The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-12-28

porter as "a most successful effort, and
after besmearing the performance with COM
pliments, the enterprising Journalist would
have printed the names of all the solo artists
and told us who played upon the harp. But
if this PROCLAMATION has been spared us, there
is still the anniversary of the holy Christmas
time, when the song of the heavenly host is
repeated in our churches, and heads are
bowed in humble reverence at the recollec-
tion of the great mystery of Bethlehem, and
into the midst of the devout assemblage comes
the impertinent little mar. with his note
book, turning the temple Of prayer into
public show. To him Christmas is day when
there is much to be seen and much to be
written piety is rather picturesque per-
formance that calls for picturesque language;
the church is Sunday theatre, where the
quality of the performance and the character
of the audience alike demand his most care
full inspection. On Monday he told the world
how we all looked at our prayers, and how we
sang our praises, and now and then we was
kind enough to decide whether we had a
smart man for our pastor. The Church of
All Souls is fortunate in clergyman who pos
sesses ga highly intellectual countenance,
which bespeaks the sympathy of his
hearers and whose ''eloquence is of the
highest" Naturally, therefore, "a fashion
able congregation gathered at this
temple of liberal Christianity, who
"elS DSuJ Ou HedIlDB OurlStmaS ser
mon" The younger members of this fash
ionable companyof worshippers seem to have
amused themselves, according to the Bldth-
e1ShSte, with gallantries at the church door,
but as soon as the sermon began they were
''riveted' by the quiet earnestness and fault
less ''elocUtion" of DR.. Bellows st. Joseph's
Church, in the Sixth avenue, is less fashion
able, its congregation consisting of "the solid
middle class, but even these people were
tytror NNNg, ,,IN E.
Portable, well-to-do exterior" The music
seems to have been too fine for any but a
first-class congregation. Madame Martinez
sang very sweet soprano solo with telling
effect, and there was a every exquisite"
SdnctuS, consisting of eight and almost
dance music. st. Theresas Church, in Rut-
gers street, was more successful than st.
Josephs, for it has zone of the most select
congregations in the city" and on Christ
fashionable" audience, before which we are
happy to say that the service was
conducted with much artistic ability"
by the talented organist of the
church, Mr.. Gleason, and the Rev. Father
Flattery, who, being an orator and accom-
plished scholar, and not at all an "over-esti-
mated man, ''glided into some beautifully
pointed remarks as to the Papacy and its
temporalities. At the New England Congre-
ril Richardson ''was replete with all his ac-
customed impassioned style and copious
energy of argument and illustrations" the
anthem was ''most superbly rendered" and
the voluntary was eXquisitely played by the
accomplished organist. The Church of the
Messiah is now the 'favorite resort of the
fashionable church-goers of Murray Hill,
and was crowded by an audience apparently
as Jealous and devout as one could wish for"
wi ifuin ind Tba ts.Ia
Fifth Avenue Baptist Church was "illed by
the usual fashionable congregation" all of
whom were ''attired in their sober and COM
Portable winter garments" The reporter is
particular to mention that these garments
were worn In consequence of ''the pinching,
cold, frosty wind"-a statement from which
readers will draw their own conclusions. The
choir was very effective;" the prayer was
'fervent," and Dr.. Armitage, in his mastery
sermon, was aglow with eloquence. The wor-
shippers at ST. Patrick's Cathedral were proba-
bly, not fashionable; but Madame Chome sang
with SO much expression, and the other vocal
lists displayed such ''fine musical ability in
their respective parts that the very highest
people in the city might have listened to the
entertainment with satisfaction. At st. Vim
cent Ferrers the audience was filled with
religious delight" and !'for a solemn spec
tacle on Christmas morning" the performance
''could not have been surpassed" "The mu-
sical portion of the services reflected much
credit upon the organist and his well-trained
assistants" the choir being augmented
by additional soloists," and Miss Fissett
especially giving rendition of Gounods
Ace Maria with all the feeling and express
sion which that beautiful composition re-
quires." At Plymouth Church the festiva
was celebrated with anthem and song of ap-
propriate mental and metrical harmony"
and with ''latitudinarianism of ritualism;"
but an unfortunate fduG pas was committed
in setting up Christmas-tree so tall that it's
branches ''hid the face of Miss Morgan, the
new contralto and other feminine members
of the choir" Mr.. Zundells anthem, "for
operate effect, could scarcely have been
surpassed" 'One of the choruses was
strongly suggestive of The Whisper Chorus
in Les Brigands.' The tenor and soprano
distinguished themselves, and, taking into
consideration the zero condition of the atmos-
phere, may be said to be in excellent voice.
Passing over briefly the reports of the proceed
ings al st. Charles Borromeo's Church, where
the music went effectively, but the reverend
preacher "was frequently inaudible, lowering
his voice at the ends of sentences" at st,
Peters in Barclay street, where Professor
Pecher almost made the organ speak under
his mastery manipulation" and Mrs. Easton
sang with genuine pathos and scholarly
finish, and the choir generally ''gave the
grand music of the mass a devotional inter-
probation and truly artistic rendition" the
Baptist Church in Jamaica where ''the Rev.
A. Stewart Walsh preached highly orato-
rical sermon;" and st. Peters in Jersey City,
where ''the music was characteristic of st.
Peters, which, in this respect is second to
no church in the entire State"-we come to
the Rev o. b. rockingham, who is 'logi-
cal, original, and at times startling" and