The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1872-12-27
FRIDAY. DECEMBER 81, 1872.
LOCAL MATTERS.
CHRISTMAS Ar THE CHURCHES.

CHRISTMAS AT THE CHURCHES.
Notwithstanding the snow-storm which
prevailed during the entire daythe churches
which were open on Christmas had good
congregations, and in some of them the SER
vices were unusually interesting.
CATHOLIC.
The Christmas services at st. Peters ca
thedral were not of an unusual character.
At O'Clock A. NJ. high-mass was celebrated
by Rev. Father JanSsens. The attendance
at that hour, owing to the intensely cold
weather, was not very large, although usual
ly the crowd is so great that many are unable
to participate in or witness the ceremonies.
The three altars were brilliantly illuminated
with myriads of wax tapers, the main altar
presenting a most beautiful spectacle.
The music at this mass was exceedingly well
rendered by the choir, the Christmas hymn
of "Adeste Fideles" being sung at the
otlertorSs
Mass after mass, by the different clergymen
of the Cathedral, followed in quick success
sion until hali-past 10 O'Clock, at which hour
Pontifcal High-Mass was celebrated by
Right Rev. Bishop Gibbons, assisted by Rev.
Fathers Janssens and Handley. A beauti-
full discourse on the Nativity was delivered
b. Rev. Father Janssens and at the conciu-
sion of mass the Papal benediction was given
by the Bishop to the congregation, and also
Iindulsences to all who had partaken of the
Blessed Sacrament on that day. The choir
sng Mercadantc's Mass in D, for three
voices, in superb style. At the offertory The
"Adeste Fideles" was again sung; and after
the morning services were concluded, and as
the congregation was leaving the church, the
beautiful anthem of ''Glory to God" was
rendered with fine effect.
At st. Patrick's and st. Mary's churches
similar services were held-those at the latter
church commencing at O'Clock in the morn
ling.
At the Academy of the Visitation, Monte
Maria--on Church Hill, "midnight mass"
was celebrated by Rev. Father Vandervyver.
Besides the nuns attached to the convent,
there were number of young ladies-scho-
lars of the inStitution-present at this mass,
all of whom joined in singing the beautiful
and impressive music incident to the occa-
sion.
At st. Paul's the services were conducted
by Rev. DR.. Minnigerode, the rector, who
delivered an interesting address. The deco
ritlonS were beautiful and the music crcdta
ble to the excellent choir.
At St. James's the rector, Rev. Joshua Pc.
terkn, conducted the services, assisted by
Rev. Robert Gibson, who delivered an elo-
quent address. The music gave great salts
faction and all were pleased with the taste-
full decorations.
Rev. Dir. Woodbridge conducted the ser'
vices at the Monumental church, and
pIeacneu n.osc iiiipte''i'o aeinioh oii 'i'e
hatMIy VI eull>'' .,o
ine 'nus' oli tn.a oo.as'h g "tts .1 =, ~
hhest charactef, ana surlEassco' III lhc Juus-
ment OF many, al! previous EFFORTS ol tnis
luSty ceIeDia.eu euoli & no'et 81 utu ;t 80 Uas"r
Src5 deIirbtfnl strains ,s th,t of the MonI,-
mental under The hands Of Professor Wheat
Oh Wednesday. The congregation was
large and all were delighted. Tie decora-
tions at this church were OH more nlaSnitia
cent scale tnali usual, ana were, ior 'nelr
elesanII ",:u "t'Up' +I 'ar ~" sI'n t%nn,
son''"' '0''''"ND' "' '''0 WV >'
BAPTIST
The Saab1th school OF the Lelgh-Stleet
church held their annual meeting on CHRIST
mas day. Notwithstanding the extreme III
cIcmency of the weather a large number OF
the scholars Nclc Oui, and enjoyed to the
fullest extent the cakcs. confcctionerics, nc,
which had been prepared for them. No
formal addresses were made, but everything
passed off quietly and in order, and all went
houIe pleased. The following officers were
elected for the ensuing year: Superintendent,
A.B, Clarke; assistant superintendent, 4. c.
Goddin: secretary, 4. Il. Butler; assistant
secretary, Adolphus Justis: treasurer, r.
StrauglIan 1urpin; librarian, j. l.. Porter.
The Sunday-Scnool scholars OF Fulton
Baptist church enjoyed festival given them
by their officers and teachers.
The "Christmas Revolving Tree" services
at Grace-Stlect Baptist church take place
This afternoon at haICDast 2 O'Clock.
,,,,,,o,,sr
h,NoD.'i c
AT Broad-Strcct chlrch feV. .: =. GIan-
bery, ID. D., preached an appropriate Cnfl-t-
mas sermon us dld also Key: IT, Z. Cheat-
ham ut unlon-Statlon Methodist church.
CHRISTIAN.
The uCbristmas Treen at the Seventh.
strcct Christian church Christmas day was
most Pheasant ahalr' though tie lIc'c,iie.i' 81,
weather kept away soou man! man! VI tuc
schoiar>. On the tree were IVY lteseit:'
each one haYlEs huMoef, anu tlehe,s ,s Sa,l.t
aiiy nunipeIeu "ele gwen 10 tt,e Sehoi'ts,
anu as tue presents were TAKEN OIL tney were