" ^mortal 3ffl*nfi? tm Hi 8jf$wg H7 f| e &fcman Memorial t u ( o g i cs ana Addresses Delivered at the PUBLIC MEMORIAL MEETING held in the Nezv Willard Hotel, Washington, D. C, on the evening of Wednesday, November 8, ipu, to which have been added suggested plans for the JOHN B. SLEMAN, JR., MEMORIAL HALL. EDITED BY Myron J eh main Jones published by The Committee of One Hundred May, 1912 Fi tributes to the memory of 3ofrn B. &fcman t 3t. Bom AprilS, 1874 Died July 1, 1911 Graduated Central High School June, 1891 General Secretary, Washington Y. M. C. A., January 1899 to July 1900. Member Board of Directors, Y. M. C. A., May 1900 to July 1911. Served as Recording Secretary, Chairman of the Boys' Department Committee, Secretary Board of Trustees and Second Vice-President of the Association. A PUBLIC memorial meeting to pay tribute to the memory of John B. Sleman, Jr. was held in the New Willard Hotel on the evening of November 8, 1911. It was attended by men and women prom- inent in the civic, social, and religious life of the Cap- ital. Hon. Henry B. F. Macfarland, former President of the Board of Commissioners of the District and First Vice-President of the Young Men's Christian Association, presided. The following addresses were delivered : "Sleman, the Citizen," Hon. Cuno H. Rudolph, President of the Board of Commissioners of the Dis- trict of Columbia; "Sleman, the Philanthropist," Hon. John W. Foster, former Secretary of State; "Sleman, the Churchman,"' the Rev. Dr. Samuel H. Greene, Pastor of Calvary" Baptist Church; "Sleman and World Missions," Dr. John R. Mott. The Bishop of Washington offered the invocation and Mgr. Russell, Rector of St. Patrick's Catholic Church, pronounced the benediction. ... A report of special sub-committee on permanent memorial was presented at this meeting and provided for a Citizens' Committee of One Hundred who should raise the sum of $25,000 for a fund to be known as the John B. Sicilian, Jr., Memorial Fund, the amount to be invested through the Young Men's Christian Association of Washington, on a plan set forth in the committee's report which is incorporated in this memorial pamphlet. The meeting was in charge of a committee includ- ing: William Knowles Cooper George M. Kober Miles M. Shand George S. Wilson g. w. f. swartzell Rev. Frank Goodwin Mark W. Baldwin Admiral M. T. Endicott, U. S. N., Retired B. H. Warner S. W. Woodward George Otis Smith J. Philip Hermann A special male chorus under the direction of Chas. T. Tittmann, rendered the music for the occasion. In leraoriam Being Extracts from ADDRESSES AND EULOGIES ON THE CHARACTER AND WORK OF JOHN B. SLEMAN, JR. Mr. Macfarland "On the nation's birthday the National Capital buried the body of a patriot as zealous, as faithful, as high-minded as any of those who achieved our independence and made us a nation. True, he was not in the army or the navy, but he was a civic soldier who fought mightily for the highest interests of his city and country. A Washingtonian born and bred, proud of the fact and loyal to its obligations, he first devoted himself to this community. Among the many who have unselfishly served it, none have shown greater zeal or efficiency. As a churchman, as a citizen, as a neighbor in the largest sense, he set an example which all of our young men would find joy in following. Whether in our civic organizations or in our philan- thropic societies, so necessary and useful, or under an appointment of the President or the Commissioners, lie responded gladlv and efficiently to every call of public duty." Commissioner Rudolph ''While frequently praised by friends and commend- ed in the press for diligent and unselfish work iu the community, the first public tribute was when, on the eve of his departure for Japan in February, 1907, sev- eral hundred of our leading citizens assembled to bid an affectionate farewell to him and his travelling com- nanion. * * * * The echoes, of the speeches of that occasion still ring in our ears. It was a demonstration such as rarely indeed comes to a citizen. I do not recall any other such testimonial of love and appreciation tendered to one so young in years. * * * Public effort was to him more than private acquisition, public recognition an incentive to further accomplishment, accumulation Eulogies and Addresses simply the means for further extended service. It has been said, and the truth of it is proven by the earthly career of John Sleman, that "the measure of a man's life is the