church were among the
Catholic churches to draw large
numbers of worshipers.
The Arlington service brought
out more than 10000 persons who
filled every seat in the amphithea-
ter, stood in the circular aisle be-
hind the boxes, overf1owed onto the
lawns behind the auditorium as far
back as the ships mast and massed
in phalanx tightness at the bottom
of the steps leading to the Tomb OF
the Unknown Soldier.
An-Time Record Crowd.
Col. Charles G. Mortimer. officer
in charge of Arlington National
Cemetery, said the crowd far sur
passed any previous gathering to
attend the services, which were
sponsored by the Grand Encamp-
ment of Knights Templar of the
United States of America for the
14th consecutive year.
The high light of the services
was the placing of cross of lilies
on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
by Gen. George C. Marshall, Chief
of Staff of the United States Army.
He performed the ceremony in place
of Gen. John j. Pershing, who
was unable to be present. Mrs.
Eleanor Roosevelt, who accompanied
Gen. Marshall as he walked down
the aisle formed by Templars with
inverted swords, stood in the front
line as the general went forward to
place the cross of lilies on the Tomb.
The sermon was given by the
Right Rev. DR.. Oliver j. Hart, Bishop
of the Protestant Diocese of Penn
sylvania, with a short prayer in
which he expressed the hope that
those who are Offering their lives
in this war to secure freedom for
all peoples may find strength and
support and spiritual comfort in
the Divine Guidance"
The United States Marine Band
opened the services by playing On
ward Christian Soldiers" Charles
Noah Orr. grand master of the
Knights Templar, welcomed the
gathering. Following the opening
hymn of Come Ye Faithful, Raise
the Strain of Triumphant Glad
ness" the Rev. DR.. Frederick Brown
Harris, Senate chaplain, said the
opening and closing prayers. The
Rev. DR.. James Shera Montgomery
House chaplain, led the saying of
THE Apostles Creed" DR.. Hart
gave the benediction.
Congress Members Present.
Members of>the Congress noted in
the crowd included Senator Burton
Republican, of Ohio; Senator But
Ter. Democrat, of Nebraska; Sena-
tor Bushfleld, Democrat, of South
Dakota; Senator Nye, Republican
of North Dakota, and Represent
ative Bertram w. Gerhart, Repub-
lican, of California.
Representatives of both branches
OF the armed services present in
cluded Maj. Gen. Louis B. Hershey
Maj. Gen. Joe N. Dalton Mai. Gen.
Alexander Surles, Brig. Gen Albert
Cox, Admiral Thomas c. Hart and
Admiral H. G. Gilmore. Members
Iof the Cabinet and Government
officials were also in attendance.
Offlcers of the knights Templars
attending both the Easter Sunrise
service and the breakfast later in
the morning at the WASHINGTON
Hotel included Grand Master
Charles N. Orr. Grand Standard
Bearer Walter DeLamater. Grand
recorder Adrian Hamersly, Grand
commander Samuel T. Farmer and
Grand Master of Virginia John M
Stewart. John H. Coles, sovereign
grand commander of the Southern
jurisdiction of the Scottish Rites
OF Masons, was also present.
Mrs. George C. Marshall. wife of
Gen. Marshall, was a member of the
party in Mrs. Roosevelt's box.
Defeat of Evil Held Near.
Inc sunrise service at Fort Lin
coin Heights, which was sponsored
by the Organized Bible Glass As
soclation of Washington, attracted
thousands. The throng heard DR.
Harry w. Burgan, pastor of Ham
line Methodist Church and president
OF American Universitys Board OF
trustees, declare that "in spite OF
all the apparent contradictions
evil is toppling; defeat is sure
Nothing in the end can withstand
the spiritual forces of the universe
led by the all-conquering captain
OF mems souls-Christ the Lord"
Inc colors were raised by the
American Legion's National Guarc
OF Honor. The guard was led by
Capt. Gail T. Judd. Reveille was
blown by Bugler Frederick M. Borev
More than 5000 persons attended
the sunrise service at the jefferson