Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-06-01
SERVICES FOR BICYCLES,
An Innovation at a Providence
Church Sunday Morning.
From the Providence Journal.

From the Providence Journal
There was an innovation in Providence
church services at st. James yesterday
when special service for bicyclists was
held. The service was held at . o'clock in
the morning and was only Of about half
an hour in length, ending in time to give
ample opportunity for days outing. Dur
ing the service the bicycles were deposited
at the church parish house
The riders Of bikes" began to arrive
early. Toward 8 o'clock there was quite
little procession of men and women on
safetieS or On tandems, in golf suits or in
natty dresses who made their way to the
church and participated In the services
The service was mainly one OF praise
The rector, Rev. X. b. Parker, read the
morning lesson from John xvi, beginning
with the 10Th verse. IF ye love Me, keep
My commandments" No sermon was preach
ed but practical morning talk was given
Il want 1t to be UNDERSTOOD" said Mr.
Parker. that this service is d bicyclists
service. l hold this service. not as seemed
to the reporter Of Boston paper, because
the rector looked around TO see whose souls
were in the greatest danger of beng lost
and SO invited the wheelmen, but ra her be-
Cause L tried TO + ut myself in the place Of
a man who wanted recreation on SUNDAY
after week of business. The 1913 service
Is too late Ia the morning to permit a man
TO get away for the day, and by the even
ing service he Is too tired. So an early
service becomes necessary. A service for
wheeImen apd at an hour that would suit
ought to be. given them, and this is the rea-
son for this o'clock service.
1t used % be said that there We're two
classes of Sunday Observers, those who
went into the country and seemingly desc
Grated the day, and those who stayed a
home and dh" nothing whatever but keep
their hands folded all day. But we are get
ting away from the letter of the fourth
q he ,ir;. .
it. Those of the second class are not the
true observers of the Sabbath, while those
of the first class are rather the ones who
possess the true idea of Sabbath observ-
ance.
1t is as natural to worship as to walk or
eat. Therefore churches are scattered all
over this city to meet this need of worship
You men who are married. whenever you
come into the face of temptation, viii think
of your wives, and will conquer. The young
men who have left their old homes brave
temptation by the thought of mother or
father. We are all children of God, and
when we start off, that thought will stay
with US You wheelmen on your trip today,
when you pick a flower by the Wayside or
rest under a tree, will think Of God be-
cause you started off with the thought Of
God. And is not this the true meaning of
Observation-Disclosures and child. and a true
spirit of friendship existing between them?
That is religion. and as we carry this
thought Of the Fatherhood with us it sane
tllteS our business ana daily relations. Take
this thought with you. Thank God for this
hour of recreation and this thought will
keep your hearts pure and elevate you.
Il would be the last one TO deprive you of
your pleasure. But can we not have this
meeting on Sunday mornings, have GU"
worship first and let recreation follow?
This service Is your service, and the church
doors are open to you. I will gladly give
my service that we may have this morning
hour Of worship so that your recreation
may be the more enjoyable"
Mr. Parker states that there will be reg
Clar services for bicyclsts at st. James
every Sunday morning at o'clock.