The herald., 1893-12-25
CHRISTMAS IN THE CHURCHES,
Services Yesterday Typical OF
the Great Festival.
Announcements of the Celebrations
Today.
at st. vincent's-The Cathsdral-East
Los Angeles Baptists - st.
PauPs-Tripity-The
Y. w. g. A.

Yesterdays church services were
generally OF character suitable to
Christmas. Others will be held today
at st. Paups. the cathedral, st. Vincent's
and other places OF worship.
TRINITY NJ. E. CHURCH SOUTH.
Notwithstanding the very inclement,
threatening weather there was good
congregation in attendance. The pastor,
Rev. A. @. Bane, preached practical
and highly interesting Christmas ser
mon froE. Luke ii. Z: There was no
room for them in the inn." Another
year 10 past and with glad hearts we
again celebrate the anniversary which
tolls OF Gods greatest and best gift to
the world in the birth of our loving
Savior, Jesus Christ. He was born un-
der circumstances most unexpected, un-
accompanied by that luxuriant display
'of pomp and glory which characterized
the advent OF temporal king. Born in
manger, His surroundings were most
humble, thereby proclaiming his kin
,ship with and sympathy for the poor
and needy, which sentiment character
ixed and WAS exemplihed in His tenn
,poSal liie-hnds emphatic expression in
throughout the ages. We read in our les
son that wise men from the east came
aud worshiped Him, but today many
people consider it an evidence OF weak
Aess for men to accept Christ. The
Bible says it is the foolish who reject
Him. Mr.. Gladstone, one OF the lead
era and greatest men OF his age, with
scores of other celebrities, ie follower
and devout worshiper OF Christ. 1t is
evidence OF the highest wisdom to ac-
cept and worship Him, but the hearts
OF men, like the inn, are occupied--so
preOccupied that there is no room i'll
them for Christ. We fail to celebrate
the anniversary of His birth in the
proper spirit. 1t has become day of
irolics and reyelry, rather than day OF
worship. 1t is today season OF
reckless dissipation and selfish
equandeying and wasting of money.
We magnify Santa Claus, for
getting and degrading Christi Soma
so-called Christians will actually put Off
their grocer and butcher bills that they
may have more money to squander self
ishly. 1t is well and q beautiful Gus
tom to bestow gifts, and | honor those
v 40 do so: but let us celebrate Christ
mas in Christainlike manner bv giving
10 those not our own--to Christ's poor
and needy, and for His sake. The news.
papers, in giving money, valuable space
and labor, in collecting funds for the
poor. are doing grand Christian work,
which should put to shame professed
a christiane who make the Christmas sea-
COZ one selfish revelry and frolc. The
Salvation Army ID ministering to the
poor in most CONNER endable, Christian
manner. Ii is soliciting funds now for
lxsf.,f lNAs he
necessaries of life. Go and contribute
according to your ability. My friends,
make room for Christ in your hearts,
take Hun in and His spirit OF unselfsh-
ness will make you benediction to the
poor, bringing sunshine and blessings
TO your homes, your children and your
souls.
Al sT. PAUL'S.
st. Paups church was crowded yester-
day, and number OF people remained
the Christmas decorations. They were
more of a Christmas character than at
most of the other places OF worship in
the city.
The usual floral emblems had been
entirely eliminated and in their place
we're immense boughs of fir and tall,
tan-like palms. The entire building
was covered with the same materials
and the effect was novel and pleasing.
Over the chancel arch WAS huge
c.oss composed OF scoree of small cleo
tric lights embedded in mass of green
fern. The same idea WAS carried into
effect in the screen, and the novel idea
transformed the nave OF the church into
bewildering blaze of light.
The ordinary Sunday service was held
yesterday, the Rev. Robert Gray preach
ing predatory Christmas sermon from
the text, "My soul doth magnify the
Lord and my spirit doth rejoice in God
my Savior"
The fret vespers of Christmas were
held laet night at 7 AS.
The service was fully choral, the chief
Items being Novello's Magniticat, Sol
bsy's Nunc Dimittis and Gounod's Naz-
areth, sung at the offertory, Mr. G. Wig
more singing the bass music.
The Litany OF the Holy Child was sung
with marked effect by the full choir.
In place Of sermon, the Rev. Robert
Gray read five carols, an innovation
which was as successful as new.
This morning there will be services at
a.m., am. and IL a.m., the music
being entirely from Gounod's Second
Mass for bass voices.
ibis evening there will be celebra-
tion OF the Holy Communion at and 8
O'Clock. at O'Clock there will be a
Christmas feast in st. Paul's Guild hall.
Gamess Christmas feast and gen.
esally pleasant time await all children
who desire to attend.
Y. W. G.. A.
In spite of the rain quite a number
gathered at the First M. E. church to
listen to Mrs. Abbie Smell Burnell of
Pomona in a very able address upon
mission work among the people of In
dia. Miss Rider presided at the piano.
After the reading of the scripture and
prayer by DR.. Hutchings, Mrs. Burnell
spoke OF the manners and customs Of the
people OF India, and said 'if | were
young women with all the careers pos
sible in America before me, would put
them all aside to take up that OF medi-
cal woman to the women OF India. There
can be nothing more fascinating. Ii a
field for the study of diseases ia what ia