The New York herald., 1879-12-26
MIDNIGHT MASS IN THE ooNvENrs.

Manhattanylle the choir of religious rendered the
music, the chaplain celebrating the mass. The
chapel in Seventeenth street is gem of beauty,
its chase decorations consisting of gold lace the
altar draperies rare cut flowers and numerous
the midnight mass, and were again present ut other
masses celebrated at daylight. The blessed sacra-
the Children Of Mary calling in to pay their devo-
tions. The Sisters of the Good Shepherd presented
lovely spectacle as they assembled in their white
clad in black dresses and quaint caps. Allied the gal
lery. and the Magdalens. in their Carmelite habits
occupied their own chapel. The children OF St.
Joseph's class, in their comfortable hoods Of GRIM
or blue. formed pleasing contrast to the other
portion Of the assembly. The most impressive part
OF the services was the long line of Communicates
silently approaching the altar. whore lights, flowers
and rising incense combined to make . striking
picture.
In the Convent of Mercy and the House of the
Holy Family the midnight services were of the same
nature in the other institutions, each chapel
sentng pretty picture OF devotion and joyousness.
THE DOWNTOWN POOR.
Christmas dinner was given to the downtown
poor yesterday afternoon in Crooks Hotel, No. "a
Chatham street. by prominent gentleman. who is
unwilling that his name shall be published. The
dinner given in the large dining room in which
three large and thirteen small tables loaded till
they groaned with turkeys. cranberry sauce po-
tatoes. fruit. plum puddings and confectionery.
Seven hundred pounds of turkey. one barrel of po-
tatoes two barrels of cranberries three barrels Of
apples and twenty sponge cakes. which two
feet six inches by two feet In size. comprised the
feast. At quarter before three those who had
tickets gathered outside the hotel until the entire
block was crowded There they amused themselves
puddngs through the windows. Several policemen
placed ct the entrance so as to preserve order
and prevent those not having tickets from entering.
At three o'clock precisely the doors were thrown
open and the crowd poured in. Mr.. Parsons. who is
and word was given to .4set to- It was an amusing
sight witness the avidity with which the poor devils
who were gathered around the different tables
availed themselves OF the chance to "get away"
with the good things set before them. Some Of the
boys. who belonged mostly to the newsboy and boot
black fraternites. knew not how to dispose of the
viands set before them; some used their knives,
others their forks but the majority contented them
Some Of the ''guests" were rather bashful and the
lady missionaries. Of whom there were three pres
a en- % t ON snsr
at large table; the centre table reserved excu
sively for women. and number Of Italian children
not finding seats, contented themselves with stand
ing up near the door. When Mr.. Parsons informed
them that they could take away what they pleased
their JOY had no bounds and hats were tossed in the
air while urchins gave vent to their exuber
ant emotions in lusty cheers. Although but 400
gain admission, and even then there was a large
amount OF food lett over. half pound package OF
candy apples ana sponge cake was to each
dinner was present. but did not make himself
known. No men were admitted to the feast.
HOWARD MISSION.
II anything wanting to convince the most
sceptica OF the value Of institution located in the
slums to rescue the waits of tho street from the
baneful influences by which they surrounded.
certainly o visitto the Howard Mission and Home
for Little Wanderers Christmas would dispel all
doubts. Yesterday will not soon be for
gotten by the hundreds Of children who
were made happy by an excellent dinner.
fruits, toys and articles of clothing. The
scting superintendent, Mr.. Hague. and Miss Olifs,
the psinstaking matron. thanks to the bounty of
members of various uptown churches. were ensblcd
this year to do something really handsome for the
children Of the mission. At noon. in the basement
under the chapel. q dinner OF stswed oysters. pie
aud bread was served to about ffteen hundred
boys and girls. The dining room tastefully
decorated with everKreens end flags, and the sight OF
q mammoth Christmas tree, laden with toys bags
fruit and small articles Of clothing placed all the
little ones their good behavior. Miss Lewis, who
has charge Of infant class OF about three hundred
children held of song in the basement last
ing half an hour at the conclusion of which tho
little ones were each presented with some article
The chapel was very elaborately and artistically
decorated with fags. banners, notices. wreaths and
streamers. Upon the platform was large Christmas
tree whose limbs bent under the weight of presents
provided by the officials. In the afternoon Professor
u Perkins conducted service OF song. in which
by President A. s. Hatch. William Phelps and Mr..
Tompkins who acted as master OF ceremonies. At
the conclusion OF the services in the chapel the
little retired in excellent order, and they
passed out each was presented with toy. print
or an article of clothing. About two thousand bags
of toys CAKE candies aud fruits distributed to
the smaller children while between fifteen hundred
and eighteen hundred woonen garments were pro-
vided for the more needy and deserving OF the
larger children and parents.
ST. vINCENT's HOME FOR BOYS
The mission over which Father Drumgoole pre-
sides in Warren street celebrated the festival In ap
propriate style. At hslf-past four o'clock In the
ing Of young children of tho Home. At the COM
munion the angels Christmas Chant" was rem
dered by half dozen well trained little orphans.
all under eight years Of age, who had been inmates
of the Home from their infancy. At the offertory
the "Adeste Fidelos" was sung by young orphan
and destitute child who entered the Home ut ten
der age who has recollection OF any relatives
or former friends. Two other masses followed. orc
The distribution OF two hundred full suits OF
Clothes including overcoats caps and Shoes followed
concert was given by the children Of the Home
during the forenoon. beautiful and pathetic poem
entitled est. Joseph's Union" was recited by of
the orphans, and an address was read by another.
About four hundred children took dinner at noon,
the feast consisting OF $50 pounds OF turkey 125
pounds Of beef GO pounds of fresh ham. 800 pounds
mashed potatoes. 200 large punches Of celery,
abundance OF cranberry sauce, full supply Of
vsrSas with pies coffee fruit .s and sew
visited the Crib of Bethlehem and sang appropriate
hymns. Then came songs and other amusements.
tho little boys bcamed the round, good-humored
face OF the Rev. Father DrumRoole.
NEwsBoxs LODGING HOUSE.
At the Newsboys' Lodging House, New Chambers
street. the day spent as is the custom thcre.
There exercises of any kind but afor dinner
the evening spent by large numbers of the boys
In the gymnasium and with singing. Some fow days
ago Mr.. Charles O'Connor. the popular superinten-
dent of tho institution, received the following letter
from Mr. William NJ. Fliess. who has for some years
past furnishedthe dinner for the boys. He said:--
Will you do favor of getting up the usual Christ
dinner for tho boys and invite the house
hod To please ne cannot give thom too much
have TOO many