The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-12-26


copal church. The o'clock service |
was taken by Rev. f. J. Haughton,
the senior curate the 8 o'clock service |
by Rev. NJ. b. Nash, the Junior cur
ate, and the 1890 o'clock service by the |
rector, Rev. Rogers Israel rector, as
sisted by Rev. Mr.. Haughton Large |
congregations attended each service.
At the late service the rector preach |
ed on THE Goodness of God as Spec
tally Illustrated in the Incarnation" |
and a chancel choir of thirty voices, |
under the direction of Professor !. !
Willis Conant, sang the communion |
office.
At st. Marks mission, in Dunmore, |
a chidren's service was conducted in |
the evening by Rev. Mr.. Haughton.
Christmas carols and Christmas tree |
exercises formed the main feature.
SERVICES AT THE CATHEDRAL.
Everything at ST. Peters cathedral
in connection with the observance of
the Christmas festival, was of the
most elaborate nature. Lavish deco
rations of holly, evergreen and smilaX
intensified the beauty of the vast au-
ditorium while the sanctuary was
made a scene of surprising splendo-
with the myriad of tapers and coll
ored lamps and a vast profusion OF
smilaX, set off with punches of Gala
lilies.
"The Stable at Bethlehem" repro
duced in natural size in the recess at
the Blessed Virgins altar was pretty
I addition to the general attractiveness.
The whole reflected much credit on
the taste of the Sisters of st. Ceciia's
convent, who arranged the decora
| tions.
Masses were celebrated at 3, G, :, 8,
and 1870 o'clock. The first was
solemn high mass. sung by Rev. j. A.
O'Reilly, rector of the cathedral, as
sisted by Rev. John ]. Loughran, as
deacon and Rev. p. j. Cough, sub
| deacon.
A pontificial high mass was cele-
brated at 1880 o'clock, Rt. Rev. Bishop
Hoban being celebrant Rev. j. A.
O'Reilly, arch-priest; Rev. d. j. Mac
Goldrck, deacon; Rev. p. j. Cough,
sub-deacOn; Rev. James w. Malone,
of st. Paul's, and Rev. Martin Flem-
ing, of St. Johns, deacons of honor;
Rev. John j. Loughran, master of
ceremonies.
WV l. clbllNl l-'uso III an tiloo ~ CSNN hON
the sermon. His theme was The
Restoration of Communion Between
Man and His Creator Through the In
carnation.' God is infinitely distant
from us. he said. Nothing is more
distant than sovereignty and servi-
tude; than omnipotence and infirm-
ity; than eternity, Interchangeable, and
time ever-changing. All of Gods at
| tptlN nrn,fn In,
measurably from Him. That one is
His mercy.
WHEN MAN OFFENDED GOD.
AS long as man remained innocent
God spoke to him and he spoke to
God with holy familiarity. Having
offended God, man sees only, afar
off, a lustre which blinds him and a
majesty which confounded him.
For four thousand years man plain
lively prayed for the Messiah: Come,
dear Savior, and have pity on US.
Conceal the majesty which terrifies
us; suspend the justice which threat
ems us, and restore unto us the joy
of salvation. Return to us access to
your Father, on whom depends all
our happiness" The prayer of man
was fulfilled. God is no longer dis
tant from us for He becomes man. He
is no longer angry with US, for His
very nature is n bond of peace. The
mercy repelled by sin returns to us.
The child Jesus is but the visible eX-
preston and embodiment of God S
mercy. Glory veiled, majesty conceal
ed, dignity abased, justice held in
! allegiance, descend to us and becomes
the son of man that we may become
the sons of God.
, The music Of the mass was in keep
ing with the other features of the
= observance. An elaborate programme
arranged by Professor Schinng was
5 rendered by the choir, assisted by
Bauer's orchestra Of twenty pieces
. The mass was the Messe Pascale OF
Pere Louis Lambillotte. At the Of
fertory the pretty and unique "AdestC
: Fidelis," by Gisen, was rendered. The
choir was divided in three parts, one
singing the angels chorus from the
tower, another sang the shepherds
= chorus from the sanctuary, and tho
' third, from the choir loft, sang hC
chorus of the kings.
Another feature was the singing Of
new Te Deum, the words by Sister
Germaine of ST. Cecila's convent, anC
the music being a re-arrangement o
Wagners Elder Pilgrim chorus. Tit
solo parts were sustained by Mrs
Josephine Walsh, Mrs. Leonard, Mis-
Laura Rafter Miss Bridget Lavelle
w. II. Bradbury and Peter Snyder.
HOLY TRINITY CHURCH.
. Early morning Christmas services
were conducted yesterday at a. n
|. in the Holy Trinity Lutheran church
corner of Adams avenue and Mulber
!. ry street The service was largely at
tended and a sermon was deliverer
by the Rev. Mr. Spieker, the pastor
b. who took as his theme, THE Comin
of the Christ Child"
J, In the evening commencing at 73
o'clock the annual Christmas exercise
OF the Sunday school were conducte
under the direction of Superintendent
II. II. Brader. The church was Deau
tlfully decked with greens for the oc
casion and large Christmas tree wa
placed near the front, An interestin
programme, consisting of songs, reel
tations and the singing Of severS
l. Christmas carols, was rendered, aftt
II which the distribution OF gifts too