Morning journal and courier., 1886-12-27
AT THE CHURCHES YESTERDAY.

fine Christmas discourse was delivered by the pastor, Rev. Dr. Todd, and special Christmas music was rendered.
 CHRISTMAS SERMONS FINE MUsIC-Two
 CHRISTMAS TREES.
 At Calvary church the pastor, Rev. MT. Samson, preached beautiful Christmas dis course full of pathos and power, which was heard with great pleasure by the large con- gregation present. The church looked finely in it's Christmas decoration, though not elab- orately trimmed. The pastor in the evening continued the theme of the morning to some extent. At both services the singing by the quartette choir was source of great pleasure to the throngs present. The choir were all in fnesvoice and more harmonious and ad- mirable Christmas music could hardly be obtained anywhere outside of the great cities. There will be grand Christmas tree jubilee at this church tomorrow Tuesday, evening, at which two splendid Christmas trees laden with gifts and brightly illuminated will over look the multitude of happy young people who will be present to share in the enjoy ment of the occasion. The mammoth Sunday school, numbering between 500 and 500, will make small army, and the elders will be out in force also to witness the happy scene. One tree will be specially devoted to gifts for the children, the other will be exclusively for gifts for the poor of the church.
 AT HUMPHREY STREET CHURCH. The pastor, Rev. MT. Bray, preached yes terday morning stirring Christmas dis course. The church was filled. The new choir sang most creditably. Miss Bray, the soprano, very finely sang solo, her excellent voice giving proof of increased cultivation and power. A duet was also well sung by two other members of the choir, which has lately passed under the direction of MT. Par sons, who is an excellent basso.
 CHRISTMAS SERMON AT ST. PAUL's-UNUsUAL-
 LY FINE MUSIC
 At St. Paul's Rev. E. S. Lines preached from the text "For unto you is born this day in the city of David Saviour, which is Christ the Lord" Bethlehem and it's blessed birth formed the subject of discourse that held the large congregation to the closest at tention. As the humble shepherds watching their focks upon the hills and along the val leys of Galilee were the first to receive the glad tidings, so have the meek and low ly of later ages been among the most faithful of Christ's followers. The story of Joseph and Mary wandering out from Naza- reth ard plodding their weary way to Judea, a pilgrimage so momentous in the worlds history, the birth of our Saviour and the joy of mankind that followed, held the lis- teners to that close and earnest attention that can but prove a compliment to any speaker. The unusual number of musical people in the galleries, both on Saturday and Sunday, was doubtless due in some measure to the choir. It was the most elaborate arrangement of the higher order of church music yet attempted at St. PauPs. The programme was replete with artistic gems, series of musical surprises from Gounod's opening anthem, "Nazareth," :" to the final offertory, fHail Christmas Morn." In many of the lighter passages the sweet strains of Miss Viola Sanford's harp foated out through the vast edifce, and were particularly effective in the responses when the organ and harp gave alternate accompan- iment. The hymn Angels from the realms of glory" gave free scope to the four soloists, Misses Russell and Phelps and Messrs. Brown and Bushnell. The delicate and often diff cult music of the English church service is well calculated to test the capabilities of the artist Professor Ford also had an oppor- tunity to show off to advantage his admira- ply trained auxiliary choir of fourteen voices. Altogether the Christmas music at St. Paul's this year may well be called an event in the history of church music in New Haven.
 TRINITY M. E. CHURCH.
 The services at this church yesterday morning and evening were appropriate to the Christmas occasion. While the handsome church was not elaborately decorated with evergreens, yet there were sufficient number of these reminders of the sacred day to i'm press the worshippers with the joyousness of the occasion. The principal part of the dec orations were about the pulpit and choir gallery, which were literally covered with wreaths, stars and festoons. Over the preachers desk was cross of holly, while the front of the pulpit was banked with holly while in the communion table mid bank of evergreens was placed beautiful bouquet of flowers.
 The services in the morning were opened by singing the familiar tune "Antioch:"
 Joy to the world,
 The Lord has come.
 The scripture lesson from the second chap ter of St. Matthew's gospel. Then followed a selection by Miss Annis Montague, of Balti- more, entitled, 'The Saviour Christ has come" While the selection was most appropriate to the occasion the rendering of it was sublime, and only those who heard it can realize the wondrous voice, the meditation and expres- sion so artistically blended in this produc- tion by Miss Montague. Those who have listened to. Parepa can form some idea of this lady's wonderful vocal powers, and with whom she compares favorably in many re- spects. During her singing the large audi ence was hushed to an almost painful silence, and as her voice rose and fell upon the list ening throng there seemed to be feeling, expressed by one of the older members of the church on the conclusion of the service, that ''there was no singing equal to that this side of heaven"
 The pastor, Rev. Dr. Peck, preached very able discourse from Isaiah, 9th chapter, 9th verse, passing his subject on the word "Wonderful." The discourse related to the wonderful character of Christ as foretold by the prophets and as fulfilled in his birth, life, death and resurrection and ascension, and the glorious results that followed in the salvation of mankind.
 &bo of rendered a selection from the Messiah, "l know that my Redeemer iveth again." hold ing the audience in breathless silence while she sang and adding new laurels to her fame as a vocalist.
 In the evening there was Christmas praise service by the Sunday school and choir and the church was filled to it's utmost capacity. During the servlces Miss Monta- que rendered two selections in very artistic manner, the first be1ng selection from Ga briel entitled 'tI will arise," the other "Angels ever bright and fair" from Haydn. The exercises throughout were of most in- teresting character and highly enjoyed by all present.
 Next Friday night the usual "watch night" services will be observed in this church, commencing at o'clock and closing at midnight. There will be a sermon by the pastor, love feast and other exercises ap- propriate to the occasion.
 NexI sunday evening there Will De grand jubilee service in this church in celebration of the fact that all mortgages on the church property have been removed and the society is free from debt. As expressed by the pas tor, Git will then in reality. as we'll as in name, be Gods house, as no mans mortgage will be upon it." Considering the fact that this society was only organized about four years ago. and that since that time they have erected one of the finest churches and one of the best parsonages within the bounds of the conference with which it is connected, and that they are entirely free from debt, is 8 matter for eongratulation at least.
 This afternoon at o'clock there will be a Christmas reception to the primary scholars of the Sunday school in the chapel, and in the evening at 7:30 for the older scholars. No one will be admitted except by ticket, al- though the friends of the school will be al- lowed the privilege of the gallery.
 ST. JOHN STREET M. E. CHURCH.
 There were no special Christmas services at this church, except that the regular an- thems and hymns of the choir and Sabbath school were selected with reference to 8 proper observance of the day. An interest faaN iv,R RIa of 41o oohh hhoAH