Vrolijk Kerstmis
The unknown history behind
O HOLY NIGHT!
In 1847 a commissioner of wine in France, Mr. Placide Cappeau, was asked by his parish priest to write a poem for the Christmas Eve service. On a hard carriage ride to Paris, the gentleman imagined himself a witness to the birth of Christ. The wonder of that glorious moment flowed through his pen, and he gave us the poem "Cantique de Noel" ("Song of Christmas). Cappeau had the words, but now he needed the music to lift souls heavenward in song.
He asked his friend, Adolphe Charles Adams. It was an unusual request. Adams was a trained classical musician, but he was of the Jewish faith. Nevertheless, he good naturedly received his friend's request and began at once to compose an original tune for the poem. It was a perfect match and the song was performed for the congregation on Christmas Eve. The French people loved the carol, but later after Cappeau left the church for the philosophy of socialism, and after it was discovered that the composer was not of the Christian faith, the church leadership banned the song from its liturgy throughout France.
However, the French people would not let the song die and continued to embrace it--even if they had to sing it outside the official approval of the church. Ten years later, an American abolitionist, John Sullivan Dwight, heard the carol and loved its vibrant message of hope---especially the verse that says "Chains shall He break, for the slave is our brother, and in His name all oppression shall cease." His English translation quickly became popular in the North during the American Civil War.
Legend has it that the French Catholic Church finally received the song back into its worship services after an encounter between French and German troops during the Franco-Prussian War. During a lull in fighting, a French soldier began singing "Cantique de Noel." The Germans were so moved that they responded by singing one of Luther's hymns. The "songfest" encouraged the soldiers to honor a truce for 24 hours on Christmas.
The end of this story involves the beginning of modern technology--the invention of the radio. On Christmas Eve, 1906, Reginald Fessenden (a former colleague of Thomas Edison) was experimenting with a microphone and the telegraph. Fessenden began reading the story of the birth of Jesus from Luke chapter 2. Around the world, wireless operators on ships and at newspaper desks began to hear a man's voice come out of their machines. It was the first radio broadcast of a man's voice. . . .and it was the Gospel of Christ. But it doesn't end there.
Fessenden then picked up a violin and began to play a tune. You guessed it. . . . . "O Holy Night."
The song written by a wine merchant, set to music by a Jewish composer, banned by church leaders, kept alive by the French, adopted by American abolitionists, sung by troops in the trenches, and at last broadcast to the whole world by invisible radio waves. The first song ever played over the radio: "O Holy Night."
Fall on your knees. O hear the angel voices. O night divine. The night when Christ was born. O night divine.Courtesy - A Moment in History by Jeff Sanders
Newspaper items - from long ago!
Port Jervis
Christmas, the post office will be open from 7 a. m. to 12 noon. Carriers will make one delivery at 7 a. m. except in the business district where a delivery will be made after the arrival of the paper train. Collections from all boxes will be made during deliveries. The postal savings and money order departments will be closed. No carrier window service will be given, this will allow the carriers more time for deliveries and it is believed they will accomplish more than they would by coming back to the office All mails will be made up and despatched the same as usual. Service on the rural delivery route will be the same as usual.
Four extra carriers with horses and sleighs will deliver Christmas packages in the morning
EVENING GAZETTE DECEMBER 23, 1915.
Port Jervis
Christmas, the post office will be open from 7 a. m. to 12 noon. Carriers will make one delivery at 7 a. m. except in the business district where a delivery will be made after the arrival of the paper train. Collections from all boxes will be made during deliveries. The postal savings and money order departments will be closed. No carrier window service will be given, this will allow the carriers more time for deliveries and it is believed they will accomplish more than they would by coming back to the office All mails will be made up and despatched the same as usual. Service on the rural delivery route will be the same as usual.
Four extra carriers with horses and sleighs will deliver Christmas packages in the morning
EVENING GAZETTE DECEMBER 23, 1915.
HYMENEAL
KERR - SHAY
Mr. Frank Kerr, of upper Montague,
N. J., and Miss Lizzie V. Shay were
united in marriage at 2:30 o'clock Wednesday
afternoon, at the home of the
bride's parents, Erie conductor and Mrs.
Ephriam Shay, of Tri-States. The ceremony
was performed in the presence of a
small company of friends, by Rev. T. H.
Mackenzie, after which refreshments
were served.
The happy couple left town on train 2
for a wedding tour to New York, after
which they will reside in Montague.
They are both excellent young people,
and their many friends will be pleased
to extend congratulations. The bride
was attired in a tailor made gown.
THE EVENING GAZETTE DECEMBER 15, 1904.
Cole - Shay.
