Norwich bulletin., 1911-12-26
CHRISTMAS DAY SERVICES
 IN THE CHURCHES
Special Sermons and Music Heard by
 Large Congregations.

Caroline IT. Thompson, organist ane director
 Morning prayer was followed by the helpful and uplifting sermon by the rector, Rev. J. Eldred Brown. who ST oka from the text. John i.1t. The word was made flesh and dwelt among us. The speaker dwelt particularly upsn the two main objections in the present age to the inter lretation or Christ's life. One IS that lt is his torical. fixing our thoughts on period long past; the other mat it IS con crete and professes to find the eternal spirit in a particular persona9e Tn answer 10 she first objection he said that if we carnot find any particular value 90 the present crises In lie we are simply like cogs in machine. ail merging into an endless stream or Fro cesges.
 IlI answer 10 the second objection it was stated that the only alternatlhe to believing in the Christian thlth IS believing in an abstract God, mere necessity of thought a shadoWN, uh knuwn force. What wins us III jesus is that he insists that God IS present in the little things and reveals himself in minute details. It Is of The nature of love to be infinitely minute as well as soaring in it's imagination. rms ls the nature of God as reHeaie,o III Christ. It IS the story of Ijethlenen; and the manager, of the shephefus anu the wise men, of Goos rais 'l the sparrows and the lilies which comes
  to the loving father as seen m Jesus.
 The sermon was followed by holy communion.
 Christ Church.
 At the 14th verse of the first chap ter of the Gospel, according to SL John, it is written, And the Word wa was ;, made flesh and dwelt among us This was the text of Rev. T. k. cal vert of New York at Christ church. Christmas morning.
 Tn common with millions of our fel- low Christians we are out to rejoice in the birth of Jesus Christ. And the first thing we need for our intellsenl rejoicing is to get the story or the nativity clear in our imagination. The picture of the Nativity is more than a fresh and simple story. It IS more than a chiarascuro picture of the nm agination. It is great. an aWtui ana is a mystery as well as Bible story, and let us try to take home with us some of it's practical lessons.
 The first lesson, l think. is that we are to be proud of our manhood. We are to have a high sense of sef-re- spect. The old Roman thanked God he was born a Roman. and not bar barian. May not each one or us say am an incarnation that is capable Of uttering the life of God. And it is the same truth that will give us high respect for our fellow men.
 The Son or God mas uWelI III luc flesh henceforth the true measure of a man is not the things he has, but what he is; not his social position, but his souls worth.
 And there is a lesson here for our work. The hands of the babe cannot do much yet; but they will grow and increase and do their share of the worlds work. They will soon be em- ployed at the carpenters bench. And this is what makes all work dignified.
 The root Of evil is ir the will And just as Jesus wils born of our flesh and lived the pure life, so there Is no human body that is utterly and hope
 He referred to the meaning of the wise men there and to that of the shepherds.
 It is a day of gladness and good will. May God make you rich by giy- ing you pride in your humanity. May God make you rich by giving you the peace of His Kingship. May God make you rich by giving you the grace ot no fear of the joy. In the strong lan- guage of the Orient He shall go forth with joy, and be led forth with peace, the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing. and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands"
 The church was attra ctively decorat- ed with greens and Christmastide flow CTS. The special musical programme
 
 direction of w. F. Eabekotte in a par tlcularly pleasing manner, Charles D. Geer. baritone, assisting. his strong nd rich voice being heard at its best
 St. PatricISs Church.
 Beginning with the high mass at 5.30 o'clock Christmas morning. large congregations assembled at St. Pat ricks where the decorations were palms, ferns and crotons grouped with in the sanctuary, the altars being a (sg tions. roses and other choice flowers. At the 7.30 and 9 o'clock low masses the church was crowded and large congregation assisted at the solemn high mass at 1O.SO, when Rev. Thomas A. Grumbly was celebrant, Rev. Will liam F. Cavanaugh deacon and Rev. Hugh Treanor sup- deacon. The Christmas sermon was by Rev. Father CaVanaugh from the text Glory be to God in the highest and peace on earth to men of good will. The preacher pointed out how the joy of Bethlehem can Nbe duplicated in the lives and hearts of those who receive the visit of the Christ-Child worthily, with faith, humility and spiritual ardor. Boler's string orchestra of eight pieces assisted in the elaborate musical pro- gramme arranged by Choirmaster F. L. F'arrel which was sung with pre- cision. volume and harmony. As recessional, a former favorite tenor Roderick F. Sullivan, now of Boston, sustained the solo part in the majestic hymn of the ancient church for genera tions, Adeste F'ideles, the chorus sing iEg being excellent
 At the close of the mass Rev. Father Grumbly gave benediction of the bless ed sacrament On account of the length of the services the afternoon Vespers was omitted.
 St. Mary's Church.
 Christmas day was ushered in at St. Mary's church with a high mass at B3O o'clock. celebrated by Rev. John Il. Fitzrna urice- The attendance was exceedingly large.
 The altar was handsomely decorated | with evergreen and holly. which with cut flowers and numerous lighted can dies gave the same a joyful effect. in strange contrast to the sombreness of the advent season which closed Sun l day. The altar decorations were in l the hands of the Sisters of the parish l and were much admired. IS wore the ropes of evergreen draped from the l gallery sectoin throughout the church. |
 The singing was by the full choir at this service, senior and junior branch l es, which showed preparation and like | wise added a joyous tinge to the early morning service. The 7.30 o'clock mass oNfa nxr Fat