The New York herald., 1876-12-26
IMPRESSIVE RELIGIOUS SERVICES
In the Charitable Institutions, Homes,
Asylums and Prisons.
"CHIEF AMONG THE BLESSED THREE
The Generous Rich Make the Poor Happy
for One Day.

this city everywhere as a holiday; IN fact II
generally observed than IL been for many years
Everybody seemed 10 enter into the spirit OF
the occasion, which appeared TO be OF
merrymaking and joyousncss All the public
buildings were closed aud business OF all
kinds was suspended--even the sidewalk merchants,
rs general rule, taking "day or" In all the
Catholic Episcopal and in many churches of other
denon,ins stons impressive services held, which
attcndod by large congregations the
in the Catholic churches especially being more than
usually imposing In the afternoon the streets we're
alive with people on their way to the Park ponds,
whore thousands went TO enjoy the skating. The
roadF and avenues resounded to tho music OF
sleigh oels until late into the night the sleighing
berg excellent in the city we'll as beyond the Park
mits The weather, though at times threatening, was
just cold enough 10 make every one slcghs, on
skates foot feel after good turkey dinner like
enjoying himself in the bracing and glad TO
everybody else feeling happy.
Relying possibly on the beausiful proportions and
architectural ornamentaton OF the building and tho
music and oratory which characterize its special
wees little had been done in decorating Grace church
for the commcmoration OF the birth OF the Babe OF
Bethlehem On the broad sls under the lower windows
branches Of laurel and sprays OF hr about
The pillars were wreahed spras OF evergreens. The
mural supports Of the arches each brought
into relief by STRIPS ol FIR, and coronais had
bound thcm ncts Of dark green .cavoa In the
chance there tall fir trimmed into conlca
form and evergrecns placed about the
table In the centre Of the of the chance five
pointed star oil gas jets twinkled with soft brIancy
but beyond these incrc were no other decorations.
The features oil the services printed in black
and gold, with medsnval initial letters, within hand
some bronzed border on unexceptionapic paper. The
light streaming through the richly windows
tDgng whatever 1t ic with the hues of the glass;
the aroma OF choice perfumes from the rament OF
stately ladies End pretty girls, the rustng OF costly
dresses, the grandeur Of the organs the open
Ing strains OF the professional hymn
IT. came upon the midnight clear
That glorious song Of old,
strangely in with the scene CONNER m
orated-thc scene peculiarly destitute of these fash
i'nable accessories. Pondering the contrast one
could not help thinking that In the whole church there
was not one ashonable dress that would have
purchased, real estate and ALL the stable which tho
Judean maiden mother gave birth to the Saviour or
the world. ''Gloria Patri," the 'Te Dcum,n
Noxarts sJubilate Deo'' the hymn "Calm on the
Listening Ear OF Night" tho ..Kyrie Eleson,
Ervice conducted by the rector Dr. Potter and Revs
Nessrs Osgood and Debbets, and at the OF
lhe last named hymn DR.. Potter preached the sermon.
II was very Short occupying barely ten minutes, and
had .or subject the divinity Of the infant at
stances attending His brlh plea mado that the
orphans should be dealt literally with in the coec-
God Your Hymn Of Giadncss, with soprano and tenor
SOLOS, was sung.
ST. ALBAN's CHURCH.
At St Alban's church, in Forty III street. be-
tween Lexington aud Fourth avenues, tho music was
rendered by large band OF men and boy choristers
and unusually grand impressive. This part OF
the programme as foows:--Thc professional
hymn, "Adcsie Fidces;" introit Psalm 9S, Gre
goran tone; part OF Bcrthold Tours +; the
hymn, "Hark The Herald Angels Sipg'' arranged
prcssy for the choir; anthem from Monk, s'HalIe
iuah, ior Unto Us a Child is Born ~ the communion
O..
aud "Agnus Dei IRON Wcbbe. Tho Rev. G. N Morrill,
preached the last Of series Of three sermons entitled
'srhc Gospel IN Epitome, and which was appropriate
10 the day.
