The morning times., 1896-01-01
WELCOMED THE NEW YEAR
Eighteen Hundred and Ninty-Five
a Back Number Now
IT PASSED AWAY IN MUSIC
The Old Years Friends Celebrate His
Death und Salute His Successor.
BEAUTIFUL and Suggestive CeremOn-
les and Vigils In Most of the
Churches-Large Congregations.

The happy New Year was inaugurated
"the very Iirst thing this morning with
/ a grand symphony OF bells horns, whistles,
chimes and acclamations.
People seemed 10 be glad that the old
year was dead, but the concert was evil
denl.y Il hailclujah rather than a funeral
| march.
| 1t Is customary to say something about
| Ring out wild bells or Call ne early,
mother, dear" on these occasions, but
| ali that may be We'll OMITTED in view of the
/ thousand and one things that happened
precisely at midnight.
/ A hunGred more warriors had their
hands on the steam whistle levers, several
| thousand Eindsinen had their ianyards in
hand, several other thousands had the
| match ready or the fuse ignited, the
musical peop.e VINO dwell up In The steepie
| Were in position TO hit hard the chimes OF
| 1896, other gnones held the bell ropes,
and tens OF thousands, ali together, had
| their eyes on the clock to shout the happy
| New Year, al OF which happened within The
| few seconds just before midnight.
And then the incoming king touched the
bItton and the VIII Die b essed demonstration
went Off in a cloud of smoke, Il wild shrek
OF whistles, the ciangOr of bells, the roar
of gIns and cam IN. and the merry laughter
and voices OF people of all kinds and every
where.
GAVE 1896 A START.
The New Year was thus given boost,
and started down the incline at the pace
that kills toward the goal or 1897.
The special features OF the ce.ebration of
the closing hours OF the Old year We're the
watch night vigil and thanksgiving ser
vices of the Methodist, Presbyterian and
Catholic churches.
According To cJstom immemorial, one OF
the most beautiful and largely attended of
all the services are those at the Metro
politan NJ. +. Church, ut the corner of
FOIr-and-a-halr and c streets northwest.
In its steeple are the silvery chimes which
are heard not very often in Washington.
The chiner is Mr.. j. X. Gibson. He gave
Two mid-air concerts last night From
IL 80 p. IN. to 1853 p. IN. OF the old year
he played ten numbers, among which were
"Adiel, Old Year" GOD Rest Ye Merrie
Gentlemen" Auld Lang syne'' and Lead
Kindly, Light"
At midnight precisely the solemn twelve
strokes were struck, and then he pia yed
songs of joy, and sentiment. and hope for
the new year He. OF course, chimcd
Ring Out Wild Bells "oh. Promise Me-"
Ave Maria" and the national peal OF all
the bells.
ne WdtCu Sut SERVICES dt tnls church
were attended by conspicuously large as
seInbiage. The incidents of the program
occupied from 1890 p. until midnight
There Were several addresses during the
intervals. between which solos and choruses
were sung. the singing by the whole conGre-
CATION being very effective.
On the rostruIn were Rev. DR.. Hugh John
stOn, pastor of the church; Rev. Mr.. Mil
burn. the blind chaplain OF the Senate; Rev.
Wood tllrnrn Rgiisr a 10
Methodist University and Dr. Reed. The
subjects were. OF course, on the significance
of the new year. nd the lessons taught by
the experiences of the past year.
On" ofthc solos was Riny Out Wild Bells
and was sung by Miss Pcarce of Boston.
In Announcing ta- singer Rev. DR.. Johnston
referred pleasantly to the fact that one of
her relatives had presented the organ of the
church to the congregation. Miss Pedrcc
sang in splendid voice and with marked
effect.
The closing remarks were made by DR..
Johnston. He spoke with feeling of the
pleasant relations between him and his
flock for the year just gone. aud wished all
present n happy new year. The heneciic-
ton was pronounced by Rev. Mr.. Miiburn.
SERVICES AT ST. PATRICK'S
The special New Years function in the
Catholic Church was ted al st. Patrick's
Tenth and G streets northwest. An i'm
mense crowd attended, so gICat that hun
dreds or people stood daring tie long and
interesting program. TIE service was the
usualbenedctiono onofthesaCrcdment, of Cardinal
Apostolic Delegate Satolli officiating.
With him in the sanctuary We're Rev.
Father Gloyd. rector of ST. Patrick. and its
assistant rectors. DR.. StGffCTd and Father
McCiee, Rev. DR.. Rocker. and Rev. Dr.
Sbaretti.
The sermon was preached by DR.. Stafford
on the suggestions of the day rs one emf
nenty thanksgiving. DIR. Stafford spoke
in his accustomed eloquent manner and
graces of style.
The choir consisted of forty-two voices
which We're assisted by an orchestra of
sixteen pieces and the organ. Signor Mariana
Mama directing the music.
feature of the program was the grand |
TIE Deum written by Mr.. Rufus Garland. the |
well-known composer of this city, and
dedicated TO his Eminence Cardinal Satolli. |
In this selection the soloists were Mrs. |
Paulina Mama, Miss Blanche Mattingly, |
Mr.. w. d. Mcfarland. and Mr.. Bernard Ryan |
were heard with fine effect. |
AT OTHER CHURCHES.
New Years services with sermons, were |
also held with interesting ceremony at |
Calvary Baptist, Keller Memorial, the New |
York Avenue Presby terian, Waugh Chapel, |
Dumbarton, Ryland, Hamline, Foundry, |
Wesley, Grace, Mt. Vernon, and Douglas |
Churches. There was an especially fine |
musical program at the New York Avenue |
Prcsby terian Church which was arranged by |
Prof. n. Dushane Coward the chorus num- |
bering forty voices.