Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1872-12-16

LOCAL ITEMS.

=
DAY OF PRAYER-The House Of Bishops
ofsthe Episcopal Church III the United States
having determined to unite with the Church OF
England aud all her branches aud dcpenden-
cies, 10 tbs. obscsvauee Of Friday next, the 2Oth
instant asSa,day of special prayer and supplca-
ton for the success of the missions OF the
Church and Tor the incr. a ofthe ministry there
| will be extra services held in all Episcopal
churches in this city and throughout the coun-
try on that day. The day was set apart tor
this service some time ago by the Archbishop
of Canterbury, the Primate of the English
Church at the request of the venerable "Socie-
ty for the Propagation of the Gospel, aud SO
soon as it was kubwn in this country that such
day was to be observed by the Anglican
Church, there was a wide spread desire mani
tested among the clergy and laity of the Epis:;
copal Church to unite in the observance and
hence the action of the House of Bishops as
stated above. Yesterday in all the Episcopal
churches IN the city notice was given of the
special service, and the people were earnestly
urged to devote the day, as far as possible, to
acts of devotion and to unite in supplcating the
Divine blessing upon the missionary effort Of,
the Church and to implore the Divine Head
Of the Church that He would send forth more
laborcrs into His harvest. The gatherings for
prayer next Friday will not have the character
of missionary meetings. The special object OF
the occasion is not for the support of mis-
sionaries. but ior interceding before Almigh-
ty Gcd for an increase Of the gift Of
His spirit and of Ills blessings upon the
work. The reasons given for setting apart
day of inercesslon before the close of the
year are!that the reports OF the missionary So
cietes bear testimony to the fact that the prln.
cipal stations are calling for additional laborers;
that the general advanced state of many OF the
principal missions has made it necessary TO
provide minister's of high attainulents and spe
clal gifts to meet present necessities, and that
everywhere all things sccm to be IN progress
towards SOME great event. The lntermngng
of the heather and Mohammedan with Christ
ian nations; tue upheavings Of the most solid
foundations Of social systems the altered posi-
ton of the Roman Catholic Church III Europe;
these and many other signs of the tunes have it
IS claimed, produced upon the minds of Chris
tialis generally Il solemn Impression that We are
on the eve Of events tcretod in prophecy. The
service prepared and set forth for next Friday
in alEpscopal churches is in the form of morn
ing prayer the usual cXhortation, confession,
absolution, versic|es and collects to be followed
by special prayers
RIVER MEMS The ice is pretty we'll broken
up, but as there has been DO wind to carry it
off, the river is still blocked up with it as low
down as the White House. Most of the river
steamers have, however, recommended their
trips, and should the present weather continue
for day or two longer navigation Tor sailing
vessels will be unubStructcd. y tow OF seven
coasters aud three oyster boats arrived up last
night, and one Of four coasters and three oys-
ter boats this morning, all ut which, with the
exception Of tw0 oyster boats that stopped
here, went Oh up TO Washington. The schooner
General Grant, heretofore reported cut through
and sunk d: Bryan Point, has had her lnasts
cut away by the ice. \ battcau belonging to a
colored man named SrIith, and loaded with
furniture, is reported sunk ut Sheridan $ Point.
The schooner ID. B. u oiie, heretofore reported
ashore ia Washington'S Reach, has gotten oil
aud yo:.e on down the river, but Was run into
by three master and had her mnlusalI carried
away. The S!oup reported ashore oil ST. George
Island. alu whose cargo o! oysters was brought
up bv the steamer Gtorgcanna, has gotten OFT.
During the gale that blew her ashore Il co!ored
boy aboard Of her fell ovtrb. ard and was
drowned. \ tow bound down from Washing
ton yesterday parted eft G;esboro, some four
or five vessels got admit III the Ice, ana one or
them, au oyster boat, was mashed aud suGk.
Her crew and the vessels adrltt were brought
to this city by the Washington ferry boat.
The Maryland ferry boat, Virginia, this morn
ing resumed her trips that have been suspend
ed for week past, and the steamer Nawaset
will resume her trips to Curronan tomorrow
morning. The Lady of the Lake lett for Nor.
folk this afternoon, aud will continue to run
REGULARLY as long as the weather permits The
Georycanna, for Baltimore, also lett this alter
noon, and it is said will make but one more
trip this winter. The h. G. Knight, for New
York, also lett this afternoon. The Columbia,
from Baltimore due yesterday evening arrived
this morning. \ feet of about fifteen vessels
is reported between here and Indian Head.
Four coasters ard three oyster crafts were tow
ed down yesterday BY two tugs.
CHRISTMAS AT ST.. MARY's CuURcH.-In
view of the dsgraceful conduct ofsome OF those
who attended the services at St. Mary Church
at a. M, last Christmas, it has been deter
mined to admit no one, this year, without
ticket. The members of the congregation are
always glad to see persons who do not agree
with them in religion, at their services, but
they cannot tolerate laughing, talking and
other improper behavior IN their church on the
most solemn occasions; and as there seems 10
he no other way Of preventing it, they have
adopted the plan mentioned above. Each pew
holder will lie furnished with number of
tick ct. equal to the seats in his pew, and
committee to be announced hereafter, will give
tickets on application, to the rest of the con-
gregation, and to such other respectable per
SONS as may desire to be present, seats being
provided for them in the galleries and vacant
pews. Thus, all who attend will have com
Portable seats, aud those who come to worship
God will not have to witness conduct which
would disgrace theatre. AS, improper con-
duct seldom takes place during the day, tickets
will not be required for the later Masses and
Vespers.
CSC. CASAL-The Georgetown cores
pondent of the Baltimore Sun says: "The
president of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal
Company has fulfilled bis promise of keeping
omen the canal until the latest period possible
in the season. Notwithstanding the ice, boats