The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-04-02
ST. STEPHENS CHURCH.

SPLENDID DECORATIONS AND CEREMONIES
THE SANCTUARY ILLUMINATED-AN IMMENSE
coSGREaArIoN-sERMoN DY THE REV. DIR.
arGLYNN.
ST. Stephens Church, East Twcnty. eighth street,
was spenddly decorated for the Easter celebration.
Tho entire surroundings of the church showed that
ample preparations had been made for the festival.
The affairs were ablaze with lighted tapers gas JETS
ana flowers were proiusely scattered upon them and
around the sanctuary Tho contrast between tho APP
pcaranco Of the sanctuary yesterday and for the past
week was very noticeable, rs, instead OF tho purple
coverings couccang tho ornaments and pictures and
statuary which then everywhere met tho eye
there now tho fullest ornamcntation
TO DO seen, and all tho familiar paint
ngs ana statues appeared to view like old
friends Of the congregation High up over tho princ
pal altar, and invisiby suspended from the dome
above the sanctuary, hung large illuminated cross,
whose brancy could fail to attract the attention
of tho visitor entering and announce that the fcs
tival Of tho day Of great JOY. Tho
OF the solemn high mass were performed fully accord
ing tho ritual, and these, in connection with the
splend0r OF The affairs and the incidental decorations
Tor the festival, maac tho service most brilliant
spectacle AS usual on special feast days. there was
u congregation In attendance that cd every pew and
crowded the side asies Tor sendng room
GORGEOUS SIGHT.
when seen iron the entrance doors on Twenty
eighth street tho sanctuary presented magnificent
sgnL The illuminated III the features OF the
groups OF tho large painting OF the crucinxon, which
forms the background OF the sanctuary. At tie base
OF tho mission cross cluster OF flowers was lard, aud
In front OF tho beautiful picture OF the sacred heart
several tapers were burning and bouquets OF flowers
arranged. The Virgins altar was chastcy decorated,
some OF the choicest flowers being placed around 1t,
OH tho altar table lamp was burning. The
priests officiating a the high mass werc roucd IN vest
ments OF the very richest sort, Tho attendant boys
about fty In number, wearing white cassocks and
pieces All this, with church filled to Its utmost
capacity by congregation attred in the highest iash
ION, with tho organ pealng forth It's powerful music
or the violins breathing some devotional tender pas
sage presented tho Easter service IN tho most mpos
ing manner.
The music OF the was Mcrcadantc's In nat
The solosts Nile. Anna Ro.ctt Mllc Munier,
For the chorus thero were twenty voices ana the or
chcs,ra numbered eighteen. Before tho mass COM
Weber, and professional march by Wcingaren were
played. Al tho gospel, ",eni Creator" by Ross,
sung by Mr.. Bernard and ut the onertory "H;oc
Dies, by DanIorth, was the selection.
THE SERMON.
The cclcbrant OF the high mass was tho pastor, Rev.
Dr. McGiynn. tho deacon being Rev. Father McCrcady,
the deacon Rev. Father McCauiey and tho master
OF ceremonies Rev. Father Cotton During the
Rev. DIR. Curran and other priests occupied seats
within the sanctuary. Tue sermon preached by
the Rev. Dr. McGiynn, who did not occupy as much
time in his discourse as he usually docs; nor did he
ascend pulpit but addressed the congregation IRON
to altar, still clothed In the vestmcns OF tho mass
lie began by reading the gospel OF the day. from Mark
III Wnicn - narrntcu Inc arrival VI the. Two women
ut the tomb and tho response they mot with-that
Jesus was risen. lie then went to SPEAK the
recent sorrowing OF tho Church over the Passion of
the Redcemer and oi tho cruciixop itself, and
connected this with the rejoicing OF the Easter fes-
tval. After dwelling on the manifold reasons there
Tor JOY this least, tho day ON which was
meinorated the proving OF HIS divinity by Christ
Himself, he spoke OF the unison Of prayer that went
up all over the world az this Easter time In acknowl-
edgncnt OF tho wondrous love which the Saviour
had manifested for men, and concluded his discourse
by inviting the congregation 10 join, by neir assist
ance the holy sacrifice OF the mass, IN the universal
gladncss over the resurrection. In tho afternoon, al
O'Clock, vcspcrs were sung. AT which congrega-
ton largo that which had attended the high mass
present.