The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-12-27
IN THE CITY CHURCHES.
CHRISTMAS SERVICES WITH THE
VARIOUS ORGANISATIONS.
Songs and Sermons Bearing Upon the Holy
Season of the Birth Of the Saviour ola
world-Thc Houses Of Worship.

therefore is fulfilled"
The services In the afternoon were es-
peclally for the scholars Of the Sunday
school, who took an active part In the
singing. The children had been asked by
Mr.. Mason during the Sunday school SER
vices TO bring with them In the afternoon
each one a present OF their abundance
for some poor child which otherwise
would not have received anything.
Sure enough. when Mr.. Mason gave
the sign during his address In the after
noon. quite a number Of children came
forward and deposited their gifts on the
cushions In front Of the chancel.
The same was done at Grace church
during the afternoon services, where Rev.
l.. r. Mason, rector OF that church, had
previously given a similar invitation TO
the pupils OF his Sunday school.
The services at All-Saints' church were
very attractive, both In the morning and
evening. The choir rendered some excel
lent singing on both occasions, and was
reinforced by Captain Frank W. Cum
ningham. Rev. j. Y. bowman delivered
two interesting sermons.
At St. Pauls church large congrega-
tons attended the morning and evening
services. and Rev. Hartley Carmichael
preached on both occasions.
During the morning services the Rev.
James T.. Grammer, ID. D., read the ser
vice at ST. Marks church and preached.
At night the Rev. Lewis W. Burton, rec
tor Of st. Johns church, delivered a SER
mon.
Rev. Mr.. Abbitt, assistant at ST. Marks,
is I'm the country at his father-in-laW's
He went after his family TO remove them
to this city. He will return this week.
At the Young Mems Christian Associa-
e.. Ia.-r .v.rn hold at Z
o'clock i'm the afternoon, and Mr.. WillGrd
r. Haight delivered an address. At the
same time Secretary Candlish conducted
his Bible class in the directors room, and
discussed the Sunday-schOol lesson for
New Years day.
At 4 o'clock the meeting for young men
was held In the large hall. The singing
conducted by Professor II. i. Smith, was
accompanied by a brass band consisting
of seven pieces, and Mr.. Shepherd webb
played the piano. Mr.. Joseph b.. Mont
gomery delivered a forceful address, IN
which he asked his Christian hearers TO
enter the new year with better resolutions
and TO endeavor to live up 10 them. he
urged those OF his hearers who were stu
ont Of Christ to take the deciding step
and TO accept the Saviour.
Mr.. MONTGOMERY next called on a num-
Der Of his hearers for testimonies, when
were given with a will, and the meeting
was very animated in every respect.
An after meeting followed in the par
lor. which was attended by about hfty
young men.
The sci vices at the First Preshyte-
rian church on Sunday were IN Keep
ing with the festal Christmas day, the
music. under the direction 81 Orsanist
\ r. Clapp. being excellently rendered.
1919. D.tr IF Kerr nrHHllf1
both morning. and evening. At the FIRST
service his text VAS from St. Luke's
Gospel. xii, 7. ard at the second from l4th
verse of same chapter. Both sermons
,yera forcible. and large congregations
listened to them. 3,
The sunday school Of this church had
, most interesting special service from
$50 10 II o'clock Christmas morning. Al
drreses wore made to the children by The
Rov Or Kerr and Mr.. ]. D. h. Slelght,
the superintendent.
Everybody had brought something use
ful for the pastor Of the church, ana the
snace around the desk OF the snpetlh-
tcndent was piled high with groceries
clothing and other such things 70 De ais
tr:buted afterwards.
Mr. Sleight has been the superintendent
n mis- school for over twenty-five years.
The usual large congregations heard the
~ DR.. Hcae at the Second PresDy-
tcrian church both morning ana aIter-
noon The first sermon was a as
course ON "The Incarnation or Chrisl'
and the second one was appropriate 10
the last Sunday in 1872.
The music rendered by the cholr was
GOOD. as usual. without any special lea
,tures for the Christmas season
Or. Hoge, during / coVers@'Ion 49,
dav said he did not believe II adNer-
Using ahead any musical features OF d
church service, and he mad never zone
so and never would.
"Nlusic is a fine art, and am ueepy
fond Of IT," said DR.. Hoge, but can
not think IT right TO use X as d means
70 attract people 10 hear the Gospel OF
Christ That Gospel" ne went on, i
epdeayor to present with the help Oh "ou
as best ! can a.
II hanpened at this moment that tne
An of fre-crackers, large and small
and noise Of horns In the street was
eomething dreadful. ! took occasion u
remark on the utter inapproprlatehess ~
The bolv season of such racket ana NOISE
oddIng the fact that Broad ana Main
etraets were full OF drunken men
The Doctor remarked that he had oiteh
enoken against Il. and. on every posslDie
coca don. tried his best 10 Impress Pc
nla with the same idea. He belleNeu lh"'
the custom was falling into dlsuse niois
and more every Christmas. which pleased
him very much. for 1t is hard 10 CON
ceive Of a more heather and un-Chrlstlah-
IKE STYLE Of celebrating the birth or our
Saviour. said he, in concluding the pleas
ant interview. .ho.
A powerful sermon indeed was tnat
- r,.s.- - tho Ira ra-GfTt4 al
prashvterian church Sunday evening. lie
-anninded his hearers OF the fact that
this was the last service on the last sun
dav NJ the old year. His talk was I'M
nressive even unto solemnity, ana many
an eve was moist before he tool. his seat.
The last day must come to every man
Each one must some day walk into church
for the last time, shall listen 10 the SER
mon. hear the singing and go out never
ogain m enter. Each one will go 10 DIS
business for the last time. will bid adieu
Ia the loved ones at home never 10 see
them again. In fact the Doctor brought
Il distinctly home 10 each or hls neaI-Is
that there was a hidden line In the ire
NJ all which much be crossed. WHICH
mouId he crossed unconsciously, and
which when crossed meant death' iha'
last time. that last day. and then the
SNEAKER nut the question. Did we but
know the last day when we reached IT,
wound there be a cross word to the "lfe
or children, would the sermon be 100
long. or would there be thoughtiessneSs
as regards the souls salvation? DR.. Hose
was in the congregation.
The Christmas services at Centenary
Methodist church Sunday were very large
ly attended In the morning n evening.
The exercises In the Sunday schooi were
annronrIate m the season, and the occa-