The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-01-01
THE METHODIST WATCH NIGHTS.

Their Origin and Characteristic Meet
ings Last Night-Charactcr OF tho
Exercises.
1t is related in the history OF Methodism that as
early as 1742 John Wesley. its founder, instituted
the custom OF holding religious worship upon New
Years Eve, extending up to the hour Of twelve,
when the old year receded into the oblivion Of the
past and his youthful successor fresh ana joyous,
entered upon the scene OF action. Although a
regularly ordained priest OF the Established
Church, he was refused access to the church edi-
fees, and 80 went out in the public squares and
market places, the byways and hedges, preaching
the unsearchable riches OF Christ to the poor and
lowly, and among the miners Of Cornwall and the
Golfers OF Newcastle he reaped the richest rewards
Of his labors. Teaching the doctrine that man is
JUSTIFIED BY FAITH,
and appealing to the emotional rather than the
intellectual natures OF his hearers, q religious en-
thusiasm was created all over ire land which at
times degenerated into fanatcal frenzy. Out OF
this intensity OF feeling grew those social meet
ings in which 1t naturally found vent and which
have been distinctive feature OF Methodism unto
this day. These are the prayer meeting, the class
meeting the love least and watch night. all au-
thorltatlvely recognized as regular means OF grace
by the discipline Of the Church These meetings
have always justified the name OF social applied
to them, the exercises consisting not only OF
preaching and exhOrtation by the clergymen, but
OF religious experiences related by the laity OF
both sexes, interspersed with singing and prayer.
Divested OF the iormality Of worship peculiar to
most other churches, they have been marked by an
emotional expression, which has been their glory
or their shame, according to the feelings or pre-
JUDGES OF the observer. The Watch Night, or New
Years Eve Meeting, has always been, as 1t is, an
especially interesting occasion to the Methodist,
and 1t was observed as usual last night through
out the various churches OF the denomination In
the city. The exercises consisted OF q sermon in
the early part OF the evening, followed by q social
meeting OF prayer and praise, followed by another
sermon at ten or hal-past ten O'Clock. This was
succeeded by prayer meeting. continuing up to .
within ave minutes or twelve, when all vocal
exercises ceased and the entire congregation
knelt in silent prayer until upon signal from the
pastor, and as the hour arrived all Joined in the
hymn commencing
Come let US anew our journey pursue,
which, followed by the benediction, closed the
meeting. In some Of the churches the exercises
were varied by the presence OF what are known
as praying bands, whose name denotes their char
acter. They are composed OF q number OF men
and women, most OF whom are accomplished sing.
ers, who go from church to church, taking the
lead in the social meetings. They sing the old
fashioned airs peculiar to the persuasion many OF
which are OF great beauty; and, as they are very
iervent in prayer, they add materially to the tn
terest OF the occasion, At Q majority OF the
churches the attendance was large, and deep,
earnest feeling was manifested.