This Day in Norwood History-January 4, 1901-Norwood Ushers In The Twentieth Century

THE NEW CENTURY ARRIVES.

The Twentieth Century was ushered in in a becoming manner in Norwood at midnight last Monday night, although the occasion was not made so noisy and demonstrative as in some neighboring towns. Perhaps the people here would have doné better to have shown a more general and public appreciation of the momentous and impressive event. As it was, the celebration of the dawn of the new century was for the most part left to the churches.

At St. Catherine’s church, the New Year was ushered ín with a Midnight Mass, which was very largely attended. As the new century opened Rev. Fr. Troy said that he wished all present a Happy New Year, “Pray,” he said, for your country, pray for your state, pray for your town and pray for every man, woman and child in Norwood.”

“Pull together and work together with a common purpose for the right principle,” is the substance of Rev. C. F. Wooden’s thought for the New Year.

The bell of the Universalist church was the bell which announced the New Year to Norwood. The pastor, Rev. W. B. Eddy, says he felt somehow in touch with the feeling and meaning of the great event as he rang the bell. There was a little gathering of people in the belfry as the hour of twelve drew bear. Mr. Eddy began ringing the belt at ten minutes before 12 and rang at intervals of twelve seconds, continuing until five minutes past midnight. It was not a tolling, but in effect, a constant ringing, ushering out the old century and ushering in the new.

Rev. Mr. Eddy gave a sentiment for the new century: ‘‘Christianity the dominating motive of the twentieth century.”

Accompanying the bell ringing there was some blowing of horns and discharging of firearms about town.

At the Baptist church there was no watch-meeting but a very quiet church service of the regular order, ushering in a two weeks service of prayer. The pastor, Rev. George W. Nead spoke on the theme, “The end better than the beginning.” In the closing century, the earnest Christian had served God and, learned many things. The good end of a bad life was often better than the beginning, and there were many ways In which the theme of the discourse could be applied. The discourse or address was brief and was followed by a social season of prayer and speaking, together with a song service. Nearly every one present spoke. The services terminated at a little after 9 o’clock. It was well attended and every one present seemed pleased with its general character.

Rev. Mr. Ncad gives us a sentiment for the new year: “Let us set our faces towards the future and not toward the past.

The “watch night” service at the M.E. church was under the auspices of the Epworth League. Rev. John Lawrence Seaton, the pastor, gave a helpful address with some remarks on what many clergymen are apt to think a very practical theme, the duty of young people’s societies to exercise a modest and respectful attitude toward the church. – Hc thought that a faithful Epworth League member should be a strong supporter of the church and become better and better in his labor for and devotion to every department of church work. The watch meeting lasted till the new year came in, when every one wished every one else a Happy New Year. The services terminated with refreshments and a social time.

Rev. Mr. Seaton gives the following as a sentiment for the New Year: “Materialism has nearly reached its limit. This century will be distinctively religious, with decreasing attention to ceremony and dogma, but with insistent stress upon practical righteousness, filial devotion to God and brotherly love among men.”

Doubtless many laymen may have fine end appropriate new century sentiment that they would like to deliver. As our space is limited, however, we have inserted only the remarks of clergymen.

At the opening of e new century the grand words of a more or less familiar hymn come to mind :—

“Arise end. Rhine, in youth immortal.
Thy light is come, thy King appears;
Beyond the century’s opening portal
Breaks the new dawn—a thousand years.”