ST. PArRIcKs CATHEDRAL
Christmas was observed at the Roman Catholic
Cathedral yesterday with all pomp and beauty OF
The ceremonals Of the Church. Masses were said at
Hve seven, halpast seven, eight haii-pas eight
nine, and at halipast Ten solemn pontidca high mass
was celebrated. Contrary to general expectation HIS
Eminence the Cardinal Archbishop was the cclebrant
the assistant priest being tho Very Reverend Vicar
General Quinn; deacon, Rev. U. Morri; b-deacon,
Seminarian Philip Hcarn; deacons OF honor Fathers
Kane and Hogan, of the Cathedral; masters OF GER
emonies, Fathers Kearncy and Farley; bearer,
Father Body his Eminence was apparently IN better
health than he has been for some me his voice bcing
clearer and his movements indicating ply scal
strength The altar was not proiusely decorated with
iowers as IS the usual custom, but what
lacking in this respect was more than made
up for in the magnificent arran cement OF gus
Jets and hundreds OF apers which shed their retugent
rays every side. The officiating clergy were clad
in gorgeous robes OF golden cloth, which contrasled
grandy with the scarlet and white attire OF the acoyte
The music was Of the highest order The quartctte
N. Bersyn, tenor; Mime. Unger. alto, and Mr. ULeks,
under the leadership.ot the COMPOSERS brother
aud assisted by ample chorus. The solo oncr-
tory, ''Quam Dilec,o,' by Mercadanic, supcrbly
rendered by NJ. Brcde.
Rev. Father George Kcnney, OF Fordham College,
preached briei but eloquent discourse, taking or hts
lext the gospel Of the day. IN which IS related the birth
glory Of that event and its sublime importance
fallen man He dwelt particularly on the surround
ings Of tho Rcdcemers birthplace, and ssid that the
poverty the destituton the trials and sunerings Of
the Man-,iod intended teach lesson oil humil-
ity 10 his followers throughout all time.
AGSEs CHURCH.
The Church Of St Agnes, East Forty third street,
near Lexington avenue, was crowded yesterday ut all
the The interior presented brilliant appear
ancc. being drapcd with lines and wrcaths of ever
green decorations OF the altar showing great
care and in the magnificent display made Of the
choicest flowers with which It fairly surrounded
The solemn high wns attended by q large and
fashionable congregation. The choir orchcstraed
by Sgnor Marzo who presided at the organ, the prin
cipal soIois,s bcng-sopranos, Miss Lot,ie Simpson.
Mrs. Robinson and Miss Wallace; contralto Miss
Sayrcs; tenor, Mr.. Reidcl, and bass, Mr. Salmson
Giorza's grand sung ir superb manner
inc principai solos lneiy rendered by Miss Simpson,
aided by the other soloists In the "Jesu
Rcdcmptor" The pure voice OF Mss Simpson
ana that Of the baritone, Mr. Salmson, were heard
great advantage. Alter the gospel had been read the
pastor, Rev. Horny G. Aacdowail, preached from the
text In the second chapter OF ST. Luke, seventeenth
Tho reverend gentleman referred 10 the grand
mystery OF the birth OF the Saviour mangcr, show
ing what sublime lessons taught by the TACT TO
Christians IL had often been suggested that the grand
ceremonals and practices OF the great festivals Of
Christmas should bc abolished; but why should they
be abolished when they are known to represent :he
holy rcoicngs OF man at the fact that that day
born Saviour who WAS TO redeem from sin 7 We
should initiate the shepherds who we're led by
the star In the cast 10 Bethlehem to mako
their humble offerings, and by . practice OF the
great virtues So sublimcly excmplined in the life OF
tho SON Of God, make ourselves worthy OF Gods love.
We should be iorgivng and charitable 70 our neehbor
and renew In ourselves the faith which comes only
from the OF God. Father Macdowall concluded
BY wish lng his congregation merry Christmas and
happy New Year behalf OF himself and his assist.
ants The celebrant OF the high mass was Rev. H.
Pratt assisted by deacon, Father Mscdowal, subdea-
con, Father +. j. McCloskey.
1t may be mentioned that Father Macdowall has