Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-11-18

the Conservation Day a hundred years
ago. The day dawned clear and cold
The hour was early for u church SER
vice, 9 o'clock. But half an hour be-
fore the time. as the musicians began
announcing the occasion from the bel
Try OF the church, large numbers filled
the streets. coming from all parts OF
the Twin City. The ground floor of the
church was crowded with the large
company, while the galleries contained
nearly three hundred college girls.
AS the clock struck the hour OF the
advent of the new century was an
nounced by loud strain of triumph
ant music. The clergymen entered by
the east door and took their places on
the platform. Then followed pro-
repetition of the program used a
hundred years ago. The translation OF
the document. which was written in
1900. was read during the service. and
throughout the entire hour there was a
deep feeling of interest and reverence
shown.
1t is interesting to note in connection
with this service that the same HYMNS
the same liturgical services, the same
Scripture selections, the same tunes
were used as were EMPLOYED one hun
dred years ago. But not one person of
the vast throng of 1000 people who
were present in 1900 responded to the
invitation to be present in 1900. Each
and every one had passed to the other
shore; still the old church building re-
mains, hardly showing any change in
all these years.
CENTENNIAL SUNDAY.
On Saturday the closing exercises of
me celebration took place in Salem.
The centennial sermon was delivered
ny Blshop Rondthaler, and the music
was unusually fine. In the afternoon
the holy communion was celebrated
while at night the Sunday schools
united in the exercises specially de-
signed for the children.
DECORATIONS.
The decorations are worthy OF specia,
mention. 1t is probable that more
tasty, elaborate and satisfactory deco
ration has seldom, If ever, appeared in
TINS old church, which is famous for
its decorations. A double row of gothic
arches Spanned the pulpit platform
inscriptions. dates and emblems were
worked into the design. Scores of tinv
electric lights twinkled in the midst of
the evergreens. A profusion of chrvs-
anthemums appeared at every point
whlie from the lofty ceiling graceful
festoons of bunting, in the churci,
colors (red and white) were so disnosei
as to join the darker festoons of ever
greens on the walls. 1t was n sunerb
decoration and reflected great credit on
the many hands who lahored so faith
iuiiy to give this pleasure TO the CON
sresatlon ana its friends. In front of
Ihe church large festoons of colorad
isths descended from the steeple, while
on two sides of the steepe itself large
nsures. illuminated by scores of cleo
irlc' lights. proclaimed the centennial.
1900 and 1900"
IN the evening the church was again
liieu 10 its utmost capacity to hear the
papers which had been prepored win,
n view to setting forth the special worl.
Oh women during the century These
panerS depicted the trials OF the first
iaoies who came with the early set
tlers. LOO years ago. the wonderful work
Whlcn they performed In educate dur
.lS me past 10 years. ana finally the
Eranu record of charitable and philan
thropic work. specially during tho mast
20 years. The music was again fine ana
every one who was present unites In
inc opinion that the day was a great
ana grand one for the CONGREGATION.
GENERAL INTEREST. s.N,4.
IN addition to the interest which the
Saiem congregation naturally has in
this event, thousands of pupils of So-
I'm Acauehy and College thought low
.nSly OIL 'he day in the old sanctuary.
where not less than four generations
nave worshipped. and where more than
Yen thousand young people from every
portion of the land have listened to The
sermons OF eodly men. This gives to
me centennial celebration n more than
local interest. we may add an interest
which extends far and wide.
CHURCH AND CONGREGATIONS
In concluding this sketch I note that
the little company of Moravians OF one
hundred years ago has increased tin il
includes more than ]. 500 persons. This
large number is served by Bishop
Rondthaler as pastor. he being assist
ca by three other pastors, the Revs.
McCuiston, Thaeler and H. RondthaIer.
In addition to the old home church
building spoken of in this sketch there
are five other places of worship con
nected with the same congregation
within the limits of Winston Salem.
This centennial occasion was an
event of unusual interest TO the-com-
munities. and brought out several good
plans for the future WORK of the
church. not The least of which was the
rounding of endowment funds for the
prosecution OF the work of education.
work which has made Salem a ia
miliar name in thousands or homes
throughout our land
JOHN II. CLEWELL.
NjjI NtNnrON