Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-12-26
CHRISTMAS AT CHURCH.
Large Congregations at the Cathe-
dral and Episcopal Churches.

Large Congregations at the Cathe-
dral and Episcopal Churches.
Christmas worshipers were plentiful
yesterday. There was no reasonable ex-
cuse for church goers to stay at home, and
seemingly but few did. Long before day.
light dissipated the darkness of the early
hours of Christmas morn, the hurrying
feet of hundreds were treading their way
to early mass. From the first service OF
The day till the last prayers had been Of
fered. In the afternoon the attendance
upon church service was large. Most of
the churches held services of some des-
cription. The Catholic, Episcopal and
Methodist churches all observed the day.
The throng OF worshipers at the Cathe-
dral kept increasing from the early mass
at 5 O'Clock until the celebration of the
Pontifcal high mass at IL O'clock. At
the O'Clock mass Rev. Father Hennessy
was the caleorant.
At 1880 o'clock, Bishop Becker sung
the solemn Pontifical high mass, and at
its conclusion gave the Pope's blessing.
A Lrief sermon followed the mass. The
Catholic Church recognizing the import
ance OF music as an art whose message
never fails to stir the highest devotional
feeling, gives it a prominent place in the
chief musical feature yesterday was the
rendering OF Weber's Mass in g., with
orchestral accompaniment. This mass
is the same rendered on last Easter ST n
day and in similar musical style.
1t contains some delightful passages, and
it was pleasant to hear it again. The
chorus singing throughout was excellent.
In the "CTedo" particularly, nothing
more spirited and effective than the
oF 40 -
ment can be conceived of. The singing
OF the "ln Carnatus" as a solo by Mrs.
lyman was also admirable in its charm
and feeling. The "Adesie Fidelis" was
sung by the choir as an offertory, to the
old but thrilling strains OF Portuguese"
Weber's mass will be sung again to-day.
AtSt. Patrick's Church there was high
mass at 10 O'Clock, Father Quinlan Of
fciating, followed by the benediction serv-
ice. The music furnished by the regular
quartette choir included Sgeals' mass
in ID.
ST. Johns Church was well filed at II
O'Clock with a congregation gathered to
participate in the exercises commemora.
tive of Chrisrs birth. The services con-
sisted OF those prescribed in the prayer
book, and were beautifully rendered. In
connection the following musical pro-
gramme was rendered by the choir:
organ voluntary ...-s.....s ..s..'.s... shlnke
Professional hymn, in G, "Shout the Glad
Iluings ..-.....-.s...ss..''' - ..MoLhrl
Nenle, IN u "a. IL w OOu
Glorias, LIST aud 2ud, in G. Gunter; end In G,
arranged from 18th Mas'.......... Mozart
To Ueum, in u Nat. arranged by A. J.. Mora
from Mercadaute's Mass.
Jubilate, In Il 1at................. .lamDilotte
Hymn, "WorshIp Christ. the New Born
King" in &. arranged by Dressler, from
Oh. Gounod.
IS Gloria Tibi, IN Co.. Amor
Hymn, "And There We're Shepherds Abiding
in the Fields" in y hat..... II. Mihard
Ofertory. "Cautque de Noel;" soprano solo
"Oh Holy Might" IN Il fiat........ Adams
Organ occasional ....... ..,...... ,Batiste
The singing was excellent. Rev. Mr.. Fisse
preached short sermon on the subject
OF the day that was being celebrated. He
wondered IL any fully appreciated the
beauty OF Christmas services. 'There is
proneness on our part" he said, 'to for
get 10 thank God for those blessings
which we have known all our lives, and
sometimes we forget 10 thank Him for
the blessed beritance OF His Son. This
blessed Christmas day is the very founda.
tlon, the very doctrine OF our religion.
God made the great condescension OF
allowing His SON 70 descend from the rank
ola God TO that OF man, in order that