The Washington times., 1905-01-01
BELLS CHINE OUT
NEW YEARS BIRTH
Bursting Bombsand Shrek
ing Sirens Greet 1t.
PRAYER I'M CITY CHURCHES
Thousands Fill Streets, While in Places
of Worship Reverent Hosts
Gather.
PRAYER IN CITY CHURCHES

Prayers and songs of praise in city
churches, changing bells from city
steeples. and, in every street, in every
quarter. the firing OF cannon crackers
and the bursting of bombs accompanied
last midnight the passing of the old year
and announced the advent of the new.
The death of 1904 = the birth
- 1905. 1t was a season of rejoicing
Fwhere. There was no sorrow for
year that had brought its fun share
- joy to the watchers, and nothing but
Ties and cheers and loud acclaim for
Il e year that may hold for Washington
more than its quota of grief and tears.
Services of Prayer.
In many churches earnest eongrega-
tions watched the death of the old year,
and with music and reyerent song
speeded the passing hour. There was
soleInnity there and a faithful watching
of the slow hands of the clock as the
final minute and final second approach
ed. The reyerent worshipers bethought
themselves, it is lik ely, of the year upon
which they were entering and in their
hearts made a renewed resolution ito
do good and abstain from evil
Now and then romance interposed
and soft hand, falling fiower-like upon
a sturdy shoulder, nerved the high -e-
solve to the attainment of lofty ideals
Leap Years Last Chance.
1t was last chance for those adverl-
turous mafdens who hold to the leap
year legend and claim the leap year
privilege. Midnight sped their last up-
portunity for four long and weary
years.
But on the streets the atmosphere was
somewhat different Restraint was con-
spicuous by its apsence and ins cad of
the holy hush of the sanctuary there
was the gleefui abandon of midnight
revelry. A new year was about TO dawa
and on such an occa casion-whieh custom
has dedicated to mirth-mirth must
reign
Mirth Was Reigning.
Well. SO it did Some of the merry
makers had taken advantage of fire.
quent opportunities to increase their ca
pacity for enjoyment. and, perhaps. were
not quite in a condition TO decide just
when the old year died They took no
chances. therefore. but commenced their
celebration at 1870, ard continued il
until half-past the mystic hour. They
were noisy, but good natured, and the
police had little trouble.
Ready for the Hour.
There were other groups. somewhat
less neisily conspicuous, who awaited
calmly fer the hour TO strike They
were gathered at almost every corner,
and so we'll equipped with noise-produc-
ing and ear-split ting instruments and
;<, ~, 4.
stopped his ears in apprehension at their
very sight.
At last the magic moment oame-the
clocks began to strike the now swift
speeding moments that tolled the knell
of 1854.
Pandemonium began and reigned
Horns blared. whistles screamed. bombs
exploded NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. of aural
torture before unknown added their in
human din to the clamcr that was
raised. From the river front the sirens
OF the steamships and tugs lying at
anchor shrielzed out a shrin relcome
The tens of thousands who filed the
streets yelled and howled in noisy sym
pathy. The men did-that is: the fafrer
sisters smiled or clapped their hands
Like the Old, Old Times.
In short it was much like the welcome
that has been extended other new born
years in the. past: nineteen hundred and
FIVE has no special reason to be set up
over it,
Watch night services We're held in
many churches. Among these was the
New York Avenue Presbyterian, where
a program especially elaborate was rem
dered At the Anacostia Methodist
Episcopal Church. Zion Evangelical
Lutheran Church. and many others,
similar services were held At the
Hop1eward Bound Mission. the Central
Union Mission, and the Peoples Mis-
sion large congregations watched and
prayed while the old year passed. The
hechabites and ether fraternal orders
of like character observed the advent
OF a new period Of spiritual response
bility
Shortly after midnight the streets dis
'gOrged rapidly the crowds of sober wor-
shippers and noisy revelers AS the
minutes passed an unused bomb would
be exploded. or Il rocket. held until this
moment. would deck the sky with
pennants or flaming stars. Then these
were heard or seen no more. There
were no more crowds. no more noise
no more excitement The streets wore
Their usual sedate aspect; the minutes
serenity; WASHINGTON slurnbered with
irs wonted tranquility
Nineteen hundred and five had ceased
to be matter for reverence or sur
prise. or rejo icing but rad dronoad
easily into the Drosafc rIIt Of accom-