New-York tribune., 1876-12-26
CHRISTMAS CHEER.
OBSERVANCE OF THE GREAT CHRISTIAN
HOLIDAY.

on nv HARD rINRs-GFNRRAL FgATUIsEs OF
THE DAY-cHRIsTMAs N THE CHURCHES.
Christmas found all IT'S sunshine within doors
ycstery Tho air W. bleak and cold and the Christ
mas sun discovered rift in the clouds through Tnich
70 hpe But little cared the people for cloudy weather
r,DdIlna high their household fires uRtn Che family
room was ruddy in the blaze. they gathered round
the Cbristlnas tree, tarTod with tapers ana
resllendelt In colored balls. OF watched win
eager zest the Acknowledgement OF the nut-OroWh
turkey and the solution by division OF the
uucfnous plum pudding. Those families who could
no. stra 10 lnv turkey found satisfaction in duck or
chicken and those 10 whom fowl was zoo costly made
fbemsplyes merry over cheaper dishes decked ont wth
t,riesof greeD and made more tootisome than they
could be at any other time by the zes Of the iesiai Day
In the homo alike OF the rich and poor the same sri
as manifest political troubles were forgotten business
wus,n,a aside aud the dread spparition Of hard times"
wbleh stands neacingy the hearth OF thousands OF
dvreYf0s was placed for the day under lock ana key
and 1csolutely thrust from memory.
4,e dismal weather failed to dampeu the alor OF The
young target excursioniss and many professions OIL J
yene militia fled through the streets and avenues OF
e cttv sns Of these companies were composed merely
Of bows armed with hrOomsticks, and making uneTrthy
nue ly means Of tin horn and kettle, but others were
uniformed and armed with guns, and accompanied ny
real brass bands hired for the occasion These yonthI
tralnpers excited intense interest among ther young
e,sapaY,,Dns and no less among sundry matr0ns VINO
lined the way and watched thcr eyouons with eyes oi
enthusiasm and appreciation The day was passed D'
many in eighng aud skating, the thTonGs of saturday
being increased rather than diminished both I'm uad ana
2 Zee.
The public Observance Of the day was much the same
ms in previous years. The POstofoe was coseu ~ ~
o,coc an the other public buildings and most Of the
stores ana private offices we're not opened at a hInS
ing OF bells ushered in the day ana IN seVerai oi tie
churches containing chimes elaborate muSlca pro
gra1nlnes were carried out Christmas religious cere
monies were in the main interesting and eiaherate as
last year. The public ana private installations cf charity
rave tb.fr usnsl Christmas diDeTs to those dependent
upon them nnd many thousands Of poor people received
n nbounii;ul dinner at their hands IN inc PRISONS anu
-nsyluns Christmas made day oil fecrcSuoh anu
uloasure for the inmates Holiday performances We're
given in the various theateTs. and numeeress pis ana
e,a rsr.ies iyened the closing hours OF thc day
The exercises in Trnity Church wcre begun yesterday
morning by ,ll ringing OF chimes by James f. Ayhte
Communion was celebrated several tines during the
day The principal service held at IL O'cioch at
which the urdor was follows Professional fyEn;
anthem G0unod; lyric, Hummel; Gloria Iib Haydn;
Nice6e creed second mass, Hummel sermon, by the
Rev Morgan Dix, d. D.; oGertorY, Gade; "sanctuS''
Hummel; "Agnus Del" Hummel " Gloria IN EScedsis'
Hummel; reecssional hymn. The Attendance was very
large the aisles being filed with persons VINO steod
Orpc the greater part OF the services The church WAS
handsomely decorated. FcsoOns OF evergrccns were
hing around the nave and every windOw was adorned
with star and cross The chanoel was ornamcntfd on
elch side with tree set III pyramid of towerS The
distribution OF gifts from the Christmas tree will take
place to-day.
AT ST. Paul's Chapel Trinity Parish the decorations
were handsome hut not lavish.
