The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-01-01
IN VARIOUS CHURCHES
New Year UShered in With
Bursts Of Song.
THOUSANDS AT MEETINGS
Christian World Chants Out the Old
Year as the New One Dawns
and Gives Thanks.

The good old custom of watch meet
ings" was generally observed IN the
Washington churches last night. The
New Year was ushered in by delicious
freshness OF atmosphere and the star
riest of skies, which may account for the
unusual attendance at the churches, which
were filed with reverent congregations.
With the ringing in OF the New Year was
toIled the passing bell Of the oId-fash-
toned watch meeting The interminable
prayerfuI siIences, the lengthy ad-
dresses, and the lack of music have been
reIegated to the past The dignity OF
the occasion has been preserved with an
added charm Of beauty, hope and joy
BUSINESS which only music and short,
helpful addresses can lend. While the
services were necessarily of q similar
character, they varied considerably &C
cording to the denominations of the
churches.
Al the New York Avenue Presbyterian
Church the devotional and beautiful
music was q feature. "A VapoT," a
musical responsive service, divided into
three parts-fTst, It's Source" second,
Its Beauty" and third, Its UnwOrthi-
ness''-incIuded in its special music
Steyn's Light OF the World" Schneck-
er's While With CeaseIess Course the
sun Barnby's exquisite Crossing the
Bar" and Gounod's Ping out, Wild
Bells" The choir which is one of the
finest in the city, gave the program in an
unexceptionaI manner ! Porter Law
renee. the organist and musical director
OF the church. was assisted by Mrs
shir-Ciif, Miss Whitaker. John H
Nolan, and Mr., Stevens.
DR.. Radcliffe's Address.
An appropriate address was delivered
BY the Rev. Wallace Radcliffe, pastor OF
the church, h.s subject being THE
Vapor." suggested by the words of the
service. His line of thought was wheth-
er our lives. as fleeting as yapors. should
be enveloped IN a cloud OF brightness OF
forever be clouded. These two condi-
lions depend largely upon ourselves, he
said. and the Interior lives We lead
Again some lives radiate brightness.
which touches some other life and gIoT-
lies it as the sun gilds and beauties
The morning mist. The briefness Of life.
The necessity Of graspiag our oPPortuni-
ties while time is given US was fitting
~ touched upon. A short time for
prayerful meditation followed the ad-
dress. After the benediction was given
each one of the congregation wished the
pastor a happy New Year.
Metropolitan NJ E. Church.
At the Metropolitan NJ. E Church no
formal program was followed. The Rev.
Frank L. Bristol. pastor, wishing to have
the service typical oId-fashioned one.
His short and eloquent address was fol
lowed. at his request, by talks from
members of the congregation, whose ex-
perienee Of the past year proved most
helpful TO those listening The beautiful
chimes Of the church rang in joyful
new wear.
Wesleyan Pentecostal Church.
The congregation Of the Wesleyan
PentecostaI Church. Ninth and D Streets
northwest. was limited only by the size
of the room. Extreme earnestness char
acterized the whole service, which until
IL O'Clock consisted of prayers, silent
and spoken, hymns and teachings, when
the pastor. the Rev. H B. Hosley.
preached from the text. My spirit
shall not always strive with men" He
emphasized the passing Of time. and the
Importance OF grasping salvation while
there is time. He also spoke Of the great
desire Of God for the salvation Of the
race.
The Pro- Cathedral.
The Rev Clement Brown opened the
service at the Pro Cathedral Church Of
the Ascension at 100 p N with an able
address, and at midnight the impress
ing, beautiful service Of the holy com
munion was celebrated. The music was
furnished by a selected choir Of mems
voices.
Grace Methodist Episcopal Church.
Ninth and Streets northwest, OF which
the Rev Joseph Edmund Smith. J.. s. D,
Is pastor. held watch meeting services
from 1870 to y. The congregation was
led IN prayer by Dr. Smith, and an elo-
q3ent address was made by DR.. H. R.
Mayor.
IN. c. A. Reception Today,
The Young Mems Christian Association
will hold a reception from to o'clock
this afternoon, with receiving party of
almost q hundred ladies well known IN
social affairs The Young Mems Chris
tisn Association Orchestra and Mandolin
Club viii furnish music for the occasion.
and the entire building will be open for
the visitors. A very generous invitation
is extended to all young men Of this city
70 attend.
FEET NEW oErrCEps