The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1918-01-28


First Presbyterian church last night
in the presence of a congregation
which occupied every bit of space in
the large church, and the Sunday
school room was requisitioned TO take
care of the overflow. The additional
seating space was occupied to its
capacity within a few moments after
it had been thrown open, and still
the folks continued coming. The re-
suit was that all available chairs were
requisitioned, and these were firing
ing each of the aisles. They were
occupied by men, women and children,
and all manifested the greatest in
terest in one of the most impressive
of exercises held in that church in
long time.
Not the least interesting was the
extended and carefully made up mus
ical program, in which were to be
seen and heard some of the city's
best known and most accomplished
vocalists. The choir was made up OF
the following:
Sopranos-Mrs. Nita Osborne
Benin. Miss Lillian Clark, Miss DIM
pie Mcmillan. (Mrs. Chas. B. Her
vey was prevented from taking part
by illness.)
Tenors-Messrs. w. S. Garfield. F.
S. Mellen, Hal Laney.
Contraltos-Mrs. F. S. Mellen.
Miss Nell Burrow. Miss Lulu Thames
Bass-Dr. w. J. Benn. DR.. L. C..
Phillips. Messrs. Jack Clark and j..
A. Poole
Organist-Miss Charliebelle Laney.
acknowledgements Price.
America" and the "Star Spangled
Banner" were both rendered by the
congregation and choir. all standing,
the last-named patriotic selection be-
ing rendered when the service flag
containing thirty-one stars, was
dropped simultaneously with the stars
and stripes. The flags were !Irled
at a given signal, Masters Walter
Garfield and Churchill Mellen pulled
strings and the colors fell. There
was hush over the congregation, for
the ceremony followed a presentation
speech made by w. b. Ferriss. Then
the notes of the great organ started
and hundreds of voices were soon
singing "The Star Spangled Banner
There were scores of service men
present. Privates and officers of all
branches of the service were in the
large congregation, plentifullv sprin-
killed. about the house, but at the con-
clusion of the stirring selection,
which was sung as the vast audi
ence stood. not one of the sailors or
soldiers resumed his seat without
saluting the colors.
Particular attention was called to
+he fact BY Mr.. Ferriss, and also by
Rev. Mr.. Moffett, the pastor, at the
name of Miss Ida Mallory in the list
of those who have enlisted for SER
vice. The beloved pastor referred
to her as one of the fairest of flow
ers. and Mr.. Ferriss was also par
ticularly eloquent in his referense.
Mr.. Ferriss also called attention
to the fact that some who had en-
listed were under the draft age,
some in the draft age and some who
would not be affected by operation
the fact that each of them were
members of the Sunday school
classes, a reference which pleased
the large congregation.
Rev. Mr.. McIlwaine, pastor of the
Knox church, although hardly able
to speak for any considerable time,
on account of recent illness, was
heard in a review of wars of the past
in which our country had been en-
gagged. the talk having been heard
with the closest attention.
While the work of every member
in the choir was of the best possibly
the numbers which deserved more
especial mention were the violin solos
by Sergeant Price; vocal solos by
Mrs. Benn and by Mr.. Poole, and
anthem, "Sanctus" by Mr.. Garfield
and choir. Then the audience joined
in the refrain of keep the Home
Fires Burning" sung by Mr.. Laney.
There were thirty-one stars, one
for each of the following:
Stars in Our Service Flag.
Barrow, Dudley-Army.
Brown, James-Army.