The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-01-11

enterta lined. and we got a lot of benefit
out Of the service at st. Johns Episcopal
church on North Main street yesterday
morning
We got there early. and as the usher
took us way up front where we could
hear everything real well. there seemed
To be an influence there that was power
fully comforting. and as / lookd around
to enjoy the beauties of this great meetin'
house. 1 read these lines over the altar:
God is love" and directly underneath
the words in another line. Hereby per-
ceive we the love OF God. because He
laid down His life for US" And below
this stin another line. written In gold
letters He abideth in us by the spirit
which He hath giYen us"
Somehow these inscriptions seemed to
put one in the right mood for the service
that was 10 follow. There was a God
like presence everywhere before the or
ganist began the prelude. and when she
did begin. which was pretty soon. the
music made the hour more interesting
and blessed than I can describe. as the
great organs one at either and OF the
church, filled the great preaching room
with sweet tones.
Mrs Wheelwright II the organist here.
and she plays with real good taste. so
that everybody Is kept interested I'm spite
OF themselves.
federation was all rapt up In the music
and whom the organ at the 'front.' OF the
church had stopped and the large one
In the rear was making all OF the music,
he turned around in his seat TO get
look at the organist there. he hadn't any
more's sot his eyes on to the organ when
he kinder started. and his face took on
a worried look that told me there was
something that he couldn't quite figure
out to his satisfaction. Then ne leans
over and whispers TO me and says.
Mother. I amt much on spiritualism.
but there amt blessed soul up there
a playin' that organ In the gallery
We'll" SAYS I, don't be concerned l
calkerlate II can all be accounted for.
When you can talk into town from your
farm you ought to know that more'n
likely the mystery Is buried up I'm some
kind of an electrical device. Besides,
can't you see that the organist is work
ing them KEYS all the time down there
in front although the organ In front of
her isn't saying a word?"
Like enough" says he. "she may be
doin' 1t ALL but n she is. I reckon she's
n master hand at the business. n
As grand az IL all seemed. IL was not
until the great chorus choir. under the
direction of Mr.. George + Wheelwrlght,
began the professional hymn, as they
marched down the centre aisle OF the
church. all dressed I'm their vestments Of
black and white, that l felt the place
filled with the kind Of rapturous melody
that expresses the thankfulness of the
soul In all it's fullness. for the blessings
that God ia continually giving us.
IL made me think Of those early morn
ing concerts OF praise that we listen TO
every spring time down i'm the meadows
" homo N Va
there are lots OF native birds that sing
the same beautiful anthems 10 us every
year as regular as the seasons roll
around, Jest because they can't help it.
The preachers had come i'm before this,
and when the Rev. G. A. T.. Richards,
II. d, the rector emeritus OF the church.
seated himself near the altar, | couldn't
help thinking of the patriarchs OF olden
times, whose white hairs gave evidence
OF their long and faithful service in the
work OF leading men on TO a higher and
better life. To look at such men does
eur hearts good and mine was blessed by
the presence Of this veteran OF the
church.
After the reading OF the Psalms the
choir sang the TIE Deum. and pretty soon
Mr.. Wheelwright sang a tenor solo. and
then a little later Miss Hattie Merchant
sang beautiful passage with her sweet
soprano voice.
They called IL treble when I was
young and used To sing i'm the Westmin-
ster meetin' house. II they'd ever called
.ane a soprano in those days twould have
made me so nervous guess ia dropped
note or two. But that doesn't matter.
times have changed lots Of things for the
better since then.
After the singers had gone on little
further i'm concert Mrs. Kate LaFetra
Bosworth. the contralto of the choir
sang all alone beautiful prayer in
deep. rich tones of supplication so ex-
pressive and good. If you'd been a Meth
odist you couldn't help feelin' like say
q A ~ rfa,Iaf ~ L.,
Then after some reading. they sang
beautiful anthem. BE glad and rejoice.
O daughter OF Zion" and then the Rev
Frank Hale Topret the young assistant
minister OF the church. preached won
derfully interesting sermon that showed
US that we arc approaching nearer TO
our Savoiour's wishes than ever before
although there are some who still want
to cling TO doctrines that suit their sell
nsh tastes the same as n lot Of the folks
did hundreds OF years ago who could
only understand temporal things.
He selected his text from ST John 9Th
chapter 9th and 6sth verses: Then sa,S
Jesus unto the u. VIII We also go away
Ihen simon Peter answered him. Lord
To whom shall we go? Thou hast the
words OF eternal life f"
And the preacher went on 10 say:
'frhe time comes I'm every public mans
career. when he seems to reach n climax
OF popularity All great leaders OF men
have this experience They begin with
small things, and gradually gaining I'm
influence. they at last reach the zenith
and their place I'm society gives way.
either to y slow process OF withdrawal
from active life. or To a positive loss of
popular power and influence
Jesus had the latter experience He
had come 10 the height Of His greatest
popularity Just AZ the time. or n little he
fore the time the words Of the text were
spoken. For more than two years He had
been teaching the people and astonishing
them with His wonderful works His
marvellous life had so attracted them that
they saw I'm Him their future King
The subject OF conversation on the
Capernaum streets was this new prophet
that had come among them Everybody
was talking about Him. crowds gathered
around Him. Constantly lie made new
friends Constantly His former friends
because more loyal TO Him Some believed
Him TO be Christ. the son OF God: Others
thought Him TO be great teacher taking
His place with the other prophets. Most of
the people came out of idle curiosity To see
this wonderful Carpenter of Nazareth
But now there came a turning point
a. 80 ~.