The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1895-12-31

were rather inclined 10 condemn any kind
OF celebration OF the vigil. Ambrose, Chry-
session. and Augustine denounced in bitter
terms the heather significance OF the Occa-
sion. For a long time IL was a day of
fasting, penance and prayer In the Catholic
church. Popular opinion, however, did not
favor this decree, and the ban was removed.
The Druids celebrated the advent OF the
new year by the famed ceremony known as
the cutting OF the mistletoe, beneath the
oak where the mystic plant was growing, a
feast was spread, and sacrifices were pre-
pared. The priest, robed in snowy garments,
sedateiy mounted the tree, cut the mistle-
toe with a golden SICKLE and reverently de
posted his treasure on the altar. The sprig
was supposed to give fertility to the earth,
happiness and prosperity to mankind, and
to be specific" against poison.
Among the ancient Aztecs the eve OF the
coming year was ma rked by that most hor
rible performance known to barbarous ma
tions-human sacrifice. On the great
mountain overlooking the City OF Mexico
the priests, the people, and the unfortunate
victim gaathcred q little before nightfal.
By the light OF The rcsinous pinous logs
they performed fantastic dances and Offered
weird sacrifices, until the watchers sgnified
by strange gestures that midnight was at
hand. The priests then seized their vic
tim and cut out his heart with their long
pointed knives. The heart was placed on
a spear and displayed to the kneeling peo-
pie. The body was thrown on one OF the
fires and slowly consumed. This diaboli-
cal custom was in vogue at the time OF
Cortes' invasion of the great empire.
Among the Jews in ancient and modern
times New Years has always been an i'm
portant feast. With the exception OF the
sacrifices, which cannot be offered since
the destruction of the Temple, the Jewish
ritual is observed today exactly as when
the Redeemer of the world held his lonely
vigils in the mountains OF Judea.
A BEAUTIFUL SERVICE.
The service comprises prayers Of three
kinds, and is one Of tie most beautiful in
the many dev otional features fthe Hebrew
worship. The first prayeri is one OF homage.
1t acknowledges the great Creator, and begs
OF Him the speedy appearance of the King
dom OF God, where all shall possess true
knowledge and unite in bis worship. At
the end of the prayer a trumpet is blown.
The second invoca ton Is Of remembrance,
asking God to remember his children in
mercy rather than Justice and to bestow
fresh blessings and graces on his chosen
ones. The trumpet Is sounded a second time
when this prayer is ended.
The third part is called the sound of the
trumpet and is typical OF the great jubilee
when the Messiah shall have come and all
nations are united In the knowledge and
glory of God. The sounding of the trumpet
is OF utmost Importance. The Jews believe
that New Year is a day of judgment. All
our acts OF the past year are reviewed
by the Court of Heaven. Each and every
nation has It's fate decided for the COM
ing twe.vemonth. The life and death of
every human being and the manner of death
Is also determined.
The sounding of the trumpet Is supposed
to confound Satan, who at this day OF judg
ment and destiny appears before Gods
tribunal in order to accuse the children of
Israel. Before using the trumpet the rabbi
makes the following solemn prayer: Bless
cd be- Thou, oh God, King of Israel and OF
the Universe, Who hast sanctified US by
Thy commandments and enjoined us TO hear
the sounding of the trumpet. Blessed art
Thou, Who hast preserved US alive and
safe and sustained us to this season.
OBSERVED IN ENGLAND.
Our English cousins observe this time
staidIy and soberiy, as they do most &C.
casions when every one else is hilarious.
One of the London dailies lately comment
ed severely on the American way of fir
ing out the old year and firing in the new"
Washington has n local habit OF blow
ing the old year out and blowing in the
new. We have all known midnight's holy
hour TO be made farce by the tin horn
brigade.
A good thing is told on DR.. Major, the
erst while pastor OF the Foundry Church.
regarding these reflections. DIR. Natlor is
a very pretty talker, n n entertaining man in
every way. and when he got up n watch
meeting program ii was 4 noteworthy af-
fair.
AT this particular meeting everything had
gone on creased wheels. The music was
fine, the speeches fervent, the prayers
soul stirring. But the event of the evening
was DR.. Majors speech. At FIVE minutes
to 2 he began his Grafton.
He dwelt with fervor ON the events Of the
departing year, on all we had done and
suffered, neglected and accomplished. +" IT'S
now the solemn hour of midnight" he said,
land this great city is sleeping. Save the
few watchers here tonight, no one is astir.
Silence reigns and a great emptiness fills
our streets"
After this moment about 1000 900 tin
horns and 1000, 900 fire crackers seemed to
,pl