Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-01
NEW YEAR WATCH MEETINGS
Churches Hold Service, to Welcome the
Coming Year.
SOCIAL AND RELIGIOUS FORMS MIXED
Very Few of the Gatherings Partake
strictly Of Devotional Character
and All Are Well
Attended.

Watch meetings were held at a number
Of the churches Of the city last night and
the new year welcomed appropriately
The services we're as a rule semi-reliRious
semi-sociai.
At Kountze Memorial Lutheran the
watch service proper began az 1880 O'Clock
and was concluded very early in the fol-
lowing year. At 9 o'clock a reception be-
gan In the church parlors, under the au-
spices OF the Christian Endeavor society.
Those received were not alone members
OF the church, but any Of those interested
In the church and its work. Light refresh
ments were served and music and recita-
lions given.
In the First Methodist church the ED
worth league conducted services during an
hour, beginning at 9 o'clock, in the class
rooms under the church. NJ. Withers of
the Young Mems Christian association was
in charge of this meeting. A social hour
followed, during which light refreshments
were served and the spirit of the new year
entered into. At IL o'clock the watch
service, or prayer meeting. began and
ended at IL.
The watch party at st. Mary's Avenue
Congregational church was of a social ma
ture and was given by the White side OF
49, IN tie Ghutd NOItIbs lnGT6 were
songs and one or two recitations. Refresh
ments were served and a number Of holiday
games INDUCED in. The regular prayer
meeting was postponed until Sunrise this
morning.
Westminster Presbyterian church began
the evening at s O'Clock with a meeting Of
the Sunday school teachers. This was fol-
lowed by a social hour, with refreshments,
after which a meeting of prayer continued
until midnight. Rev. 7. V. Moore, the pas
tor, lead the services Of the evening, this
being his first appearance since his illness.
Speeches and Songs.
The service in Calvary Baptist church be-
gan at $3.50 o'clock and continued until
after midnight. There were several short
addresses appropriate to the season given
by the pastor, Rev. Thomas Anderson, and
other gentlemen of the congregation. Dur
ing the evening songs were sung and sew
eral solos.
The watch services in Seward Street
Methodist Episcopal church began at 8
o'clock with preaching by the pastor, DR..
Gorst. The full choir rendered some spe-
cial holiday music and several papers on
appropriate subjects were enjoyed by thOse
present. Messrs. McCulloch and Ball read
articles on the subjects, Seward Street
Methodism'' and Family Life in the
Church"
Some of the members Of Grace Lutheran
church enjoyed a go-as-you-please service,
under the auspices of the Luther league.
at the home Of it's president, J. r. Smith.
at 1922 South Twenty-ffth street. The
services were conducted by the league and
a cottage prayer meeting was held and re-
freshments served.
At Grace Baptist church the services be-
gan at 9 o'clock and continued until mid
night. The pastor, Rev. Mr.. Fellman, and
Rev. George Van Wipkle Of South Omaha
preached on the topic of the season. The
more serious part Of the evening was inter-
rupted at 10 o'clock for an hour, during
which those present enjoyed a social time.
st. Johns Episcopal church, Twenty
sixth and Franklin streets, was lighted up
and the rector. Rev. C. H. Young, and the
members Of his congregation gathered to
watch out the old year with appropriate
observances.
Rev. Mr.. Savidge, Rev. Arthur Potter of
Pittsburg, Pa, Rev. Mr.. Manual OF Hast
ings and others made addresses at the
services held in the Peoples church last
night. The services lasted three hours, be-
ginning at 8 o'clock.
The Salvation Army hall at 1916 Capitol
avenue was opened from 8 o'clock until ~
last night. An early service was held, as
Is usual, and at IL o'clock the special
watch service began, being conducted by
Brigadier James loft and the divisional
STAFF.