The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1873-12-27
RELIGIOUS CELEBRATION OF
THE DAY.
IMPRESSIVE CEREMONIES AT
THE CATHEDRAL.
SERVICES IN THE EPISCOPAL
CHURCHES.
THE MUSIC, DECORATIONS, &c.
Anniversary Cclcbra-
tiOn.

"A StI'tUScI iiotli dhotHei pIuIiCt, " uo ulu
suddenly dropped down on Main or Broad
street, Wednesday evening, would have seen
.anG heard that something unusual was on
hand. The gaily-decked shop and store
windows, the crowds OF brigbt-eyed chill
Llren, Staid matrons, and bustling men,
armed with baskets and hurrying along as
if they had not 4 moment to lose; the rattle
Of iire-crackers and terpedoeS; the din OF
small drums, tin horns, and every other con-
ccivable instrument which the ingenuity
Of this inventive age has fashioned to tor
turc nervous mammaS; and the general good
humor that shone on every face-all beto-
kcned season Of JOY and gladness which
would have bcwildcred the stranger, but
which any boy he Glanced to meet would
have told hiln meant that "Christmas-cve
had come.
The ChriStmaS-trees. &C., which followed
can be better imagined than described, and
the strategy by which the little ones were
gotten to bed in order that Santa Claus
might have chance TO come with his pack
to ill the caiefully-hung stockings is too
familiar to need description.
Before dawn Christmas morning the little
folks were a>tir, and the clatter begun.
4" Christmas gift - rung through the homes
and along the streets, bright eyes joyfully
notes on "what Santa Claus
brought me-" and the din of mixed medleys
OF the evening before was renewed and kept
up I'll day. Most Of the places Of business
were closed, but the toy-storcs were
crowded and the streets thronged with boys
and men, some of the latter not walking as
straight rs proper dignity required. Of the
family reunionS, the large turkeys, the
oysters, the celery, the plum-pudding, the
mincc-pieS, the jelieS, the ice-cream, &c,
time aud space would fail us to tell.
Notwithstanding the threatening clouds
and the cold and damp atmosphere, the
churches, as a general thing, were all well
attended on Christmas day. 1t is a most
JOYOUS season with the Church, and the feast
of Christmas reigns over the whole time till
twcfth-night, or the Epiphany. The fcstl-
val of Epiphany is one Of great interest to
those who realize the great power of God,
bv which the GentileS have received the
rospeI. On this day came the first fruits of
the Gentilcs to pay homage to the newborn
King Of Nations.
at st. Peters Cathedral
the services were of the usual Soemnity and
The day was inaugurated
at ) O'Clock A. N. by the celebration of
lliNu-htSS. dl w lilIl q lsl SC Spi-IN htioi S'S
tended, including many Of other denomina-
tio.~ Rev. Father JanS>enS was the cele-
braut OF this occasion. He delivered 4 short
but very feeling discourse, calling down
upon his hearers the choicest blessings of
heaven, and expressing the wish that their
Christmas, while enjoyed nationally, might
be indeed a "merry Christmas"
Other masses followed in quick success
priest, as we'll rs the bishop,
having to offer up the Sacrifice three times
during the morniDg-until halt-past 10
o'clock, when
GRAND PoSTIFICAL MASS
was celebrated by Right Rev. Bishop Glib
hons. He was assisted by Rev. Fathers
Handley and Van De Eyver as deacon and
sub-deacon, and Rev. Father Janssens as
master of ceremonies. The sermon OF the
day was delivered by the Bishop, and was
appropriate to the occasion, as well as elo-
qucnt and touching. At the conclusion of
this mass Bishop Gibbons conferred the
Papal benedction together with plenary
indulgence upon all of the faithful who had
participated in the solemn devotion OF the
day BY receiving holy communion, of whom
there were many at all the masses, especially
at the first mass, ut D O'Clock.
At4P. NJ. Pontifcal Vespers was sung by
the Bishop, which was followed by benedic.
tion of the Blessed Sacrament.
THE MUSIC OF THE DAY,
by the Cathedral choir, was very fine. at
the first mass was sung portions of Peters
mass in . and Mcrcadante'S, and at the lQ:30
mass the music of Farmers mass was rem.
dered in really artistic style. AT the Offer
tory of both masses the beautiful anthem
Venlte Adoren,us (solo and chorus) was
sung with fine effect, as was the hymn I'm
Epelish) "Glory to God" which was given
rs the congregations were leaving the sacred
edtice. The music at VesperS was also very
beautiful; and altogether the members OF the
choir have every reason to congratulate them
selves on their efforts to add to the impress
siveness Of the joyous occasion.
THE DECORATIONS
of the interior of the building were eXqul-
sitely grand as well as beautiful. Heavy fes-
toonings of cedar were to be seen in every
direction. Along the galleries, within the
loops of the festoons, were placed the let
ters-in evcrgreen-of the inscription " Fe-
1,tte, Adoren,us, Fen,te.' The sanctuary,
however, had received, and very properly
too, the most attention. Gallands OF ever.
greens were suspended and 1estooncd all
around, from the ceiling down. The bishops
throne, together with the high altar and the
two side affairs, were also tastefully adorned.
At the back Of the high altar, and next 10
the ceiling, were the words " Gloria in En-
celsiS Dec" in German text, the letters be-
Ing in gold Oh Il ground of green.
THE EFFECT
of these grand decorations when, at O'Clock
in the morsing, all the gas:Icts together with
the blaze of light emanatng from the in
number of burning tapers which
covered the three altars, can better be I'M
apined than described. 1t surpassed all
former attempts, and the ladies who for two
weeks were engaged in preparing these deco
rations, as also the gentlemen who kindly
volunteered their assistance, richly deserve
the thanks Of the clergy and Of the congrc-
cation for their untirDg zeal, which Las re-
suited SO successfully.
st. 5ohn's.
L. is but proper that this, the oldest church
in the city, should head the list in our no.
tces Of Christmas services in the Eplscopal
churches. For more than hundred years,
az each recurring anniversary of this day
has come. have fair hands prepared the
wreaths and festooDs and notices which
have decorated its sacred walls. The fair
ladies and stately danes of "ye olden time .
who worshipped in this edifice in the days
when The minister and parish clerk were
paid for their services in tobacco, valued at
50 much per pound, or even in still Iaier
times, when a Governor of Virginia Ran
dolph) belonged to the yestry Of this church,
all have lent willing hands to aid in beautl-
flying "the spot they loved"
q,Eo tacto which marked tho eyDresSion OF