Morning journal and courier., 1881-12-26
LOCAL NEWS.
Christmas Services.

The Churches Handsomely Decorated-'
 Interesting Exercises ApprOprf ate to
 the Dey-The Music.
 The services in all of the churches were well attended yesterday, notably so in the Episcopal and Catholic churches. Many of the churches were elegantly decorated with evergreens in commemoration of the birth of the Saviour.
 The music in some of the churches was all so of a superior order, the choirs generally having prepared themselves by extended re- hearsals for the Christmas occasion. Ser mons appropriate to the occasion were also delivered
 TRINITY
 There was large attendance at Trinity church in the morning, and the music. under the leadership of Professor Shepard. was of an appropriate and pleasing character.
 THIRD CONGREGATIONAL.
 The praise service yesterday afternoon at the Third Congregational church was very fine indeed. The quartette, consisting of Mrs. Graziella Robertson, Mrs. George F. Blinn, MT. P. F. Bush and Dr. G. M Bush, rendered difficult and very appropriate pro- gramme in most appropriate manner. The ''B' quartette, including Mrs. Blinn, MT. Bush, Dr. Bush and Mr. Manross, also ren- dered the selection ssRemember thy Creatorn with excellent effect. The musical part of the service was supplemented by an appro- priate sermon by Dr. Dennen from the text ''Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift.'' A collection for the support of the choir followed.
 ST. PAUL's CHURCH.
 The exercises at St. Paul's church yester- day were of a very interesting character. In the morning, beside the usual service and 8 discourse appropriate to the day by Rev. MT. Lines, the choir discoursed some very excel- lent music. In the afternoon there was a service of sacred song, Illustrating the birth and early years of Christ, in which the Sun day school participated. The services were opened with singing by the school ofthe hymn commencing, "Come hither ye faithful, tri- umphantly sing.' Then followed the Apos- tle's creed, Lords prayer and collects. Se- lections of scripture by the rector followed, referring to the promised Messiah. The organ solo by Mir. E. A. Parsons, which was next on the programme, was rendered in excellent style. An anthem by theschoir, 'sFor unto us child is born, " was sung by the choir with fine effect Readings by the rector fol- lowed, relating to the birth of Jesus Christ. The hymn commencing:
 The joyful morn is breaking. The brigtest morn of earth,
 was next sung by the school, organ accompani- ment. The exercises proceeded in the above order, alternating between reading selections of scripture by the rector and singing by the school. The interesting exercises closed with the ''Collects" and ''The blessing of Peace" CALVARY BAPTIST CHURCH. The Christmas service on Sabbath morn was opened by singing, tThere Were shep. helds Abiding in the Field, :" with chorus. After prayer the Sunday school, numbering some four hundred, who were assembled in the galleries, sang. f'Oh Ring Glad Bells, J which, together with other charming music | by the choir and children, made the service @ delightful one for Christmas. Rev. MT. Samson preached an exceedingly excellent sermon adapted for the occasion, taking his | text from St. John, 1st chapter, 14th verse. l In addition to the trimmings of the church, very eonspicuously arranged near the desA are the words 'fAnd His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor. the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince ot Peace" After services the school assem-. bled as usual to hold their quar- l terly meeting, when it was reported that Sister Moulthrop, the treasurer, had quarter; that the present membership of tht school is 619. That the banner classes las quarter were Miss F. Kirtland's, Miss A Somers', s. M. Wier's Mrs. s. s. Halliday and L. D. Weeds; that ten scholars ha6 l been present every session for three years and many others in good proportion. Thi school has prepared merry Christmas fo
 themselves and others by the donation of large quantity of useful goods, such as cloth ing, potatoes, hams and many other thing too numerous to mention, which were pilet upon the platform ready to be distributed t needy ones to-day. About one hundred dol l lars in cash was collected for the poor.