Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-12-27
THECHURCHES' XMAS
SERVICES HELD By EPIscoPALiANs,
CATHOLICS, AND LuTHERANS.
Tho Decorations and the dusic-Metho-
dist and Prssbyterisn Observaoces-
sunday-school Entertainments


Tho Decorations and the Music- sfetho-
dist and Prssbstsrian Observaoces-
sund ay-school entertainments
There were perhaps moro churches open
Friday in Richmond than on any Christ
mas-day for years. As usual the Episco-
pal, Catholic, end Lutheran churches were
prettiiy decorated and regular Christmas
services, accompanied by special music.
we're held. There were also Christmas
services in some Of the Methodist churches
and several of the congregations of other
denominations gave their Sunday-school
scholars entertainments. Below are given
some of the most notable services OF the
day:
The Church Of the Covenant.
It Is not usual among Presbyterians TO
have Christmas services in their churches,
but all those who were present at the
Church of the Covenant on Friday will
unite in the opinion that the service held
there on that day was not only appropri-
ate, but essentially Presbyterian; they will
also wish that such service may always
be held in the future.
The pastor, Rev. j. @. Stewart, made the
invocation. and read from the Psalms.
''Who is this King Of Glory" Rev. l.. b.
Turnbull read the story OF the shepherds
and the angels song from Luke Second
chapter). and offered PRAYER.
DIR. KERB's ADDRESS.
The Rov. DR.. Kerr then delivered an ad-
dress on Bethlehem" He touched with
rapid but graphic hand the historic events
which clustered there from the earliest
-. "a ,,J,oa<aI hour fhaaa all faH
with star-like rays to the most wonderful
and transcendent event in all the worlds
history that, eliminating there, gave US
the year OF our Lord announced by the
angels song, GLORY to God In the high
est. Peace on earth: goodwill to men,"
DIR. Kerr pictured the little city as he saw
il standing upon the hillside, from which
as fair scene greets the eye as any IN
Virginia or the picturesque valley of the
Mohawk. He said it was the most pros
porous city in Palestine. One IS struck
with the bright and intelligent faces OF
the people and is not surprised to learn
that it is also the most industrious town
in Palestine and that Christianity is the
prevailing religion.
The reverend Doctor was fortunate in
having pleasant accessories. The beauti-
ful chapel was filled to OVERLOOKING and the
service opened by o well-rendered anthem
from an efficient choir. The hymns,
while shepherds watched their focks bv
night" and "Hark, what mean those holy
yoices?" were heartily sung by .he whole
congregation. The offerings taken up
were for the poor.
The benediction was pronounced by the
pastor.
Sacred Song and Impressive Service at
Christ Church.
decorations, was the scene Of inspiring
ceremonies on Christmas-day. Scores OF
happy-faced worshippers from every walk
in social life filed the sacred building.
Upon each countenance shown q reflection
of that light that glorifed the shepherds
of Bethlehem. 1t was an earnest, prayer
full congregation that listened to the brief
sermon of the rector Rev. Preston Nash,
whose theme was The Christians Lesson
from Christmas-day." Said he: Advent
with its four Sundays its epistles. gospels,
lessons, Psalter, and HYMNS leads Us to
Chrstmas.day, the queen festival of the
year. Together with tho festival we cele-
brate to-day 1t gives US object lessons OF
Christ, His mission. His Gospel. To-day
speaks louder, for IN every church, from
the grand minister and cathedral to the
lowliest chapel all around the world the
evergreens and services of the Liturgy
are evidences of the faith of
Christendom. Men need such evidences.
They appeal to the senses-together with
the holy sacraments, with glowing ser
mons. with ancient and honored ceremo-
nles-they are the visible guide boards that
lead us back TO Christ. But while it is in
structive to dwell upon this thought, and
inspiring 20 Us to enter zea!ously into the
solemn observation of these evidences,
yet there is that which IS more important
IN winning souls for Christ.
THE sAScrFIED CHRIST LIFE.
Those are evidences. il IS true. that re-
fecting men should heed; but the evil
dence above all is that of changed, con-
secrated, sanctified. Christian life. This
was Christ's mission: Thou shalt call
his name Jesus, for He shall save His peo-
pie from their SINS" Such life will APP
peal TO men stronger than sll else beside.
Men took knowledge of st. Peter and St.
John-not for their high Office, not for
their eloquence. not for their worship. but
because they had been with Jesus" The
speaker urged his congregation to use the
services and sacraments of tho Church,
and to observe Its ceremonies, but above
all to strive after and obtain an intimate
knowledge of Jesus. that men might by
observing their walk and conversation
| glorify God.
A very beautiful musical programme
was rendered by the excellent choir OF this
| church, included in which was chorus
singing of the tenth selection from the
| Psalter. A feature in the service was the
| Offering of envelopes marked - Christ
| mas-Gift for Christ Church" MANY were
| received, and for so deserving an object II
! is hoped the sum contained was large.
In Methodist Churches.
Tbo rbr;oipnao axaro,eaa NJ Tr;pif,
| church were very interesting, and were at.
| tended by large congregation.
Rev. 7. A. Peterson, ID. D., conducted
| the services and preached an eloquent and
deeply-impressIve discourse, taking as hi:
| subject " The Unspeakable Gift" He pre-
| sented graphic picture of tho visit OF the
| magi to Bethlehem on the occasion OF the
| birth of Christ, and drew from the subject
| many practical and useful lessons.
The singing was congregational ant
| highly enjoyed by all present. A collec
ton was taken up for the poor of the
| church and handsome sum realized.
CENTENARY CHURCH.
Rev. DIR. r. N. Sledd, assisted by Rev
| DR.. Judkins and Rev. DR.. Paul Whitehead
conducted the services at Centenary Me
| thodist church Christmas, Mr.. Shepherd
| Webb presiding at the organ.
The sermon was preached by DR.. Sledd
from st. John l.. IA: And the Word was
made flesh and dwelt among US, and VIZ
beheld His glory, the glory as OF the only
begotten of the Father, full of grace and
| truth" The preacher said The subject OF
Johns Gospel was the eternal power and
Godhead OF Christ. Jesus Christ was che
counterpart of God. We do not know
| that God had revealed Himself except
| through the Eternal Son.
John asserts that in the beginning was
| the Word and the Word was with Gcd and
the Word was God" BY this Word the
world was created.
Paul says that all things were made BY
| Him and for Him. God spaks and it was
done. BY Him all things were made-life,
spiritual, sentient, and vegetable--ali in
Him and from Him. Jesus took unto
| Himself human nature and though tempt
| ed like IS we are yet was without sin. Al
a critical period of the worlds history
was heard the song of the angels: GLORY
to God in the Highest, on earth peace
| good will to men," For thirty-three years
Christ lived among men as public teacher
and His grace abounds no matter how
utterly lost we are to goodness and purity.
| No do nnt hap,u m apnraciata all NO m q Z