The New York herald., 1870-01-06
THE EPIPHANY.
Rifualistc Pageant nj ST. Administering On by
the Rev. Mr.. Mines.

Rifualistic Pageant nj ST. .Alban's-Scrnon by
the Rev. Mr.. Mines.
genuine novelty was Afforded the up town
rltual,sls last night at ST. Alban's caurch Forty
seventh street, between Lexington ana Fourth ave.
nues in the shape OF eve. Epiphany celebration
oil solemn vespers The ideal sought 10 be embodied
by these nocturnal! religious rites Is the practice Of
watchng" In the churches on the v.ls OF festivals
during the early ages OF CnriStianlty--a Gus
tom eycised by modern thought during the
past six centuries, AM known only at
present in cloisters modelled on abbeys Ike
LA Trappe and The Grand Charteuse, in France,
or that paradise OF solitudes vallamprosa in It,ay.
At eight O'Clock, with conventual punctuallty the
vesper bell rang cut softly on the clear frosty AIR.
while simultaneously the sweet tones OF neat little
organ called back the wandering thoughts OF the
devout assembled around tle brilliantly nghted altar
OF the Itle rustic Gothic ediice.
The decorations were OF the same symbolic ana
devotional character as those already described IN
connection with the Christmas festivities ''Solemn
vcspers'' were usnered in by long procession OF
youthful acolytes, clad IN surpices and bea ring
lights: OF members OF the choir engaged III devout
psamody, and OF priests haDited also In snowy gar.
ments. large cross was borne high aIOft ana the
Rev. Dr. MOrell brought W the rear Witn devout
step and d0wncast eyes, and wearing white satin
cope tasiefuny trimmed with RED aud gold fringe.
which evidently, but very family, affected the ugu
Drious soiemnlty oi "Even Song" as heard in the
majestic aisles or such catnedyals Cologne or
Alx-ia Cha pee. In the hymns, prayer and anthems.
the worshlppers joined with evident dey yOtiun and
the Dowing and other movements, cmblcmatic oil
alteration, received most marked attention. No
special devotional habit OF thought was apparent IN
the prayers nsed but one Of the lessons read by the
Rev. Mr.. DoTney, gave the Virgin Mother Oi the
Kedeemer much prominence.
short sermon was preached BY the Rev. Mr.
Mllnes, on the Eplstle TO Tie Romans, VII, a. IN
which he pointed out the various services rendered
by Christianity to the world, and for which It made
80 poor o return. He showed that Christianity was
the parent civilizaLOn that Its forces and motives
gave birth to ana nourshed our present culture and
refinement; tnat 1t preserved letters and the fne
arts and poured out blood freely in It's terrible
iare with barbarsm and the evil passions OF men.
Modern charitable institutions ali nad their birth
Iile bosom OF the Church. lie deplored, IN pathetic
terms, The fearful havoc made upon the Cn0rca by
bosom: bewailed the want OF patience IN those VINO,
despairing Of hnding their ideal Christianity Ia the
Anglican communion, went over 10 Rome, ana
pointed out tnat, IN his view, these men,
might ind though they now kept uuiet.
inat IN parting with Angicansm they had not
parted with tneIr religious troubles. He contfasted
advanced Angiicanlsm with Roman Catholicism,
and considered that although there was much to
weary and vex the spirit In tne wild license of
opnon and practice prevailing around and calling
itsef Christianity, yet they had much reason 10 he
comforted by the growing aith and fefvor OF their
brethren and particularly Dy the devotion towards
the my sery or Cnrsl's real presence lhe ucna-
rest
Solemn penediciOn next followed, during which
the congregation were engaged in alteration. Tue
church well filed the seats being fairly divided
between the sexes, though dev0ut maies occupied
the bet er half Ine singing was remarkable for It's
sweetness and accuracy, one or two young sopranos
being very agreeable feature OF the pageant.