Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-25

u.
was Rev. Dr.. Kerby Of the Catholic Uni
versity and the music was especially ar
tistic.
st. Dominics Church in South Washing
the services held there today. There we're also
services at st. Teresa's Church, Anacostia:
! the Immaculate Conception Church. corner
sth and streets northwest: st. Augustine.
| 18th street northwest. At St. Augustine's
Church solemn pontifical mass was cele-
brated by Right Rev. Bishop Curtis at II
o'clock.
At the Church of the HOLY Name of
Jesus corner of 18th and X streets north
east, Rev. Thomas ]. Kervick, the pastor
celebrated high mass. The music accom-
panying the service was exceptionally fine
The services at St. Stephens Church and
| at Holy Trinity Church, Georgetown, were
also very largely attended.
EPISCOPAL SERVICES.
Beautiful and Elaborate Exercises
Were Held Today.
The Episcopal churches of the city cele-
brated Christmas day with beautiful and
elaborate services. In many Of the church.
es three services were held during the day,
and in all Of them special attention was
paid to the musical and choral features Of
the service.
st. Johns Church was beautifully deco
rated with seasonable greens, and the altar
embellished with flowers. The church was
crowded at the II OF clock service, but seats
were found for all who came. An elaborate
musical program had been arranged, and
was executed by the choristers and the
Irganlsts. The program was as follows:
Processional, hymn 40. Adeste Fidelis, Read
ing; Venlte, In G. Garrett; Gloria Patri in
u, Tours; TIE Deum in A, Westbury: Jubi-
late Dec. In B fiat c. Villiers Stansford;
holy communion: introit anthem Behold !
l l. Bring You Good Tidings. Cross: Kyrie,
% TT,.t-
Gounod; hymn 80, Smart; offertory an
them, sing Q Heavens, A. r. Goul; ascrip-
ton, Praise God From Whom: Sanctus. in
A. Camidge; hymn 224; Gloria in Excelsis,
IN z, Atkinson; Nunc Dimittis. in A fiat,
WOOD; occasional hymn 81, Mendelssohn
Inc sermon was preached by the Rev. DR.,
MI ckay-Smith the rector. His topic was
. the infant Savior as typical of the humble
ness OF the Christian religion. 1t was WON
oer1ul that little babe, the personifica-
ton OF all that was gentle and helpless
should come to dominate the world Christ
never raised a finger to enforce His will.
YET the dominant races Of the world have
Iollowed Him Rome. the mistress of the
world. was finally led captive by him.
italy the land of learning; Germany. the
home Of science, followed Him. There was
nothing in His character of the flavor of
aggression. and yet the most enterprising
race, the Anglo-Saxon race, acknowledeed
Him as its Lord,
Benlghted races, in selecting their re-
lislon, choose a god who is fearful power
1ui or revengeful. They demand outward
arr visible signs and make for themselves
l 1n VI nideous design. The intelligent race
demands to seek for the hidden and Oh
scure, and finds 10 difficulty in acceptinp
little child as the sign of Gods power.
therefore 1t happens that If one could he
IL, inaia today he would witness two wide
ly different sights upon the same spot He
would see the H'ndoo worshiping an idol
or hCrrid mien, some fearful, reyenpeful
or evil spirit A little distance away
group or English officers, some of them
wee regents over 30. coo. 900 of people. would
be kneeling in alteration over the cradle of
an infant.
Dr. Mackay-Snith said it was in the
ranks of the humble people that the most
loving worship of the Christ child is .ound
10 these people 1t is Christ the CONSIDER
Borne down by weight of trouble, poverty
and woe. they cast themselves upon th,
savior He is their friend and comforter
and their recourse.
Ascension Church.
The holy communion was celebrated at
7:3O o'clock this morning at the Church of
the Ascension. 18th street and Massachu-
sets avenue. The Chapter of Praise sang
at the service, which was we'll attended,
oespite the early hour. AT the conclusion
OF the service which began at IL o'clock
there was second celebration of the holy
communion.
Both services were conducted by Rev
.o'i! u. Iiio.t. AL an early morning Serv-
Ice the assistant rector, Rev. Thomas w.
Cooke, was present, but became ill and
was unable to be present at II o'clock His
place was taken by Rev. Mr.. Bourne
me feature or the services was the mu-
steal program, rendered by the vested choir
or thirty-nine men and boys Mr.. Francis
Edward Camp, the organist and choirmas-
ter, was in charge of this feature, and the
congregation has not heard in many DAYS
more perfect program.
DR.. Elliott announced that the Offering
would be for the Christmas festivals of the
Sunday schools of the church. The con-
tributions were large.
DR.. Elliott preached from the 18th and
18th verses of the 18th chapter of Matthew
The sermon was brief. but dealt appropri-
ately with the day. He spoke of the ad-
vent OF Christ to the world and Of His
benedictions. He then narrated the work
or Christ in Jerusalem-the healing of the
sick. blind, weary and weak; the comforts
OF all kinds showered upon the afflicted
The most glorious gift of this Christmas
day. he said, is that Christ is still the
Healer and Comforter.
Midnight Service.
A beautiful and impressive midnight serv-
ice was held last night at St. Michaers and
All Angels Church. Rev. William R. Tur-
ner. rector. 22d street near northwest
large congregation was present.
The church presented handsome appear
ance. Above the altar, which was brilliant
ly Illuminated with lighted gas Jets, there
were placed trailing vines, holly and flow
ers, while the walls were festooned with
cedar and decorated with wreaths and
crosses made of holly or cedar.
The exercises began at 11:15 o'clock, at
which time the vested choir began sing
ing the professional. At first the voices
seemed as though long way off, but pres
emily the members of the choir followed
by the rector, entered and took their places
in the chancel.
Prayer was offered by Mr.. Turner, and
the responses in the litany were recited in
a beautiful manner by the choir. The con-
gregation sang "Al My Heart Tonight Re-
joices,'' after which Mr.. Robert Keeling
sang baritone solo. Other hymns sung
by the congregation were "Oh, Come Ali
Ye People," and "Hark, the Herald Angels
Sing"
A short but eloquent sermon was deliver
ed by Mr.. Turner from the words of the
prophet Eseias. For unto us a Son is
BORN Mr.. Turner spoke of how the
prophet foretold the coming of Christ 600
years before the event occurred and In
conclusion wished all present q joyous
Christmas.
The congregation at the mornings serv-
ices was large. The exercises were APP
propriate.
Other Churches.