MONTAGUE, Dec. 10.
A very pretty home wedding took place last evening at 6:30 at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Shay, near Centreville, where, in the presence of one hundred invited guests, their daughter Sylvia was united in marriage to Mr. Clarence Cole, son of Mr. Geo. N. Cole of Montague. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. C. W. Demming of the Hainesvllle M. E. Church. After the usual congratulations all present partook of a splendid supper prepared for the occasion. The bride was dressed and looked lovely in a blue sea foam cloth dress, trimmed with velvet to match ; the groom in the customary dress suit. The presents were numerous and well selected, but your correspondent is unable to mention them, although I noticed several envelopes with green paper inside. Among those in attendance outside of Sandyston township were :~Mr. and Mrs. Ephram Shay of Port Jervis ; Mrs. Peter Rundle and son of Mongaup ; Mr. John Swartwout and family and Mrs. B. A. Westbrook of Branchville; Mr, and Mrs. Benj. Kyte of Milford; Mr. and Mrs. Jas. Rundle, Mrs. Betsey Bennett, Mrs. Hannah Shay, Mr. and Mrs. Electus Shimer, Mr. and Mrs. Corey Bell, Mr. and Mrs. Geo. N. Cole, Mrs. Alice Van Auken and Mr. H. Ludwig and family of Montague. May their married life be long and happy is the wish of their many friends. H. L.
MONTAGUE, Dec. 10.
A very pretty home wedding took place last evening at 6:30 at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Shay, near Centreville, where, in the presence of one hundred invited guests, their daughter Sylvia was united in marriage to Mr. Clarence Cole, son of Mr. Geo. N. Cole of Montague. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. C. W. Demming of the Hainesvllle M. E. Church. After the usual congratulations all present partook of a splendid supper prepared for the occasion. The bride was dressed and looked lovely in a blue sea foam cloth dress, trimmed with velvet to match ; the groom in the customary dress suit. The presents were numerous and well selected, but your correspondent is unable to mention them, although I noticed several envelopes with green paper inside. Among those in attendance outside of Sandyston township were :~Mr. and Mrs. Ephram Shay of Port Jervis ; Mrs. Peter Rundle and son of Mongaup ; Mr. John Swartwout and family and Mrs. B. A. Westbrook of Branchville; Mr, and Mrs. Benj. Kyte of Milford; Mr. and Mrs. Jas. Rundle, Mrs. Betsey Bennett, Mrs. Hannah Shay, Mr. and Mrs. Electus Shimer, Mr. and Mrs. Corey Bell, Mr. and Mrs. Geo. N. Cole, Mrs. Alice Van Auken and Mr. H. Ludwig and family of Montague. May their married life be long and happy is the wish of their many friends. H. L.
TRI-STATES UNION DEC. 1895
The elegant sleighing that we have enjoyed for several weeks, gives joy to the cardiac system of the juvenile coaster, and to some of a larger growth it is not particularly disagreeable to take a glide down the steep ascents that surround Carpenters Point. These beautiful moonlight nights are taken advantage of, and the hills are plentifully sprinkled with men, women and children, who make the air resound with their halloas. This is innocent sport and healthful, but care should be taken not to interfere with public travel. A team belonging to Isaac Clawson of Logtown, was run into Thursday night, and a runaway ensued. It therefore behooves the people who coast to keep their eyes open.
EVENING GAZETTE JANUARY 11, 1884
The elegant sleighing that we have enjoyed for several weeks, gives joy to the cardiac system of the juvenile coaster, and to some of a larger growth it is not particularly disagreeable to take a glide down the steep ascents that surround Carpenters Point. These beautiful moonlight nights are taken advantage of, and the hills are plentifully sprinkled with men, women and children, who make the air resound with their halloas. This is innocent sport and healthful, but care should be taken not to interfere with public travel. A team belonging to Isaac Clawson of Logtown, was run into Thursday night, and a runaway ensued. It therefore behooves the people who coast to keep their eyes open.
EVENING GAZETTE JANUARY 11, 1884
December 19th, 1776 - Thomas Paine published his first "American Crisis" essay, which began with these words: " These are the times that try men's souls...".
No. 1 of this series was written during Washington's retreat across New Jersey. By Washington's orders, it was read to his dispirited and suffering soldiers. These are words that should be remembered across New Jersey and the nation, for those very struggling soldiers fighting for independence never gave up.
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| Courtesy -The History Girl https://www.facebook.com/njantiques |
Having difficulty reading this ?
Ask some present-day students if they can read someone's handwritten signature or a document recorded in script, such as the original copy of the Declaration of Independence, or hand-written letters. Many cannot.
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