The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-12-26
oHRIsTMAs Nv NE CHURoHEs.
Music, Decorations and Diseourses in
Observance Of the Day.

OUSGLFd4EE OF the lay
The CONGREGATIONS in the churches yes
terday were not large 1t was not a
Christmas for church-going as a rule.
Special services We're held in all of the
Roman Catholic and Episcopal churches
and in the Evangelical Lutheran church.
At the Cathedral the music was a feat
ure, as it was at all of the churches which
observed the day At the Pontiical High
Mass, which was celebrated at 1870
o'clock, Mercadante's mass was sung by
the full cathedral choir under the direc-
ton of Prof. Mehrtens. The mass is
with great force.
At st. Patricks and at Sacred Heart
church the services were Of a festival
character. At ST. Patrick's Giorza's mass
was sung and at Sacred Heart church
Rosewigs mass The choirs at both
churches were well trained, and the music
was among the best ever heard in either
church.
The services at St. Johns church were
the most beautiful and interesting that
have been seen there for a long time. and
that is saying great deal for the services
there are always of an interesting char
aCter. The church was beautifully deco
rated with holly and evergreens, and on
the altar were a lot of beautiful white
japOnicas. The services opened with
the singing Of the professional hymn 40,
/ followed by Nenite, by Barnes; Gloria
Patir by the same author. The TIE Deum
by Chapman and the Jubilate by Buck
were among the most beautiful selections
rendered by the choir, The anthem Be
hold [ Bring You Good Tidings," by Goate,
was beautifully sung by Mr.. w. +. Bois.
Among other beautiful selections were
the oIertory sung by Mrs. l.. Haynes
with violin and organ accompaniment
in which AIRS. Haynes beautiful voice was
heard to advantage, Gloria Tibi and Gratia
by White and Barnby respectively, sung
by the choir, and Gloria in EXcelsis The
musical programme was one of the most
elaborate and excellent that the church
has had in d long time Rev c. H.
Strong took his text from Luke, II: T.
They laid him in a manger because there
was no room for Him IN the Inn" From
this he drew the lesson that room for
Christ should be made in every Christian
heart. There was a large congregation.
and communion was held after the regu-
lar service.
A large congregation attended the serv-
ices at Christ church. The church was
beautifully decorated. The front of the
gallery and the pillars were festooned
with evergreen. In the alcove above the
gallery We're the words God With Us"
On the column on the right were the
words Unto us a child is born" and on
the left Unto us a son is given" The
altar was decorated with cedar and japon-
icas, and underneath We're the Greek let
ters Alpha and Omega. The service was
the regular service of the church with the
collects and prayer appropriate to the
occasion and the holy communion was ad-
ministered. There was no sermon. Rev.
Robb White OBLIGATED. The music was
especially beautiful.
At St Paurs church at Duffy and Bar
nard streets the services were of special
interest. The music was by the st. Paul's
choir and was admirably rendered. The
decorations of the church We're very APP
propriate.
The subject of DIR. Schaeners sermon at
the Lutheran church was ION Earth
Peace" DIR. Schaeffer discussed the dav
and its testimony as the fulflment Of
prophecy. It's spirit is, he said, peace be-
tween man and God and man and man
Dr- Schaefter discussed the benevolent in
huences of the day, the exchange of gifts
between friends and relatives and the
general benevolence toward the destitute
OF all classes. The sermon was very an
proprlate to the day, and was much an.
preciated by the congregation. The music
was q repetition of that of Sunday ana
was well rendered.