The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-12-21
THE TWENTIETH CENTURY.
Great Activity in AN Fields of Hu-
man Eudearer.

man Endearor.
The dawn of the twentieth century
shows unwented activity displayed IN
nearly ali fields Of human energy. Dis
tinet movements toward some special or
general achievement are clearly notice
able among all classes Of mankind, In the
material as well as in the spiritual 1eid.
Whether III the one or in the other. the
tendency is toward the uplifting Of ali
classes of society ana the ameliovation
Of undesirable conditions The advent of
the first year of the new century finds
two Of the great religious determinations
especially intent upon the accomplish
menf Of objects that shall rebound "ad
maiorem Del gloriam.s and no less to
the increase CT the prosperity and
strength of the church militant. Thus
the Bishops OF the Methodist Episct 2aI
Church have issued cali for a Ta IN
tieth Century Thank Offering Of nos less
than SIG. 600 coo. together with a united
effort TO advance the spiritual life Of the
church and to secure the conversion of
million souls. This nnovennen. received
the endorsement of the last Baltimore
Conference, which met Ia this city IN
the early part Of this year Reports that
have come 10 the ONCE Of the secretary
Of the Thank Offering Commission show
that already mofe than s5,e0e 600 have
been contributed toward the vario4.s en-
terprises included in this offering. which
consist OF aid to hospitals, wemen's
colleges support of poor churches. and
orphans, etc
Another enterprise OF the " E. Church
Is the twentieth century forward move
ment, which was started by Bishop Tho
burn. Of India. During the recent Gen
eral Conference in Chicago the bishop ap-
pealsd for 100 600 members Of the church
who would conseerate themselves to work
for the salvation OF l 900, 000 souls during
the closing months OF the old century and
the opening months OF the new-an aver
age Of ten converts for each volunteer
commission was appointed By the Cen
eF2f Conference with Bishop Th0burn as
president, 10 have general direction of
the movement How far this movement
has progressed cannot be ascertained at
the present time
All churches OF the Protestant creed
have made resolutions similar TO the enc
stated above, but OF all the undertakings
that Of the Methodist Episcopal Church
appears the most stupendous and note
worthy.
The Roman Catholic Church, all over
the world celebrated the advent OF The
last year IN the old century With g MD
night mass, which carried with ft A large
number Of spiritual blessings and oppcr-
tunities 70 the faithful. The advent Of the
new century viii be made the occasion
CT special services IN all Catholic churches
and the Pope has already sent instruc-
lions TO the clergy how this notable event
shall be observed IN the churches. BY di-
rection Of Cardinal Gibbons, circctla=
letter has been sent 10 the pastors ii all
tie churches, requesting them 10 honor
the occasion The letter is as follows:
Baltimore. Nd, Dec Ii, 1900
ReF. Dear Father. ] beg leave 70 notify you
that Our Iost Holy Father Lee XII has gTscieasIy
conceded the following privileges 30 be used ~
coTdi1g 70 tic prudent Judgment OF the ordiaary
on December 81. OF the year 1860. at midnight n
churches and eAaPels FheEe The Blessed sscra-
inert Is kept
First-Tke Most Holy Sacrament Is to be ex-
posed FOR alteration Secondly-,0ne mass OF the
Circumcision Of our Lord and the octzve Of the
Nativity j 70 be read or sung a. the sane hour.
THtrdly--Tle laitllfuI nay receive Holy Com
HGnion
a sermon appropriate to the occasion would Be
desirable and after the mass the Senedietion Of
tie Nos Blessed Sacrament vii De given and the
Te Dean sung
You are earnestly exhorsed to leave nothing an
done to make this service solemn and in
PreSsITe As possible and when announcing Il
please 70 remind your people OF the deep debt OF
gratitude they owe tie Sovereign Pontif for Plac
ing within their reach such extraordinary spirit
usi favors
Please 70 read this circular al all the masses Of
Christmas Day and Of the Sunday following.
By order Of His EnaRence the Cardinal
JOSEPH T. o'BRIEN. Chancellor.
A programme has also been adopted ac-
cording 10 which every Catholic IS to be
invited 10 renew his conservation: that
number of diseoHrses be given on the sig
nihcance o. the occasion: that Peter Pence
which was collected in every do eese be
presented to the Holy Father on the Feast
Of The Epiphany. 1901: that piIgrima ges to
Rome be organized on large scale. etc
The twentieth century being distinct
Christian time-fguring, the Jessish CON-
manities. and such OF a belief other than
Christian, do not regard the event as one
TO be celebrated with extraordinary cere-
rt5nies-