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

The following churches held watch
meetings last night: Trinity Union M. E.
church Cranston Street Baptist church,
Asbury M Fl. church, the People s
Pentacostal church. and the st. John =
Episcopal church. The services at the
Trinity Union NJ. e. church began at ?
o'clock with the love feast usual at watch
meetings In Methodist churches In We
olden times The pastor OF the church.
Rev j. Francis Cooper. preached the
sermon at 10 o'clock. taking his text from
Luke iv. 10. and the theme was The Ac-
ceptable Year OF the Lord" Several brief
addresses were delivered by some of the
members of the church. appropriate to
the occasion, the first, Our Debt to God.
by Mrs. G. h. Hancock, and our Next
Duty" by r. A. Blanchard leader
in the Epworth league of the church.
Samuel Robinson one OF the board OF
directors OF the church. made a few re-
marks after which solemn service OF
conservation was held. while the bells
rang out in joyous welcome 20 the New
Year.
CRANsToN STREET BAPTIST
CHURCH.
The watch meeting at the Cranston
Street Baptist church opened at about 2
o'clock and the usual routine OF ser
vice that has been observed at the church
for a century and a score OF years was in
order. Professor Stout, the famous Sing
Ing evangelist. opened the services with
a number Of we'll rendered sacred solos
and the field secretary OF the Rhode ISL
land Baptist State convention. Rev. John
Stewart. preached the sermon Prayer SER
vice OF special character. fitting 10 the
occasion, was held until midnight. when
the gathering Dispersed amid happy felici-
tations and good wishes for profitable
and happy New Year
AsBURY NJ. r.. CHURCH
At s O'Clock last evening the vestry
rooms Of the Asbury Methodist Episcopal
church was taxed TO the capacity by
large congregation who gathered to
speed the old year out and welcome In
the new. Rev. r. NJ. wilkins conducted
a praise service OF an hours duration.
after which the love feast OF bread and
water. customary to Methodist churches
on New Years eve was held. At about
10 O'Clock an intermission was in order.
during which refreshments were served.
Rev. Ernest q. Wesley preached and DR..
G. NJ Meldon. the pastor OF the
Mathew~on street NJ r. church made
few brief remarks. At the approach Of
the midnight hour. the doxology was
sung by the congregation. who re-
manned standing while the bells all over
the city proclaimed the advent OF the
year 1904.
PEOPLES PENTACoSTAL CHURCH
At the watch meeting exercises held al
the Peoples Pentacistal church last eve
ming small sized bonfire played n prin-
cipal part, I'm fact II was the feature OF
the celebration, for such II may Sbe
termed. The pastor OF the church Rev.
Fred A. Hillery burned the mortgage OF
the church, which had recently been paid
of. and the edihce - now free and out
of debt. The services opened at s
o'clock. with a service of praise and
song. and the pastor preached the usual
Thomas Dalton, Edward Borders and
William Pierce At midnight a royal
welcome was given the young New Year.
ST. JOHNS CHURCH
The watch meeting al ST. Johns church
WAS we'll attended last evening. the ser
vices opened at II O'Clock and continuing
one hour. An organ prelude by Mrs
George r wheelwright opened the ser
vices and brief service OF song and
prayer preceded the sermon by the rec
tor. Rev. Lester Bradner. Jr. One OF the
features OF the services was the beau
tifui rendition OF the Tannhauser march
by Wagner on the great pipe organ OF
the church. by the accomplished organ
ist. Mrs George r Nheelwright.
CLUB FESTIVITIES.
The DESCENDANTS Of the hardy Morse