Evening star., 1915-01-01
THRONG0 OF 2O,0D0sNGS
AS NEW YEAR NEARS
Christian Endeavor Union Holds An
nual Celebration Near the
Treasury.
Statesmen and Others Send Messages
of Hope and Cheer to
Multitude.

sung last night by crowd eStlmateo
at 10000 persons, who gathered In the
south plaza and on the steps OF the
Treasury Department building. In cele-
bration of New Years eve.
The celebration was under the aus
pices of the District OF Columbia
Christian Endeavor Union. and its
sponsors last night declared 1t to have
been fully as successful as last years
celebration.
The great crowd sang the old songs
ano hymns in unison, the words being
thrown on a screen by means of a
stereopticon. to prompt those whose
memories were bad. but almost all re-
membered the weN-known verses and
melodies
Among the hymns and songs rendered
were: All Hail the Power Of Jesus
My Old Kentucky Home,'' Seeing
Nellie Home" my Country, 'Tis Of
Thee" Holy Night" and Good Night,
Ladies'"
New Year Saluted.
Messages of greeting were thrown on
the screen from Gov-elect Frank B. WILL
lis of Ohio. Champ Clark, Rev. Francis
E. Clark, founder of the Christian En-
deavor Union; Senator Borah, Secretary
Daniels and others. An invocation was
offered by George M. Kirk. director Of
religious, religious vons,. work Of the Young Mems
of the new year was saluted by the
beating of a big bass drum and cymbals.
the crowd Enthusiastically shouting
n,aappy t,eaI soIs New Year" Then the stereop-
ment; on the stroke of midnight, and
handkerchiefs were waved and prayers
silently said.
The singing was led by Percy s.
the occasion was composed of Rexford
District Of Columbia Christian En-
deavor Union; the Rev. John Britton
Clark. pastor of the Old First Presby-
terian Church; the Rev. John T. Huddie,
pastor of st. Paurs English Lutheran
Church; George NJ. Kirk, director Of
religious work. Young Mems Christian
Association, and Allen E. Mechen, vice
president of the District of Columbia
Christian Endeavor Union.
Messages Flashed on Screen.
Among the messages flashed on the
screen and read were the following:
From. Gov.-elect Frank H. Willis Of
Ohio:
That the new year may be as happy
hopeful and auspicious. is the wish Of
your friends in the old Buckeye state"
From Champ Clark. Speaker of the
House Of Representatives:
Nineteen fifteen bids fair to be a
great year for America and Americans.
1t ought to be the greatst year In our
history-in a business sense. In the
language Of Tiny Tim: God bless US
every one!"
From Rev. Francis E. Clark. founder
and worlds president of Christian En-
deavor:
May the new year bring peace to
the world through the good Offices of
America, prosperity to Washington and
to our beloved country; and every
his associates in Office"
The two last messages were an
nounced as being from the worlds
two greatest Clarks."
a message was received from Senator
William E. Borah, as follows: "Ameri-
cas- greeting to Europe, On earth peace
goodwill to men,"
Daniels Hopes for Peace.
Josephus Daniels, Secretary Of the
Navy, sent the following message:
'In reply to your request for New
Year sentiment, please let me say that
we may not launch a happy New Year
wish for 1915 in the usual festive spirit
manner. because the distress of nations is
SO great as to make happiness impos-
sible at the moment to more than half
the habitable globe. But we may express
the hope that the United States may go
on. as she has already begun to be the
good Samaritan of nations, pouring oil
and wine into the wounds OF stricken
Europe. And we may cherish the hope
and utter the prayer that ere the infant
year grows old. 1t may see our own coun.
try mediating a worldwide peace which
will result forever in melting the sword
into the plowshare and the spear into the
pruning hook"
Watch Night Services.
Watch night" services were held in
many of the churches of Washington
last night. In some of the churches
prayer meetings are regularly held
Thursday nights. and these services
were greatly elaborated and prolonged
in celebration Of the occasion. In the
New York Avenue Presbyterian Church.
which usually has elaborate watch
night" services, the celebration was
omitted this year because Of the illness
of the pastor, Rev. Wallace Radcliffe.
Pnf fo1u Of rho Ronan Cpfhol{r