Los Angeles herald., 1892-12-26
Some of the Services Which
Were Held Yesterday.
Music and Discourses Full Of the
Spirit Of the Day.
An Elaborate Service at st. vincent-The
Features at the First Presbyterian
Church-Impressive Music
and Sermons.

the last four months so that it is one
the handsomest church edifices in tht
city. The pews were we'll filled in epitt
of the threatening appearance OF the
clouds, and If the sun had been able te
break through, there would not have
been standing room.
High mass was celebrated under the
direction of Father Meyer and The
clergy, and was very impressive. II
began at 10 80 O'Clock and was conclud'
ed at O'Clock.
There has scarcely been a service ol
the kind in Los Angeles in the past
where the music has been as elaborate
and enjoyable. There was full choir,
assisted by orchestra and organ, under
the direction of Prof. A. }. Stamm, the
organist being Prof. 7. w. Wilde.
The following ladies and gentlemen
participated in the solo parts OF the
beautiful music selected for the occasion
and sentiments of Christmas day were
heightened amongst the members OF the
congregation by the melodies OF the
masters: Sopranos, Misses Knicker-
booker, B. Roth and Mrs. DIR. Kannon ;
altos, Mrs. j. s. Owens, Mrs. j. j. Schal-
lert, Miss Loomis; tenors, Messrs. o. i.
Ellis huu " .. VhltouJ uhoooos Dts nA'
Fernandez and Mr.. Malcolm Fraser.
The selections were as follows:
Asperges Me, Novello.
Kyrie, Haydn's fifth mass
Gloria, Haydn's fifth mass
Intermezzo, pastoral symphony, Handeps
Veni Creator, Handel.
Credo, Haydn's fifth mass.
Adeste Fideles, Novelties ariangemt nt
Sanctus, Schallert.
o Salutaris, Wagner.
Agnus Del, Schuberts mass In A.
Postlude grand organ.
Grand offertoire in minor, Batiste
The sermon for the day was delivered
by Father Nickel, and was appropriate
to the day. In we'll chosen words he
spoke of the birth of Christ, and called
back the old, old story, with view to
impreesing upon his hearers the lowli-
ness OF the life of the Savior, and his
coming for all men, and not for few.
He spoke of the lessons OF humanity
and charity and love which should be
learned from His life and sufferings, and
the change His teaching had made in
the civilization OF the world. In the
humble narrative OF Jesus he saw some
thing for every one to think about Oh
this anniversary OF His birth, and hoped
it would make all who listened to him
take away with them a gentler and bet
ter feeling than before for humanity and
their neighbors.
When Father Nickel had concluded
Father Meyer made few remarks, in
which he wished every one of the con-
gregation happy Christmas and that
their lives would be blessed in abun-
dance. He announced that there would
be special services during the week,
hn nf q n u
days to be observed, among them being
one day for the children. On that day
they could come, and even if they did
cry, the occasion was devoted to them
and they could make as much noise as
they pleased.
One of the features of the mass was
the appearance of number of trained
altar boys, who, in their red and white
costumes, lent additional interest to the
impressive ceremonies.
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN.
The services at this church at II a. m.
yesterday were very interesting. The
church was neatly trimmed with holly,
mistletoe and evergreeDs, and the music
was particularly fine, the solo, Cantigne
de Noel, by Adolph Adam, as rendered
by Mr.. Harry Reeves, who was in superb
voice, being exceptionally good. Fol-
lowing is a synopsis of the sermon deliv-
cred by the pastor, BE. Howard:
"And we know that the Son Of God is
come, and hath given US an under
standing, that we know Him that is
true, and we are in Him that is true,
even in His sonJ esus Christ. "-[1 John,
v. 20.
The coming of the Son OF God into the
world were only a curiosity if it had no
bearing on human life. What matters
His advent if it leaves no deposit of
truth, no revelation, no touch of an
uplifting force? 1t is the purpose, the
eternal "why," lying back of His man
Hesitation in the flesh, and the stream
of light and inspiration pouring out Of it
into our souls that gives any point
whatever to the birth of Jesus. 1t is
not enough for US to know "that the
Son of God is Gomez" we must know
also that He "hath given us an under
standing" There are two things Christ
came to make us understand. The first
is knowledge of Him that is true;"
the second is that 1--WE are in Him that
is true" Our thought for today, then,
is summed up in two-fold revelation
the revelation of the Father to men, and
the revelation of men to themselves.
The coming of the Christ added no
proof of the existence of God. 1t added
to our understanding of the person of
God. Men knew God as God. Jesus
revealed Him as Father. Men do not
know God when there is formed in their
minds an idea Of a being possessed of
infinite qualities, even though these
qualities be holy and just. Men do not
know God when they project into the
infinity of space an unlimited, eternal
creator, almighty, omniscient, omni-
present, wrapped in the awful glory of q
righteousness which is a consuming fire,
and holiness that casts them away
from His presence. Such being, did
He have no quality that brought Him
into touch with our hearts, could not
win our love. God is love, and though
that love be omnipotent and all-eeeing
and all.knowing, and infinitely holy and
just, yet it is love first and last and al
ways. The world knew not God as love.
The most sacred name by which they
called Him signifed only vitality and
eternity. The revelation of nature was
partial and incomplete. If men were to
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