Rev. Theodore S. Wyncoop, pastor of the Western Presbyterian church, on H between Nineteenth and Twentieth streets northwest, arrived home yesterday after an absence of eight months lacking five days. During that period, in company with his mother, he has traveled over nearly the entire globe, enjoyed excellent health and gained most valuable information. Last evening was the time for the regular weekly church meeting. It is generally held in the Sabbath school room, but, knowing that their pastor would arrive on that day, the congregation decided to have it in the church proper and surprise him with a welcome. Accordingly they proceeded to decorate the church, and it presented a very pretty appearance. An arch of green spanned above the platform, about midway between floor and ceiling, and filled out in letters formed from geranium flowers were the words, "Home Again." About the pulpit and fronting was an abundance of flowers in baskets and stands, interspersed with pots of fern and palmetto. When the pastor entered the church to give a surprise, he found himself anticipated, but his smiling countenance showed that it only increased his joy at being with the flock who so freely testified their love for him and rejoiced at his return. After devotional exercises he addressed the congregation, thanking them for the welcome extended, and assured them that it was with deepest feelings of gladness that he was permitted to be with them once more. He made a very brief statement of his travels, promising to enlarge in the future. Chief Justice Drake, of the Court of Claims, spoke for the congregation and was happy to welcome the pastor home. He demonstrated the trip taken and the safe return made only showed how Providence was over all and guided all and in his wisdom shapes the destiny of all men. Rev. Dr. Bullock, chaplain of the Senate, who has filled the pulpit during Dr. Wynkoop's absence, spoke of the relations that should exist between a pastor and his charge, and was happy to see that they were exemplified in the present instance. After the benediction was pronounced the pastor passed down to the floor of the church, where he was cordially received by the congregation.

Source:

Unknown, "Rev. Dr. Wyncoop's Welcome," Washington Post, Washington, D.C., Friday, 3 June, 1881, p. 4.