New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-12-26
GIVES POPE,S BLESSING.
No Won,ens Voices an Christmas
Music at St. Patrfck's.
SERVICES IN MANY CHURCHES.

At st. Patrick's Cathedral yesterday the Christ
mas services conducted for the first time in
the history of the Cathedral without female voices
in the choir. At the two high masses which we're
celebrated In the morning the absence of the female
members of the choir particularly noticeable.
The main choir was composed of seventy male
members. II was assisted by an orchestra The
chancel choir consisted OF 40 boys
The first service held was at o'clock a. m. at
which Monsignor Lavelle. rector OF the Cathedral
celebrated solemn high mass. At 6. 7, and .
O'Clock low masses read by the assistant
tors All these services were largely attended
Archbishop Farley pontihcated at the II o'clock
service. Monsignor LaveIle assisted Present in
the chancel were all the members OF the faculty of
Ounwoodie Seminary and 100 seminarians. The
Rev James s. Prendergast s. j.. preached the
sermon Monsignor Lavelle. who has recently
turned from Rome, brought with him the permits
sion or the Pope to bestow the pontifcal blessing
on the congregation at the Christmas mass. and
this he did after the II o'clock mass in the morning
or all the churches in which Christmas was cee-
DRAFTED, old Trinity Church was, as usual, the
most thronsed with strangers, great many Of
whom showed by their unfamarty with the SER.
vice that they were not Episcopalians. Many Of
them were evidently visitors in the city. kept here
over the holiday line of carriages outside the
church were those of the attendants OF newer
branches or old Trinity. come from uptown TO at
tend the Christmas service in the mother church.
The interior OF the church decorated in green.
with red holly berries The altar was covered with
roses and lilies. Small Christmas trees hung
downward from the pillars the sides OF the
TWO services held-one 1880 a. m. followed
by communion. and another at $50 p Ia the
absence of the pastor. the Rev. Morgan Dix. who
too Ill TO officate, the vicar. the Rev James n.
Steele conducted both services. The collection was
for the hospital fund. and the plates were heaped
with bills all noticeaby of a holiday crispness.
Afternoon Christmas services at the Church OF
the Ascension were conducted by the Rev. Walter
E. Clifton Smith, assistant pastor II had been
pected that Bishop Potter would be present and
q N
or his brother, IL was announced. he was unable TO
be present. The Rev Percy 8. Grant preached
brief sermon the lessons of the day. Special
There carol service at 2:30 p. m, at 81.
Bartholomew Church. Madson-ave. and Forty
livered address to the children of the Sunday
school. OF the regular choir of the church only
OF the choir appeared In the professional and be-
hind them came the children by classes. There
We're only forty-two children In the procession,
children in the procession brought packages TO be
given to other children less fortunate. is
their own gifts mostly books and calendars after
ward in the parish rooms.
1t announced at the Madison Square Presby-
terrain Church yesterday morning that the entire
collection would go to the Presbyterian Hospital.
designated either for the general hospital fund or
for other particular hospitals There were no such
designations. and the S., rs collected will go
The Rev Or. Minot j. Savage preached in the
Church of the Messiah. Park-ave. and Thirty
the Christmas festival was older than Christian
Ky; and went on to explain the reason for the
The Rev Dr.. Robert s MacATtRur preached in
Church and the Christ Child"
Union before the Peoples Institute on 'The Human
Jesus" drawing from the story OF His life and
Rctertstics OF the human