The chimes Of Grace Church. at Broadway ana Tenth
ST. called at sl5 O'Clock parishoncrs who live in the
noigborood of the church to carly tany and comnun-
ion The Rev Dr. Henry c. Potter conducted this end
also the o'clock service The early service was Wen
attended II waE choral, the music being rendered by
10, Ianf ffnllN npnr
notwithstanding there had been little time since the pre-
ous evening To arrange the long garlands OF cyeecs
which were wound round the columns that support the
nave Tho half-cOlumns and wiudOwjambs Of the
aisles were trimmed with evergroers. TIE iasetS III
the cance were covered with evergreen bOughs ana on
the dark ekground PLACED formed of whit
pampas faass The font was filed with flowers. Several
horai wreahs were hung against the chanoe anu, sha 2
was conspicuous, and the uecoIat9ns nm, IhmuH ~ % az
nlaiu simple very effective Ine chliEes rang at
1920 for the IL o'clock service, ana al lhat houf he
church was crowded The sermon was preached ny the
rector Dr. Potter The musical programme included lhe
& cear tbat Glorious song OF old Goria PaiI" by
IIummei; "JHbilatc Deo." by Mozart; hymn, Cann on
by Goss Portuguese Hymn, " Come hthcr ye faithful
The ofcrtory hymn was by & GoaiG ai3co was
At ST. Marks Church, IN StuEycsant-st ara Secqmu- T
ave- the usual Christmas service was celebrated me
@bS3ce Mas decnrated with large evergreen and
with fesfO0ns OF holly and cedar Inc attehiahce on
Po, i,r Rypee took par in ,s services but the scr
mon was preached by the Rev. AIR. EnisWorh OF 81.
eTan1Ino was rendered under the direction OF w; H.
Beamcs: Opening King al Glorious D. bainP{
Ventc Moricy; Gloria, W. A. KING; Ie Denm IesuyaI ~
D. Beams Jnbate in ID fiat, M0senthal; ny nh, Haik'
the herald angels Mozart hyn, @ , tIaSn Sl'
Ibe communion was received hy large lsth cF O it
sons Tho Childrens festival Viii be bed III tEc chuich
sIop service was held IN Calvary Church. at Fourth
ave and twenty -rsL-st The sermon was preached ~
to rector the Rev Dr. T. \. Wasl6un and the ccngl e
gution large as Is uSlAi on 2uhohy III cn'c'i
orgc evergreen star placed above the cOialuaon
taolc. 4 special musical programme appropriate 10
st. Thomass Church. at Fifthave. and Fftythttl-st,
was handsomely but net rlnD0rateiy trimmed lor Chr5t,
mas Within the chaacc rail number OI graceful
evergreen trees and n various other parts OF the cueh
We're appr0Prlate h,t tEosc YstordoV morn
nl Sf O'clock and AT 7:3O the sunrise mathis and
CryistTo9s carols wero given At IL O'Clock tie
regular morning prayers and ceeb alton OF INC Holy
Encharist Tbe music was very fine; the ie Deim
Iaudamus and the BcDedictus composed especially
for Tins service Ins n psiIST or f9y y S Rev ~ xx
am the root aud the offspring oi DAVID ana 'he Df'sh
Tbe celebration o! Christmas Day among the Roman
Catholics began in some places as midnight WIN Aisu
and are confined 70 religious orders NJ INC CShNenI O
Mercy ia HOUston5t midnight mass was ccieorGuI ~
the Rev. Father Mori, and az the Orphan Asylum in
Prinoe-st by the Rev. Rather keyrhey AZ te SoHsc @
OF TIE Sacred Heart West ScYentecnth-st the Gag WIS
ssnng OF oyous ChFtlnas carols. 1t the stom In
most Of churches TO begin the services at O'Clock ~
the eefeniany which eharictcrzes services OF
tIc cbnrch on great feast days Although yesterday
norIng was vefy dark the street lamps atlrding the
only light for pedestrians the streets ana avenues we're
thonged shortly arter o'clock with people vending
teir way the churches to bo present az the first mass
The saced buildings were crowded 60 INC doors every
scat being Gied aud ali available stindng-rcOm being
occupied At churches the crowds became 80 great
ft the doors closed against the people before tho
s.ryccs began The Interior Of ST. Patricks Cathedral
in Alotst. presented brilliant appearance Inc hltar
tic riss cloths OF crimson and gold which formed the
background The whole sancinlIy was aoSLe WIN Wy,