The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-12-26
THE DAY IN THE CHURCHES.
CHRISTMAS SERVICES DID NOT
DRAW LARGE CONGREGATIONS.

Audiences Were About as Large as
Those Attending Ordinary Ser
Nices-Fine Musical Programme
Rendered at Several Churches.
Some of the Congregations Wor-
shipped in Decorated Audftoriums.
The congregations at the churches yes
terday morning were not, as a rule. very
large. Il appeared that the people preferred
to spend Christmas in their homes. Some
Of the congregations were exceptions, but
at the majority of churches there were
scarcely the ordinary Sunday congrega-
tons
Few of the churches were decorated. The
Roman Catholic Churches were decorated
in keeping with the day. ST. Johns Epis-
copal Church was prorusely decked with
holly, mistletoe and evergreen. A few other
churches also had decorations. and there
was the evidence of the traditional green
10 show that services were being held in
comnlemoration of that event that has.
served as the foundation upon which the
Christian religion is built
The services were appropriate to the
day. Sermons were preached with Christ
as the leading thought His coming into
the world and what it means for man was
related and music specially adapted to the
festival was sung.
The programmes of music at some of
the churches were elaborate. Christmas
hymns and carols were sung, some by the
choirs and some by the choirs and congre-
cations. The selections had been carefully
prepared, and the music was one of the
most enjoyable features of the days SER
vices. lt IS but twice year that such spe-
ciai attention is devoted by the choirs 10
music at Christmas and Easter. The pro-
grammcs on these days are often given
again the following Sunday, and it is not
improbable Chat an opportunity may be
afforded some of the congregations TO hear
the same music next Sunday
The fact that SO many of the congrega-
tons Worshiped in the lecture rooms of
the churches accounted for there being
less decoration for the day than is custom
airy. The auditOrums of many of the
churches are undergoing repairs made nee
essary through damages sustained in the
summer storms. The lecture rooms are
not adapted 10 as tasteful decoration, so
that it was decided in most instances to
dispense with it.
The congregations that are prevented by
the progress of repairs on their churches
from WOrshiping in their auditoriums are
the First Presbyterian, the First Baptist,
and the Independent Presbyterian. The
congregation of the Cathedral of st. John
the Baptist worshped at St. Vincents
chapel, and that of the Duffy Street Bap-
fist Church at Yonge's Hall.
Night services Wer not held in some Of
the churches. Among these were Christ
Church and the Lutheran Church of the
Ascension. Services at two of the Meth
odist churches We're unusual in their being
new pastor to preach at each for the
first time Rev. Edward F. Cook was at
Wesley Monumental Church and Rev Bas-
com Anthony was at Trinity. The new
pastors welcomed their congrega tons and
met many of the members after the SER
vices.
The evening services at St Johns was
the Sunday Schools celebration. 1t be-
gan at 1880 o'clock. To the professional.
''Hark, the Happy Bells Are Pealing," the
children entered the church and took
their places in the front pews
General confession and absolution fol-
lowed and then the Lords Prayer and YER
sicles. Among carols sung were 1.-THE
Angels Song, Awake to JOY" "Beaun-
fu Bells Beautiful Star" land BEST
of All" The occasional was The
| Growing Day"
A song was rendered very prettily by
the infant class. The rector, Rev. Charles
II. Strong, addressed the children enter
tainingly, taking them for a fanced trip
through the Holy Land and telling them
| much of the festival they We're gathered
to celebrate.