The St. Louis Republic., 1904-12-26
Bic CROWDS ATTEND
CHRIS MAS SERVICES
NorslIircrs Dress in Their Best
Despite Gloomy Condition
of the Day.
SPECIAL MUSIC PROGRAMMES.
Solemn Pontiticnl Mass at st.
Lonls Cathedral Taxes Capac-
ity of Historic Structure
to the Utmost.

The condition Of the weather Yesterday
| did not tend to lessen tho JOY that cacl,
! Christmas brings to the heart of the Chris.
| tian world.
gloom hung over the city nearly all
day. aud many people were careful to
carry their umbrellas. since tho general
aspect was SO threatening; hut all this
| al" not keep the crowds that attended
the churches from displaying TO the best
advantage Whatever new apparel Kris
kring!e hung upon the Christmas tree
during the night.
The churches. whose day II specially is.
were Respondent with many decorations
appropriate TO the season. and there was
not even n mission chapel ever so humble
that did not have some special rnusIc pro-
Siammc prepared for the festival
In all of tie West End churches the
services were Of the most elaborate kind,
and no expense was spared in securing
special music features
Special programmes also were prepared
for last night. and attracted more than
ordinary attendance of Sunday evening
worshipcrs.
The general theme of the sermons
preached In st. Louis pulpits yesterday
morning related 10 the wonderful mystery
which the day commentaries.
In all the Catholic churches services be-
gan very early. in some instances at 4
O'Clock. and from that hour there was a
succession of masses until the elaborate
solemn service at 1880 O'Clock
Christmas Day is the only time In tho
ecclesiastical year when a priest may col
cbrale three masses in on" day and all
araiiSd themsely"s of the opportunity.
,Archbishnp GlenrOn pontifiCatc ted at ,
oClock yesterday morning at the historic
old Cathedral. which was packed 10 its ut
most caTacity The old marble affairs.
beautiful flowers. the Archbishop arraysd
In all the pomp and dignity of his Office
ana the priests clad in their vcstmcnts of
silver silver ana gold presented an inspiring
scene which is not frequently witnessed.
HlGnlght service was held In Trinity
Episcopal Church. which despite the
nour attracted many people of other de-
of that congregation
81 Alphonsus GiCcD Church. at Grand
anu flnneY aveEucs. was packed to the
doors at the and 1870 O'Clock masses.
mass was the Reverend Father William
7. Bond. with the Reverend John
BECKER deacon and the Reverend Frank
Miller as subdeacon. The Reverend
Father Distler acted as master Of cernt tu
monies ard also preached the first sermon
ON The Incarnation OF the Son of Cod
ne second solemn high mass was sung
ut 1870 o'clock by the Reverend T. J
Clarke, celebrant. and Fathers Chapotin
and Hcck"r as deacon and subdeacon, Al
this mass the Reverend Father bond
preached on the "Word-Made FLESH
special feature at both masses was n
number of boys. representing shepherds
and a group of small girls, dressed in
white, as angels. appearing on the scene
chanting Christmas carols.
The singing caused favorable comment
Langarcllis Grand Ponti.cai Mass was
rendered by full choir under the lirec-
ton Of Professor Louis Dubuque or
gantst of the Roek Church. The follow
Ing named composed the choir: Mines
Ihroe. Mullen and Boland the Misses
Holmes. Crews. Howe Hendrix. Hester
Clarke: Tiyy. Ryan, Ecrwin. Stehle. Glen
ron, bunker Par!c. Lyons. MaIoney
costiSan. Mooney, Johnson and Readv
and M"sars Bacon. Walsh, Sicvcrs
W"sthas. NUnsa. Faust. Dubuque Nc
Grade; Hester. Shuttle. Morris. Pasquier
and Fitagi0bon
Solmen respers at 40 o'clock in the
evening closed the exercises of the day.
Thosc in charge Of the services wore:
Celcbrart. the Reverend Father Djstler:
deacon. the Reverend Father E;nrirft:
subdeacon. the Reverend Father Chap
o,in.