National Republican., 1882-12-26

to God in the highest, and on earth peace and
good will toward men," The tendency to
complain that peace had so long been retarded
was noticed, and the answer made, that the
strains of the song were partly prophetic
reaching out into the future toward the golden
age. But the peaceful influence of "loaven
leavening the lump" was certain though
slow, and the fufllment of this promise of
peace was rs certain to come as the promise of
the Saviour, for whom the world waited four
| thousand years The progress made was
encouraging, for nations now were not
eager for war; strife was entered upon reluct-
| antly. Arbitration was accepted in many
eases rs more desirable way of settling diff
cultics. Other evidences of progress were in
the growth of the missionary spirit, the
abolition of the slave trade the establishment
of hospitals and asylums for the sick and the
unfortunate. All these are appearances of the
kindness of God toward man. Though all
men have not accepted christianity, many
millions have done so, and to-day echo the
choral song of peace on earth and good will to
men. An important question for every chris
tian was: "Are you doing your part to hasten
the final consummation
THE EPIPHANY.
A large audience met for services at Epiph-
any church at IL o'clock. The galleries wore
n deep draping of evergreen, which also OK
tended around to the rear of the platform, below
which six stars and II beautiful white cross,
adorned with green, added to the impressive
ness of the occasion. A lesson was read from
Luke 2, regarding Christ's nativity and birth
After the singing of the hymn, Hark, the
herald angels sing, glory TO the newborn
King" the rector took for his text st. John,
iii, 16, For God so loved the world, that he
gave his only begotten son, that whosoever be-
| lieveth in Him should not perish but have
everlasting life" The speaker said the birth of
IL "a tnlg ,f ,,,I t1,t,
the love for the race the great love of the
father, who gave his only begotten son as the
ransom for our sins; that our love should
cluster around and cling to him, because of
his great sacrifice for us; that the sonship and
fatherhood existed long before Christ came,
even before the world was created, and that
the fact that God loved the world was proven
by the death of Christ. Offerings were taken
in behalf of the aged and infrm clergymen
widows, and orphans.
TRINITY.
| DIR. Addison, rector of Trinity church, cor
ner of Third and G streets northwest, deliv-
| cred sermon yesterday appropriate to the
greatest day celebrated by the christian
churches From the death and crucifxion
OF our Saviour he drew a noble picture of the
love which he was willing to suffer; such self
abnegation as to suffer the ignominous death
He did so that millions yet unborn might be
made heirs of that priceless heritage The
| church was deliberately dressed in emblems
| suitable to the season of the year.
THE ASCENSION.
The Church of the Ascension was quite
elaborately decorated-festoons of leaves OF
ivy, laurel, and cedar encrcling the pillars
and hanging in front of the large stained
! glass windows in the rear of the chancel The
reading desk and pulpit had the additional
ornaments of palm leaves and brilliant flow.
ers. The bishop of Maryland occupied a seat
in the chancel, but the sermon was preached
by the rector, Rev. DIR. Elliott, he choosing as
his text Luke, ii, 49, MARY kept all these
sayings and pondered them in her heart )
The sermon was a most excellent effort and
was eagerly listened to by the large congrega.
tion present. The musical exercises were OF
peculiar excellence and were under the direc.
tion of Mr.. George w. Walker, the regular
organist of the church.
THE INCARNATION.
At the Church of the Incarnation, corner OF
| Twelfth and streets, the decorations were
proiuse and abundant; festoons and wreath.
of evergreens being gracefully disposed about
the altar, upon the pillars, and on the walls
A tree of cedar stood by the organ and al
evergreen anchor, emblem of hope, hung by
the reading desk. There were two service!
yesterday morning, one at 7:30 and the Other
at IL O'Clock, and there was also choral ser
vice held in the evening at $50, The exten
sive musical programme which THE REpUB
LICAN published on Saturday was efIectiyel,
| carried out under the direction of the precen
tor, Mr.. John Il. Parker, with Mr.. Frank L
| Camp as organist. The sermon at the princi
pal morning service was by the pastor Rev
DIR. Townsend, and was thoroughly appropri
ate to the occasion celebrated