The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-12-25

mas festival are in consonance with all the
traditions and all the suggestions OF the
day. The gifts Of gold and fTankincense
and myrrh that were laid at the feet OF the
infant Saviour gave sanction to custom
which can never grow stale while the senti-
meut which prompts il remains vital. From
the children at the fireside TO the poor at
the gate, there is scope enough for all the
tangible evidences Of goodwill which the
season demands. 1t is fitting that every
one should think less OF his own enjoyment
than on that OF others on the day which
commentaries the birth OF Him who taught
in the most impressive Of all ways that the
highest type OF character is that from which
all seli-seeking has been eliminated.
1t is fitting, too, that as the perennial
gladnesS OF Christmas morn once more gllds
with sunshine the closing year, the hearts
and thoughts of men should turn with such
tullness Of recognition rs they may to the
Divine Providence whose goodness they
share and who, to all creeds and all tongues,
is known rs the God and Father OF all.
Blow, ye golden trumpct, blow,
lie. the sleeping nations know
Chl1st the Lord Is born,
Yondcr see the Bethlehem star,
Guiding mo-talS from afar;
Peace shall reign forevrrrnore.
Christ the Lord IS born.
Ring oh ring. sc silvery bells,
Far and near your cadence swel!s,
Christ The Lord Is born.
Ring, and bani. doubt and fear.
King, TIL all with JOY shall hear.
Gin Is vAnquishcd vlctury's near,
Christ The Lord Is born.
Sing. Oh sing, We people free,
Shout, Ter 'tIs your jubilee.
Christ The Lord Is born.
slpg. While reign The Three in One
Now The mighty work l. done.
Christ the Lord is born.
The Churches.
In the churches here the preparations made
for the observance OF the day are not unlike
those OF former years in any remarkable
features. Loads OF evergrecns have been
woven into ropes or used TO cover mottoes
and emblematic designs. Festoons have
been hung under arches, and wreaths, stars,
and crosses OF the holly and pine have been
used to express the Joy OF churchmen ut the
recurrence OF the glad anniversary. While
there has been an abundance OF decorating,
an inspection Of several OF the churches
shows that in most OF them simplicity has
been adhered to in the arrangement OF the
eyergrcenS. In most OF the churches the
work or decoration has been done by the
ladies and gentlemen Of the congregations
interested, and good deal OF skill has been
displayed in cnrichng interiors already
| beautiful.
ST PAUL'S.
The untiring ladies Of st. Paul'S church
| have again dressed that sacred ediflce with
the same taste and good judgment which
they display in all their church work. The
Christmas decorations this year vary but
little from those of last season. but they are
very pretty. All OF the large columns in
| the chancel have been covered with ever
grccns-cedar, holly, ivy, &c.-until they
resemble forest-trccs around whose trunks
| the ivy and cedar has grown. The front OF
the pulpit and readinydcsks and chancel-
rail have also been decorated in the same
| way. Between the two large centre pillars
| in the chanccl, high above the pulpit, there
| is cross and crown Of cyergreenS, and on
the front OF the chOir-gaIery there Is n
cross of ivy-lcaves, which is seen by the
congregation going out of the church. Ivy
and magnolia leaves and fringe OF beau
tful hanging pine.tags form conspicuous
part OF the dressing OF the clancel-rail
| The font is tasteiulIy arrayed. aud out Of 1t
rises q cross of evergreens. The small iron
pillars under the galleries are covered with
cedar, &C., as well as large portion OF the
outer front of the galleries.
The music will be in keeping with the
jovous festival and will consist OF Mil!iard's
Venite, Bucks Te Dcum, Milliard's Jub-
late Deo; Hymn-Hark! the Herald An
gels Sing; Gloria Tibi, Wheat; Hymn
Hark What Mean Those Holy Voices t!
and at the otiertory Warren's Shout the
Glad Tidings.
MONUMENTAL CHURCH.
The Monumental is less elaborately dress
oil than usual, and il we miss some OF its
former beauty it is by contrast with the
extreme decorations in past years. Most or
the dressing is confined 10 the chanccl, cX-
ccpt wreath below tie choir-sallery, from
the centre OF which is hung cross OF green,
edged with a gilt band, and on each side
OF the cross on the gallery is a smal! star.
The chanceI-rail is thickly woven with
cedar, presenting the appearance ol L
hedge. The two large pillars in the chan
Gel are croyerediwith cedar up to the gas
lights, and the pulpit dressed In the
same way; over which Is llglt
veil Of moss. The rcredos which was used
in tue chancel last Christmas is again in the
church, and is finished with green wreath
surmounted by large cross. The font IS
attractively decorated with holly, and is
specially pretty this year, interspersed as it
is with numberless red berries. A large
wreath is feStooned over the main chancel,
the ends Of which hang down near the rail-
ing. A cross is suspended just between
the two large pillars, and on each side Of
the chance, underneath the gas-lights, are
pretty devices OF the sacred monogram,
formed OF holly-leaycs and red berries.
Just inside the railing are two crosses deco
rated with cedar.
The music at the Monumental win, as
usual, be very impressive-tbe opening
biece, "Tbere were Shepherds being in
troduced in place OF the Benite. The Te
Deum is from the works OF Mercadente, ar
ranged by Mora. The Benedicite, in G mi
nor, is BY Warren; first hymn, "Sing Ale
luia's." by Buck; Gloria Tibi, Wheat; Sc
cond hymn. "Christians Awake, Warren;
and the Otfertory. bass SOLO (Mr. Grant,.
.sChristian Song," by Adolph Adam.
ST. JAMES CHURCH.
The decorations in this church are elabo-
rate, and could not be more beautiful, in-
structire, and appropriate. A good portion
OF them are of A permanent character, and
can be used hereafter on Christmas ocea-
sions. On the left pilaster, In rear OF the
cbancel, is given on crimson ground, IN
scroll. the text, "Thou art the Everlasting
Son OF the Father" TO correspond with
this is inscribed on the right pilaster the
text, "Thou art the King OF Glory, y
Christ" Then, over these texts are hand
some crimson pendants with crosses. On
both sides OF the galleries there are
illuminated texts on crimson ana blne
tilt letters OF the style of the thirteenth
eentpPy. That on the left Is "Glory