New-York tribune., 1875-12-27
TuE CHRISTIAN FESTIVAL


- cooD-wIIL NOT DAMPfNED BY GLOOMY
." "v,vuER-sCENEs AROUND THE FIREsIDE AND
=, ,ur sTREETs-rnE DAY IN THE CHUrCHEs-
,>, rHE HUNGRY AND CHEERING TIE
vRyTCHED'
chr;stmas passed off merrily IN New-York
80, v,oiritv in spite Of the dismal weather The peo
,.h and DOOR old and young. who for fortnight or
P hJ beeu preparing to make merry on the chief OF
sa, No oould not be discouraged, although the whole
~ = epveloped in an obstinate fog and mist which
Ss,ntss Ss every ray OF sunlight made the sidewalks
M ,enents slippery and drove thinly dressed mas
.ase-, ,hivering within doors The gloomy appear
of tie streets only lent additional attractveness
~ bright nrcsides around which thousands OF fam
s'.,,hrred in Christmas communion Chris mas trees
ir, with rich gifts and bending with gorgeous toys
"a erly stripped by laughing children. and tables
,eb the eve and the appetite with sumptuous holiday
80. The happy family gatherings, however were not
- any means confined To the vicinity OF Murray Hill
. almost every tenementhousc, squalid though IL might
., Nicholas had found his way, and there, too, Christ
"a. WAS made gadsome than other days by some
"a or act that drew the hearts of the poor closer to
rther.
a.. were evidences Of holiday celebration. The
"a puhlic Offices were closed. most business
,.ces doors and windows hung with wreaths and
ns e green leaves, and troops Of boys dressed fan
,.tcay armed with toy and blowing tin trumpcts,
me day was ushcred with the ringing Of church bells
,ns chimes ana special services Of song and PRAYER and
nrase were held in the churches The public and
charitable institutions spread Christmas dinners for
those dependent on them and the theateTs gave holiday
,eornances before holiday audiences Even the prisons
were lighted up with gleam OF Christmas gladness by
,oa dinners and Kind words given to the PRISONERS.
Tie German societies and many other social organiza-
mons held festivals their assembling rooms and club
houses. -
The religious observance of Christmas is naturally the
,cst imposing and interesting and the churches make
elaborate preparations for it, on saturday most Of the
Roman catholic and Protestant Episcopal churches in
yevYors BROOKLYN and Jersey City and some churches
a, other denominations beautifully decorated with
syergreens and flowers and the attendance upon the
services was very large Special musical programmes
were given by the choirs. and the preachers generally
made their sermons appropriate 10 the memories and
thoughts called up by the anniversary OF Chrsts birth.
Al Trinity Church Christmas chimes were ing ID the
morning and at IL a. m the musical numbers arranged
fpr the day rendered by the choir. The Rev Dr.
DIX then delivered Tho proper way TO Keep
the feast ~ Christmas The congregation was very large
all the seats filed and the asl were crowded with
usrson obliged to stand. while many unable to get
admission TO the crowded church. The decorations were
verv beutifuL Evergreen trees and heavy festOons.
srngs and crosses Of green leaves illuminated by
es gave the interior brilliant effect AT Grace Church
The decorations also very elaborate and beautiful
The usual Christmas services heard by IN immense
,udience and the Rev Dr. Ehphaet n Potter delivered
q sermon based Isaiah iXr g. " Unto US cuud Is
harm" Christmas chimes were rung at ST. Thomas's
Protestant Episcopal Church and sunrise services were
held Al A. NJ the Rev. Dr Morgan preached on "Chrsts
Humanity special musical programme was sung
Al the Church Of ST. Mary the Virgin in Forty-hfthst
uidnel service was held hy the rector, the Rev Dr
Brown At IL a. m the Rev. Patterson Of Plhadel-
fha twin of A he
Otst Ig atus in West FOrtcth-st.. the Rev Dr Ever
ureached on Christs brotherhood with man An elaoO-
rate mus. programme given by the choir Al the
Church of the Mediator OruOnd-pace, Brooklyn. the
Rev Dr. r s. Brown preached on The lesson oi Feace
on earth and good will 70 men" The music at this
church wa, very much admired. Al St. AIMS Church N
Cinons Brooklyn, Christmas carols were rung On the
chimes.
Ast Patrick's Cathedral in this city. at a. m Vicar
Genera Quinn celebrated Mass. Masses were afterward
celebrated almost hourly during the morning Al lO5O
. m there was POntifca Mass, Cardinal McCloskey
being the ceebrant assisted by the Rev Fathers Kane
Hogan Rcarney, Farley. and Tr;lnor The music was
very impressive. A sermon preached by the Rev
Father Tranor the example Of ChTisrs lie. The
decorations and illumination OF The altar were very beau
tful Al ST. AIMS Roman Catholic Church IN East
Fwettb IT, the Christmas services were begun with
midnight Mass at which the Rev. Dr. Preston was the
celebrant Frequent Masses followed until II a. n
when Pontacal High Mass celebrated by the Rev
Father lynch The musical services comprised a new
Mas hy AMBROSE Thomas. rendered by the choir Inc
Rev Dr. Preston preached tile birth OF Christ The
services we're closed p by the 0enehou"n OF the
Holy sacrament six Masses the first beginning at 43O
a. N we're celebrated at ST. Stephens Church. IN
Tventy-aighth-st At II a m. Mercadante's Mass was
sung bv the choir The celebrant Of the II o'clock
Mass was the Rev Father McCready. The Rev. DR..
McGlynn preached from the first verse OF the nrst
chapter NJ st. John In the beginning was the word
and the Word was with God. and the Word WAS COD
The Rev. Father ulOn, President OF tne Jes'uts
College celebrated the principal Mass at the Church of
A. Francis Xavier, and a sermon preached by the
Rev Fsthor Shea The musical programme and the
decorations were both very attractive. Vespers were
sung AZ p. m. At the Pausts' Church III "ese
Fly-nluth-st. Mass celebrated by the Rev Father
Young The Rev Father Singer was the celeDrant OF
e Mas. at the Church OF ST. Vincent FerIer ana the
Rev Father Lilly preached Christs relation to the
poor
Chst,nss services were held in several churches OF
other denominations, both in New-YOrk aud Brooklyn
but elaborate preparations had been made than In
Tie Roman Catholic and Protestant Eplsoopai Churches
CHARITY's OPEN HAND.
Charity dispensed her bounty with a lavish mana en-
salursy The managers and friends OF private ana pup
hc Institutions did their remind the inmates
that sh occasion indeed Of good cheer ana the
sounds of mirh and happiness resounded on all sides
Individual benevolence freely exhibited IN the shape
0bOun,ifm dinners 20 the poor ana afilcttu
As Randals Island is the domice OF the great NUMBER
fchdn committed TO the care Of the city, special az
rngements had made for the celebration OF the
day Tic order Of exercises was the re-
union thc children Of Hospital who celebrated the
occasou by songs and rectations. Then followed
Chrsnas dinner Of great abundance. Gifts OF dolls
coafoc,ipuery. and triukets, from MIS- william
H. Wicsham, Mrs. A. II. Gibbons, and Miss
Louisa II. AlcOtt, completed the happiness OF
tic Children and they returned at nisht joyous In the