The New York herald., 1872-12-25
CHRISTMAS EVE IN THE COLLIE GEES.

uidnight Ceremonies In Seton Hall Coll
lege. New Jersey-An Impressive Scene
In . Rural District-The Chapel a Gem
OF Beauty-The Moral OF the Midnight
Scene.
One hours ride on the Delaware and Lackawanna
Railroad cars brought HERALD representative last
night to the beautiful rural district OF South
Orange, N. j.. near which the well known lay COL
cge Of Seton Hall is located. Though the air was
picrcngly cold, yet the sweetness Of appearing and
disappearing scenes along the route was sufficient
to counterbalance everything disagreeable to the
visitor
At about halfpast eleven O'Clock p NJ the
writer reached the beautiful romantic eminence
on which the above college Is situated. perfect
silence reigned around its historic walls and IL was
not until entering the interior Of the adjacent
church that the calm tranquility which prevailed
was disturbed by any change OF scene. Within the
church the lamp.lights were at first dimly burn
tnR, but as the hour Of twelve approached the
the solemn gaze Of thronged congregation a
church arrayed in the neatest garb OF splendor
and magnincence In the sanctuary were ON lat
Ing the President, the Very Rev. Dr. M. A. Corrigan
IAdmnistrator of the Diocese OF Newark and can.
ST the as @ ann .ae Rs1
Theology as Deacon. and the Rev. James H. Corri-
gan as snb.Deacon, attended by acolytes and
masters OF the ceremonies. The ecclesiastical
students OF the attached seminary filed the stalls
and seats either side Of the sanctuary, each
thirty.
was presided over by the Organiet, Professor
Schmidt and the singing OF the choir by Professor
DE Grandval The "kyrie" was rendered solemnly
sns ana NJ Ana pas In S
such grand occasions to tender their valuable SER
vices to the College choir. The GLORIA" was at the
and the "Credo With fsH its pathetic at @ Incarnatas
called forth the silent admiration Of every heart
The "Hosannas" In full chorus by the choir, were
cheerful and fully equal to the Importance OF the
festvity. After the Gospel the Very Reverend cele-
brant preached tender and learned discourse in
his own beautiful style OF oratory to the pious con-
gregation assembled, in which ne portrayed the
humility and love OF the Saviour Of the world with
admirable accuracy and eloquence.
After the solemn midnight scene was over the
apparent satisfaction with which every dev0tee
tng avenues and rugged byways In carriages and
on oot, was simply astonishing as well as crafty
iigion, and especially OF the Catholic faith, can
govern in such way the hearts and souls and
po9s inclinatlons OF ner cn!dren might well oe
comment.
Sc. Johns College, Fordham, N. VA
Grand Midnight Display or Jesuitical
Pisty-A Solemn Scene in . solemn
District-The Crib or Bethlehem .
Shrine OF Beauty.
tiresome visit to the chapel attached TO st.
Johns College, Fordham, last night was well worth
the difficulties Including the chilling effects OF the
cold night air) endured by representative OF the
HERALD who went to see the solemn ceremonies
performed by the faithful followers Of st. Ignatius
Loyola. The college grounds were reached In due
time. The tall and sturdy oaks which lined the
avenue leading up TO this tme.honored building
reared their bare and rugged branches into the
thin, frosty air. and like giant spectres seemed to
guard the half0wed ground on which they stood.
The massive Agricultural College buildings
looked down soemnly and sternly on the visitor as
he neared their basis. The beautiful church adjoin
Ing them TO the southwest was approached by
hundreds Of the parish congregation, as the happy
midnight chimes made hill and woodland re-echo
10 their tones OF sympathetic sweetness. The In
terror or the church was tastefuly decorated with
natural and artificial flowers and evergreens In
every part The priests and ecclesiastical students
OF the order filled the sanctuary. The college choir
stood inTeadiness around the organ. The professor
OF music OF the college presided. The different
foieraby well executed. The gas lights, IN full
blaze. added exceedingly TO the solemn festive
scene, while the richly embroidered vest
ments OF the ceiebrant, the Very Rev. Joseph
those Of the deacon and sub-deacon gittered in the
bright renecte light which surrounded them.
large and appreciative congregation, gathered
together from town and country districts, nlled
was preached AFTER the Gospel by the eloquent and
wel,kn0wn Jesuit preacher, the Rev. Father
Glackmeycr, which, for compactness OF style,
beauty OF .diction and singular narmouy OF feeling,
Crib OF striking beauty and trne and original de-
Sign was graphically arranged in one OF the portt-
Goes OF the church. in which were inserted statues
and images OF the Holy Family This was neatly
pound and decorated with evefgreens OF every
tie Mass which was about one O'Clock A. NJ, the
pious congregation separated ana went away,
apparently delegated, TO their respective homes.