well-spending of it, not the length." In the short time he was with us, he taught us, by actual practice, what is best in an American citizen. Places in every-day life of a community, made vacant by the grim reaper, are sometimes filled quickly, some- times not for a long while, sometimes never. The place of John Bottrell Sleman, Jr., remains unfilled." Dr. Greene "Some men pass and we simply miss them; others, by reason of character and service, compel remem- brance. Almost unconsciously we reveal our own measurement in the homage we pay to the memory of good men. * * * Mr. Sleman was the natural product of a Christian home. * * * The home life was beautifully supplemented by the Sunday School. * * * Thus through his early years in the training of the home supplemented by the Sunday School and the Church, our brother became a church- man. * * * To him the spiritual alone could give meaning to the organic and material. He loved God, believed in Jesus Christ as the Saviour of the world and the Church as the necessary and divinely appointed organization through which redeemed life could best worship and work. * * * Mr. Sleman's life fur- nishes the world a fine practical illustration of the normal development of character under favorable con- ditions; the influence of heredity, the Christian home, the Sunday School, the Church, the denomination of which the local church is but a part, and the Kingdom of God of which the denomination is but a part, and the fact that the greater includes and emphasizes the lesser. * * * For the pastors and churches of Washington I venture to express their hearty and grateful appreciation of this life of rare beauty and helpfulness, a life true enough to be loyal to his own church and large enough to be the brother and helper of us all ; God's man, a citizen of the Kingdom." The Sleman Memorial General Foster <<* * * A philanthropist is defined by the Stand- ard Dictionary as 'one who sympathizes with and en- deavors to help his fellow-men.' If I add to this a statement from high clerical authority that 'every real Christian is practically a philanthropist,' we find the motive which governed the daily life of John B. Sleman, Jr., and which justifies the claims of the friends who knew him best that his name will be placed on the roll, along with that of Abou Ben Adhem 'as one who loved his fellow-men.' * * * Why is it that we are assembled here tonight to honor the memory of this young man, suddenly cut off in the prime of life, rather than the thousands of young men in Washington of similar opportunities who go to their graves 'unhonored and unsung'? It is because he met his responsibilities as a Christian and friend to his fellow men, and discharged these duties to the best of his ability, and it is such a man we delight to honor. I doubt if Washington in the present genera- tion has produced a citizen more worthy of a lasting memorial. The lesson for the young men of this city and for us all is to follow the example of this modest but illustrious life." Dr. Mott "John Sleman never by word, by silence, or by life apologized for the sublime enterprise to make Jesus Christ known and to make His principles applied among all men, throughout the world. * * * He believed in the world-wide mission of Christianity be- cause he was a genuine Churchman, * * * be- cause he was a patriot, * * * because he was a citizen of the world. He was proud of that citizenship, and it did not weaken in the least his whole-souled American patriotism. His heart was in the world affairs of Christianity. * * * Possibly Sleman's most distinctive service of an inter- national character was the part he had in launching and promoting the Laymen's Missionary Movement. Eulogies and Addresses * * * If he had done nothing more than to sug- gest and give effect to the idea of the Laymen's Mis- sionary Movement, he would have rendered a service sufficient to place Christianity under lasting obligation to him. * * * We can best show our appreciation of the value of the services of Sleman, our loyalty to his memory and our gratitude for his friendship by seeking to emulate the traits which so wonderfully characterized him; his vision which penetrated even into the darkest and most distant continents; his con- structive ability, which made him ingenuous or invent- ive in devising plans for the spread of the Kingdom; his unintermittent enthusiasm, which was so contagi- ous that wherever he went it kindled others with zeal ; his abounding