New-York tribune., 1868-12-25
CHRISTMAS EVE AT ST. ALBAN'S.

At nine o'clock last night the little church at
ne corner of LexIngon-aye and Forty dedf
Gated TO St. AlbaD the prOtO Omartyr OF Great Britain,
was nlled TO OveTfiOwng. The service was the first
yespes of the great Christmas festival The body Of the
nte church was tasefuly decorated with eyergreens
hanging estoons from the beams OF the roof and the
sanctuary which lighted by two large standards Of
wax candles vas rleh IN the most exquisite flowers.
Two immense vases filed with everything that
Horticulture produce, that can be forced into
bloom at this incement season, stood either side
of the altar; while on the reliable there were two
s.. ysa .;caeent pyramlda bouquets q Yee eameias,
araleas. &c. in Two large medieval brass vases.
ghe altar, which lighted by two branches OF wax
tapers was vested ina very handsome frontal beaut
fuy embroidered the stoes and sacred monogram be-
Ing exceedingly rich and the superOnta one mass OF
gold embroidery, with heavy French gold fringe.
few bars OF prelude the organ warned the congre
CATION that the service about to commence and then
the strains Of the grand old Christmas hymn, Bark
the Herald Angels Sing quietly stole upon the ear from
the choristers' vestry. At the end Of the nrst
verse the procession entered the church,
headed by the crucifier, In cassock and Gotta,
bearing the Professional Cross, followed by the choir
boys and four bearers in scarlet cassocks and sur
pces the choir and lastly the Priests Father
Morrill, rector vested in very beautiful white cape.
all wearing their briettas At the conclusion of the Pro-
oessional Hymn Evensong was sung; and must say,
Father Morrill, has, in spite OF many obstacles
n
Would suggest HeimOre's Plain Song" as being more
suitable TO congregational singing AT the termination
focks at night sung. aud Father Morrill, then pro
ceeded to deliver eloquent address founded on the
THE MIDNIGHT SERVICES.
church "I@SS" Was literally ja%med and to find even
standing room was matter of considerable difficulty.
from sAcrisy open prayerbook, and passing be-
fore the altar made a reverental genufexon, after
by two others, these latter clad in close fitting vest
Dents Of searleto bearing the scored utensils rs
placed table at s"cs the isn left rt., Of AaS the
fore proceeded TO light the tapers lighting first
leaving untouched those already mentioned as behind
the the "'tsil organ burst forth in the Process
cessional, All my heart this night rejolees,,
chOrsers could be heard chanting the sacred song
IN an instant the head Of the t appeared az e
tive acolyte, bearing aloit cross next - came sex,
banner. borne by aooyte; more ehoristers and
acOytes another banDer different In design from the
& a1a or eacSn the x Kew Dr. he c
brant OF the He attired in vestment OF
surmounted by cloak Of the bordered at the edges
WIN gOo ana oads rsd hand nu Of tSe sa%e material
which passed from the neck TO the bottom OF the skirt
trance he cap did also his assistants but these
removed aud taken away by an acOlyte AS the
altar each member OF IL made revereD-
tial bow and the bearers OF the cross and
banners lowered them. As the acOytes had filed
TO the right and left the celebrant OF the services
eended stairs OF the altar and chaDted the Ten
ats, the book from which he read be-
ing held upon of of the aesstants
ly mentioned subsequently the Rev, Mr. Morrill, the pas
tor entered and proceeding to the left hand side OF the
he read the Episte for the day. then crossng
with another bow when before the center Of the atar
read gospel for the day the other side The Greed
was read rather chanted by the Rev Dr. Noyes and
ut the mention OF the name Of our Savior the
oelebrants and congregation bowed low, ana when
the passage land was made man. read.
ali kDet down and made the sign OF the cross.
All Of the prayers read by the ceebrant with his
back the congregation and al certain times he spread
has hands and looked up implorngy 10 the crucihx.
During OdertOry communion service thOso tapers
which had left untouched by the first acoyte
lighted and sacred chaliee OF and salver Of
bread which covered with triangular altar cloth.
werc partaken OF by the officiating Clergymen What
the glenufexiOns, the chanting OF the
whole service the swinging OF incense the baDners and
the robes OF the eelebrants and choarsters would
have been discredlt to discrimination had
he confessed TO ignorance 70 whether he
in Protestant Episcopal Chapel or
Roman Catholic Chuch- When the ministers had partaken
communion the congregation went forward to COM
muDe all desirOus OF home Nt was then a. M
and the nah completely had an opportunity to