Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-06-11
VICTORY FESTIVAL
A GREAT SUCCESS
Vast Audience Attends Diocesan
Patriotic Meeting at the
Academy of Music
FINE MUSIC AND ADDRESS

The first evening of the Victory Fes-
tival of the Episcopal diocese of Penn
sylvania was celebrated in the Academy
of Music last evening before an immense
audience, who entered thoroughly into
the religious nature of the program. The
stage settings were as impressive as
was the nature of the service. The
large orchestra. composed principally
of members of the Philadelphia Orches-
ira, was seated in front of the lowered
curtain, which arose shortly after 8
O'Clock, revealing the chorus of about
500, all in the surplices and caps of
the Episcopal Church. The members
of the chorus were drawn from the
choirs of the churches of the diocese,
and included boy choirs, whose fresh.
youthful voices formed a conspicuous
and charming element of the service. as
well as the best mixed choirs.
The festival opened with the process
sional march of the bishops and clergy,
composed by the late DR.. David d.
Wood, and conducted by Rollo f. Matt
land, organist of st. Paul's. of Over
brook. During the playing of the pro
cessional Bishop Rhineander and cler-
gymen to the number of about sixty
entered and took the seats of honor at
the front of the platform. Then fol-
lowed the singing of America" by the
huge choir and the audience. after
which came the prayer of thanksgiv
ing, said by the bishop. and then the
'Te Dcum Laudamus.' composed and
directed by DR.. Herbert ]. lilly. COM
position well in keeping with the spirit
of the celebration and admirably sung
and led.
Memorial Poem Read
The. Rev. John Mills Gilbert. rector
of Trinity parish. of West Chester,
next read the memorial poem. This.
Bishop Rhinelander announced, had
been unanimously selected by COM
mittee, consisting of Drs. Harvey NJ.
Watts, John Quinn and Felix Schelling
as the most worthy of all the poems
submitted. The main theme was in the
form of tribute to those who had
given up their lives that liberty might
live.
After the poem the anthem. 'The
Souls of the Righteous composed by
Harry c. Banks. Jr.. which was Sc
lected for the festival by competition.
was sung, being directed by Mr.. Banks,
The work is stately composition sung
without accompaniment. the composer
therefore taking advantage of the tonal
possibilities of the immense choir with
out diverting voices of the orchestral
xx-ffh EnA
effect.
Bishop Rhinelander next introduced the
speaker of the evening. Rev. DR.. William
r. Manning, of Trinity parish, New
York, late chaplain of the 1O3d En-
gineers, of the Seventy seventh Di
vision. Docto: Manning spoke first of
the reasons why the American people
should give thanks at this time. One of
the principal Of these, he said. was be-
cause the Americans. late as they were
In entering the great conflict, had still
time to play a most important part in
the ending of the war. We should give
thanks not only for the splendid con-
duct of our men in the service, but also
for that of the men and women at home
who answered the great call. Always
the American people We're ready when
the leaders were ready to act. We
should also give thanks for that great
company of our brethren, who, in their
youth and strength. went forth into the
great conflict never to return.
HistOry's Greatest Days
We should give thanks for the priyi-
lege of living and doing our part in the
greatest days of all human history. We
are now faced with tremendous dangers
mighty forces of evil seek to destroy the
foundations of human life and of society.
But great as are those forces. the forces
of good. which are at our command. are
mightier. if we will but claim them.
America has an opportunity today such
MS was never before given any nation.
And the solution lies in the church. for
the only safeguard of democracy is re-
ligion.
There are three things necessary to