Morning journal and courier., 1889-12-23
THE oHRIsrmAs ANNIvERsAnx.

both services. MT. Cleaveland preached very able and interesting sermon, taking for his text "Ask in faith, nothing wavering." Mir. Cleave- land possesses a strong yet beautifully clear, mellow voice, which, together with his fine discouse, created most favorable impress sion upon his hearers.
 The evening service was marked by the excellent music. Although there were no extra musical selections, tho choir seemed to sing as though they were "just in the mood for it." Barnaby's an- those compositions which to be sung well must be sung very well, and that is just how it was sung last night. MT. Bradley, the solo tenor of the choir, took the opening lead, and after his sweet tones had died away the chorus came in in their respective parts, the whole thing showing fneness of finish that, we regret to say, is not heard in all churches. MT. Hedden seemed to be 'just in the mood for it," too, for he played su- perbly. Many people are beginning to learn that 1t is we'll worth their while to stay after service to hear Mir. Hedden's postludes. Last night he played a fantasia in O minor from Topfer, and good part of the congregation waited near the vestibule till the last strains of the great diapasons had ceased their grand melody. The church will be opened for service on Christmas day at 10:30 a. m. The music will be as joyful as it always is on this happy day. The anthem, "Christmas Eve," by Niels w. Glade, is a superb thing, containing c very pretty sentiment. A Seraph first at tracts your attention by his commands to hosts of angels, bidding them "Sing in exul- tation." Then the chorus of Seraphim comes in, crying "Behold, star appeareth." This is followed by chorus of shepherds, re. frain from another Seraph, followed as cli- max by sweet chorus which truly appeals to the listener. Mir. Smith will take the solo part of the first Seraph; MT. Bradley the sec ond.
 The following is the programme for Christ mas day:
 Organ Prelude--March of the Masi Kings. Dubois Processonal-Hymn 37, Brightest and Best. yenite-Chant. ........ ........... ....Goodson Te Deum. in B flat ................ .C.v. Stanford, Benedctus in fat ;.....,..M Mus. Doc Hymn l91Adests Fideles Hymn i7-Mendelssohn. A Ssraph.
 Hear, ye hosts of angels,
 Speed on wings unresting,
 God himself commands you!
 Fly from heaven descending;
 Earthward isyour mission:
 Sing in exultation,
 Christ the Lord to honor Chorus of Seraphim.
 Behold star appearsth,
 Hrlpss gs wsEsfai syss nHS sSspssrdss Psssrns
 Your infant Lord be greeting!
 Let man self love abandon,
 The lovemade man receiving! Chorus of Shepherds.
 Angelic hosts surround us,
 From heaven to earth descending,
 Their songs of exultaton
 With nature's voices blending,
 o tidinRs sweet and blessed
 Which God to man is giving.
 When onward am gazing
 read distress and wrath;
 hear the tramp of nations,
 Destruction round their path.
 But now a cheerful morning
 0'erspreads the weary earth,
 To greet the sa1icurs birth.
 Forget, o man. thy sorrow.
 Break on the chains of sin;
 True fife in heaven shall win. Gloria in Excelsis-old Chant Recessional-Hymn 20. Siberia. Organ Postlude-Marche Solennelle .Lemagre
 At Grace M. E. Church.
 Last eveniug's services were attended by large congregation. The music by the choir | was especially fine. The pastor Rev. MT. Coote made brief address. There will be watch night services New Years Eve at this
 
 several pastors of other churches have been invited to participate. The Sunday School Christmas entertainment will be given Thursday night next at 7:s0.
 St. John street VI. E. Church. At the morning service the pastor Rev. W. F. Markwick preached a sermon appropriate to the Christmas season. He spoke of the fulAllmsnt of the various prophecies con- cerning the coming of the Messiah, and of the final reign of universal peace. The music at this service was of . special character. The offertory, "And there were shepards," was rendered with fine effect by the choir, the soloists being Miss Katie Hitchcock and Miss May Woodford. The music of this piece was composed by the efficient organist of the church, Mrs. Kate Marvin Preston. In the evening the annual praise service was held, which was the frat of the kind under the leadership of the present organist. The programme consisted of anthems by the choir, with solos by Miss May Woodford, Carrie Buckbee and Florence BurchelI, responsive reading, and several hymns by the congregation, and an address by the pastor. The entire service was one of great interest. First Dapsiss Church. The First Baptist church observed Christi mas Sunday yesterday with interesting exer- cises. The church was beautifully decorated with evergreens. The baptistry was @ mass of potted plants and ferns, and the pulpit rail was covered with pine, laurel, and holly. while beautiful bouquet of roses orna- mented the pulpit tables. The pastor | preached @ Christmas sermon in the morn- | ing from John 8: 16, discoursing on the great Christmas gift of God to man, so many years | ago.
 In the evening the church was filled to hear the Christmas praise service arranged by the chorister, Robert E. Manross. assisted by Professor W. s. Wheeler, organist, and MT. H. 8. Hunt, cornetist. The solos by Mrs. E. N. filling. Miss Bertha Raymond, the quaitette by Miss Lizzie Briggs. Miss Della Merwin, MT. Manross and MT. Phelps, and the chorus singing of the choir of fifty voices were greatly enjoyed by the large audience. Rev. William Davies, of Yale Theological Seminary, led in prayer, and the pastor read the poem on "Bethlehsm," by Dr.. Phillips Brooks, of Boston, and also made . short Christmas address.