The New York herald., 1879-12-26
TRINITY CHURCH,

Inc services ct Trinity church In the morning
were very imposing and the music and floral deco
rations unusually fine. The flowers were all cut and
were arranged in appropriate figures. filling the
building with beautiful perfume. After the service
quite number Of people. among whom were many
ladies'. remained to give them closer inspection and
all expressed the warmest commentator of the arts-
tic taste displayed At half past ten o'clock Mr. Albert
Meislahn. Jr.. commenced playing the following
chimes. which were executed in fine style:-Rnging
the changes, Angels from the Realms Of Glory:
Children OF the Temple Carol. Carol Christmas;
Ring out the Bells; Silent Night, Holy Night; The
Christmas Tree.
The Rev. Morgan Dix, D. D.. rector of the parish,
preached sermon appropriate to the day without
taking any particular text. He spoke Of the coming
Of the Redeemer and how the festival of Christmas
eyes to Bethlehem we behold the infant Jesus laid
crib in stable. 1t is thus that Coo chose His Son
should come into the world that He might teach us
Q lesson of humility. With what does God welcome
us all ut this great festival OF Christmas2 The shep
herds are keeping their lonely watch at the hour OF
the worlds deep slumber. The world is haunted by
troubled dreams and watched by tho King of
Terrors 1t is full OF selshness and iniouity Hone
Is gone. The old world is condemned for sin. The
heavens opened and light, not from, but to- man
shines forth. The Redeemer is born This is Gods
welcome to man on this day. He sends His Son to
save US from the consequences of our wicked
ness.
GLORIA ExCELsIs DEo.
what has man ever done to save himself? Moth
ing. All the of salvation come from the
goodness ana mercy OF God and therefore should
sing "Gloria in Excelsis Deo," an anthem never to
cease. When we contemplate when, how and where
the Redeemer came into the world and on what mis-
son he came We can only say, 'Wonder of wonders"
and give thanks to God for His mercy. Look at that
humble group in Bethlehem standing by the man
ger silently gazing the lowly crib in which the
Infant Jesus is laid. Who is this young woman,
wife virgin and who is that venerable man beside
herr The whole thing is incomprehensible to us
without the light of faith. Look not too closely
into that scene; ask not Of any man what this
means. 1t is something which passeth mans un-
aerstanding II you would know how vast and in
universe of God. Can you estimate the number Of
the stars; can you count those worlds beyond
which fill the nlimiable space? What is the length
and depth, the breadth ana the height Of that stu
pendous universe which surrounds us? Who
framed these glorious orbs which shine in the
heavens? All this is beyond the sight and tho
thought OF man, as Is the mystery OF bethlehem.
Iremble II you will when you gazo on this scene,
but draw not bach. Faint If you will at the thresh-
old Of Christianity, but advance, leaning OH the
strong arm of God aud firm in faith. This child
about whom the shepherds gather, can he be the
Son of God the Saviour of the world? Can the per-
feet ana eternal personality of the Creator be held
In this fral bark and launched on the stormy bill
lows OF the world? Who is 1t that comes to us in
this humble form? We can only exclairn, God of
God, Light Of Light"
THE VOICE OF GOD.
II is not lonely voice nor a strange voice which
calls on US to worship and faith II the voice
OF God. The mystery of Bethlehem breaches Christ
to you. not as vague formula, not moral express
uon, but as real father. brother, of ourselves,
fou cannot comprehend what Christianity Is until
you nrst humble your own proud heart and the most
glorious word that man can utter is faith. Faith Is
the golden link which binds us to the eternal God.
The musical programme follows Process
nonal The Faithful shepherds; TIE Deum; an nthem.
Glory to- God tMozartl Kyrie; Te Deum. in d; hymn.
Creed; To Deum; ohertory, When Jesus Born;
sanctus; Te Deum (steiner) Gloria in Excclsis; re-
cessional. Hymn IL.