The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-12-26

the pillars being wound with ropes of eyergreens and
the chancel and altar festooned with holly and myr-
tie. After the morning prayer and the Venite the en-
chanting tones OF the TIE Deum and Juollate at
convinced all worshippers that the services of
the day of high order. The Gloria Tibi fol-
lowed, after which the rector preached the sermon
appropriate to the day and showed how amid all the
Chrst birth remained forever the great festival OF
civilization and JOY reigncd supreme everywhere.
The Gloria in Excelss was next admirably rem
dered. the choir III the chancel composed OF twenty
voices, and the in the gallery of thirty, being UNI
der admirable discipline the organist. Samuel r.
Warren, acting as director.
ST. TIMoTHY's EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
The wide yard in front OF st. Timothys Protestant
Episcopal Church, III West Fiftyseyenth street was
cold and dreary but within all bright and warm
The large stained glass window in rear of the altar
tasefuly adorned with green vines and branches
and from the ceiling above long thick rope OF ever
green hung down to the wall on either side. Every
chandelier decorated with holly, and green
boughs graced the rear window. while other branches
filled the wide above the main entrance. The
lecturn altar and organ front graced with flow
ers and vines, while the woodwork above each door
service began late and was not concluded till some
time after p. NJ Rev. Dr. George Jarvis Geer,
rector of the church. preached q short appro-
pirate to the day, taking his text from st.
Luke. H., 7-"And she brought forth her
frst-born son, and wrapped him in swad,
The musical portion of the Service comprised
venite. in d, from the manuscript; Millard's Gloria,
i'll and A; q lie Deum. in G, from the manuscript,
containing two soprano solos; Jubiate, in c. from
the manuscript; Haydn's hymn, Angels From the
Realms of Glory; Kyrie from the manuscript; an
them Hark! the Herald Angels Sing, by Wilson, con-
tanning solos for soprano tenor and basso baritone
solo from Gounod's Nazareth; a Tersanctus by Aler-
becke, u communion hymn by Wheaes an old Gloria
in Excelsis hymn from the manuscript While Shop
herds Watched Their Focks by Night. The choir
consists of Nine. Valentine. soprano; Mrs Sidel,
contralto Mr.. Mygatt tenor and directors Mr.. Mills,
basso; Mrs. Marcus organist The congregation also
joined in the singing.
The magnificent dome of st. Bartholomew Prot
cstant Episcopal Church resounded with the music
OF the merry Christmas which has not been. heard
therein for year. The church itself was remarkable
for the absence OF any special adornment for this
large star of eversreens sent forth its soll-
tary fragrance to say from the front Of the organ
gallery. and from the pulpit and chancel chairs
few festoons of the same answered back. But the
body of the building was devoid of anything save
what is there every day Of the week. On the
munion table large evergreen cross rested and the
baptisnal font was also festooned. The blue nave
vault and rich gliding of the arches fifty crowned the
massive pillars of the beautiful edce. couple of
wreaths suspended from the gasights at either end
professional hymn, The Heavens are Telling (Crea-
tion The anthem, Palm Branches. by Faure.
was sung as baritone solo. with q chorus accom-
paniment The lie Deum was by Ward. and the
Jubilate from Rossinis Inhammatus III the
stabat Mater. The Rev. DR.. Samuel Cooke
preached the sermon Of the day from the words,
.And thou Bethlehem Ephratah though thou be
little among the thousands Of JUDAH yet out OF thee
shall come forth he that shall rule my people
Israel Just preceding the sermon and at it's close
more than half the people present left the church.
Most Of them had attended for the music sake.
Zion Protestant Episcopal Church. corner of Mad
son avenue and Thirty-eghth street. was tastefully
tea Th ana sc ~ t texts
solid mass of green's, and ropes OF greens were
twined about the pillars The railing OF the steps
leading to the pulpit similarly dressed An
green spread its graceful branches each Of
the stained glass windows and softened the light of
the gay December morning that shone through the
many -colorcd glass. The music was excellently
rendered by the regular quartet choir OF the church.
consisting OF Miss Mary L. Turner. soprano; Mrs.
