Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1894-12-24
CHRISTMAS SERVICE
AT THE FOURTH STREET NJ. 3. CHURCH LAST
NIGHT.
The Church Crowded and Many Persons Turned
Away The Beauuial Music, and The
Brief Talks BY Inc PasOr,

The power of music to attract to re-
ligious services many who would not
otherwise attend, was again demonstrat
ed last night at the Fourth Street NJ
E. Church. The Christmas Observance
was in the form OF song service,
with the programme interspersed with
five minute talks by the pastor. Per-
hans the recollection of similar ser
vice several weeks ago, had something
to do with the remarkable attendance
last night. At any rate the edlhce was
crowded. Every seat was occupied,
a hundred persons stood in the aises
and in the rear of the pews, and many
who came late were unable TO gain al
mission. There were many non
church goers present, and many per-
sons Of other denominations aud other
NJ. Z. congregations.
The attendance was all the more re-
markaOie when it is considered that
Christmas services were conducted In
nearly all the Protestant churches.
The service was impressive and beau
tiful. Handsome printed programmes
were distributed in the congregation
enabling ali to follow the music. After
the organ prelude christmas Offer
toire," executed by Mr.. James ii. Perry,
| the choir sang the anthem, messiah Is
| King" 1t was rendered In man
per which gave promise OF further good
things upon the programme. hymn
lisa was then sung, and the
pastor, Rev. DR.. A. B. Riker,
led In prayer. Mrs. stanton
ton and the choir sang the Joyous
carol, Ring, Ring the Bells" with
violin obligato by Prof. Edward Blumen-
berg. Mrs. Stanton sang with feeling,
and facility Of execution which, COM
bined with the beauties OF the selection,
made il one of the most pleasing num-
bers of the evening.
The pastor read the first scripture
| lesson from lisa. 9: II, and was fol-
/ lowed by the female chorus, 30 Sing to
/ God" by Gounod, in which eleven
voices were heard to good advantage
The second scripture lesson was from
| Matt. s: Ill. At the offertory Miss
Media DUNCAN sang "GIory to God On
High" by Loud, accompanied by violin
and organ, the choir singing the chorus.
! The piece was exquisltely rendered.
! The next vocal number was 1.-The
/ First Christmas" Before 10 was rem
dered the words were read by the pas
tor. In commenting upon IL, DR.. Riker
said it was not mere human event
which was being celebrated. To Mary
was given the absolutely unique posi-
ton OF bearing the Savior Of mankind.
Her feeling, as she looked into the face
! of Him who was at once her son, and her
/ Lord, must have been remarkable. Yet
| Mary was only mother; she was not
divine. She speaks OF Him in the
Scriptures as her redeemer. They do
themselves an irreparable injury who
Init their prayers to Jesus mother,
and not to Mary's son. 1t is proper
that she receives the most honor OF al
womankind, but she is only woman
still. The birth Of Christ was a real
fact in history. The Lord OF heaven
was a child born Of the earth. What
an event when the Lord God OF earth
and skies tabernacled himself In human
form, and by his sublime death re-
deemed the world.
The anthem, THE First Christmas
is late production of John Barnoy