Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-29
RING IN THE NEW
PeaIing Bells Identified With
Early Christian Church.
SILVER CHIMED RITUAL
Mysterious Midnight Moment When
the Old Year Dies.
EXERCISING ALL EVIL SPIRITS
Famous Old Bells That Have Been
Connected With the History
| Of Nations.
EXERCISING ALL EVIL SPIRITS

by the ringing of the bell. New Year re-
joicing was started by the first peal OF
what is now known as the Liberty Bell
After the events of July 4. ZIG. made
the bell one of the most priceless relics
of the nation, custodians of Independence
Hall restricted its use, fearing some mis-
HAP and after 1890 the bell was no longer
used for the New Year salute. In 1872
in celebration of George Washington's
birthday it was rung and not again for
three years, when. July 8. 1885. while
the funeral procession OF Chief Justice
Marshall was passing the bell was tolled.
Suddenly the note grew discordant. An
investigation was made. 1t was found
that a crack had been started. The bell
had completed its task. No more would
1t greet the New Year or pay tribute 10
the nations great. But from the tower
of hberty's cradle another bell always
welcomes the coming Of new year.
Before II collapsed the Campaniie OF
Florence had a set of chimes famous the
world over Copenhagen. Client, Am
sterdam. Oxford. Rouen and Nuremberg
have bells famous alike for their beauty
and their historical Importance. All or
these are used to hail the start for new
twelve month.
Bunyan's bell, No. 4, in the alphabet
peal in the tower of Elstow Church. Eng
land. Is the mecca for many an admirer
of the creator of Pilgrims Progress.
Bunyan was noted as a bell ringer. and
chimes than the rough village blacksmith.
~
England has always revered its New
Year peals and the associations they
bring to mind. 1t is nothing unusual for
a wealthy member OF an English parish
to include in his will a bequest which
shall insure the ringing OF a merry peal
on the recurrence OF New Year eve, the
sentiment being to make happiness for
Others even after death has come and to
assure being remembered.
One Of the most loved bells OF England
Is that of st. Mary-le-bow,. Cheapside.
London, which forms the basis for pro-
verbal expression meant to convey en-
phaticaliy a London nativity: Born with
In the sound of Bow BELLS
Oldest of New Year chimes In the
United States is that of Christ Church. in
Philadelphia. Philadelphia was a colonial
town when they were brought from Eng
land at great expense and installed, 10
become one of the wonders of the city
1t requires eight men to ring these bells.
the primitive method still being adhered
to. In the modern method the player SITS
In front of keyboard of an octave and
a half and plays the black and white keys
as he would piano.
An electric motor supplies the power In
this modern form OF bells.
United States was recently discovered by
Gov. M. A. Otero of New Mexico. The
bell bears date 1855, and was undoubtedly
brought ove- to this country by the first
Spanish settlers and used to call the early
Indian converts to the mission services.
AS the centuries went by it was hung
successfully in a mission church in one
Of the seven cities of Cfbola. next at
Gran Quivers, and finally in the church
at Algondenes. where 1t has rested until
now.
But the world that hears knows no diff
ference. The music all bears the same
message. Whether from the simple ing
Ing Of bells without tune or the playing
of a carol on one of the elaborate devices
born of the genius Of electricity. man
kind derives the same happy encourage
ment He rejoces to hear the old year
rung out and the new one rung in. be-
cause the bells carry him the one word
that needs oftenmost to be repeated TO-
his good:
Hope.