Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1877-07-02
Alefan0rla 0axette
MONDAY EVENING, JULY
Episcopal Ceremonies in New York


The grand co;nmc ;norativc rtrcdos and altar
erected by the sous of William Is. Astor, ia
Trinity Church, New Yolk, were dedicated last
Friday. !hc Herald Of that city gives the fol-.
| lowing account OF the ceremonies upon the oc.
cason:
| Upon the dazzling white marble altar bon
qucts and icStoons ut fragrant flowers were taste
| fully arranged. La the centre lowered aGs ,
| floral cross, aud on either side burned tall tap.
| crs, which, with the blaze from the two lofty
caucabra at The chancGl rail, cast flood OF
| light over the sanctuary and brought into full
! view the varied and delicate beauties oil tho
new structure. Bishop Potter performed the
simple icdicatory ceremony, and a!terward as.
sisted ia administering the elements TO the as,
sembIcd clergy aad Iaity.
At half past ten o'clock the chimes in the tall
sccplc began a merry peal, and continued for
half an hour to pour Out flood Of melody upon
the breezy, sunny air Meanwhile the ediic,
had become crowded with w0rshlppcrs, and ii
clevcu o'clock the great organ rolled forth the
opening voluntary, Nlerkcl's second sonata.
As the last rotcs died away the voices Of
the choir boys were heard family az they
chantcd in the procession Just formed with
in the sacristy. Louder and louder sweea
tho strain until, as the door opened and
they emerged into the church, the swelling
strain echoed along the vauted roof and the
words Of the forty eighth Psalm became plainly
audible. With measured step the procession
moved down the south aisle, chanting as IL
went. At ita head walked the vcrgcr to clear
the way. Behind him came about thirty five
choir boys and choristcrs robcd in white sur
pl:ccs They were followed by the architect Of
Tic rcrclos. After him walked two choir boys.
au4 behind lEcm, dressed in black souaneS,
were Rev. Nlr. llitchin2s and Rev. Mr.. Rob
irson--h0th of Trinity Uhurch--actiDg as mas.
crs c! ceremonies. Following these came visit
pg clergy to the number oi twenty; then the
cIclgymcr connected with the church and IT.
various charcs, and last Q! all walked side by
side Rev DR.. Dix, rector Of the church, and
Bishop Potter. Reaching the vcsIbule, the
procession crossed tot the central aisle, up which
it marched 10 the altar, chanting the lj.,i
Psalm.
Arriving at The chanca the visiting clergy.
men took seats in stalls especially prepared Tor
them outside the ciancal rail, and the clergy
of the rarisl! seated themselves inside the
chanceI rail, while the Bish0p and his chief As
sistant5 occupied places inside the altar rail.
Then the Litany was inoued by Rev. W. II.
Cook. OF ST. John': the responses as usual.
being chaftcd by the entire congregation. La
the li!any alter the words, "Ihat it may please
Thee to Bless and keep a.! Thy people, T.
spcc;al suprIicai0n VIZ; inserted a loi.
lows: "rhat it m.y please Thee to AZ,
cent thcsc, cur services, in the restoration
and adCrnmont Of Thy house. with the
rcsnonsc, I'VE bcscech Thee to hear Us good
l,oiI." The L:tauy finished, the dedication Of
the altar followed. This consisted simply in
the Bishop blessing il anl repeating three spe
cia! collects. "Christ is made the Sure Four
Gat;oD' was sung nIy', aHi the antc commu
noa oiice followed. Rev. >r. Swopc. OF Irln,
ty Chapel. read tho cplstlc, aud Rev. Dr.
Y Wcstou, OF st. john s. The gospel. The N'ceue
Creed was then repeated by Rev. DR.. dix, and
the Bishop read The Commandments, to which
musical responses we're made. "l'raISc God
from Whom All Blessings Flow was then suuE
Gy tic entire congregation with fine effect, aud
at lis close Dr. Dix assembled the pulpit and
delivered the scrmon
at the otlcrtory, following the sermon, liars
cy's anthem 81 vas Glad was sung Rev.
Mr. llitchings presented The aIrs. The bishop
said the prayer for the whole state c Christs
church militant, and DIR. Dix gave the invita-:
tion and read the "Comtortab!c Words and
chantcd "Sursum COrda, and the choir sang
the "Sanctus" from Scbubcrt's mass 10 L.
After praying for the congregation, the Bishop
broke the elements and administered them first
TO DR.. Dix and then to the assistant clergy OF
the parish il their order Of precedence: The
visiting Clergy at a sign from Dr. DIX then as
ccnded the steps icadIDg up the sanctuary, and,
knecIiug at the inner rail, partook OF the elc.
meuts, which were administered. the bread ~
Bishop Potter and the vine by DR.. Dix. Alter
the clergy had all iTed the clements the
choristcrs approached the rail and then the
congregation. Not less than Ole hundred and
fifty of the latter received the holy communion.
The Bishop and the rector were assisted IN ad'
miuistcriug it by Dr. OsIlby and ley; Mr..
lIitchiogs. The congregation sang the "Gloria
in Excelsis," aod tho remaining clements were
partakca OF while "Nunc Dmlttls' was sung.
The chatting Of the rccessoual "RouDd the
throne in glory seated chcrubm and sera-
phiD,," brought the service to CONCLUSION.