The New York herald., 1873-12-26
CHURCH or OUR LADY OF MERCY.

KeQeemef
at the Church OF Our Lady or Mercy, in Debevoise
street, was especially fine In musical sense Both
services OF high mass--that at i've O'Clock and
that at half-past ten O'Clock A. M.-were attended
by immense crowds oil worshippers At the former
service Gounod's Second Mass was excelenty
sung by the male members OF the church choir its
full strength being reserved for the after ceebra-
tion only slight yet a sufficient. attempt had
been made to give the church Christmas appear
ance Ropes Of evergreen were festo0ned along
the gallery fronts, and stars and crosses OF like
material were alternated on the pillars support
Ing s, the roc. roof % Over the host was hung cross,
trees. The sheen of the leaves and
the glow OF the berries worked among them under
the many lights, very handsomely relieved the
dull, white surface upon which the green ornaments
were put The high mass at nalpast ten O'Clock
was celebrated by Father McNamee, to whom the
pastor OF the church, Father McElroy and Father
keardon acted as deacon and sub-deacon. Father
McElroy preached very appropriate sermon. He
began his remarks with reference to the gospel
OF the day, and passed on TO the discussion OF the
special event for which Christmas Day is cee-
extirpated the evil systems Of religion that had
force until Christ came upon earth. Before that
manner OF His worship being denied even in
Judea. Men symbolized even their worst vices, and
worshipped the symbols. Impure and corrupt were
the ways OF lie, and He who was most notorious in
lie for what we call evil was delfed after HIS
death. "Eat, drink aud be merry, the rests not
worth flp," was the general motto and 1t was
the root OF all the idolatry and paganism OF the
period. The reverend speaker deplored that the
evil o. idoatry was not yet crushed out Men who
are impure and do not try to repress their vices
really erect them into idols. They follow their
leadings and allow them to sway their whole lives.
Father McElroy urged that Christ should have
new birth at this time. The Redeemer is not OF
the past He Is OF the present. His teachings have
the power to overcome the newer forms OF pagan
in their hearts, none OF which are too ioul to be
the birthplace OF the Christ.
The musical part OF the service was under the
conduct OF Mr.. Augustin Cortada, the organist of
the church. fine orchestra OF 16 members OF the
Philharmonic Society and the choir OF 81 voices
performed sixteenth
The mass was rendered according to the original
score. The rendition OF the grand work was very
lne indeed, all the difficulties being overcome In
very skillul manner. At the offertory new
Christmas trio Tor male voices, was given with
handsome effect. The choir, which Is one OF volun.
teer singers, comprises some excellent voices, and
under the tuition OF Mr.. Cortada; 1t is gaining q
Brooklyn. The solo parts OF the mass were sung
by Mrs. Corinne Moore soprano; Miss Monica
Newman and Mrs. Southard, contraltos; Mr..
Nicholas Doyle, tenor; Mr. f. L. Dallon barytonc,
and Mr.. William Young, basso.
CHURCH OF THE NATIVITY.
The services yesterday at the Church OF the Ma
tivity, In Madison avenue corner OF Clason, were
OF an interesting character. The Rev. Father M.
J. Moran, celebrated the mass. Rev. p M. ORE
gan, q. M, was deacon and the Rev. NJ. A. Hickey
acted as sub-deacon. The sermon was preached
by the Rev. Father O'Rcgan. The music was finely
rendered by the choir, which Is composed OF Mr..
J. Howlin, basso; Mr.. James H. Tewan and J.
Potts, tenors; Miss Ella Kenney, soprano;
Misses Mary A. and Susie Tecvan contrato, and
Miss Marie Campbell rendered the "Agnls Del"
beautifully. MIR. ]. Potts. shepherds were Watch
ing" was grand.
CHURCH OF THE SACRED HEART.
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