Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-01-01
THE new CENTURY !
Welcomed Throughout World
by a Happy People.
Unique Ceremony Revived at the
State House in Boston.
$1,000 People Attend and join in the Hymn
Of Praise.

Boston, Jan. 1.-TwelN c ringing clar-
ion blasts, exastly on the hour of mid
night. blown by four sturdy trumpet
ers from the front balcony Of the state
House. at the close Of an interesting
cervice. was Boston's adieu to the 18th
and welcome to the Goth centuries. and
proved feature of a celebration of
much interest in this city.
Nearly every church in the city held
watch meetings, and naturally drew
many of more religious mind, while q
greater portion Of the population made
the streets lively until well along INTO
the morning hours. but the unique SER
vice on Beacon hill. beneath the bril-
,iantly illuminated gilded dome Of the
State House, was the chief attraction
and will long be remembered by the
thousands who participated.
The observance was revival OF one
held on practically the same spot ex-
actly two centuries ago. Rev. Edward
Hale found an account of the proceed
incs in some old records and the
Twentieth Century Club. with the APP
prevail of the Executive Council an
the assistance OF n chorus of 100, a
Guiding many members of the Hand.
and Haydn Society, led the vast audi
ence in singing the 'Doxology' at the
beginning, and Judge Sewall's hymn to
the tune of Duke Street" at the close
Of the service.
The service began at Is minutes be
fore last midnight. When Or. Hale
Appeared on the balcony accompanied
by Edwin ID. Mead, president of he
Twentieth Century Club. and followed
by the chorus and trumpeters. pre-
liminary chord was blown and then
the chorus broke forth with the box
clogy," which was gradually taken up
by the crowd until $1,000 voices were
blended in the familiar Praise God,
from Whom All BLESSINGS Flow The
singing of the hymn was followed by
the reading of the Goth Psalm by DR..
Hale, where it is said: For a thousand
Years in thy sight are but as yester-
day when it is past The Psa IN was
followed by the Lords Prayer, in
which goodly portion of the audience
joined.
There was only short pause before
the bell in the Park street church be-
gan to strike the hour. At the 18th
stroke the trumpetefS Drew tncli iTSl
blast The trumpeters took up 'Old
Duke Street" Immediately. AMI while
few outside the chorus knew the words
of Judge Scwall's hymn. they all joined
and the music was almost as swelling
as the opening hymn.
Three cheers for DIR. Hale and the
Twentieth Century Club broke up the
assembly, and the vast concourse melt
ed back into the greater crowd that
paraded up and down Boston's streets
Before the great assembly broke up
everyone Joined in singing America"
The great assembly was one of the
most notable that ever gathered in
Boston All sorts and conditions of men
and women stood for three-quarterS
of an hour and quite a number even
longer on Beacon street and the COM
mon, waiting for the exercises to be-
gin. The weather cleared off beauti-
fully, the moon coming out shortly af-
ter IL o'clock. while the air was so soft
md balmy that ii seemed more like
an April night than in the middle OF
winter.
The trumpet first sounded the Re
treat" which was received with great
APPLAUSE and this was followed by
Taps" At re conclusion after the
crowds had sung America" the Re
vielle" greeted the new year.