National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1872-12-27
CHRISTMAS,
OBSERVANCE OF THE FESTIVAL.

There's star in the sky
And an infants low cry.
md the star sheds ts LIGHT while angel hosts sing
Thsres a mmult Of Joy
Ger the wonderful birth,
re Il t tRs ff 6lSd ~ iS SS, sa PGRy
And the star points the way a. homage they bring
To the Manager Of Bethlehem Cradliny King
In the light Of that star
And that song from alar
Every hearth s alamo, and all may now sing,
lu the homes Of the nation, that Jesus ia King.
We rejoice In the Hight,
That comes down through tho night
From the Heavenly throng
And we greet In his cradle our Saviour Snd tp King
and TO superficial observers II was apparent
that a general desire existed to make the most Of
the great memorial day Of isT9. Every one
seemed to heartily partake Of the real zest Of
tho occasion, and II In some years past presents
have been richer, more elaborate and costly they
were more general, and II was astonishing to
observe how far even a small present will 20
towards making donors and receivers happy
The day was a singing cold one, and In the even.
ing violent snow storm prevailed. II dctracted
nothing, however, from the general enjoyment.
In fact, 1t really seemed to add to the spirit and
happiness OF the day.
At six O'Clock Wednesday morning the chimes
OF the Metropolitan NJ. f. church pealed forth
Joyous aud appropriate airs, and one that extend
ed a warm and generous greeting to the birthday
Of our Lord The various Departments OF the
Government and Of the District and nearly all
the stores were closed throughout the day.
Washington Is essentially a city OF churches,
and they were opened for the celebration OF the
day. Al the Church OF the Epiphany the occa-
sion was made peculiarly Interesting. Those
who were present will long hold the day In de-
llghtful remembrance; those who were absent
do not know what they missed.
The church was tastefully dressed and much
time and labor must have been spent to produce
such a charming effect. The usual morning ser.
vice by the rector anti assistant rector and the
communion. Sermon by the rector from Isaiah
ike For unto us a child Is horn, unto us a son
Is given; and the government shall he upon his
shoulder: and his name shall he called Wonder
ful, Counsellor, the mighty God. the everlasting
Father, the Prince Of Peace" No resume NJ the
sermon would give n correct Impression. II was
listened TO by a large and attentive audience.
Tho speaker has the faculty Of taking his hearers
along with him. The subject, appropriately
chosen, was instructyely handled. Those who
did not hear the sermon missed an Intellectual
treat to say nothing Of the sOul-stlrring, Animal
Ing and dcrply-rellgtuus spirit Of the whole. The
singing was grand, especially that beautiful
hymn:
clark. the herald angels sing,
Glory to the newborn King"
Every nerve was thrilled, every soul animated
Those who were not satisfied with the spiritual
food given at this church ought to feed on
huaks.
st. Johns church, corner SIXteeuth and II
streets, was most tastctully and deliberately deco
rated with eyerRreens and notices. At s a. H.
the Holy Communion was administered hy the
rector, Rev. MIR. Lewis, and at II O'Clock he
preached an eloquent and appropriate sermon,
and at O'Clock there were exercises at the
church specially adapted for the little ones MIR.
Lewis was assisted Throughout the day by the
assistant rector Mr., Harold. The music was
under the direction OF Mr.. j. Remington Fair
lamb. 1t was all Of the English cathedral type,
and solemnly and beautifully rendered
The regular Christmas eve services took place
at the Church Of the Incarnation, corner Of
Twelfth and streets The school children sung
their carols, and riehly-laden Christmas tree
was lighted up with huc effect. Al II o'clock on
Christmas day the Rev. Mr.. Hubbard, rector,
preached powerful discourse, and the Commu.
Mon administered. The artistic effect Of the
decorations was the theme OF much praise.
The venerable Christ church (Navy YarN was
the scene Of religious exercises OF deenest fer
vor. The trimming Of the church was most
abundant, and the singing, under the leadership
VI Mr.. Thomas ID. Cross, WAS excellent
Just after midnight II was the good fortune Of
a reporter Of the REPUBLICAN TO be present At
81. Pauls church, lfltualtstiC) on TWenty-third
street, where the rector, Mr.. jackson, adminls-
tered the Holy Communion. The following mu-
ste was sung; Professional, "Adeste Fidclcs;"
Tldirgs," solo parts by DOYLE Hay and PeFrots:
"kyHc," by GaEn; Christmas hymn Mendels-
sSohni Nlceae Creed, Hopkins; "Agnus Def" 10y
GuntheT; Gloria ENCelslz; "NunC dmittus,"
GregOrian third tone; Rccessunal, Nenitc adore
mus, Warren. Al the il-oclOck service the same
music was sung,wlth the additions OF the Nenite,
GregOrlan Psalter, Chants, Anglican TIE Deum
Warren In G, principal parts by Messrs. PerrOtt
Easily, Doyle, Hay, James, Karr; Benedirtua
plain; lltany by Tails; anthem, 81 will lift up
mine eyes" bass solo by Professor James
N2FnFR church. corner of Eighth and ID
SOUTH was prOtusely decorated with flowers and'
eyergreens, and presented a most welcome aud
refreshing sight. The rector, Mr.. HOlmcad, de-
llvered a tne sermon. The music was under the
direction OF Mrs. spencer Davidson and Miss
Virginia Davidson. The renderingOf the Christ
mas anthem was very Impressive.
