New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-12-26
AN OLD-TIME CHRISTMAS.
BITING COLD AND SNOW MARKED THE DAY.
IN THE CHURCHES AND HOMES, HOWEVER. ALL
WAS DrIGHTNFss AND JOY

WAS BRIGHTNESS AND JOY.
Frozen lakes, white hills and flurries of snow
marked the Christmas OF 1892. 1t was a Christi
mas of the old style. IN which the winter winds
bowling without made all the cosey the
cheerfulness within doors. Falling Sunday
the day was all the more sacred, and the obser-
vances of the anniversary Of that day when Ia the
beauty Of the lilies Christ born across the
sea- were merged in the worship OF the day or
prayer and rest All over the world, as the day
sped round the earth, people assembled in their
churches ard the sound Of Glory TO God in the
highest ard peace on earth rolled from east TO
west around the glpl" in on, unceasing sons.
There was peace everywhere on hnd and sea
among the nations, and when the dag closed and
the world-encrcling anthem died away, the earth
sped through the vastncss Of space toward the
birth of new year, and the thoughts of men
grew wider in that calm IiIht which, in diffusion
ever more intense CLEANS through the ages from
the Star of Beth chem. Little is to be given for
the man whose heart is not softcned and who
does not feel larger degree Of charitabcnes with
all his fellOT-mcn at Christmas time. 1t is NOS
probable that such men exist If they do, this
is time 20 take cognizance of their existence.
The sun rose yesterday morning in air thick
with scurryirg snow, and frequently throughout
the day snow squalls were driven over the city.
begun At midnight in the great monastic church
on the heights back Of TIobollen cowed monks and
slrpcod chor5 OF boys sang tho music of the
mass and in many Roman Catholic churches in
the city before the day had risen the first mass
of the day was celebrated. 1t being Sunday all
the Christian denominations held services, ana
they were more elaborate. as rule, than usual
Joyous music was heard in every place of worship
and the keynote Of them all was the song tho
shepherds heard at night the plains of Galllee,
ls92 wears ago. Each year Christmas is more
and more generally observed, and on each recurring
anniversary the angels song grows clearer ana
fills larger portion Of the earth. The storm
of the morning did not prevent large
attendance at the churches in the city.
Elaborate musical programmes had been prepared
in all OF them. In the great white cathedral
in Fifth-ave. the long asles and lofty arches were
flooded at the II o'clock mass with the music
of Cherubini. and at Old Trinity the sweet
voiced choir sang a service Of great beauty By
the tongues of gifted preachers in all tho churches
the Gospel Of the newborn Christ was proclaimed.
In every home however humble, there was some
Observance of Christmas in extra preparations fof
the dinner, and though no boars' heads were
brought in with flourish of trumpets, and no
great Yule log was dragged in TO till great hre-
places an extra hod of coal was placed on the
fire and plum pudding was almost universal.
Plum pudding may be bought in tin at the
procer's around the corner, but it is still plum
pudding and goes with Christmas.
The secular celebration Of Christmas will take
place to-day, wien all business will be suspended;
the children can play with their Christmas
toys and young mai1ens can stand under the
miJtletoe he second Chris mas dinner can
Ie eaten to-day, end Christmas trees which did
not grow on Saturday night Will have chance
to srrinc into being and produce their wonderful
fruits Old customs and old friends are dear
both seem dearer-at Christmas Time. Inc luz
mortal songs of Yesterday will lnger IN thelr ii-
nuenc.s to-day. and not until tomorrow VIII the
burlcus of lie lie taken up again, ana the stern
srucqle removed. Christmas Is al OASIS HiIcu
with all pleasant things which every one slouio
oniov 70 The utmost before going forth again INTO
i ,,r, Il i also 4 great tine for charity. ior
M ope ever regrets dollar given 10 the poor II
he i've, il AT Christmas line 1t Is not IA tIe
mot r, of man 70 regret anything connected WIN
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