The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1870-12-26
Chrfstmns.

| anniversary festival OF the nativity OF our Sav
ior, which was observed at the Episcopal and
Catholic churches with all its hallowed assoei
atoms and sacred memories.
| ST. LUKE's CATHEDRAL.
| The decorations at this Cathedral, although
not very diffuse, were handsomely carried out
At the chancel entrancewas rood screen in sz
arches surmounted with cross. The arches o.
the nave were appropriately dressed and the
effect was very fine. Wreaths were suspend
ed in various parts of the church. The ser
vices were fully choral and largely attended
The music was particularly good. The eve
ming professional. Bright and joyful is the
morn" and the anthem, unto US a child is
born,' were the compositions of Mr.. Walter
Goold, organist, and they were highly credita-
BILE. Rt. Rev. Bishop Nicely preached the SER
| mon.
| ST. STEPHENS CHURCH.
Christmas was fully observed at this church.
The interior was not deliberately but richly
decorated. The reading desk, pulpit, font
and chancel were very gracefully decked 10
Evergreen. The pillars of the aisle were taste
fully wound in green and wreaths. Across the
organ gallery and inside the tower run q long
row of festooning. The memorial window, in
memory of the late James O. Brown, was
beautifully encircled with an elegant wreath of
green and white in the centre and beneath was
the cross and crown. There were large con-
gregations at the services. Rev. Mr.. Dalton
officiated. The choir brought out some choice
selections of music remarkably we'll.
AT ST. PAULs CHURCH
the Christmas festivities began on Saturday
evening, when the children of the Sunday
School gathered around the Christmas tree,
singing their carols and listening to pleasant
ann instructive Christmas story. The tree
bore goodly fruits in abundant supply. Some
generous soul, whose name is unknown, made
the parish the almoner of his bounty, and the
hearts of more tlfan thirty families were glad
dened by the receipt of Christmas turkey or
pair of chickens. The decorations in the
church were simple, and confined mainly to
the chancel, but they were quite tasty. The
morning service on Sunday began with a
Christmas carol by the children of the Sum
day School. The music by the choir was re-
markably good. No formal sermon was
preached, the rector, Rev. Mr. Root, basing q
brief and familiar, but earnest and feeling ex-
tempOraneous discourse on the text, "God so
loved the world that He gave His only begot-
ten Son." The church was filled. The "Chil-
dren's Service" was held in the afternoon. It
is the custom in Ibis church to devote one af-
ternoon every month to the children of the
Sunday School. when the discourse is adapted
especially to them, and they have especial
prominence in the service.
PLYMOUTH CHURCH.
Prof. Barbour preached an able discourse on
the Incarnation at this church.
CONGRESS SQUARE CHURCH
There were no decorations at This church,
but the usual Christmas anthems were we'll
sung, and Rev. Mr.. Gibbs gave an unusually
appropriate discourse on the occasion.
HIGH STREET CHURCH.
Rev. VIM. H. Fem preached discourse in
text in Luke 2, TO-
STATE STREET CHURCH.
In the morning Rev. Edward Y. Hincks
preached Christmas discourse from the text
in Luke 2: 10 and II verses
CATHEDRAL OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION.
At this Cathedral the first Grand Mass was |
celebrated at o'clock in the morning, Ri,
Rev. Bishop Bacon officiating, assisted by sew.
eral priests. The music was of high order |
Mrs. Stephenson and Mrs. Barker, sopranos,
Mrs. ELLISON, contralto Mr.. Wheelock, tenor.
and Messrs. Ball and Coffin, bassos The |
large edifce was crowded to OVERLOOKING, not
the early hour Of commencing
the ceremonies
THE CAPITAL GUARDs.-This fine company
will appear in our city to-day for the first time
since their organization, and we give anew a |
brief programme of what is to be done on their
visit The Guards number some sixty men.
Their uniform consists of light blue caps, made
after the Mcclellan style and trimmed with
skirts and sleeves trimmed with light blue aud
trimming bordered with gold lace; pants of
lark blue, with light blue stripe, bordered with
gold lace; white epauets with gold fringe in.
ermixpd; white leather waist belts They
will be received by their hosts the Portland
Light Infantry, Capt. Mattocks, at the P. & K.
lepot at 2 P. NJ, and march to the City Hall
~ the following route. Down Commercial to
Park, up Park to York, through to State,
trough State to Congress, down Congress and
Middle to Exchange, and thence to City Hall,
where the guests will be welcomed by His
Honor, Mayor Kingsbury, after which they will
pc escorted to their quarters at the Preble
House, where an excellent dinner will be
served. In the evening the grand military and
,ivic ball will take place at City Hall, which
" II be one of the events of the year. The at.
e ndance of the fair ladies of the Forest City
Will be numerous, and we judge that the
Guards will leave our city very favorably i'm
pressed with the Portland girls. The card Of
iances will be just the thing. and the legal
not the actual Christmas night, will be cele-
orated in fine style. The Guards will leave for
home on Tuesday.
The HIGH SCHOOL CADETS. This youthful
military organiAation are busilY preparing