The New York herald., 1867-04-22
e a 8 r e a
OBSERVANCE OF THE DAY.
Interesting Services and Sermons in
the Churches.

AnttTcSuls SERVICES dho SCA WvnS ~
the Churches.
&c &c. DC. eg
Cheerily and brightly the sun yesterday morning.
as if intent usherng in, with all possible brilancy
the great festival Of Christianity Those who be-
times for the purpose OF witnessing the gyratons and
sal,aons which his hghness is supposed to in
duge in on morn, had splendid opportunity II
Old Sol felt disposed have their most ardent wishes
grati6ed But whether that performance occurred or
not matters little Certain it is however, that the
bright light and genial warmth dispensed in such
profusion drive from the face Of the heavens ali
vestiges the thick dark clouds which but few hours
before rendered the darkness intense and had
hung the world like funeral pail How true q
picture this of the great events which the Church has
lately been commemoratng But few days ago abe
the death Of her Divine Founder; nAaght
heard but signs OF grief and tribulasiOn; all dark
and dismal for all hope seemed lost But He has
from the tomb; He has confounded His enemies;
He has completed the work Of mans redemption; His
earth has been fulfilled. and the church now
exus sings aloud its paans and greets its children
with the cheering salutaon 'Chrst is risen; aleujah'
The universal darkness which had overshadowed the
CHRISTIAN world from the moment the Rsdeemer yielded
mp bis mortality the has been completely ban
grief and dark despair, joy and gadness
The bright light, clear sky and balmy atmosphere Of
yesterday contributed to make the festival which in
itself brings light and happiness 70 the Christian heart
enjoyable; and whether II was out OF doors,
where the gay promenades, all appearing TO have
been imbued with the joyous spirit OF the time chated
and laughed they passed to and fro or within the
temples dedicated to the worship OF God, whore the
exquisite productions Of and the choicest
gems of art have been employed give Scat to the
occasion, that happened 70 look, there
and everywhere he might and hear tokens Of joy
expressions Of gratitude and sautations Of heartfelt de-
light the triumph Of Christianity The festival seemed
indeed to be generally and particularly cele
brated than has been heretofore and from the reports
given below Of the services in the various churches
may be determined that the metropolis is fast coming
. Of its indebtedness TO and dependence on the
favor and grace OF the Divine Being; whose triumph
death yesterday commemoated in the festival Of
Easter.
ST. Stephens Church-Berge's First Mass.
Casting aside the sombre drapery Of in which for
forty past she the passion and death
OF her Divine Founder, the Church put her gayest
attire yesterday and with joyous strains Of music merry
peas Of BELLS wreashs OF clustering flowers and myriads
or twnkling lights she called al her children to
with her singing haleluahs for the triumph OF
the Cruc1ed over sin and death. AZ st. Stephens,
Ssventy-eighth street. Dr. McGlynn the jealous and
talented PASTOR arrayed the beautiful church In
betting such occasion, and William Berge the
Organist gave Of his own composition, with the
choir Of the church, large chorus from the Aendes
sohn Union and quartet Of brass Instruments The
mass is Of those dramatically constructed works
in which the musc is descriptive Of tho sublime poem
It illustrates and also Characteristic OF the festival being
uiumphal in spirit The Kyrie singular but very
effective piece The only accompaniment the voice in
were bella and The voices and svery tones seemed 70
tha, with .rumpess and organs ushsred the Gloria
The GLORIA was majestic march, occasionally running
go ssss ss .S n ers .s sss
gradually working up the march theme until voice,
and trumpet peaied forth their loudest tones The
themes OF tho Credo were light and effective
and not remarkable for power, thought or
grandeur. The Et Resurrext represented, clearly
the power of music could go the in new
phase The Incarnation scene music from the Frey
schultz modified to some extent was introduced, and
seemed portray all nature convuIsed to her inmost
cesses and umpcts gongs bells and voices Numbered
forth together, HE is risen"
Some OF the concluding themes OF tho Credo the Ben
edictus and the Sanctus brought to mind recoec
tions Of Ernani but in all these "reminiscences were
skilfully and artstcally managed. Nine De Lussan,
other occasions Nine Anschutz was the conralto |
satisfactory usual Mr.. Bernardo one OF the best
tenors a New York church boast OF, and |
Mr. Duschnitz's fine bass voice was evidently
suffering from illness indisposon Al the gospel Of
gospel Of the day He that during Holy Week the
peas of tho organ were hushed the altar Of God was
in plantve strains the drge Of the SON OF God But
now all is changed Earth brings her choicest flowers
TO deck the altar and the CHRISTIAN temple resounds
OF the God The Resurrection stamps the mission
Of the crucifcd One as divine. From the morning OF
the Resurrection begins the march OF trumphalapro
Cess ion coming down through the ages, and taking in
The best and greatest, well nameiess millions Of
every age and clme all dong homage TO the triumph
Of Him "who was crucihed."
Church Of -. Francis Xavier.
The Catholic Church has long been remarkable for the
ritualstic pomp and the imposing and solemn
observed the celebration OF all its great festivals
Nothing calculated hn the minds Of the worshppes
with religious has been neglected. and the pens Of
the celebrated composers Of music both Of
and modern times have often been laid under contbu
sion so aid with thcir works those religious displays
The Easter yesterday morning half.pa
zen o'clock the Church Of st. Francis Xavier West
Sixteenth street. every way worthy of the fame Of
the church, and Of the occasion which they comme-
morated. The altar, whichgwas abaxe with hight,
chastey but not prof usey decorated at the sides with
aowers the large candelabras and the tapes the side
altar also having floral wreaths twined around them.
The choir was strengthened by the addition Of a full
orchestra the whole being under the direction Of Mr. A.
Dessa1e the 90 osans gan o. the S cnusSp mass
what intricate work, and the choir and orchestra had
bu. one rehearsal yet i was performed & IN very sc
very popular piece OF sacred music II opens
with a subdued. but pleasing strain. accompanied
h intended 70 represent the angels singing
their hymns Of praise 70 the accompaniment Of
their own harps After slight change Of theme IL
winds up with ciashing and brilliant jubant move
menI in which the orchestra In with very
good effect Al the onsrtory bass solo. which has
no special merit was sung. The nnale--"Laudato
Domnum," composed for the occasion by Mr. Dessane--
lively, spirited composition, and was played in ex-
ceent time. IL
The solemn high mass sung by Father Lanquaqua,
celebrant assisted by Father rbiery as deacon, and
Father Renaud az sub-deacon After the performance
Of the introduction, 'Domine Salvum," by the choir,
bearers and boys swinging censers, containing
incense, emeraed from the sacrissy, and. after
making tour Of the aisles OF the church,
sp1nkling holy water on tho knseing worshippcrs ~
they passed they entered the sanctuary and the mass