Wilmington daily commercial., 1875-12-27

A QUIET HOME oBsERvAScE-ruE CELEBRATION IN
THE CHURCHES tPECIAL ESrERTAINMrNrs-
THE HOLIDAY TRADE.
The observance of Christmas in this city was
OF the most quiet and uneventful character.
There were no special incidents in its celebra-
ton. Each one was left to enjoy the day after
the bent OF his own inclination, and people were
probably less engaged in outside celebrations
than in many previous years. Most people spent
the day in quiet home observance, partly from
necessity Oh account of the weather, and partly
in accordance with previous determination. In
this respect this Yuletide was probably most if
ferent from any Of its predecet sors. Buainess,
partly suspended in tho morning, almost entire
ly ceased in the afternoon, and the men OF busl-
ness threw themselves into the bosom OF their
families there to enjoy the Christmas turkey and
admire with the little folks the Christmas tree
which had been erected by loving hands.
Order reigned throughout the city. great
many persons under the influence OF liquor
mingled in the crowds along the main thorough
fares, but these were for the most part peacea-
Bile and not inclined to disorder. Few arrests
were made by the police, and the records OF
the court have been as free US on most ordinary
occasions.
The day was,ushered in in the ueual manner by
church chors who went about the city making
the morning vocal with their melodies. Almosy
every neghborhood was visited, and many an
ear was bent to catch the strains of that grand
old anthem. las shepherds watched their fiocks
by night which becomes doubly inspiring in
its appropriateness and its harmony Oh such oc-
casions as these. Later, and before the dark
ness was dispelled by the morning light, many
OF the churches took up the work OF praise aud
| prayer, and AZ the early rays OF advancing day
| fell upon the earth they bathcd congregations
bowed in religious worship. These were
generally quite large early as was the hour, and
| prone Ar most people are to droNsiiess af;ei
the labors VI n Christmas preparation.
| In the Catholic churches three services were
| held during Saturday--at about and III the
morning and ut >. 30 in the afternoon. st. Mary'f
| alone held no afternoon service. There was nc
| elaborate decorations in any of these churches
| the only kind noticeable being twined evergreens
| about the altar except at ST. Peters, where thin
| kind of trimming extended out into the mai
| body of the church. Special services were held
at this church. High mass WAS celebrated il
the morning by Bishop Becker, who was assist
ed by Rev. Father Lyon as deacon and George
Bradford as spp-deacon. Tho Blshop alr'
music WAS furnished under the leadership oi
Prof. Roads, the choir being assistet
by Dr. Ogle and Mr.. W. W, Iobdel
Ritchie's string band also furnished an &C
compartment. Lambilottes Mass was sum,
At st. Mary's Rev. Father Reilley oilciated
Mr.. W. d. Kavanaugh leading the singing
| which was an especial pleasing feature Of th
service. Here AliaId's Mass was surg. tn
st. Mary's Temperance Society, G7 strong, ii
II. At st. Paurs, ,St.James's, and the church o
the Sacred Heart MACS was held in the morning
and vespers in the afternoon.
Greater observance was made i'll tho Epa
copal churches probably than in any others. Al
OF them were handsomely trimmed with ever
green's, st. Andrews and Trinity vieing with eac
other III excellence of tasto and profuseness il
display. st. johns, Calvary and the Old Swede
were bedecked in a most becoming manner
wreaths and festoons being nspicuousupon til
walls and prominent places in the churches. A
Calvary a succossion of arches Of holly leave
were turned i'll the aisles, being q novel featur
in the decorations of this church. Approriat
services were held at sc in the morning, sol
mons being preached by the rectors.
The decorations at st. Johns were more leau
tiful than ever before. Early service was hel
at 30 in the morning, and some bright carol
were sung. At the service at 1OlG O'Clock, til
music wae excellent, and included new an
fine Te Deum. Tie rector, Rev. Mr.. Littcll
preached from the text " Tho Word was mad
} flesh and dwelt among us" after which til
communion was administered.
In the Methodist churches early prayer meet
ing was held, this being the only service OF til
day. Yesterday, however, appropriate sermon
were preached. The Baptist and Presbyteria
churches held no service on Saturday, but yei
terday Christmas discourscs were delivered /
them.
by way of sunday school celebrations Grac
as usual took the lead The chapel was vei
neatly decorated with eyergreens, and interest
ing exercises took place yesterday afternoon
Addresses were made by Revs jos. l.. Smtl
j. Il, Quigg and II. @. Downward, Esq, all
some very sweet music WAS rendered under tn
direction of Prof. Rhoads. At Scott church, las
evening, review OF the last quarter in tli
international Lessons waa made IN the pretenc
Of a congregation which filed the church III
was deeply Interested Short addresses wei
made by Rev. j. owen Sypherd, Wm. il. FOUL
superintendent, and Miss Stuart, of philade
phia At Kingswood, on Saturday afternoon
each OF the chIldren received gift OF som
character
st. Andrews Sunday School held its annivei
sary yesterday afternoon, at which addresst
, were made by Bishop Lee and Rev. Mr.. Latime
j, The singing was excellent. The missionary co
lection amounted to 500. "a, On Saturday ev,
ming a Christmas tree had been erected. froi
; which presents were attributed to the chldrei
John White, the superintendent, was presente
4. with copy of Whenton's Bible Commentaries.
The giving away of presents was probably
great as i'll any previous year. The poor wei
not forgotten. and very few OF them escape
= | recognition of some kind. At the alnshouse tli
> inmates We're sumptuously dined, and at til
Aged Womens and Orphans Homes there wer
| departures from the daily routine Of life. Son
Y Of the inmates of these institutions were AL
| specially remembered.
The Saturday evening entertainments wer
few. At the Opera House Miss Rena was greet
+, | ed by crowded audience who gave many man
!, feststions Of pleasure with her deliniation
Cuslt. The Unitarian church fair was well q
tended and was greatly cnloyed. Many person
visited the fair of the Catholic Orphan Asylui
at Institute Hall, which WAS opened on Frda,
!, and there found much to amuse. Tho A. u.
. p. Church 'Centennial Bazarr' at the City Ifa
! afforded an evening of pleasure to the colore
, people, a large number Of whom availei then
: selves Uf it.
TaE HOLIDAY TRADe.
There il a concurrence in testimony about I'll
effects of the holiday trade upon business wlic
pnn IN attr ttsaa lnEa ,.,.N
!. purchases. Our business men are general
e more cheerful In every department OF trad
large sales arc spoken Of, and some men la,
been relieved OF almost their whole stool
There is very little doubt that the holiday salt
: have been larger than last year, notwitbstan,
J ing the unfavorable weather, and the good G
y feet thereof will appear soon in easier finance
i the payment OF old debts, and a greater chee
u fulness in trade. If the home happiness OF til
holiday can only be in some way got into bug
ness, restoring confidence and displacng II
IT gloom which has 30 long hung over it, we sha
all have been doubly blessed and will he bette
/ la I'M for a haf