unselfish activity, which enabled him to lose himself in a great cause; his loyalty to men, which made possible the finest team work and the highest multiplication of his talents ; and, above all, his absolute devotion to the will of Christ, which ever dominated him with a passionate desire to have the wish of Christ accomplished in the world." Mr. Woodward At the Citizen's Banquet, February 15, 1909, in honor of Mr. Samuel W alter Woodward, commemo- rating his ten years of service as President of the Washington Young Men's Christian Association, Mr. Woodward's response contained the following tribute to Mr. Sleman: "It is impossible for me to find words to express the feelings which overcome me on this occasion. To say that I appreciate from the depths of my heart the pres- ence of each one of you here and the kind words with which you have addressed me is but a feeble expression of my thoughts. * * * * "I wish I might name all the men who have given me assistance and support in my ten years of service, but time forbids. I would not, however, be true to myself if I did not mention one name, that of the unpaid secretary of the Association. We have one among us whose love for Christ and His cause, for the Associa- tion, and for all that it means to the young men of our 8 The Sleman Memorial city, is so strong that no expenditure of time or labor seems to him too great to give to the support of the Washington Association. In season and out of season, living with it by day and not deserting it by night, he has thrown himself into this cause with a devotion and abandon and perseverance which could never be exceeded. What more can I say of John B. Sleman, Jr.? (Applause) "The Washington Association could not live without him. The president of the Association could not live without him. (Applause) He has been my right hand and my constant support through my ten years of service. I present him tonight to my successor as the Associations' best and strongest asset. (Prolonged applause.) Dr. Radcliffe "Sleman, known and beloved in the life of the Capi- tal, modest, genial, real, devoted, and specially honored as the originator of the Laymen's Missionary Move- ment in the Church of Christ." Mr. Ellis "A modest man, a knightly man, whose bride was Christ; a devoted friend, a dreamer of dreams, yet a man of affairs — surely the incense of John Sleman's life is a grateful offering to God, and a sweet fragrance to earth." Mr. Charles F. Weller " 'Christ's Young Crusader' is the title by which many will think of you, dear friend, now that your earthly life has been completed. "You were our leader in many adventures of the spirit. You have been one of the best types of our young American business man at his very best. Your life among us was just such a life as Christ, I think, would have our young men lead. * * * "The strength and courage you have given us, the vision and inspiration, the guidance and leadership. 1899-1905 — Former Columbia Athletic Club, acquired during General Secretaryship of John B Sleman, Jr. PSLOPOSID • LXTLNyiON -TO CINTLAL-Y-'M-C-A WA/H IN6TON-D-C : ,1 Boys' D Presen! Building. H AR.D I NG • £ -UPM *N • • UCHIT ECT/ • | Proposed Sleman Memorial Extension 18th and G, showing corner property added January 1912, and Site of Proposed Sleman Memorial Hall and Extension. Possible future extensions to the present Central Build- ing of the Young Men's Christian Association are sug- gested in the architects sketch and floor plan presented in this memorial pamphlet. The purchase in January 1912 by the Association Trustees of the adjoining corner lot at 18th and G streets completed the first step necessary to the proposed extension on the west. The suggested ex- tension on the east replacing the present Boys Building is a project which may come in the more distant future. It seems to be the general sentiment of interested friends that the National Capital is a most fitting place for a permanent memorial to commemorate the life and service of Mr. Sleman, and that the logical organization to be entrusted with the custody of the memorial is the Young Men's Christian Association of Washington. The Committee of One Hundred desire that the pro- posed fund of $25,000 shall he made up of a large number of gifts — that hundreds of Mr. Sleman's friends parti- pate. For this purpose letters and subscription blanks are to be mailed to a selected list of his friends, who will doubtless gladly have a part in establishing The Sleman