The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-02-15
ASH WEDNESDAY.
How the Day was Observed In the Cath lio
and Episcopal Churches.

While in the busy world OF gayety and fashion the
seasons bring round epOchs for pleasure and excite
ment so, too, the Church selzes opportunities.
and commentaries important events and continues
the practice OF customs which have come down to
us halowed by the observance OF centuries. Among
these customs none date farther back than the OBJ
servance OF Ash Wednesday.
From the very earliest times the Lenten season
mas been one OF mourning and penitence, ana the
Church, assuming It's most solemn vesture, shows
how IL would exhibit to the faithful the spirit it
would incucate. From first to last OF the season
the most sombre and sad exterior is put on and all
chants, prayers and ceremonies are expressive Oh
the penltental time. Beginning with reminding
the people OF their origin and their final return
10 ashes, II continues uaY after DAY 10 prepare
more earnestly Tor the commemoration OF the 1naE
sorrows or the saviour and OF dis death Tor man.
introducing In the ceremonies attendant upon tno
latter grandeur OF solemn, sad and inspiring
prayer, most beautiful and pathetic.
the priests of the Catholic Church lose no opportu-
nifty to celebrate hitingly and with the most ap.
memoratlons But on yesterday in the churches In
this city, there Was nothing TO marx In any striking
degree the Character OF festival upon me services.
the ceremonies being OF the very simplest descrip,
ton. In every church low mass was said
a, very early hour and, , before the
asres with incense and holy ori'' water At the
conclusion OF the mass the faithful came up and
head with the ashes in the sign Of the
cross, aud while dong so uttering the words,
"Aenaento homo Qtid putcuS es, 20 IN pUtrefens
reUertertS.o rms ceremony was continued at each
OF the masses There was no music at any service-I
IL IS supposed tnat the ashes used IN the cere|
mony were made from the palms blessed on Palm
Sunday.
The Episcopal Church also held special services
yesterday TO usher In the forty days last unllkd
the Catholic Church, however, the Episcopal Church,
does not make 1t obligatory on It's members to morS
tfy the body. but leaves TO each individuals please
ure the amount OF lasting to be done. In every
Episcopal cnurch in the city yesterday special mOrn-f
ing or evenlns services were held, eloquent sermOna
appropriate TO the day being III many Instances dej
livered.
III Trinity church, at eleven O'Clock A. M, ther1
Was a ull choral service the sermon being preached
by Rev. Dr. Oglby. The programme Was as folf
lows:-ProcessUnal Psalm 1880; Nentte, eighth tones
Psalter-Psalms g. 3D. 49, Benedictus, FIRST toned
Creed, Apostles; Anthem, "Lord, Tor Thy Tenders
Mercys Saker fiarranll; kyrie, PLAIN songs Hymna
rs; after sermon Psalm 81; Sanc,us, PLAIN songa
Hymn 100, verses l. 2; Recessional. Psalm ~
Az three O'Clock p. M another service was held, the
programme bemg-Pr0ce ssonal Psalm o.; Psalm5
l02, 1850, 1i3; Bonum est, cnant Deus misereatur3
Professional, Psalm II.
In 1T. Pau's church, 1T the morning service, the
rector, the Rev. Dr. Morgan DIX. preached. Tho
following was the musical programme:--bene-
dIcte, instead OF TIE Deum; introit 'Rend your
hearts and not your garments;" the Miserere Psalm
81. In the evening, at eignt O'Clock a service was
also neld III tins church ana sermon preached