The New York herald., 1872-12-26
ST. PATRICK's CATHEDRAL

Christmas Decorations and Cerem0n1es-
A Pontiical High Mass-Brilliant REM
ditions by tho Choir and Organist-
Sermon by the Rev. Father Ronsyne,
8. S.J.-Relcctions ON the Nativity or the
Saviour.
Whatever there is In religion truly indicative of
real praise, gratitude, sacrifice and love was GER
tainly visible yesterday 1T the Roman Catholic
Cathedral OF this city. Everything within the
stately and hallowed temple presented Q uniform
neatness Of aspect and glittered 1t were in the
sunshine and gladness Of the important event
which was being commemorated beneath its root.
Though . crowded congregation was In attend
ance all seemed comfortably situated. and evl
dently disposed to spend tho pious Christmas hour
as probably a. possible. The sanctuary, high
affairs and side affairs were richly and prodnseiy
decorated with all kinds OF floral onerngs natural
and artificial and cvergreens Of every description.
In the sanctuary were present the Most Rev.
Archbishop McClOskey, oficiating as cciebrant Of
THE GRAND roNTIrIcAL HIGH MASS;
the Very Rev. DR.. Starrs assistant priest. Deacons
or honor-rhe Rev. Fathers McNamee and Kane.
Masters Of ceremontes-Rev. Fathers Farrelly and
Ksarney.
THE SACRED MUSIC
OF the mass was by Mandanici. Mr. Gustavus
Schmitz presided at the organ in manner worthy
Of praise, remembrance and imitation. The choir,
which consisted OF nun chorus OF thirty-nve voices
snS qs %5 much @ ana y n
Of sunncent expertence and courage. After
:ns silently spssssd P 81 the as ss s
beautiful sKyrier pealcd forth t'iini nom the the
choir and organ with tones iull OF sweetness
.Gioria IN Excelss Deo" followed, and As grand
Thanksgiving hymn Of praise was most elegantly
e aS Mt UTSs
which was given In fall chorus BY the choir, and
the appropriate Christmas hymn, may be said to
the selcction. Before the sermon the "veni Crea-
tor,"a . solo quartet: b G. schmitz, was pathet.
Madame Chome one Of the sweetest and most en-
trsncing p % hymns Of the Cnurch's liturgy. the
s Dy Win Ss sSS
by Abt, sung by Mrs. Unger, truly gifted lady,
concluded the estimabe and brilliant Efforts OF st.
Before the .Credo," wnlcn, 1t is wen to state,
was notlceably impressive In its magnidcent rem
defng and espocay 90 on visitors q other re-
the Rev. Father Ronaync, 8. j., OF st. Francis
Xavier's College, assembled the pulpit to preach
which was culled from The nativity OF Christ, the
great event in commemoration. The reverend
preacher chose his text rem the Gospel Of the day.
The advent Of Christ, the preacher said, was an
event which was expected for four thousand years
before the birth Of the Saviour. As that eventul
moment approached nearer and nearer when the
words OF the prophets were to be fulfilled there
was 1
JOY IN THE HEARTS OF ALL
In expectation of some wonderful king who should
come upon earth clothed in majesty and power.
But Bethlehem robec, not in the splendor and
magnihcence OF royalty and beauty, but wrap ed In
lowlrness and wretchedness, presented % tho
three Magi quite contrary scene 10 that pictured
in the imaginations OF the multitude. some there
were who refused to believe that Jesus the son OF
Joseph and Mary Of Nazareth, was not the Messiah
on this account. But who were they that they
should attempt to critcise the grave and uniathom
able attributes OF the Goldman or question the M
Of His eternal FatherY
CHRIsT's OBJECT IN COMING ON EARTn
was the redemption OF mankind. Man, OF himself
was unable " cancel Sin, by which divine JUSTICE