The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-12-28


At old st. Johns a good congregation,
assembled, and Rev. Henry Wall preached
from John l., II "And the Word was
made flesh. and dwelt among us, and we
beheld His glory, the glory as Of The oniy,
begotten of the Father, full of grace and
truth" The sermon was received with
marked attention. The decorations OF the
church were very pretty. Over the east
door were the words "Hail, thou Prince
of Peace" and around the gallery, " flo-
sanna to the Son Of David" A very salts
factory collection for the Disabled Clergy
mems Fund was lifted.
MONUMENTAL CHURCH.
The ladies Of the Monumental must bear
off the palm for the novelty, richness, and
good taste, displayed in their church deco
ration.
The massive pillars in the chanccl, and
those supporting the galleries, were ell
twined with broad bands OF crimson paper
edged with rows of cedar and holly. This
is an English style. and the effect is very
striking. The front of the galleries was
draped with heavy festoons Of cedar inter-
laced, and every pillar was crowned with
evergreen. The chancel was also beautifully
drcS>cd-the Tables Of the Law with cedar.
the large pillars with two rows of cedar and
holly, with crimson background, and IN
front were three Gothic arches. the large
one being surmounted by white cross
the smaller ones by crimson crosses, all bor-
dcred by evergreens. The arch on the right
cncloscs the front of the pulpit, the one on
the left the reading-desk. The communion
cedar. and has 4 cross in green on the front.
Rev. DR.. Woodbridge preached TO an at
tentive congregation. His subject was
Good Manifest in the tleSh,'
OTHER EPISCOPAL CHURCHES.
st. .James's Episcopal church was deco
rated with great deal of taste. Rev. Dr.
Peterkin preached. and the Holy Commu-
Mon was administered.
Rev. T. &. Dashiell preached at st. Marks
before good congregation. His subject
was "Peace.' A collection was taken up
in aid of the Diocesan Missionary Society.
The decorations were very pretty. Over
the pulpit were the words of the familiar
text GLORY to God in the Highest, &c.,'
and just beneath, the sentence Messiah Is
King"
Grace church was also draped with cedar
and holly, and Rev. +. NJ. Baker, the rector,
delivered an appropriate discourse.
CENTENARY CHURCH.
The Sunday school Of the Centenary
Methodist church engaged in novel and
interesting exercise called the Christian
Armor. The exercises were opened with Il
brief and impressive address hy Rev. DR..
Granbcry, pastor of the church, based
upon the song of the angels announcing
the birth of Christ. Arthur Lee, son of 4.
:. Lee. Esq, was the hero oi the occasion.
having been perfect in all his lessons
durin. the year. and missing only one
Sunday out of fifty-two. He pcrsonatcd
the Christian soldier, and was in the pres
cnce Of the congregation clad by the SUI
pcrintendent, Mr.. Asa snyder, with all the
pieces OF armor mentioned in the familiar
words of ST. Paul. As each piece was put
on, proOl-tcXts were rccitcd bE claS, OF
boys and girls, and the choir at intervals
chanted appropriate stanZaS OF hymns or
scripture sentences. The superintendent,
in conclusion. delivered Il charge to the
young soldier, and, after skctchng his ca
rcer on earth. described the reward which
awaits him in heaven.
The congregation were much Interested
III the ceremony, and many persons were
affected to tears.
1t is the purpose of the members ot this
church to revive on New Years eve the old
custom of watchin" the old year out and
the new year in, which has Of late fallen
into di-l!Se. 4 watch meeting will be held
at the church on Friday night, and wc are
requested 10 invite Christians Of all dcnoml-
nations to attend.
SYCAMORE CHURCH..
The officers, teachers. and scholars, Of the
sycamore DiSciples) church HAD delight
fl!l rctnion at their house of worship on
Christmas morning. 1 Christmas tree,
laden with gifts, was uncovered, and the
children were invited to partakc OF Il boun-
tiful collation.. They al seemed to enjoy
~ ,,lo ,f .,tsa
tainmcnt was heightened hy some bur-
!cSquc presentations. Appropriate remarks
were made by Colonel John b. Cary, l.. Il.
Spence, and Others. The boys Of the Male
Orphan Asylum were present, and had
good time.
LEIGH-sTREET BAPTIST CHURCH
The teacher Of the infant class (Nirs. 4.
+. Dickinson) OF the Lcigh-Strcct Sunday
school gave To each of her scholars bcauti-
lul presents, which were tastily arranged
on n magnificent Christmas tree. In con-
ncctiOn with the entertainment were very
pleasant addresses by Anderson CARRIER,
willie Angus, Charlie Brown. and Willie
Pierce. members of the infant class. LotJic
CUNNINGHAM rccitcd some beautiful pas
:aGCS.
FULTON BAPTIST SUNDAY SCHOOL
The school met at II O'Clock. and after an
address by Rev. \. L. Dickinson, prizes Of
beautiful books were awarded TO twenty
tive of the scholars. Mr.. +. ". ChcatlEln
then, in behalf OF the school, presented the
superintendent Captain William II. Cor
dom with Il magnificent gold pen and gold
pcn-holdcr. Then came the distribution Of
cakes. candies, rai>inS, nuts, apples, etc..
which contnucd until the cry of" "cnOugh
was heard from every part Of the house. y
splendid pound-cake, which bad been pre-
Sented by Fleming, was, by L vote oi the
school. given to the superintendent. The
universal test! mony of the l2J children pre-
sent was that they had never before known
50 merry Il Christmas day in Rockets.
METHODIST CHURCH NORTH.
At the Methodist Church North n mag
nificenU Christmas tree was gotten up by
the congregation for the scholars oI the
Sabbath school, and on it was found Il pack
age containing 500 in grccnbacks for the
pastor, Rev. Mr.. Hcmanway, and nice. set
OF silverware for his wife.
CHRISTMAS N JAIL.
Sheriff Smith, of Henrico gave a fine
treat 10 the prisoners 1t the county Jail III
the way Of Christmas dinner. The poor
creatures were merry over roast beef, tur-
key. mince-pies. egg-no@. and other DELI
cacies. rarely seen within prison walls, ate
to their hearts content, ana drank WIN
right good will to the health Of the kind
hearted sheriff.
NOT OVER.
1t is hardly necessary to say, III conclu-
sion, that while outward circumstances
were unpropitous, the people of Richmond
spent i pleasant if not merry Christmas.
The festivities are not yet over, and many a
"sociable and cgg-nog party yet Is to take
place before the holiday week is past, and
it is TO be hoped that many people will pass
the last days Of the closing year in more
improving manner.