The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-12-26
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CHRIS TMAs.
General Observance of the Festival
in the Metropolis.
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Impressive Ceremonies in the
Churches.
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THE Day in the Public I'm
situations.
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60 y
a jolly Tip,a On the skating
a Jolly Tip,a on the skating
Ponds.
The Holiday in Brooklyn, Jersey City,
Newark and Elsewhere.

The Christmas of 1868 has taken its place in rne
catalogue OF the things that past and will in the
IlJure be reverted to as festival season around
mAich are clustered many joyous recolections and
Lailowcd associations. Not the least pleasing re-
nembrance OF it viii be the thought that it was the
lEst anniversary OF the nativity OF Him whose
.dvent was announced neaay 1000 years ago as the
harbinger Of Peace earth and good win towards
menu on which the signs OF lasting '.peacen and
resurhing "good WHIP have appeared for the nation
since that anxious Christmas day OF 1860, when
the people, startled from their dream OF
peace and progress listened with throbbng
pulse for the electric whispers that told
how fast the element OF discord was
spreading over the rebellious South as her States
debated the doctrine OF secession which the Palmetto
state had openly promulgated five days before To
many minds the awakening OF those memories OF
the past lent the festival Of yesterday the interest
and sacred import OF a thanksgiving Eight years
OF dlscori have rolled away and the dawn Of the
ninth is tinged with the warmth Of the sun Of peace
returning TO bring forth the buds and blossoms Of
beaign aud lasting fellowship to the constellation of
the States. And OF all the cities Of the Union
has more reason to rejoice at this joyous issue than
New York. the metropolis Of hemisphere whose
commerce was so long paralyzed with the shock of
war. New York did rejoice, and never In
her history has more harmonious observance
OF the great festival Of the Christian world been
manifested than that of yesterday. Business was
almost entirely suspended and her 100o 600 Of souls
devoted the day to prayer and praise and to fra
ternal Intercourse. Her churches were decked In
the sumptuous beauty Which befted the celebration
OF the advent Of their Founder upon earth and the
services were attended by immense and devout con-
courses OF worshlppers. Her citizens thronged her
thoroughares in living streams, and amty and good
VIII TO all men were the sentiments that weled up
in every heart. Old associations were rekindled
the unhalowed memories Of days agone were
buried friendships that human passion had once
dissolved We're cemented anew, and vows Of forgive
ness faith and love were registered on the tablets
or the human heart. The soul Of charity
went forth into the streets gathering in the
hungry and the faint, the aged and the
tender orphan, whom the curtain OF adversely had
yelled from the eager eyes Of the trafickIng world,
and made them feel that they were not altogether
forgotten 1t was carnival day, in fact when the
people felt that not to be happy and loving toward
their neghbors was to be out OF joint with all the
rest of humanity. The weather was clear bright
and beautiful, and though somewhat cold was
nevertheless such as enabled all to enjoy them.
selves. 1t was such day that within doors or with
out mankind felt cheerful and buo0ant, and was a
fitting inauguration OF the holiday week which shall
usher an old year into the grave and q newer and
brighter into being.