Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1866-12-26
THE GREAT FESTIVAL.
Our Churches and Our Theatres

All things have their centres in life
and motion, and belo ng to a system
Acting and interacting, tending at times
in various ways they all at length turn
in one direction. Stars revolve around
suns, and suns around planets. Unity
passes into variety, and variety into
unity. All proceed from and gravitate
toward centre A mysterious law
governs the whole Plants and animals
form themselves from interior forces.
The rose unfolds its petals and leaves
from vital root; dew is globed by the
power of gravitation; so are bubbles
blown from pipe-stem by the breath OF
boys. They are sphered like stars and
colored like the rainbow as they float in
the sunbeam. The down on an insect s
wings, though scarcely visible to the
naked eye, grows like forest of palms.
Nature is ever moving, even when it
seems still as the grave. Society also
has its centre; it gravitates around a
living principle, which constitutes life
Men, though insulated as individuals
grow together No two may resemble
each other, yet all are alike. One spirit
ual force impels them in the same direc-
ton. 1t is this spiritual power which
draws them together at Christmas and
makes them one in sentiment. Though
separated by seas, and scattered through
various lands, all Christians pour forth
the same volume of praise and joyful
thanks on this Great Festival in honor
of the Worlds Redeemer 1t comes on
us like the budding of flowers, because
it is filled with Hope it makes us cheer
full and merry, because it is the promise
of Charity it expands our souls with
thanksgiving! and makes us one in love,
because it is the birthday of Faith.
Churches ON this great day, more than
any other, are the centres of worship.
Rich and poor come together to do hom-
age at the shrine of Life. The Shepherd.
of the Sanctuary decorate their Temples
and spread incense over their affairs, as
the Wise Men of the East spread their
Jewels at the feet Of the Son of Man in
the Stable of Bethlehem. Crowds OF
people who throughout the year paid
more attention to the worlds affairs than
the acknowledgements due to the Deity,
this day sing hozannas to the Highest,
and fall in PROSTATE alteration to the
Lamb who washeth away the sins of the
world.
Happily can we record that the reli-
rious circles Of Memphis this year OK
erted a praiseworthy energy in their
attention to Divine service and the whole
some charities which flow from glad
hearts on Christmas; but we regret to
say that the decorations Of the most
prominent churches we're neither as pro-
fuse or as tastefully arranged as ut the
same time last year. 1t cannot be pos
sible that the hearts of young ladies have
grown cold in this laudable service. If
those who were wont to arrange wreaths
and flowers for the churches have become
"infirm and DID," surely there ought to
he n sufficient set of newcomers to take
their places. Hereafter, if the Taller
lives, he will give a lecture to the fair
one ON their duties in this respect pre-
yious to the holidays, for if anything
lovely is to be executed, they are the
only ones who can give it charm with
their delicate fingers and natural taste.
ST. PETER AND PAUL's CHURCH
opened the solemnities of the day with
a grand High Mass, chanted in the Latin
tongue peculiar to the service of Catho-
lies. assisted by full chsir and power
ful organ. The celebration was most
impressive, and the music of that rich
tone which inspires one with devotion.
The congregation at that early hour 70
am was very large-a compact mass,
which presented the imposing spectacle
Of sea of calm and pious faces OF all
ages and sexes illumined by the glare OF
a thousand tapers. Under this flood OF
light the sanctuary, with its gold and
silver ornaments, and costly lace and
spaugled satin drapery, was scene oil
wonderful aud touching beauty. The
center altar was arrayed in wreaths OF
red and white roses. interpreted with
blue and purple flowers Of a smaller
size; within its inches we're bouquets OF
nearly all colors, presenting bouniiiul
variety and yet q beautiful contrast The
side affairs we're hung in green, which,
on The white ground, had a pleasing and
refreshing appearances. The csmnunion
railing and the walls close to the affairs
were draped in emerald; and about the
front pillars we're twisted bands OF ever
green. The tall candles on the affairs