The New York herald., 1871-12-24
THE CHRISTMAS TREE IN TRINITY
CHURCH.


tions. was tine first In the neld to inaugurate the
festivities OF this joyous season. Yesterday tht
sacred edfce put its holiday attire, the occasion
baing ane church Chrsymas festival Of the children.
Tne scene outsIde or the church on Broadway Wa
in no sense suggestive or time Of cheerfulness and
Joy the sloppy state OF the streets ana the
stant down pour OF rain were not the things cal
culated to excite feelings OF thankfulness in the
hearts Of omnibus and wagon drivers. whose
vehicles were stuck fast In the mud, or belated
pedestrians, who Plunged knee deep at every step
they took. But however unlike Christmas the out
side looked the appearance OF the interior In every
respect proclaimed that the
NATAL DAY OF THE MESSIAH,
the great festival which, from time immemoria has
been 50 dear the affections Of Christians, was at
hand. For the past few days fair hands have been
INCREASINGLY employed In the decoration Of the
sacred building, and with wnat success the adml-
ration OF all who saw the result OF their labors
yesterday abundanuy testified. the side walls were
beautifully decorated
WITH EvERGRRENs
formed into devices In every way suitable TO the
season and the occasion On each SIDE OF the altar
Q huge tree was placed, and above the entrance to
the chancel crosses Of leaves and MOWERS were ee-
particularly to the II tile ones was
THE CHRISTMAS TREE,
which was laden with gifts OF every kind calculated
to please the children and make them happy. In
the centre OF the tree was crucifx Illuminated
transparencies OF Q like nature. The church was
crowded with the children belonging TO the Sunday
Of n navnr had no ae
ring them from being present. The festival COM
menced with hymn lprocessionalh sung BY the
DR.. UglbI, assisted by the iull corps Of clergy.
OHRlsTMAs CAROL,
special for the occasion, was then rendered by the
choir, the children all joining In the chorus. The
execution OF It was very Hne particularly the chorus
part the harmony being as near perfect as possible.
then briefly addressed the children In language
TO s n ko Hs ns ssa he Se
before him, particularly when ne rec rscoIecteG q rom
church had sprung. He remembered some sixteen
years ago, when the school was first starte0, how
few were the members that came together out now
Of teachers as jealous IN their work as any to be
found In the city Itseemed to him the ttest place
for such festival IS they were celebrating was
GRAND OLD EDrrrcB
which had 30 long stood as LANDMARK IN the city.
they had in sense TO anticipate the day, but he
hoped the enjoyment would be none the less for this
extremely liberal IN their contributions to tho
Christmas tree, and he returned them his sincere
SUNDAY scncoI would be Is prosperous IN the futufe
a. It had been In the past and that the annual
festivals would be as Joyous. happy and prosperous
AT the conclusion OF DR.. Ogilby's remarks an
anthem. "Ihe Children in the Temple" was rem
dered Dy the choir and congregation alternately,
varied Dy organ solos and The
RINGING OF THE CHIMES.
Then the Christmas trees were given, and the
main feature OF the occasion, the distribution OF
gfrs, was gone through. The clatter that prevailed
during this part OF the ceremony was very unlike
the religious silence that Is generally observed in
Trinity" the children giving vent TO their delight
In the most nolsy manner possible Every child got
something, and all went nome luly satisned with
wnat had been done. Wnen everything had beon
plven away the 'Gloria In Excesls' was sung BY
dispersed.