Memorial Hall, because of their devotion to Mr. Sleman and their esteem for the Christian work which he repre- sented and which the memorial is designed to perpetuate. Eulogies and Addresses 13 the warm glow of democratic human sympathy — all these Christ-like gifts are eternal. Through these your benign influence will go on, as a tidal wave following the moon, as you followed the great Christ spirit, sweeps the sea." The Mission Herald "As the accredited originator of the idea of a Lay- men's Missionary Movement, he has influenced all Christian America, not to speak of other lands. His sudden and premature death calls attention to the worth of his way of life. Why do not young men more often see it. Other ambitions stir, other fields allure; yet after all there is no field more promising than this of Christian work, which is both open and near at hand ; and no success is so absolutely and per- manently satisfying as to find one's life in the upbuild- ing of the Kingdom of God. It is at once the least crowded and the most rewarding profession — this of the laymen serving in the Church of Christ." In January, 1912, the Trustees of the Young Men's Christian Association, through the Board of Managers, completed the purchase of the property adjoining the present central building on the west, with a view to using it in the future for the erection of an extension to the present central building. It is proposed that a six story building — corresponding in style of archi- tecture and construction with the present building and similar to the proposed extension on the east as a new building for the Boys' Department — shall be erected. The lot purchased has a frontage of fifty-nine feet on G street and one hundred and eighteen feet on Eighteenth street and is now occupied by a four-story building, the former residence of Senator Everett. The suggestion came from members of the John B. Sleman, Jr., Memorial Committee that an auditorium to be called The John B. Sleman Memorial Hall be incorporated as a part of the proposed extension and that the sum of twenty-five thousand dollars be raised by subscription to provide for this portion of the build- ing as a permanent memorial to Mr. Sleman. The purchase by the Association trustees of the property at 18th and G streets was considered nec- essary as a protection to the present holdings of the Association and would doubtless have been con- summated sooner or later regardless of the Sleman Memorial Committee's proposal. It would seem, how- ever, that the project as outlined is most appropriate as a permanent memorial to the character and service of Mr. Sleman. The six-story building providing ad- ditional dormitories for young men with a guaranteed revenue on the committee's investment of $25,000, would be used in the service of employed boys of the city of Washington and the extension of the Kingdom of Christ among the young men in non-Christian lands — the two interests which were manifestlv the dearest to John B. Sleman, Jr. The preliminary plans for the proposed extension building are presented in this pamphlet together with the committee's subscription plan for the Sleman Mem- orial. g /ik.in f I L/T • UOOL • PLAN jemorial (frammittzz Impart The report of the special committee appointed to consider whether or not there should be some form of permanent memorial commemorating the life and services of the late John B. Sleman, Jr., and, if so, what should be the form of the memorial was pre- sented to the public meeting at the New Willard, Wednesday, November 8, 1911, as follows: On September 20th, there was held in the New Wil- lard Hotel, in this city, a meeting attended by represen- tatives of the following organizations, to take action respecting the death of Mr. John B. Sleman, Jr. : Chamber of Commerce Playgrounds Association Board of Trade Young Men's Christian As- Associated Charities sociation Neighborhood House You ^ g Women's Christian Association Boy Scouts of America r* r> Congregational Brotherhood Temple Lodge, No. 32 of America Monday Evening Club Laymen's Missionary Move- Public Library ment Underwriters' Association Central High School Alumni __ _ _ Association Mt. Pleasant Congregational Church President's Homes Commission One of the two committees appointed at that meeting was charged with the duty of considering a permanent memorial. Having performed that duty, this commit- tee submits the following recommendations, which received the unanimous approval of the General