Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1881-12-27

ST. AnthOny's Church.
Thi; church, which has always been
handsomely decorated on Christmas, was
even more deliberately decorated this year.
High mass was celebrated by Rev. Father
kaul, at ) o'clock 4. M, on which occasion
Mozart's mass was sung, and the sacra-
ment was partaken of by several hundred
communicates. At 10 o'clock 4. m. Mer-
cedente's mass was sung by the choir, and
vespcrs at :; p. M. After vespcrs the
chiidren's Christmas service was held in
the school room in the basement of the
church, and gifts were distributed to the
pupils from large Christmas tree erected
in the school.
EPISCOPAL.
Old st. James.
The full Christmas service was perform
cd 1T 10 in the morning, being conducted
By the rector, Rev. DIR. Knight, assisted
by Mr.. Hardy. The music was Of a high
order of excellence, comprising the care
fully selected and very appropriate pro-
gramme printed in this paper on Satur-
day, every number being rendered with an
accuracy, sweetness and spirit that re-
tlectcd high credit upon the large male
choir. The merit of the music was SO
WlGllstl CIlIL uISti2lCtIOu TOuiu W
needless even if it were not well nigh i'm
once timely and telling, being based on
for the child - The decoration of
the church was in keeping with SINH.
lar efforts on previous festal occasions, not
being confined to the chanccl, which was
adorned in the most striking and artistic
manner. while hung round the walle were
wreaths of greens, the whole speaking elo-
qucntly of the solemn beauty of the
Christmastide. Evening prayer was said
at 1:15p m., when there was some further
excellent music. Yesterday being St.
Stephens day on the church calendar and
to-day St. John the Evangelist's, Holy
Communion was administered III the
morning. Tomorrow the feast Of the
Holy Innocents will be appropriately OBJ
served at halfpast four in the afternoon,
with a children's service in the church,
when the Christmas carols will be sung
and gifts presented to the children of the
parish.
st. Johns Free
This church was very prettily decked in
evergreen. At 10 o'clock the regular
Christmas services wero conducted by the
pastor, Rev. C. N. Spalding, who preached
4 sermon appropropriate to the festival.
In the evening the regular service was
held, there being large congregations on
both occasions.
The Sunday school festivities will to
held in this church tomorrow (Wednes-
day. evening.
THE MOKAVIANS.
The decorations of the Moravian church
were very pretty. In tho morning the
reading desk, pulpit and communion table
were beautifully fcstoOned with garlands
of Jerusalem moss, while there were gar
lands of laurel all the way around the pull
pit platform. In the pulpit recess was 4
very large evergreen tree, and hanging
from tine pulpit arch was 4 large banner
with the words in evergreen "BehOld thy
King cometh' There was also festOOns of
evergreen over the door. The cOngrega-
ton in attendance was large. The pastor,
Rev. J. Max Hark, read the Christmas lit
any, and preached Christmas ser
mon, his theme being the surround.
ings of the babe in the manser-the
mother, the father, the wise men
from the East, the ignorant and curious,
being all representative of those who Gel
citrate Christmas in our time. The pre-
scncc of the wise men, led thither by their
astrological wisdom, shows that science
when properly understood is not against
Christianity but leads to it; while on the
other hand the CONSERVATION caused in
Jerus llem, the trouble of Herod, the ter
rOr of the priests and pharisees, and their
determination to destroy Jesus, were but
representative Of those who are now
fighting against His kingdom.
In the evening there was an immense
crowd in attendance and the character of
the decorations was somewhat changed.
The Christmas tree had been removed
from the recess and placed on the floor
in front of the altar !; it was hung full Of
Christmas ornaments of the usual sorts.
The Sunday school classes formed in the
lecture room adjoining the church. and
took seats assigned them. The exercises
consisted of the rendition Of Christmas
hymns by the pupils Of the Sunday school
and of the infant school, after which the
love feast of cakes and coffee was served.
The annual report OF the secretary was
Der of pupils and the average attendance,
and a very marked increase in the amount
of collections. The school has an average
attendance of 15Opupils. After the read
ing of the report each scholar was pre-
sented with fancy box of candies. The
missionary boxes were then opened, the
amount taken from them being between
$40 and $50. The hymn " Light of the
World we hail Thee" was sung, at the
close Of which lighted candles were brought
in on trays and gwen to the chidren--each
child in the school and congregation re-
ceiving one. The service closed with 4
benediction by the pastor.
Prof. Dreher, of Roanoke, Va, was pres
ent at the evening exercises and expressed
himself delighted with the entertainment.
METHODIST