The Portland daily press., 1885-12-26
CHRIST MAS.
How 1t Was Observed In Portland.

Christmas was bright cold day, the north
west wind proving eager and nipping All day
long the express companies were delivering
parcels, and it seemed as if the carriers were
also In the morning the stores on Middle
and Congress streets were open, but trade
was not very brisk. Commercial street was
as dead as dead could be, and the only signs
of life were an occasional pedestrian and the
flags on some of the shipping.
AT the Episcopal and Catholic churches
the special music for the day-already pub
lished in the PREss-received admirable
treatment at the hands of the choirs The
affairs in the Catholic churches were ablaze
with lights and representations afforded by
the birth of the infant Christ AT the Cath
Ollie Cathedral the first mass was celebrated
at o'clock by Rev. I. P. Linehan, at which
large congregation attended. The o'clock
mass was celebrated by Rev. P. F. Healy S.
j., followed by another mass at o'clock,
which was celebrated by Rt. Rev. Bishop
Healy. This is the children S mass, at which
a great number were present. The Rt. Rev.
Bishop delivered most interesting and in
structive discourse to the children on the
meaning Of Christmas and the events con-
nected with the Sayiour's birth. There was
grand solemn mass at 1890 o'clock. Rev.
T. P. Linehan, deacon, and Rev. M. G. Nc
Donough sub-deacon. After communion was
given the Rt. Rev. Bishop Healy assembled
the pulpit and read the gospel of the day ac-
cording to st. Luke. His treatment of the
gospel and the great event commemorated
xyn an al nd fu1 orr
vesper service took place at o'clock. The
service was very imposing by the excellence
of the music.
At st. Dominic's the services were like
wise impressive. Masses were celebrated
and eloquent and effective sermons preached
by Rev. Chas. w. Doherty and Rev. c.
O'Callaghan. Vespers were sung at o'clock
at which the Rt. Rev. Bishop was present
and delivered an interesting sermon.
A very interesting Christmas service was
held at the st. Lawrence street church in
the morning. The pastor, Rev. A. FL
Wright, was assisted by Rev. c. H Daniels
of the Second Parish church. An original
hymn. 'The Shepherds of Bethlehem, . was
recited by Miss L. Y. G. Gookin.
After singing by the choir, led by F. w
Shaw, Esq, and responsive reading, the pas
tor preached from the text Luke i. 31-32
''Thou shalt call his name Jesus" The birth
of Jesus was the greatest event in the his
tory of the world, and while we would moi
repress the JOY and gladness with which it is
so largely kept. yet we must not forget that
it has as well a religious aspect. Three points
were emphasized as follows: 1st His di-
vine origin; I'd, His human mission; Sd, His
spiritual greatness. From the manger to the
cross the life of Jesus was wonder. The
world will never cease endeavoring to un.
rayel the mystery of the influence which
Jesus had over mankind. The great moral
progress of the century is owing to His ad.
vent. His kingdom is in the world, but moi
of IT, The wise men Of old brought theil
gold and precious spices to Jesus. Have we
brought the affection Of our hearts?
In the afternoon the Sabbath school held a
Christmas exercise, consisting of singing, re-
citations, etc., after which the children were
served with refreshments and gifts of candy
by SAINT aClaus, and all parted, feeling that
the true idea of the day had been well illus.
trated in the various exercises.
The streets presented more than usual
Sunday like aspect in the afternoon. The
City Hall was well patronized by those in at
tendance on the Stockbridge entertainment
and the Biiou rink was filled with skaters
both afternoon and evening