Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1869-12-28

CHRISTMAS EVE AT ST. ALBANs EPIsCo
PAL CHURCH, IN NEW IoRK.-The New ork
Tribune OF Saturday says:
Outside the Roman Catholic Church, the
Episcopaians alone celebrate Christmas Eve
with any great religious observanceS; and
among the Episcopal churches none can ap-
proach St. Adams for the solemn and im-
posing character OF its services or the richness
and taste Of its decorations All day long,
earnest members of the church had been busy
decking it iu Christmas garb Of flowers aud
cvcrgreens; in fact, for 4 week past, several
members of the Sodality Of st. Adams have
zen rusticating in Connecticut for the purpose
Of gathering eyergreens and converting them
into wrcaths, garlands, testoonS, crosses, and
various other embIems The coup dOei1, on
entering the church, was certainly as grand as
could be accomplished In small building, and
the decorations had this great merit, that they
were not only arranged in exquisite taste, but
with an eye to the ecclesiastical. From the
eight beams which support the roof, masses OF
cYervreens hung ir festoons corresponding
with the architectural lines. Over each OF the
wndOws we're sacred texts and ecclesiastical
embems of various devices worked in ever
Greens. The pulpit was also beautifully deco
-ltcd, and in the central panel was large tri
l9ge, siguifying the Trinity, OF choice flowers.
On the floor OF the sanctuary, at either angle
Of the altar stood large illuminated vase, con-
taiuing pyramidal bouquet OF the choicest and
rarcSt exotics OF great beauty; and on the re-
table above the altar were two very large fan
sLaped bouquets, equally costly and rare. The
altar itself was perfect blaze OF light, having
more than sixty lights about and around it.
Precisely at nine o'clock the notes OF the
i},yf FE},IS pealed forth from the organ and
the procession entered the church, consisting
Of the Crucitcr, in purple cassock aud laced
1tta two DecOlytes, in scarlet cassocks and
rttas: carrying lighted tapers; Thuriter, ln'
csnse aud Boat Bearer, swinging incense; four
AcoIytcs. ten choristers 10 blue casSocks and
,lrphces, several priests, and lastly, the Sub
Deacon Deacon and CeIebrant When all had
raken their seats in the choir, the first solemn
ye,porS of the festival were rendered, at the
,ermnation OF which Father Morrill,, the rec
or, ascended the pulpit and preached on The
Altar Our Bethlehem.
At conclusion Of this address, Father Nor.
rl vested in magnificent silver satin cope,
heavily trimmed with real gold fringe, approach
% the altar attended by the acolytes and iu-
c.usc bearers, and Immediately the grand tones
ol peribeaus Magnificat echoed through the
uaye incense being at the same time offered
By the efficient. At its oouclusideh the choir
retired, singing "All My Heart, as a recession
al.
at midnight, the choir again entered the
church in the same order as before, singing the
professional hymn, and then, Arise Shine,
Tor Thy Light is Come, was sang for the ln-
troll. The function of Solemn High Mass was
then commenced. Father Morrill,, Celebrant :,
Father Noyes Deacon; Father Downie, Sub
Deacon. The vestments worn at this service
were costly and magnificent to degree, having
been worked especially for st. Adams at the
Convent OF st. Margaret East Grinstead, En.
gland The chasuble and heavy laced alb OF
the Celebrant, were unusually rich and costly,
At the conclusion of High Mass, the choir re
tired singing Name DimittjS.
PRESENTS TO THE PORE. Nearly all Of the
prcIateS arriving at Rome to attenu Tue ,l-Iu.
menical, conveyed thither valuable presents Tor
the Pope The United States bishops took
nearly 5000, 900 in money altogether, as tangl-
Die evidence of the love the Catholics OF this
country have for the Holy Father The Arch
bishop of Lima, ninety four years old, being
too feeble To visit the Eternal City" sent his
rastoral rod with Father Gaul as present 70
rho pone Itis of pure Peruvian GOLD, anu Il
wrrth $4,000. This was accompanied oy
basket of flowers in pure silver hlagIee work.
verv valuable, and containing $4,000 In gold
The Archbishop OF Quito presented golden
ehahce, set with precious stones. The Arcn;
Gsbop of Caracas brought $2O,0OO, 10 golC
and very many valuable trinkets which !. tht n
women of Venezuela by hundreds insisted tha'
he should give to Pho Mono. Captain Gordon
in behalf of the Catholics of England, present,
. ed to the Pope about $50, 900 in gold. rather
Noriano Matteini, of Rimini, presents won ,
derul bronze gilt bell, made by himself whiet
he implores the Pope to make use OF IN I'M ~
Council. This work is entirely symoohcai' n n
Part of it being without some aliuslon 10 tn
: Council The handle is formed by kneenu
angel on a base, with silver clouds, bearing o'
his shoulders gilded cross with SILVER rays
The Papa cross and pastoral. the Pope arms TE
TARA and keys are grouped ogether. In
he'll itself 1t very elaborate; but the prlnclpa
icauura Is the immaculate Conception, SUI
rounded by I've doves bearing olive oranenSs -
The capper represents the mystic bark OF .
Peter, with a reversed cross tor mast @ anu
smaller cross tor helm. A serpent with thre'
iorked tongue. falling to get into the oai'
punges into the silver waves below