The San Francisco call., 1905-04-19
GOOD FRIDAY
SOLEMNITIES

Good Friday, which happens on the
21st of the month, the latest possible
date, according to ecclesiastical EMU
merators, viii be observed this year
more generally and by a larger num-
ber of denominations than customary.
The old feeling among sectarians
against observing church festivals and
fasts as superstitioUs and unnecessary
is fast vanishing, while their positive
value as historical facts is admitted.
The spread of secular observance of
the solemn fast is remarkable as de-
noting the weight of an element in
commercial affairs in favor of recog-
milton of the day. In this country,
in common with all other Christian
nations in Europe and elsewhere, Good
Friday is getting to be observed as
sacred to religion alone. The ex-
changes in New York were the first
to close on Good Friday, and their ex-
ample has been followed by those of
nearly all the great cities.
In this city the Produce Exchange
and the Stock and Bond Exchange
have decided to- close and no business
will be transacted at either.
The customs in the Roman Catholic
church will be followed even more
stringently than ever. From Friday
until Sunday the ceremonies of the
church will be informal, without the
brilliancy of illumination and the
studied pomp of ordinary days. The
lights viii be dimmed upon the affairs
and sonnber draperies will enshroud
the sanctuaries. The music will be of
the plainest at all the services and an
impressive object lesson given of the
darkness which came over the world
after the crucifixion and remained un-
til the morning of the resurrection
brought light again.
At the Cathedral and st. Ignatius the
services will be deeply impressive.
Among the Episcopal churches the day
win be observed with the greatest pos
sible solemnity. All the churches will
open at sunrise and be open until late
at night. Services will only be in
terrupted at intervals to allow the
throngs an opportunity to visit them
for private devotion.
BUSINESS MEMS SERVICES.
From l2:15 to 12:45 the rooms of the
Chamber of Commerce will be opened
for a service of meditation. Who will
officiate is not announced. At the
Church of the Advent Eleventh and
Market streets, Rev C. N. Lathrop
rector, in addition to the pre-
scribed service of the day, Du-
bois' fine oratorio, THE Seven
Last Words of Christ" will be per-
formed by a mixed choir, augmented
by members from other church choirs
in this city, Oakland, Berkeley and
Alameda, constituting large chorus.
Admission by ticket. The oratorio will
be conducted by John de p. Teller, reg
ular organist of the church. Miss
Helen Colburn Heath, soprano, will be
soloist; Messrs. Arthur A. Macurda
and Richard H. Hunt. solo tenors; Al
fred c. Read and Henry L. Perry. solo
barytones. Rea Hanna will preside at
the organ. The usual services will be
omitted. The performance will be not
able, as the oratorio Of Dubois is rare
ly heard.
St Johns, Fourteenth street and Ju-
lian avenue, Rev. L. c. Sanford rec
tor-Morning prayer at o'clock and
the three hours meditation at IL m. At
7:45 D. m. the Bishop Of the diocese will
make his annual visitation and con-
firm one of the largest classes ever pre-
sented since the diocese was organized
The musical part of the service will be
noteworthy. STORY of the Cross" by
Roberts: The Shadow of the Evening
Hours" By Shsliey. 20 Saving Virtua'