The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-12-26

woiu ia we .ses that 10y were all-the poorest and
Christ. AS u eo1 'ioAeA
The sermon was attentively listened to to the end
Cnurch of the Most Holy Redeemer-Two Pom
fidcni Masses-Immense Congregations.
AT the Roman Catholic Church Of the Most Holy
Redeemer on Third street. between avenues and
r, the services yesterday in commenorat OF the
holy nativity OF Christ were very imposing and
largely attended. prominent American Catholic
never mentions this church withou. speaking Of it
az 1.-THE grand old church, ana the Christmas SER
vices yesterday fully jusffed this epithet Already
% early as Ier O'clock in the morning while ninety
nine hundredths Of the population OF the city were
sun wrapped 9 sleep, very large congregation from
parts OF the city and representing all nation
aities had assembled within the sacred edifce
filing every available space The church wss OIL.
liantly lighted up gas Jets and burning v,ax tapers
spreading the light Of day into evey corner and
nook OF the building and the rgnt hand side altar,
fusely, yet chastey ana tastefully decorated with
evergreens, the whole presenting indeed, splendid
sight calculated not only 70 dazzle the eye but
the mastery touch OF Professor Sp0th evoked pety
nom even unwilling hearts. At the main altar Rev.
de0lpt0rts rector OF the parish, oficated as cee
brant assisted by Rev. i. Preis as deacon and Rev.
Henry Meurer as sup-deacon with great number or
acoytes. No sermon was preached al this early
Pontincal mass. The appearance OF the main
altar, covered with hundreds Of lights, and
the orciatlug clergy IN new vestments OF
heavy gold embroidery ON rich silks, specially
prepared for this occasion, was brilliant. The mass
performed by the choir, under the leadership OF Pro-
lessor Spoth, was new one written for Christmas
by Carl kempter, full OF charming pastoral melodies
and was we'll executed. After this, 'still massesn
were read in regular succession and the sacraments
OF confession and communion administered until
ten O'CLOCK when the second pontifcal high mass
was celebrated, and again before an immense con-
gregatlon, at this time mostly German Rev. Henry
MeuTer ociated as celebrant, Rev. A. Urban dea-
con, and Rev. r. Frischber az snb-deacon, with the
usual number OF acolytes. Rev. M. Leimgruber de-
hvered the sermon in the German language. lie re-
ferred to the biblical account OF the birth Of Christ;
tnat announcement was made by the angel to the
shepherds guarding their focks at night, and that
they hesitated not, but Immediately went to view
the fiesh but IN the faith. Thus Christians should
approach the Saviour with the true faith IN their
and forgiveness Of Him who, with His endless
power, can alone grant it, And to obtain 1t they
should make sacrifices; they should first yield up
their heart TO Christ and God and be charitable and
nfercifu to their fellow creatures-to the poor the
orphan, to all who need heip and snccor; for what
ever il done to the lowest OF is done to Christ
and to God. The mass performed by the choir was
one OF the best OF Anton DiaDelli, well known
ponas Mueller aaG Grauae By q
were also performed with great concseness aud
power, and q "Grand March' was played by Loesch's
A very interesting ceremony will take place at
TINS cnurch on tuesday morning next. Rev DiOny-
cOUQrcxA-
ton and lately consecrated Q priest OF the Order
OF St. Benedict at Pittsburg. viii read his first mass,
and all the usual interesting ceremonies on such
casions, well known to Catholics, viii be observed.
Christmas Mt ST. Paui's Protestant Episcopal
Church-Carols, Morning and Communion
Services.
