The New York herald., 1872-12-26
ST. PETERS CHURCH.

Grand Mass Yesterday-Music and Dec
orations-Serm0n by the Rev. Father
Quinn.
The Church OF st. Peter, In Barclay street, holds
q prominent place among the sacred edinces in
this city by reason OF the old-time associations
which congregate around it. When New York
was in its infancy st. Peters was generally re-
gardcd as q magnificent structure. and those who
loved the building In their youthful days cling
with the same tenacity and tenderness in old age
as circling ivy does to the hoary oak. Christmas
Day Is always rigidly observed In this church. and
the manner In which the interior OF the grand old
structure WAS decorated testified that no luke
warmness exists among its congregation. The
BRILLIANTLY ILLUMINATED ALTAR
was resplendent with choice flowers, of multfa
rious hues, which dinused an exquisite odor. The
reredos was embowered in graceful mrs; the gale
ries were festooned with evergreens, and spiral
wreaths twined around the pillars Soon after the
doors were opened devotees poured into the
church, filing the nave, aisle and galleries. until
even standing rooM was unobtainable. The music
ian especial feature in the services at ST. Peters)
chosen for the occasion was the grand mass In A
Kaiinoaa. The "Kyric Eieison," % BY sS Mrs. EsstoS
:Sprano ana a chorus was nnsy rendered
and nS Sa
tenor, n. Fritsch, was well worthy Of commenda.
tion. Mrs. Easton's solo IN .Agnus Dei' was su-
perb, ana the "Adeste Fideles" quartet brought
into play the
OF other talented members OF the choir. The alto
OF Miss Tobin Is particularly clear and dulcet, and
her solo At st. Peters yesterday stamps her ~
ws sna shs
deserves much praise for the mastery manner In
which hs performed upon the ane instrument
The sermon was preached BY the Rev. Father
Quinn, pastor OF the church. and was specially
The learned divine opened his discourse by refer
ence to the festival OF Christmas and the manifold
blessings which the birth OF Christ had conferred
upon ai mankind. and assigning that as q reason
why 1t should be
and gladness. For four thousand years after Adam
was driven out OF Paradise man was separated by
evil from God and happiness. The birth OF our
father lost for poor humanity, reconcled US unto
God and gave us positive proof OF our Tedemp-
various eras, as recorded in Holy Writ, that He
would send upon earth one who would redeem all
men from sin, were fulfilled when Christ was born.
The lowiiness OF the surroundings OF the birth OF
our Saviour testines especially Gods love for man.
lie did not send HIS Son 70 US in panoply and
It best to send His only begotton Son
TO us In meekness and poverty Although
e wis m q o
bethlehem could not be accorded, aud the RE-
BORN IN 4 STABLE,
wrapped in swaddlng clothes and laid in q man.
birth that caused tue Jews to regard Him with dis
favor and persecute Him during His soj0urn upon
earth. We, however, knowing all the circum-
stances attendant upon the nativity Of our Saviour,
recognizing His love for us in the palpable TACT that
He suffered much for our sakes, should therefore
take exceeding great delight in celebrating the an
nversary or the day OF His glorious nativity by
rendering unto Him prayer and praise which Is
most justly due.
CHURCH OF ST. PAUL THE APOSTLE.
TIM uosfn~ seryfces Yesferdmv nyorusuO-
The Gregorfan Musical scrvice-Scrmon
NV Rev. Anumst M. Rradv.