Com- mittee at a meeting held October 11th: In the judgment of the undersigned committee, a sum of twenty-five thousand dollars should be secured by subscription, the same to be known as glte Safrtt % sterna**, 2j*. pemorial ffntid The committee recommends : That the Fund, when completed, be intrusted to the Young Men's Christian Association of the City of Washington, with the understanding that the said Association shall guarantee an annual income upon the same in an amount not less than five per cent ; That the Board of Managers of said Association shall divide the income in two equal parts each year, one half to be appropriated to the Twenty- four-Hour- a-Day Club, the foreign work department of the Washington Association, of which Mr. Sleman was the founder and the first and only President during his lifetime; and one half to the Boys' Work Committee of the said Association for the purpose of providing memberships and tuition for worthy employed boys and others through the Boys' Department of said As- sociation. (The Committee expresses the hope that the funds provided will maintain one hundred boys in the Department annually.) The form of Memorial suggested in a measure perpetuates the two dominant interests — Foreign Work and the Work for Boys — with which Mr. Sleman was intimately connected dur- ing practically all of his active public life. That a Committee of One Hundred be appointed by the Chairman of this meeting to secure the said Mem- orial Fund; and that the Union Savings Bank be authorized to receive subscriptions to the Fund, subject to the control of the Committee of One Hundred. Respectfully submitted, Wm. Knowles Cooper Geo. S. Wilson Geo. M. Kober Miles M. Shand G. W. F. SWARTZELL By the unanimous vote of those present at the mem- orial meeting the report was adopted and the chairman authorized to appoint a committee of one hundred. jUsroau ipUwtfrial (frommitUt Samuel Walter Woodward, Chairman Arthur C. Moses, Vice-Chairman D. J. Callahan, Vice-Chairman Byron S. Adams Judge Thos. H. Anderson W. H. Baldwin Rear Admiral A. S. Barker Dr. Charles L. Bliss L. E. Breuninger D. J. Callahan David S. Carll Prof. Mitchell Carroll Edward E. Clement C. I. Corby W. S. Corby J. J. Darlington H. Bradley Davidson E. B. Deam Orville B. Drown John Joy Edson Rr. Admrl. M. T. Endicott William J. Eynon Hon. John W. Foster Percy S. Foster Daniel Fraser Creed M. Fulton Dr. Merrill E. Gates E. B. Grandin W. F. Gude D. Fulton Harris J. Phillip Hermann William H. Hoeke Holcombe G. Johnson Dr. George M. Kober Lee D. Latimer Edwin S. LaFetra Lawrence R. Lee W. P. Lipscomb A. Lisner F. S. Lindlen Norton M. Little Alvin M. Lothrop Hon. H. B. F. Macfarland E. P. Mertz Ransford S. Miller Arthur C. Moses Charles F. Nesbit Theodore W. Noyes Hon. Stanton J. Peele Hon. Gifford Pinchot Jackson H. Ralston Fred B. Rhodes W. B. Robison Hon. Cuno H. Rudolph M. M. Shand James Sharp Frederick L. Siddons Prof. T. W. Sidwell W. H. Singleton J. H. Small E. Quincy Smith George Otis Smith Thomas W. Smith W. H. H. Smith Gen. Ellis Spear A. L. Sturtevant G. W. F. Swartzell Edward Tarring Dr. Wilbur P. Thirkield Corcoran Thom Hugh A. Thrift Washington Topham James Trimble Brainerd H. Warner Dr. William S. Washburn James E. West Dean William Allen Wilbur George S. Wilson S. W. Woodward all of Washington, D. C. Henry A. Atkinson Rev. W. L. Beard Francis S. Biggs Samuel B. Capen, L. William F. Cochran William Dulles William T. Ellis Dr. E. M. Gallaudet Col. E. W. Halford Samuel E. Knecht L. D. Chicago New York Baltimore Boston Woodbrook, Md. New York Louisville Hartford New York Chicago J. Edgar Leacraft William H. Lewis Alfred E. Marling Richard C. Morse John R. Mott Eben E. Olcott John R. Pepper Lyman L. Pierce N. W. Rowell, Chas. A. Rowland Wm. Jay Scheiffelin L. H. Severance William Shaw J. N. Shenstone Andrew Stevenson E. B. Sturges Fred B. Smith William E. Sweet Charles F. Weller J. Campbell White Mornay Williams New York Portland, Oregon New York New York New York New York Memphis Pittsburgh Toronto Athens, Georgia New York Cleveland Boston Toronto Chicago San Francisco New York Denver Pittsburgh New York New York %xetutivt ©ommittee Holcombe G. Johnson, Chairman Wm. Knowles Cooper Charles I. Corby Dr. George M. Kober Norton M. Little Fred S. Lincoln W. B. Robison Miles M. Shand S. W. Woodward Hon. H. B. F. Macfarland all of Washington Hon. N. W. Rowell Toronto James E. West New York JUN 26 1912 The Crane Press 7IO Thirteenth Street WASHINGTON. D. C