The natal day of the Saviour was particularly OBJ
served OF this ancient edifce yesterday morning The
doors Of the church were opened as early as half
past nine A. NJ at which hour the congregation be-
gan to assemble, many Of them attracted-the regu.
lar services Of the day not commencing until eleven
o'clock-by the desire t9 listen to the usual carol
singing Of the scholars Of the Sunday school, At half
past ten O'Clock these were gathered around the
steps of the altar where under the direction Of Doc
tors Dix and Wright and Rev. Mr.. Foster, two ex-
ceedingly beautiful compositions both in words and
music, were sung. These were severally entitled
"The Snow Lay on the Ground,n and 'See, Amid the
Winters Snow" Unfortunately in consequence Of
some impeachment in the organ, which, however, was
Of temporary character, Mr.. Cornell the organist
and the composer Of the music OF the carols was
able to accompany the children. At the conclusion
OF the singing the reverend gentlemen retired for
few moments tc the robing room, thus giving the
tions Of the church customary during the Christmas
tide. These are simple, but striking. The
the columns and capitals SUPPORTING the roof were
dressed with holly, laurel and branches OF FIR and
pine. The altar proper, which, by the lnterposlton
OF the reading desk and pulpit, Is greatly hidden
from the body OF the auditorium, was left untouched
while the square column which supports the pulpit
had on 1t cross made OF cedar branches. The gen.
eral effect was striking. The decorations suf-
hcient and no more. There was no crowding. no
aiming at effect and the natural result was SIM
occasion, and, it may be added the internal finish OF
the building. At eleven O'Clock the usual morning
service was read the lessons for the day taken from
the Old and New Testaments, OF the prophecies
and coming and birth Of the Son OF God. The music
during the service OF it arranged or created by
the organist, Mr.. J. ii. Cornell, not only finely
conceived but exquisitely rendered. Among the lead
ing features were the Professional. hymn fortysix,
the Veate and the Psater chanted to single chants:
Tie Deuna expressly composed for the occasion
by Mr.. Cornell and particularly for congrega-
good tidlngs," &C., was that Of John Goss
The responses to the Commandments as also
the music of the 0nertory, Unto Usa Child IS Born"
were by the organist the music In the communion
service excepting that which pertains TO the forty
seventh hymn, was arranged by Mr.. Cornell. Hymn
forty-1ye was from one OF Haydnis masses. AT the
close OF the regular usual services Dr. Dix assembled
the pulpit and, quoting as his text for the occasion
the fourth OF the forty-sixth Psalm preached
occasion. The Doctor In opening presented to the
minds OF his hearers the figure OF rock, rising In
mid ocean, against which the winds and the waves
beat In vain for ages as type OF the gospel, which.
though the world hourly changes. of Itself changes
not. There 1t stood In the great wide sea, age
ceedng age, and though the floods beat their crested
waves with ali fury against 1t, II was firm. Nothing
couiu cnanRe notllilg could disturb It. thousands
upon thousands OF years may come and go, but the
gospel OF God would be the same. Time cannot
alter or mar 1t. In the calm rs In the storm 1t was
the same, unwrinked, unworn, grante-seated monu-
ment-a testimony OF eternal truth, 1t in the
old time when the light OF God first Illuminated the
soul-the same when the Saviour OF men came
to lead us 10 she Father and to the forgiveness OF
our sins. That rock as 1t was in the beginning so
will II be to the end. The flood and the storm are
typical ef the enemies OF God who assail but can
never disturb the gospel rock which selfsustaned,
reposes in Its strength. God Is this rock
which Ia our strength Though the ocean be dis
turbed by the tempest, though the water rises in It's
fury, though the waves lash and roar in their might
and hurl themselves mady against the solitary
pillar thus set up, 1t changesneyer Human history,
civil and moral, IL story Of unrest Of change.
Thus the course OF this world is Ike the sea in Its
nckleness. We are asking and striving for that
TO which we cannot attain, and thus we have the
storm the warfare and the frettings OF the moral ocean
which wearles and fevers and destroys the life of
men and OF nations. But the rock rising out Of the
ocean Il everlasting, Ia undisturbed II II our hope.
Thus the gospel OF our Saviour remains with us
unchanged amid all the Chanres of the clements