The New York herald., 1874-12-26
THE DAY IN NEW JERSEY.


The religious services in many Of the churches
OF Jersey CITY were very imposing The weather
oeing remarkably fine. there was obstacle to 9
large attendance at the Christmas soemnities.
The preparations 10 Sr. Matthew's and St Mary's
Episcopal churches were most elaborate. The
musical programme In the lormer was the leading
feature, while the decorations IN the latter ex.
ceeded those OF any former occasion.
Midnight masses were celebrated IN rhe Catholic
churches. the tnrong at ST. Peters and st. Mary's
was SO great that hundreds had either to remain
on the sidewalk or return 10 their homes. In the
Church OF St. Boniace (German), OF which Rev.
Dominic Kraus Is pastor. very pleasant inciden,
occurred half an hour previous TO the midnight
mass. The pastor was presented with q handsome
suit Of white vesrments, richly embroidered with
gold, by Mr.. James NJ. Brann, one OF the leading
members OF the congregation. in presence or the
Krsns tnerennon ussa tnesa ~ Inc satSs aSs
solemn midnight mass. Tne decorations or the
Benedictine Oroer, were superb.
III all tue public Charitable institutions bountiful
dinners were given TO tue inmates. especially AZ
children received many presents from the gen.
ersus visitors.
characterized oy greater quiet and order along
the thorcugniares, and by deeper lervor "a
the rrotesssnt Epseoua 0epTes Ron
man Catholic ana other cnurcnes the
festival was celebrated with becoming
solemnity. one beautiful feature OF past com.
memorations or the day was mlssed-rEe midnlght
mass III st. Mary's. AT i've O'CLOCK IN the mOr n.
Ing, however. that edince was thronged; solemn
hign mass was celebrated. and masses were Of
Tered thereafter every hour unt til eleven O'Clock.
Evening services were held In all the churches.
Many poor children were relieved by charltaO.e
citizens, The members OF the Stevens family acting
with their usual lberaily. crowds OF suffering
women and children were mlnistered to by the
Sisters or the Poor ut ST. Mary's hospital.
There also magnificent Christmas tree, laden
with fruits, nowers toys aud luxuries, was set
among the group OF poor children intrusted to
the charge OF the nuns, and its green bougns were
leaves or the police records showed remarkable
decrease in the irregularities hitherto char acter-
izlng the celebration OF the eventiul day.
There was no special observance or Christmas
IN Paterson, although there was general Sus-
pension oi business and everybody seemed 10 don
holiday attire. In spite Of All tnat has been SAID
to tne contrary the times are not near as hard
IN Paterson this winter as they were
last, and Ia more respects than one
was 1t merrier Christmas than mat OF last year.
The sleighng was good aud tnls helped 10 make
were held III the Catholic anu Episcopal cnurcnes
and nearly all the other churches mad SUNDAY
school anniversaries and celebrations. The st.
Bontlace Catholic cnurch holiday lair commenced
IN Odd Fellows Hail and tue annual iair for tue
banent 0i ST. Joseph's Hospital was begun at the
Opera House. The usual number OF balls and hops
were also held, and IN various other social ways
the day was observed, although IN no case was
there anything ol purely pubic character. Good
order generally was preserved, and the day seems
TO have been on the whole unusually quiet Tor