The Right Reverend Win. PinCkney, assistant
bishop Of this diocese, Ofriclatcd at the morning
service at the Church Of the Ascension G street
there. Besides the usual anthems aud chants
there was given, under the direction Of Mr. q,
W. Walter, grand festal anthem, while the
anthem Of the day was, "The Grace OF God"
over the ChanCel OF 81. Marks church, Mr.. A,
Il. steele rector, the motto, Emmanuel God with
u.s." was placed IN Large Illuminated letters.
Abundant eHergreens were festOOned about the
ChurCh, anu handsome bouquets Of flowers all
dcd charm TO the solemn service. The sermon
OF Mr.. Steele was much cOmpmented, und IN
the evening a Christmas celebration was held for
the benefit Of the sabbath school.
In the Roman Catholic churches the services
were deeply Interesting. The collections taken
Ut AL tue Hlhsats amounted IN the aggregate to
very large sum, when Il destined for tho aid Of
the young students NJ this diocese for the priest
ElliCOtt Nd
The inst High Mass was celebrated at ST.
Patricks at o'clock by Rev. Father Walter,
who also delivered an excellent sermon The
and 4 O'Clock Masses were celebrated hy
Father keane, at the latter delivering a sermon
full Of the sacred history Of the day, and uf
beautiful illusions 10 the memorial time The |
CHOIR, uhlcr the leadership Of Prof Richter, per-
UtstlW glaH IA 4 49,
also llaydn's No. Mass. At I O'Clock a. III.
Father Walter said Mass at ST. NlnCcnts, and
Father keane performed the same holy ONCE at
81. Josephs Orphan Asylum At O'Clock
The services 1T 81. AlOysius were very heaut- /
fnl and attracted great number Of worshlpers. .
A. . a. m. Solemn High Mass was celebrated by .
Father CleaTy, assisted by Father ROCCOfUrt deH- /
con, and Father Morgan as sub-deaCOn. The .
sermon followed, and Father Mcguire was never
more happy and fecitous in presenting the sub
lime and holy lessons Of the day. Low Masses
continued tlll II O'Clock when High Mass was
again celebrated. Al p. m. Nespefs were sung.
over the altar Of the Church, and blazing In .
golden letters, were the WOnls "GluTlA In
ENrrlsls.' During the day MOZart's 18th aud
liaydns No, Masses were sung by the choir
Al the Church uf the immaculate Conception
all the masses were celebrated by Father Mo /
Carthy, aud his 10 o'clock sermon was a fine nut
pit effort. Al O'Clock a. III. Lclsals mass was
sung and at 10 Muzats twelfth mass.
Rev. Father McNHlly preached Al the o'clock
mass at 81. stephens church, Pennsylvania ave
nue. aud Iwenty-nfth street, and at 1880 Rev
Father COrcOran, president Of the Philadelphia
delivered an eloquent sermon, The
decorations Of the church were very beautiful
aud large star, made Of Jets OF gas and blazing
over the tabernacle formed "A CON
splcuOus ornament. The muslC-by Miss Cool
dye, sOpranU MISS swallow, alto; Mr. s. v
NOyes, tenor; Mr., A. y. ROcher, bass, and Mr..
FOertsCh, Urglnlst-was particularly good.
At II O'Clock grand high mass was celebrated
1t st. Peters church. Father Boyle was es-
peclaly happy In his sermon, and though brief
i was full OF strong points and eloquent SEN
ences. HAydnH No. mass was sung hy the
,hOlr, composed Uf the Misses CaHsl, Newton
Barry, Mrs, Bridget aud Mrs. ROssrall, sopranos;
Miss Maggie Newton, alto; MLN T.. King, tenor;
Mr.. carr Miller, lass, assisted by Mrs. Mary +.
Newton, urganlst.
Al 81. Matthews, st. Dummies, ST. Jusephs
H. Murys, and IT. Martins the solemn aud i'm.
brcssIyU CeremJnIals Of the Catholic Church !
we're observed. All these churches were splen-
Idly decorated, and amid the hest NJ music the ;
most fragrant flowers aud the everlasting green
he advent Saviour King was appropriately culr-
Irated.
Metropolitan NJ. T.. church was the scene at I
he II O'Clock service Of a most beautiful rrrnR-
lltlOn Oi the day. Rev DR.. TIifauy's text
where Is he that was born King Of the Jrwsg"
vas made the basis Of al exalted review Of the
history Of Christ and Of the most tender and
ubllme illusions Ia his power as the SON Dt @ H. d
he splendid aud TirUly-UATlaulpl church AMI 4