The daily Republican., 1902-12-31

The theatres will give the usua
holiday matInees. The only publ,
charity OF the day will be a dime
to the poor TO be served ip the
rooms OF the Sunday Breakfast As
ISOLATION.
OrEN HOUSE AT Y. NJ. c. A,
There will be an open house for the
men of the city irrespective Of creed
or occ upatIon at the rooms Of the
Young Mems Christian Associate OF
tomorrow night from 80 to Il
O'Clock. Every thing will be in for
NAL games, refreshments by the
Ladies Auxiliary, and u short pro,
gramme OF burIesque game in tho
gymnasium under the direction Of
Physical Director Wales will IN AXE
the evening pleasant for all who VIII
attend.
The fact that the Nj. f. Churches
of Wilmington are to hold watch
meetings tonight draws attention
to these meetings on the part of tho
+, genefat public. The practice Of
watching the old year out and the
new one in is q very old one, and
perhaps its origin is not certainly
known. In the early days of MethO-
dism it was Il common practice with
all their churches, Within the m4m
ory of pl ople still living the practice
very materially declined. Many
Methodist congregations gave it up
entirely 1t cal no longer be said to
be universal. Several local churches
failed to hold such meetings for
several years but for probably six
or eight years past the observance
has been regular again,
While watch meetings are often
talked about and the phrase is fam.
liar to everybody. 1t is probable that
ANA ajorlly Of the present generation
may be classified as practically ig-
norant of the nature and purposes of
those meetings. They do not belong
to church that l.ods watch meet.
ings, and have never been present
at one. For Their beneGt il NAV be
stated watch meeting has behind
1t deep religious conviction which
controls and inspires the life Of mul-
titud es Of people. The motives are
~ wa Hs L - SS VI all may DE
tioned A sense Of gratitude to God
Tor the mercles of the year that is
Drawing to close, and Of increas-
Ing responsibility that comes with
the new year. THIS OF itself is
enough to make q dcvout believer
desiro to be awake and alert to greet
The new year as Il git from God and
fresh assurance Of His love and
mercy.
Another motive is found in the
fact that most people are conscious
that they have not made as much Of
their merciea and BLESSINGS duriGg
the Old year as they shuu.d have
Done, and 1t BELTS them to spend its
Closing hours IN heart scarcnIngs
and prayer that the fountains of
Corruption in them may be first ex-
posed and then cleaned away. That
when onterlnG upon the new year it
may be not only with Kew resuu- |
iions, but with !ncre ahcd grace auI
dependence upon the Divine Power.
They feel too, that the blessings |
have not only been individual, but
collective. They hare fallen upon the
congregation and community and !
should be made the subiect Of pubic |
acknow edym.ut
Then, again It may be observed
this season OF the year is QUO IF
gaiety aud icSfiyity. The world gives
Itself up to senSuailly aud templs
the yoAng people into paths Of iOuy
and vice. Ii is not easy TO cUunter-
n,st this hut ri ,,I Il |
aud The CONSCIOUSNESS that PRAYER 10
being offered there has deterrent
enc3t on some minds. 1t is a place of
refuge, II they wish to escape from
the wor ldiness around them.
As job prayed for his children Ell.
gagged IN their youthful enluymcuts
Tie church should pray for the ris-
iry generation. The very knowl-
eGse that thousands Of people N
every community are making New
Years resolutions, and that most
PE own strength leads de-
v. and devotional people to pray
tina! God muy Intervene to give the
careless ones Il new conception OF
life and tic source OF their strength.
If the church door Is open, possi-
by some viii be led 10 turn 10 and
'pertorm uuto the Lord their
VOWS.
HOW CONDUCTED.
Watch meetings usually begin at
10 o clock and continue until after
midnight. There .is service of
song, sermon and a season Of
prayer. Testimonials and exhor.
tations are in order and rs the SOL
emo hour Of midnight approaches
the whole congregation kneels ia
prayer and meditation. When the
clock has struck twelve, the PEOPLE
rise from their knees and con gratu.
late each other on new year and
often the assembly breaks up quiet.
ly, and the people so to their homes {
under the spell Of midnight quiet,
with the gllItefing STARS and un-
seen angels as witnesses to the
VOWS recorded.
In many places it has been the {
custom to sing hymn Of greeting I
to the ncT year. a few congi cga. !
tloEs have the .aciIco Of mlkinr Il
1t njG hto Of prayer. Thcy aase NJ.
Die car , and remain Ia Sc ssion un, ,
j III" G".9r Sew Years moro nr. y
.. at wat, hers, prayer v