Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-12-24
MALE CHORAL SOCIETY
SINGS At ST. PAUL s
Address To Soldiers and Sailors Is
Delivered ny John Stew
art Bryan.
CHRISTMAS PAGEANT is HELD
DIR. Bowie Reads "The King That
Was Not and tho King That Was"
While Children OF Sunday School
Are Silent Actors in Various Roles,

The sacred spaces OF historic St
Paurs Episcopal Church rang with in
spring music yesterday afternoon at
the o'clock special service for soldiers
and sailors. II was a distinct innova-
tion to have tho members Of the Rich
mond Male Choral Society act as the
choir for this service. and it was SO
announced from the pulpit But il was
departure OF wise Judgment. and the
music given by the society was OF won
dcrfu!ly inspiring and clcvating quality
The famous Luther anthem. "a
Mighty Fortress Is our Cod" received
remarkably effective treatment from
TINS excellent body OF singers, and the
setting Of John Hyatt Brewer is mas
sive. with remarkably broad and full
harmony. The "Adcstc I'idelcs." TO the
text. 20 Come. All " Faithful" also
brought out the fun volume of the male
chorus splendidly, ana proved an in
spring opening for The service. Other
hymns used were: 80 Little Town OF
Bethlchcm'; Eternal Father. Strong to
save. announced as having been writ
ten on the scene OF the present world
struggle, md the national anthem
our Fathers God, TO Thee" Howard
baskerville accompanied at the organ
the society being directed. as usual, by
+. Flaxington Harker
An address Of mastery and inspira-
tional quality was delivered by John
Stewart Bryan. who prefaced his re-
marks by the statement that sit seemed
paradox that war service should
be given on the eve OF the birthday
Of the Prince of Peace in a church
dedicated to tho God of love" Mr..
Bryan's address was carefully prepared
and presented with eloquence and
power.
He said that he had been told by a
distinguished man that tho greatest
thing in the world was life, but he
defined the principle Of choice az the
greatest in his opinion. as 1t carried
with 1t the prerogative OF choosing
service, which implied SO much. IIc
stated that the noncombatant might be
or great service, in saying TO the SOL
dicrS: we are with you; We will make
any sacrifice for you"
The Richmond Maie Choral Society
is giving itself libcrally in service. as
outlined in it's presidents address at
the last concert. On Saturday evening
the society sang at Camp Lee, having
as soloiSts Miss Gladys Pevtop who
sang two groups OF songs and ballads
and j. Foster Barnes. VINO also con-
iriouted song numbers. This Is the
third appearance Of the Male Choral
society within the past week.
CHRISTMAS PAGEANT
HELD IN MORNING
An impressive Christmas service was
he!d in st. Paurs Church Yesterday
morning. 1t was in the form of a
CHRISTMAS pageant of THE king Tha,
Was Not and the King That WAS "
written By Rev w. Russell Bowie, ID.
D. rector OF the church. and read bv
hiin, while the various characters were
silently enacted by children OF the
sunday School. appropriately costumed
IN garments like those worn at the
period of the birth OF the Savior.
me pageant was laid in four scenes
hrat the hall Of the palace of Horod the
Great; the second, tho fields of Bcthlc-
hem, third. on the road to Jerusalem
and fourth. at the entrance TO Jeru-
salem
The full vested choir OF the church
sans appropriate hymns and anthems
ana The little actors entered into the
spirit of the pageant in a rcverent
ana solemn mood. y congregation
That packed the church watched the
silent actors portray the characters as
they were referred to by DR.. Bowie II.
his story, and the whole service made
deep and inspiring impression.
Preceding the pageant. the children
of ST. Paurs as is their custom, in
stead OF receiving gifts on Christmas
gave generously of food, fruit, candy
toys and other things 10 be distributed
among the poor children of Richmond
Their gifts were piled high in front
of the altar.
At the evening service the choir.
assisted by the st. Cecilia Chorus,
rendered a musical progra,n of Christ
mas carols, both old and modern un-
der the direction OF T.. Flaxington
l!arkcr, orsanist.