The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-12-25
CHRIS TMAS.
ANCIENT USAGES ON CHRISTMAS EVE
Preparations for the Observ-
ance Of the Anniversary
in This City.
Inauguration Ceremonies Of Last
Night and This Morning.
Impressive Midnight Services at
st. Adams Chmrch.'s
ENTERTAINMENT AT BELLEVUE HOSPITAL
-~>~~>
The Festivities and Amusemcnts OF the
Day and Evening.
A MERRY CHRIS TMAS TO ALL.
&c. &c. &c.
ENTERTAINMENT At BELLEVUE HOSPITAL
The Festivities and Amusemcnts Of tn
Day and Evening.
A MERRY CHRIS TMAS TO ALL.
&c. &c. &c.


Ancient UsaSes on Ckrlstmas Eve.
ITS OBSERVANCE IN NEW YORK MIDNIGHT SERVICES.
Christmas used to be greatday in all Christendom;
day devoted mirth and jollity fun and frolc,
ushering in the worlds festival In England, moro
especially it was wont to be celebrated right royalty,
and gamesomc minds made merry all the day In fact
the verabe festival itself not much honored
its harbinger The bearing of the huge yule log to
the Cattle nauguraed the day, and its blazing
sparks caused ruddy glow tosEash on the faces Of ALL
the festive board was spread and all attacked the
"brawn, !" the boar's head decked with bay and
mary and the roasted OK with appettes shapeneG by
the frosty air. Then,
.'The wassa round in good brown bowls,
Garnished with ribbons blithely trols,''
and drinking Of the joy inspiring liquid all became in
spirited the merry laugh jocund jest reseuuded
through the hall.
t'Then came the merry maskers in,
And carols roared with blthsome din;
unmelodious was their song,
II was hearty note and strong. a
Who lists may In their mnmmng see
Traces OF ancient mystery
SO soon the village chimes proclaim the hour OF
midnight the carol singers commence their peregrna
lions. and the gray yeof Christmas morning still
sees them at theft abor This last CUSTOM and one Of
the time honored usages of antiquity prevail 10 this
day oil over England From the first sleep Of night ono
Ii awakened by the sound OF sweet strains OF and
simple melodies wishing one Happy Christmas and re-
calling the heavenly message promulgated long since
OF Peace on earth good will towards men" The
church BELLS too ring out merry peal procaiming that
the joyous festival Of Chrsendom has again returned
In America these customs have fallen into disuse it, In
deed, they ever existed Having no ancient customs
Of her own, Columbia cares not to borrow
those Of other countries, and, losing nothing
by this determination, her children enjoy their
Christmas heartily as those or any nation.
II Is not unlikely that Woodworking citizens
disturbed in their slumbes by the sound OF Christmas
CAROLS however sweet the performers would receive
other than q blessing as the sleeper walked up, and
the 'waits' would assredy have establish the
rectness of their cognomen they would receive any
largesse.
MIDNIGHT SERVICES AND MASSES.
All the Continent OF Europe, and especially
in Roman Catholic countries, the custom Of ringing
merry peal upon the church bells at midnigAt and
solemnizing mass prevaia
On Christmas Eve the bells were rung,
On Christmas Eve the mass sung;
That only night in all the year
Saw the stoed priest his chalicc rear.
In Italy, France and Germany this custom 10 never
dispensed with, and the ceremonies usually Of the
most imposing character In ireland, too almost al the
converts have a midnight Christmas eve and
less devoees hamonize together song OF praise and
thanksgiving to God In England this CUSTOM strangely
enough, exists n two places. Cronan Abbey,
Lincolnshire, is Of these. Formerly, when r the
ession OF the monks, grant Of land made for
the purpose of paying for the chanting OF masses
Christmas The abbey stall exists, but has passed
into the hands OF the Episcopal Church. and the grant,
too, has not been rescnded. Each Christmas eve at
midnight the Cathedral choir the batements Of Ahe
abbey chant number Of Anglican hymns, by which
means the grant Of land now worry valuable, is retaiac
hTDSIeHT sERvIcE AT 81. Adams CHURCH.
Aservice Of an imposing and wtbsl peculiar chsrsc.
ter was sosmnizcd at midnight the Protestant Rps
eopal Church Of 81 Adams Rcry- seventh street and
Lexington avenue. In England. for fsome time past
what Is called Puseyism has been creeping into the Es
tablhed Church. This looked upon by The members of
the original Protestant Church hateful innovation
and only one step removed from Roman Catholicism
Disturbances n.cburches into which has crept
unusual Instance those at St. Georges in the East
where the greater portion OF the congregation would
permit the service 10 proceed for several weeks in
sequence Of the Fuseyism introduced This has kept
away from America for a long time hut Is in exist
ence the church in Forty seventh being probably
the precursor OF many others OF similar kind large
congregation present at the referred to- the
han dsomc edifce being quite filled The church
tastefuy ornamentcdvith evergreens and the chance
decorated with flowers The altar CLOTH was Of scarlet
top, with draping Of white satin the front OF
which representation OF n cross was promi.
nent ON the altar itself there IL the centre
a large gilt cross, and on either side OF
flowers Four tall candles burning, two nj
each SIDE while at each extremity OF the aar candida
bra, full OF burning candles, was placed. number OF
evcrgreens In were placed at the sides Of the
chancei Altogether the appearance though tasteful In
the extrsme, seemed strange in a church where all
desire for display Is ignored ard empty forms a. little at
tended s
SO soon as tho chimes told midnight q soft
strain OF melody from unseen singers, stole
into the church, H angels rejoicing thobrh
of Saviour. This continued for short tme when the
doors OF the vcstry opened and number Of young lads
atHed aGoytcs entered before the altar They
preceded by individual dressed In long robe OF black
serge after the OF the old monks lie no
collar and the robe was gathered round the waist by
black cord. The hands Of the acogtsh chorstcrs
c'asped ss in prayer There were six Of them.
After these ease four supplied gentlemen who
assisted them IN the resderng OF the hymn they
cnsntcd Then came small acolyte s9pporting a large
wooden cross cnwiDsd with holly. Alter him came the
three omciating clcrgym which competed the novel
procession This line proceeded round the church chant
ing hymns IN English, the congregation the tins
sunoing, anu after making cireuh OF the building re-
iurheu 10 ine altar, when the choristefs 1led In
to seats AZ either sde while the three oficat.
ing ccrgymsn walked UP TO the altar and made
eaen low oocssncc Remaining with his back to he
congregaon Tue DINERS doing the zane, the priest rs
he is termed In the Puscyitoh Curcb commenced the
ordinary Episcopal service for the communion On
tise congregation, but his compantons stiff re.
msned as before. The service was full choral
All the members Of the congregation, instead
Of in most churches sitting during prayer knslt
down facing the altar the clergyman or priest In
the same position After the regular service the Lord.
supper, or Eucharist was administered TO large
OF communicates All through the service u seemed M
" the ervcncy the clepymen, well the congre-
CATION was made subservient form. by which Il lost
o. The ss service
members OF che CONGREGATION Congratulated eseh oShs