Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-01-01
THE OLD YEAR OUT
Impressive Watch Night Services at
Various City Churches.
BEAUTIFUL LESSONS IN SPORYANDSONG
Greetings to 1898 and Rules for
Future Observance.
ADD RESSES BY PASTORS

An impressive service in connection with
the departure of the old year and in well
coming 1898 was held last night at the
Vermont Avenue Christian Church, Rev.
Dr. F. D. Power. pastor.
An audience which nearly filled the large
lecture room was present. Promptly at II
o'clock DR.. Power announced the hymn,
Approach. My Soul. the Mercy Seat"
which was sung by the congregation. This
was followed by the singing of selection.
entitled 20 God, Our Help in Ages Past"
and DIR. Power read the psalm beginning
Lord, Thou hast been our dwelling place
In all generations at the conclusion of
which Mr.. William H. Schell offered an in
vocation The hymn, Come Thou Fount
or Every Blessing" was sung, after which
Dr. POWER delivered an address from
Psalm cxix, verse 62-"At midnight 1 will
arse and give thanks to Thee"
Dr. Power drew a beautiful word pic
lure OF the many events which occur at
the mtdnlght hour, some of which he de-
scripeo as being very reprehensible and
SAID 1t was source OF great comfort that
there were so many Christian men and
women in Washington who were irving TO
90 good for those who commit Fin in the
darkness.
At the close Of DR.. Powers remarks the
Binds Next a number of brief testi-
MONIES were given by persons in the audi
ence, and during brief interval between
the speaking Mrs. Power, wife of the pas
Tor; sang Steal Away to Jesus" The ex-
ercises closed with a short prayer, a plea
Tor increased loyalty to Christ, and the
singing by the congregation of one verse
OF the hymn, Nearer, My God, to Thee {"
st. AlOysius Church.
Inc plrth OF the new year was celebrated
last evening at st. Aloysus Church, Rev.
Cornelius Gillespie. 8. j., pastor, with ap-
propriate service. 1t was attended by n
large congregation. The principal feature
OF the service was the sermon by Rev.
Father A. Brosnan Of Woodstock. Md, who
spoke on Special Providences." Father
Brosnan said. in part:
we are but pensioners Of time with not
an hour to call our own There is some
thing very stirring and solemn In the re-
Elections which crowd upon us at the close
OF year Our utter helplessness in the
grasp Of time Is affecting
III We look forward to the year now
about to begin we know not how matters
VIII fare with u.s. Looking back, we find
that to some there has been naught but
sorrow. while to others it has been Joy and
happiness To some it brought orange
blossoms and a love which, If 1t be true is
the only thing in Gods world that can
stand the ravages Of time.
But whether our pathway has been dark
or bright, we must not forget how close
the church of Christ comes to the heart of
every man. It is the business of the church
to prepare us for the trials of the year
which Is about to come. This is me mean
Ing of the service which we hold tonight :"
Father Brosnan spoke at length concern
ing the false ideas regarding God which
were held by men for centuries, leading up
to the present. when practically all people
acknowledge God as the Supreme Ruler
Referring to the works of creation, Faith
er Brosnan said these were not the result
OF chance. Not a snow fake falls, nor
drop of water moves. nor is a thought con-
ceived In the mind of man that does no;
have Gods cooperation.
at is no wonder that He who knows when
the sparrow falls should have a special
care for men and should have given him
the incarnation. the holy mother of Christ.
the Savior and the holy saints which are
the Joy of the Catholic Church. He has a
personal interest in each individual and
His arms are ever around us to take care
of u.s.
In conclusion, Father Brosnan appealed
to his hearers to more sincerely lead Chris
tan lives during the year 1898 than they
had ever done before, and SAID while 1t
was hard to understand why we should oe
afflicted, to remember that His ways are
not as our ways, nor His thoughts rs our
thoughts"
The music Of the service was the Mis-
erere." "Te Deum," .Laudamus," 20 Salu-
taris'' and "Tantum Ergo and was rem
dered by the regular quartet. composed OF
Mrs Kitty T. Berry, Miss Pauline Whit
aker Mr. Alexander Mosher and Mr.. JAS
Nolan, with Mr.. S. J. Kubel as organist
and director.
Preceded by IA COLLATION..
A collation., free to all who called and
wished to accept, was served last night
from $50 to 1890 o'clock in the Sunday
school room Of Trinity NJ. f. Church, Rev.
e. D. Huntley, DID,, pastor. corner OF
Pennsylvania avenue and 9th street south
east. At a later hour a sermon was preach
ed on "Watchfulness,' by DIR. Huntley.
There was also music and prayer. AS the
clock indicated the hour of II midnight,
the congregation kneeling, sang the Cove
nant Hymn"
The services at Metropolitan NJ. E.
Church, Az and streets, were well at
tended The sermon was delivered by Rev.
Dr. Chappell, who took for his theme THE
Significance Of Eternity" DR.. Hugh john
ston. the pastor, and DR.. Ames made shoIt
addresses.
NJ Z. Church, 14th and G streets, began at
10 o'clock. The sermon was delivered by
Rev. Dr. Lucien Clark, the pastor. AT
midnight the congregation united In sing
Ing the impressive hymn, There's Stran-
ger at the Gate, Let Him H." At its con-
clusion the gathering knelt In silent prayer.
At the Fifteenth Street NJ. E. Church the
services were preceded by the installation
of the new officers of the Epworth League.
Rev. j. d. Bloodgood and Henry S. Wood
ward made addresses appropriate to the
religious significance Of the new year at
the services at Wesley Chapel
There was a large congregation at watch
night services at McKendree NJ. E. Church.
Your credit is good at Lansburgh's Fur
niture House, 18th and F streets.-Advt.