New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1867-12-26
DIR. RoGERs's CHURCH.

The morning service at the Fifth Avenue
Reformed Dutch Church, Rev Dr. Rogerss consisted Of
special Christmas hymn by the choir, the Offering mp Of
the Lords Prayer by pastor and congregation reading
from eth chapter OF Isaiah and the ID chapter Of Luke
chanting by the cholr CHRISTMAS sermon ~ tAe paslV
ard concluding anthem by the choir The discourse by
Dr. Rogers, founded upon no special text was rather
pastoral charge Than legitimate sermon Inc lhcHths
ton Of Jesus Christ was, beyond DOUBT the most htupehu
that the world has ever seen. From II date
the commencement OF our present cVllzau0n,
and the era Of the best and most enduring social and
neral system mankind has ever pefsed More thah al
else furnishes the hope of the remission of the
II was 1T that should celebrate Christmas Day that
throughout the world it should be held as solemn fest
MANY OF us had come from homes where we were sur
rounded with most Of the Injuries OF life IL was meet
that we should publicly acknowledge our gratitude 10
the good Giver OF all these blessings Some there were
10 whom this anniversary brought thoughts OF sOrtOw
ours were now closed forever Lips that pressed TO
ours in all the fervOr Of unbiased love now lay cold and
that twelvemOnth should bring great changes TO many
a household. Yet even these sorrOwing ones had much
dear 10 them was il moi Joy TO remember that the sepa
ration is not eternal, that there rs world Where pargs
one They greatly mistake who think that the badge OF
religion is sOrTOWfune6s and gloom. The preacher con-
ceiyes why an iuhdcl, 20 whom tho whole WOill Is a
piece OF chance and accident EhOuld pe goomy anu
sOrrOWful but he could not conceive h0Wa thhuan VINO
feels his sins 20 be forgiven and his future assured could
fan 20 carry IN his FACE ana manner e teunony vi
when Apostle cNhOrts the believers To he merry ne
does not intend exactly the feeling which IRE character
lie by that name The thoughtful man, in view Of the
gravity OF the duties and responsibilities which press
Upon him can hardly be frivolous. The feeling
which is meant Is really one Of cheerfulness
and content 50 We wish one another Merry
Christmas" whom We 20 wish happy,
pleasant But not Christmas alone should
be merry in the Scrptural sense The same means which
make Christmas happy, would make every other day Of
the year much IL seemed clear 10 the speakers
mind that God intended His children be happy here
tins world One first element IN the cultivation OF a
Christian cheerfulnes is the capacity TO perceive and
low the blessings which the goodness OF the Creator
b9s sbowered upon and around Our spirits
ought to be flied with the love Of GOD. and
fhe fellowship of Christ as Gods Angel proclaimed on
the hills OF Gallee Glory TO God In the highest, and
ON earth peace, good will toward men," SO ever
keeping this mind ought 10 make every day Christ
mas day OF 10y, and love, and peace.
The music for the occasion unusually excellent,
under the leadership Of Mr. Wardwell The choir com
prsed four OF the best voices In the city viz Mrs Farms
WORTH soprano; Miss Mayer, contralt0; Mr.. Backcst,
bassO and Mr.. W. j. Hills, tenor. The Organist OF the
church is Mr. l.. j. Connolly.