The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-07-08
HEAT KEPT down
CHURCH AT TENDANCE
slim Congregations Present at
Sunday Services.
FATHER B0WLER'S COMMENT
Noted Artist Sings at ST. Paul s-Prof.
Blackwell in the City-Baptist
Ministers Discuss New
Academy.

Extremely oisagreeable weather on Sun
day kept the attendance upon church
services rather slim. In the morning the
heat was so intense as to account for
distinct falling off in the congregations
and at night the storm kept many away
Several churches suspended night SER
vices entirely owing to the small number
of those present.
Some OF the pastors commented upon
the falling off in attendance during the
summer Such a reference was made
at ST. Peters Cathedral on sunday oy
the Rev. Father Bowler vicar general Of
the diocese In the course of his remarks
Father Bowler declared it to be the duty
of every Catholic to hear mass on Sun
day In hot wea Their 1t might be dis
agreeable to come to church. but 1t must
be done. Other churches, he said might
not be so strict and might tend to LEAD
Catholics astray. but it is nevertheless
a moral sin if mass is not heard. More
over. Catholics should do more than obey
the letter of the law. There are evening
services as well and they should be at
tended.
Referring to the habit of going to the
parks and otherwise seeking pleasure on
Sunday, Father Bowler said there was no
harm in it. provided mass is heard ana
the Catholics duty to his God is scrup-
uously performed. Innocent amusement
and recreation on Sunday is not forbid-
den if not sought at the expense of the
attendance upon the church service.
Beginning with Sunday low mass was
held at the Cathedral at II o'clock and
will be SO held during the summer
A few musfc-loving folks in the parlor
Of the Jefferson Hotel and a crowd on
the street outside quick to respond to the
sound Of 6 splendid voice, enjoyed a
great treat on Saturday night when the
rich notes of Mrs Antonio FL. Sawyer S
beautifully cultivated voice was heard in
a half-dozen of her choicest selections
Beginning with ooh. Rest In the Lord"
from Elijah. and rendering 1t in such per-
feet taste as to make it a masterpiece in
artistic production, she added a success
sion Of her favorite songs in German and
French, and closed an lmpromptu eve
ming of song with Nevn's mighty LAX a
Rose in q style so faultless in emucia-
ton and exquisite in feeling as to make
it linger long as q delightful memory.
Very graciously she consented to sing a
solo during the morning service in his
toric Old st Pauls" and by special re-
quest repeated ''Oh. Rest in the Lord
as fitting climax to the subject of the
| sermon. 1t was a notable event in the
| old church and the occasion must be
| rare when Its walls will reverberate the
| rich, round notes Of a voice so happily
| blending power with pathos with breadth
| of compass and from the lips Of art
| ist whose personality is simply charming.
| Professor R. E. Blackwell, president Of
| Randolph Macon College, was in the city
yesterday and was present al the meeting
| of the Methodist ministers. He made
| an interesting talk on college affairs and
declared the outlook for raising $500, coo
! for free tuition to be most encouraging.
! At the conclusion of the address the
| ministers unanimously adopted the fol-
| lowing resolution:
| Resolved. 1, That we, as a prea cllers'
| meeting, have heard with pleasure Pro-
| lessor r. E. Blackwell. president of Ran
dolph-Macon College. especially in regard
to the good outlook and bouyant spirit
among our people in regard to the raising
| of the 100000 for free tuition at Ran
dolph-Macon College.
2, That we pledge ourselves individual
ly as a prea cheers organization, to do
| whatever we can to aid Professor Black
| well in this great movement.
w. 3. BEAUCHAMP.
R. NJ CHANDLER