ID ralt.. Lf,nI ft,.tl1
tenor, and Mr.. James Aiken Metcalf basso, with the
addition Of Mr.. J. H. Cam, tenor, and Miss Virginia
director. The quality of the music OF the best.
The Adcste Fideles was arranged by Novello, the
Venite by Robinson the Gloria Patra by Mercadane,
Gunter and Mozart, and the anthem by Mendessohn.
In place OF the second hymn the choir sang Victor
Adams Cantique dc Noel, Miss Turner, the soprano,
singing the first staza with great deal of expression
and in rich voice inclined ~ the mezzo ounIifv tho
choir joining in the second part. The second stanza
sung by Mr.. Guild. The preacher spoke from
the text "Now when Jesus born i'll Bethlehem OF
Judca. in the days of Hcrod the King behold there
wise men from the East to jerusalem saying
Where is he that is born King OF the Jews? for we
have his star in the east and are come to worship
him. "
CHURCH THE ASCENSION.
The Church of the Ascension corner Of Tenth
street and Fifth avenue, artstically decorated
with Christmas cmblcms, while over the chanccl
placed brilliant. burning star symbolic Of that
at Bethlehem, where lay the infant Saviour
of the world. The special choral SER
Dr. John Cotton smith, the rector. in his discourse
vvidly delineated the birth Of Saviour who, to
our nature, was born child. passed through the
suerings OF infancy and finally died the for
us. The commemoration Of this anniversary has
survived that of all other great events and was to-
day being observed by Christians all the world.
ST. MARY THE VIRGIN.
Christmas ushered in at the Church of st.
Mary the Virgin with unwonted pomp and splendor.
The interior Of the small but pleasing edifce was
tastetuy decorated, each of the massive columns
fba uiS hetn n
tinuous wreath. The altar brilliantly illuminated
with candles in slitterng candelabra. The contrbu-
ton of flowers more than usually liberal and very
tastefuy arranged. There three celebrations Of
the holy communion during the morning. The low
celebrations were largely attended, and at the high
celebration at eleven O'Clock the ceremonies and
music exceedingly elaborate and impressive.
The Rev. Father McNoyes acted as celebran the Rev.
Father Brown deacon and the Rev. Father Kerr as
sub-dcacon. Promptly at the hour appointed the
procession moved from the sacristy preceded by a
censor bearer swinging the censor. Then followed
an acolyte holding crucitix accompanied by two
thurifers. The choir of men and boys followed in
stately procession. the being composed of the
holy The priests were attired in full festa vest
mcnts, including the bcrrctta After the singing of
the professional high mass was proceeded with. Tho
second Christmas vespcrs were sung ut four O'Clock
in the afternoon. the ceremonies being exceedingly
elaborate and impressive.
IGNATIUs
st. Ignatius' Church, in Fortieth street, between
Fifth and Sixth avenues OF which the Rev. DR.. Ever
is rector beautifully and profusely decorated.
Large banners emblematical OF various scriptural
the walls. The cbancel was surmounted by arch
attached to the ceiling ut the centre The choir stalls
organ and other portions of the chancel were like
wise tastefully adorned. Tho sanctuary iluini-
mated with numberless candles and fragrant with
the perfume of the flowers. At the high cele.
bration ut eleven o'clock the Rev. Dr. Ever acted
ceiebrant. The choir composed of men and boys,
executed selections from SchuDcrts with pleas
ing effect. This church is OF the rituslistic
order. and the ceremonies differed but little from the
Roman Catholic mass. The procession was preceded
by a crucihx, and was followed by the banner OF st.
I.,n tina nd thor m he abr ant xaa
richly attred in full eucharstic ycstmcnts, and
assisted at the altar by a deacon and two acoytcs.
The service choral throughout. The Crcdo,
by Schubert, was excelently rendered, also
the sanctus and Agnus Del The soprano ut this
church is boy scarcely fourteen years DID, possess
ing pure and sympathetic voice and trained to per-
lection. yespers sung at hafpast four O'Clock.
FRANCIS xAvIERs
Impressive services marked the celebration of the
holy Christmastidc in the Church OF st. Francis
Xavier, West sixteenth street. All the pomp and
ceremony of the Roman Catholic faith combined
to win the thoughts of the faithful to the far-on
stable of Bethlehem, where the infant Saviour Of