The Portland daily press., 1876-12-25
Christmas nj the Churches.
ST. STEPHENS CHURCH.

| Rev. Mr.. Dalton, pastor of this church, be-
gan series of three discourses appropriate to
Christmas, yesterday morning. His text was
taken from John 1, xii: "But as many as re-
ceived Him, to them gave he power to become
the sons of God even to them that believed on
His name" The theme was the Sonship of
| Christians through Christ The second dis
course was given last evening at the regular
| Christmas eve service The text was taken
| from st. Luke 2, x: "Fear not for behold l
bring you good tdipgs of great joy which shall
| be to all people" The main idea of the d is
| course was the perpetuity of the Christian re-
llgion and its adaptation to men in all classes
in life. This morning the third and last of the
series will be given; the pastor will preach up
on Gods reconcing man to himself" The
TWO discourses preached yesterday were very
interesting.
Tomorrow evening the regular Christ mas
festival will take place. Several new and beau
tiful carols will be sung by the children of the
Sabbath school.
FIRST BAPTIST.
The PASTOR Rev. DR.. Smaller, preached a
Christmas sermon in the afternoon, taking as his
text the words''H came unto His own and His
own received Him not" The singing By the
double quartetta, composed of Messrs. Stock
bridge, Beckett, Turkey and Hudson, and Mrs.
Wetherbee, Mrs. Notion, Mrs. Monkey
Miss Cummings and Miss Beckett
was excellent and very appropriate to Christ
mas In the evening very interesting Sab
bath School service was held. The oratorio
Triumph Of the Cross" was beautifully rem
H.. A. Gu
Mr.. W. S. Beckett, A. D. Hall, Mrs. Moxley,
Miss Dryden and Miss Beckett. REGULATIONS
of Scripture were given by Mr.. Kicker, the Su-
perintendent, Mr.. Mathews and Mr.. Brunei
FIRST PARISH.
The pastor, Rev. DR.. Hill, preached ia the
morning from the text found in John 14:6, Il
am the way, the truth and the life." In the
evening very interesting Christmas vesper
service was held The pastor gave an address,
the theme of which was that the beney olent
spirit of the age was no substitution for Christ,
The music was very fine. "Glory to God on
high" arranged by Kotzschmar, was given, also
a new Christmas carol, Hallelujah, by Zeviner,
also pastoral symphony, with chorus. The
service closed with Coronation
CONGRESS STREET CHURCH.
The PASTOR Rev. Mr.. Sterling, preached in
the morning, taking his text from Luke g "a
and 3d. In the evening very interesting Sun
day School concert was given. The exercises
were very interesting, especially the opening
quartette, "The EIallowed Night 1t was
mrde doubly impressive by the diminished
lights. A solo by Miss Sargent and dialogue
1.-THE Christians Christmas Tree'-by fifteen
young ladies were also very interesting. This
by request.
CONGRESS SQUARE CHURCH.
A very pleasing Christmas eve service was
held at this church last evening. The pastor
delivered an address upon the 'Couing of
Christ and what it means" The music by the
choir was very fine and consisted of Christ
mas anthem arranged by banks, sob, Sing
unto the Lord" by Andrews; "Gloria Patr,''
by Lloyd; hymn arranged by Marston, and
two beautiful chants.
PARK STREET CHURCH.
The pastor, Rev. Mr.. Buck, preached in the
morning a most excellent discourse upon
Christmas and Forefathers' Day. A double
quartette, including Miss Ella Lewis and Mrs.
Fogg, furnished excellent music, Miss Lewis
singing finely. A vesper service was held in
the evening, when the music as published Sat-
urday morning, was given with fine effect.
cAsco STREET.
Rev. G. S. Perkins, the pastor, preached yes |
terday in reference to the birth place of Christ
The discourse was throughout very interest |