Evening star., 1960-01-06
Eisenhower,
LeadersAttend
Annual Service
BY CASPER NAMES
Star stan Writer

morning attended an annual
service Of intercession and holy
communion in the National
Presbyterian Church, Connec-
ticut avenue and Eighteenth
street NV, signaling the open
ing Of Congress today.
Vice President Nixon also at
tended the service, which in
cluded among the worshipers
cabinet members and members
of Congress and the judiciary.
The service lasted As minutes.
It was held under the auspicies
of the General Assembly of the
United Presbyterian Church,
United States of America, in
Incorporation with the National
Capital Area Council of
Churches.
The President arrived at
I7:55 am. and was accompanied
by Press Secretary James C.
Hagerty and Assistant to the
President Wilson B. Persons.
The Vice President came alone.
Architect Outlines Plans
Among the Cabinet officers
present were Secretary of
Health Education and Welfare
Flemming. Secretary Of the
Treasury Anderson and Post
master General Summerfleld.
After the service, the Presi-
dent and Vice President were
among those who stopped In
the parish hall to hear Edward
Stone of New York, architect
for the proposed new National
Presbyterian Church at Ne
braska and Massachusetts, ave-
nues NV. outline plans for
the multi-million dollar struc-
ture.
After Mr.. Stone finished,
President Eisenhower arose
and in an impromptu talk
praised the proposed venture.
II do believe this one thing"
he said. I'VE talk about ac-
complishments of the atheistic
ideologies in Moscow and some-
times fail to think of what we
have"
Mr.. Eisenhower pointed out
that people are excited about
the fact that the Russians hit
the moon or will put a satellite
around the sun, but I'VE forget
that we have a philosophy
which was based upon the idea
OF mans dignity and that we
have great spiritual strength"
which is greater than any ma
terialistic achievements others
may perform.
! The President further de.
clared that a venture of this
kind is a blueprint Ito people
everywhere to our belief in
mans dignity"
/ Paying tribute to Mr.. Stone,
Mr.. Eisenhower then said:
I'VE should say here this is
something that will challenge
us and show that our Proles-
tant beliefs can be held forth
as one Of the worlds basic
values of civilization"
Dr.. Edward L. R. Elson, min
ister Of National Presbyterian
Church, in his prayers at the
service. appealed to God to
strengthen the President Of
the United States, that he nay
uphold what is right, correct
what is wrong and ever remain
an instrument Of Thy purposes
on earth. BY working of Thy
holy spirit among all men wilt
Thou reinforce his efforts for
peace and justice"
Other Prayers Added
DR.. Elson added prayers for
the Senators and Representa-
tives in Congress. the Vice
President. Cabinet members
and others in positions of
executive responsibility. He
also prayed for the welfare of
the Nation and for world peace.
Among those taking part in
the service we're DR.. Arthur L.
Miller, moderator of the United
Presbyterian Church; DR.. w.
Taliaferro Thompson. former
moderator Of the Presbyterian
Church, US; DR.. Eugene Carson
Blake, clerk of the United
Presbyterian Church, DR.. Clar-
ence T. Nelson, president of
the National Capital Area
Council Of Churches, and DR..
Frederick Brown Harris, Sem
ate Chaplain.
Nearly 800 attended the As
minute service. They began
arriving as early as 7 am.
Among the ruling elders serv-
ing communion were Senator
Stennis, Democrat Of Missis-
sippi, Assistant Attorney Gen.
eral Perry Morton, Assistant
Secretary of the Navy Cecil
Milne and five members of the