The morning times., 1897-01-01
DIED IN SONG AND PRAYER
Old Year Watched Out in Most
of the City Churches.
WELCOME FOR THE NEW ONE
Sermons on the Significance of the
Anniversary and Appropriate p ro-
grams of Music-Crowded Houses
of Worship the Order of the Night.
Conservation to the Duties of 1897.

The customary religious observance OF
the anniversary was had in nearly all of
the city's churches last night, of special
interest being the watch-night services in
the Methodist churches. AT nearly every
one OF these the attendance was very large
and the programs were, in all cases, both as
to music and prayer, arranged with refer
ence to the memories of the past and the
hopes of the coming year.
The services in most instances began an
hour and 9 half or two hours before mid
night and closed a few minutes after the
entrance of the new year. noticeable
feature OF the observance was the fact
that not a church bell in the city was
heard to ring the old year adieu and the
new one welcome.
There wasa tendency in many servicesto
exchange the old time Iove-feast observance
for q sermon, and from almost every
pulpit q strong discourse was delivered.
In many cases special musical programs
were prepared and carried out, while
seasouable dec oorations appealed to the eye
in several Of the places of worship.
congregational.
AT First Congregational Church the
Christian Endeavor Society, and were led
by President IL T. Morgan. An address oa
the subject Of the New Year was made by
Rev. DR.. S. NJ. Newman, pastor OF the
church, in which he impressed upon the
audience the moral lessons of the ami
versary. The spirit of the meeting was
one of conservation for the duties of life
for 1897.
Foundry.
Rev. Dir. A. o. Brown, its past or, led
the services at Foundry NJ L. Church,
where the aSsembage was particularly
numerous. The sermon was preached by
DR.. George II. Corey, formerly pastor Of
Metropolitan NJ f Church. An address
was also made by Mr.. j d. Slayback.
Commissioner Ross was present. He was
invited to address the meeting. He was,
however, present only as an interested at
tendant, and responded merely To state
that fact.
Congress NJ. p. Church.
The Congress Street Methodist Pro-
testant Church had a watch meeting last
night, commencing at 10 O'Clock.
The meeting opened with prayer by the
pastor, Rev. W s. Hammond, after which
singing by the choir, and then DR.. Han
mond delivered a brief sermon, dwelling
chiefly on the Importance Of new year,
not only on our own temporal welfare, but
| also OH our spiritual nature.
A new feature was lnaugurated by the
| pastor, which was scriptural reading, N
which the Sunday school, the Christian En-
| deavor Society, the trustees, stewards. and
the Mite Society We're all represented.
A love feast was then held until 2
O'Clock, when congratulations were oX-
changed, and the meeting broke up.
Dumbarton NJ. f. Church.
The Dumbarton Methodist Episcopal
| Church, Of Georgetown, watched the new
| year in last night with prayer and song
service.
The pastor, Rev. j. P stitts, made q
| short address, after which prayers by sew
earl members Of the congregation were
\ made; the singing by the entire assemblage
was especially good.
Mount Zion NJ. f. Church.
| A watch meeting was held last night at
the Mount Zion NJ E. Church. on Twenty
ninth street
Regular services were conducted in ad
| dition TO the watch meeting proper. Sew
| eral members OF the church made prayer,
| and the minister, Rev. E. s. Peck, de
| livered a stirring address.
A love feast was held during the last