The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-02-18
CITY AUDITORIUM


-
was born and came practically I'M
heralded. Yesterday was the seventh
service hald here. and the attendance
was In excess of 1000. and the APP
parently hopeless dream of a commu-
nifty song service OF the director of
music in the city schools, Walter Mer-
Ger has been realized in Il manner that
far exceeds his most sanguiue expec-
tations,
With chorus choirs from several or
CARNATIONS in the city including that
of John Marshall and ST. Cecelia's,
and a band OF thirty pieces. all under
the direction Of Mr.. Mercer, the sing
ing was superb, and soon after the
opening song all reticence and indif-
ference was forgotten by the great
pulaating patriotic throng that swelled
the volunnn until tho roof fairly rocked
with sound OF abandoned voices.
DR.. H. D. c. Maclachlan, of the
Seventh Street Christian church, led
tho services with prayer. and this WIS
followed with a round of songs, both
patriotic and religious. The chorus of
practically all OF the songs were re-
peated time and again. Between acts
the band rendered several patriotic
marches. all OF which were received
with loud acclaim by the audience.
DIR. Freeman Speaks
Introduced by former Lieutenant
Governor J. Taylor Ellyson. DIR. Doug
las S. Freeman, editor of the News
Leader, delivered an address that was
interrupted at regular intervals with
prolonged applause. In acknowa~dg-
ing the Introduction OF Mr. Ellyson
the speaker paid high tribute to the
former lieutenant governor relative
to the long and faithful service FEN
dered by that state official
Although the present outlook is
discouraging, stated the speaker, II
can now say for the first time that we
are beginning TO win this war" As
evidence OF the winning he said that
the spirit of sacrifice which Ia the
soul OF nations patriotism. was now
evidenced not only by the soldiers but
by the great body of American peo-
pie.
His talk was one of service, and
patriotism in the form of sacrifice
His statement that the city of Rich
mond was as true to the cause of the
nation as she was TO the cause of the
South fty-three years ago, was the
keynote to the address and was caught
up by the audience with denonstra-
ton.
Instead OF preparing our boys for
war as we are compelled to do now :"
concluded the speaker, ''we can In the
future say 10 him that he need not
learn the arts of war because his
father won universal peace
cover There Favorite.
Following the address OF DR.. Free
man, the band burst forth with the
national favorite, Over There" and
to man the audience swung in with
a rendition that has never been
equalled here. Those that could not
by any means sing or carry a tune"
whistled. 1t was thrilling and tears
were brought to the eyes of many
from sheer enthusiasm.
Joan OF Arc was received with a
spirit that caused II 90 be repeated
several times at the first call, and a
late conner asked for another rendi-
ton. His request was greeted with
applause. and for a second time that
popular song was given and those who
could not sing sang anyway.
Numerous soldiers and sailors from
the nearby camps and environments
were intermingied with audience al
though special seats had been re-
served for them. The ushtng crowds
that clamored for entrance befo@e
the doors were opened made the
reservation of any section of the build
ing practically impossible, and all
were allowed to sit where they chose.
Many were compelled to stand in
the gallery where the overfiowing from
the lower moor surged, and IL there fs
any increase In the future. which is
naturally TO be expected when the
present rate of growth In taken into
consideration, other quarters Will have
to be secured.