Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-04-15
SERVICE OF MUSIC.
Carnegie Hall Thronged at the Open
ing Ceremony With Notables.

NEW YORK, April 15.-Draped in white
and gold and festooned with the flags of
every nation Carnegie Hall last night rang
with the songs and sermons of universal
peace. 1t was the choral service introduce
tory to the first national arbitration and
peace congress ever held in this country,
and which is to continue until next We'd
nesday night.
Every seat in the hall was occupied and
many who held tickets of admission were
turned away early in the evening. AS an
indication of the general interest in the
peace movement, it was said yesterday
that applca tons for seats for every ses-
sion have far outnumbered the seating ca
pacity of the building. Requests have been
received from almost every city and town
in the country.
Music, vocal and instrumental, was the
principal feature of the opening exercises.
The stage was occupied by the Oratorio
Society of New York, with Damroschs Or
chestra. only space being reserved in front
for the speakers. The exercises opened
with the finale from MendelsOohn's SYM
phony in Minor by the orchestra, and was
followed by "Seepers, Wake" and How
Jo,eIv Are the Messengers by the or
chestra and chorus.
Responsive readings from the Old Tesla
ment Scriptures Were then conducted by
the Rev. Charles +. jefferson. and after
that the chorus, orchestra and audience
Joined in singing the hymn God OF Our
Fathers" After that orchestra and chorus
gave selections from The Messiah.
Mr.. Carnegie Arrives.
Andrew Carnegie, president of the con-
gress, was not present at the opening OF
the exercises, having been detained in Pitts
burg. where he had gone to attend the
dedication of the new Carnegie Institute
last week.
Al o o'clock he came in. accompanied by
several of the French and German dele
gates. and took his place in the box directly
onnosjte the stage, which had been re-
served for him and his guests. AS he en-
tered the hall there was perceptible stir
IN the great audience, and many turned
tou,ard the box and saluted him by waving
their handkerchiefs.
first tier of boxes were drapings of white,
spangled with gold stars, which lent a sub
dued and beautiful effect to the great audi
torium. Flags of all nations draped the
second tier of boxes, and between them
were shields bearing the names of those
who have been conspicuous in the move
ment for universal peace.
In the addresses the keynote was arbi-
tratinn and Cancellation rather than any
argument for disarmament or actual ces-
sation of war. The speakers talked of the
progressive steps toward peace rather than
of the actual consummation of a world at
peace.
Rabbi Emil G. Hirsch, DID, Sinai Con-
gregation, Chicago, was introduced by
| Bishop Potter as one who had done much
| toward arousing interest in the peace move
ment in America. During his address he
| said: "A wise man has said, Speak softly
| and use the big stick But is not the bis
| stick always a provocation for trouble
| The carrying of pistols in the hip pocket
| has been the cause OF many murders, ant
| Is not the big stick very like the pistol In
| ones pocket?"
Thou Shalt Not Kill"
If there were no wars, he said. there
would be very little starvation and suffer
ing. 1t was said by the advocates of war
he declared, that to do away with 1t would
be to sacrifice our manhood. but that argu
| ment would soon be abandoned when mer
began to reason as they should do. II
nations can violate the commandment
Thou shalt not kill" why could not men
| he asked. Continuing. be said:
EVERY device and mvary invention shiloh