The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-12-26

CHRISTMAS FESTIVITIES.
Observance or the Day In the City-The
Charitable Institutions and the Poor-The
New Tabernacle--Rows Between Target
Parties and Stage Drivers and Dead Ras.
bits, sc.
Yesterday being the festival Of Christmas the day was
celebrated in the usual the grea, mass of our
citizens and resembled the Sabbath the perfect quie.
which until evening observed in the Streets and the
total cessation from business which appeared in every
part Of the city.
The weather was less propitous than anticipated
the day before, the clear mild atmosphere which seemed
like October having been succeeded by chilly winds
and the dull cadeu sky which betokens the near approach
of snow
Fortunately however sunshine is not necessary TO thu
enjoyment of turkeys and mnce pie and the bright faces
and cheerful warmth indoors made ample for tho
dismal state of things without Santa Claus was around
usual his panniers piled high with toys of every de-
scrption and confectionery enough give all New York
the dyspepsia the chdren's well filed stockings
testified.
In many families the grand Christmas dinner was sue
ceeded by the christmas tree" in the evening" trea
sure which had been carefully brought home after dark
and when the children had gone bed the evening be-
FORE and here revealed them in all its wonderful
and shining beauty gstening and gttering with mani
fold offerings gifts from and 10 father mother sister and
brother sides kind aunt uncles cousins and the
dear old grandma. No one is forgotten Bridget
has sxpenny deaine which she thinks 8" beau
uul' and the baby set of silver bells which he
crows With delight. Over all the little coorcd lamps
throw radiance which reflects itself in hundred bright
eyes
with Christmas festivities and glad see il every
year becoming feature Of the occasion especially
in large families Until recently Christmas was not OBJ
War dov and
the Fourth OF July being the only OF ntercsone
Of which was devoted to friendship and the other to pat
otism The observance OF Christmas chiefly limited
TO one or two religious sects and class Of the foreign
population now, however nearly all suspend their ord
nary occupations, and participate, TO some extent in the
joyous Influences which accompany its celebration
Among all those who were remembered, we hope and
chickens and fat turkey found their way Yesterday 10 tho
POOR man table, TO which they had long been strangers
private charity never having been more active than now
when II Is so much needed.
The Roman Catholic and Epscopalan churches present
edquie festive appearance Most OF them decked
with Christmas garlands, and trimmed with evergreens
and holly The services interesting and well attend
ed notwithstanding the gloomy weather. In the Epsco-
pal churches the Sunday school children had their ami
versarics, which were attended with what was 10
them the pleasant exercise Of eating drinking Christ
mas gifts were also given 10 the little ones.
The day also well observed at the public institu
ton. on Wards Island, which inhabited entirely nv
poor and diseased emgrants bountfu repas pro-
vided by the Emigration Commissioners, and the poor
paupers were treated TO extra pudding honor OF the
day. The Randalls Island children had fine time They
made and Mr. Gunhcr, President Of tho Board OF Aims
house Governors delivered an address 10 thcm, full OF
good advice a. 10 their future behavior In life bount
iul dinner IN the school room concluded the entertain
mente.
There also interesting the Five Points
Mission, and al other private charitable institutions all OF
which received bountifu donations OF money, clothing
and food from their patrons The poor will have rea
son 10 regret the advent Of this Christmas.
The Germans seem TO hold Christmas day in peculiar
reverence The lager bier saloons houses OF enter
tanmcnt which they most frequent we're gaiy decked
TN and artificial flowers. while fra
qucntcrs showed their appreciation Of the holiday by
drinking lager al day aud eating iimahe quantities Of
brodn and limburgcr cheese.
Tho hrcmen observed the day after their fashion,
which has thc merit o. being original Il Is the fashion
machines" out and try their capacity some one OF
the city liberty poles The Park il also rendezvous
Yesterday quite n number Of companies were thus em
ploycd, and probably, a. this dri makes them much
more efficient az fires.
The steam carriage was exhibited in the streets ycs,er
day, and excited lively curiosity II seems to be quite
success, and may perhaps some day be brought into
The noticeable feature Of the present Christmas IL
the almost entire s0ppage Of target excursions Bat very
few passed the HyRaID Office yesterday compared with
previous Christmas Days The hard times has evidently
affected this class Of pleasure seekers Among tho few
tompanies out we noticed the James Irving Musketeers
captain Holly; fine body Of men, who after parading
through the streets partook OF dinner al the Aston
House and the Peterson Light Guard Capt Jackson who
paradod $50 Of the best drilled men we have some
time
The Irish Hurting and Foo, BALL Club had their ars,
game Yesterday, and played game o. foot ball at Hobo
feeling exhibited by both parties and they parted
with the understanding that they should often again
v hurl, wreste and foot ball as they wont 10 do in
Ahe old land The Irish Club will play grand hurting
match on 81 Patrcks day.
LAYING THE CORNER STONE or THE NEW BROADWAY
TABERNACLE CHURCH.
The corner stone OF cdnce 10 be erected at the cor
ner Of broadway and Thirty fourth for the Broad
way Tabernacle church, yesterday laid with sppro-
pirate ceremonies, and notwithstanding the bitter cold
there was large audience in attendance. The proceed.
Dgs commenced with prayer, singing Of the li7th Psalm
reading Of an appropriate passage Of Scripture brief
address by Rev. Dr. Buddngon and prayer by Rev Dr.
Vermyea The audience then adjourned 10 the southwest
corner Of the building where preparatory the ceremony
OF laying the stone the pastor Rev Joseph " Thompson
who oflciated, spoke as fellows
less than twenty years ago the old Tabernacle church
IN Broadway built To day stand on a spot nearly
three miles from that building, and trust 70 re.
main here at least ten times twenty years. We
come here in a comparatively uninhabited place.
we come IN the spirit 81 Christianity, towards the
rounding churches who recprocate the same spirit TO.
Tabernacle on this spot either size form new
building, although not quite large the old one will
when finished, seat eighteen hundred persons.
ARTICLES DEPOSITED STONE
The reverend gentleman then enumerated tho articles
placed In the box beneath the stone, consisting of their
articles Of faith as an Evangelical church. the holy Bible
year, the Manuals Of the Church. Copv or
the History OF the Broadway Tabernacle church.
Reports q the Bible Society, Home Missionary
Tract Society, American Board Of Foreign Missions
and Sunday School Upon the Congregational Year ook of
thei present year History Of the Mercantile Library
Association; Manual Of Plymouth church. Rrooklvn
and copies Of the religious and secular papers'
There deposited in the box an engraved nor,ra
q himself, as he supposed complimentary method Of
laying him aside before his time possibly 10 he bronrhtto
light In future generations.
The stone was then laid With the customary so