Year: 1873

Sermon by the Rev. DR.. Hugh M. Thomp-
son-Christ and His Intimacy with
God-NO Man Sees God but Through
Christ-Through Christ Only Can We
Reach the Divine Presence.


Christ church, Fifth avenue and Thirty-flfth
street, was most appropriately decorated for
Christmas The entire length and breadth of the
building was crossed and recrossed with ever
greens. and the chancel and altar were festooned
with evergreens and flowers OF the choicest kind.
Directly underneath the organ and Immediately
facing the altar were the conspicuous words,
"Glory be to God on high," in jets OF gas, while
beautifully Illuminated star cast it's splendor from
over the altar.


The solemnly dark. yet beautiful, church was
crowded TO its utmost and the services were Of the
most impressive character.


THE TEXT
for the occasion consisted OF the first and second
verses OF the first chapter oil Hebrews:-'God, who
at sundry times and in divers manners spoke in
time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
hath IN these last days spoken unto us by his
son, whom he hath appointed heir OF all things,
by whom also he made the world" The minister
spoke OF the impossibility or the finite to under
stand the in1nite, and therefore no man could un-
derstand God because he had not seen Him, nor
could he see Him except through Christ the





stand so great and glorious creator as God unless
he had seen Him and been an eyewitness OF His
majesty and power. Christ had seen God and
therefore knew Him. He was the Son of God and
had dwelt with Him. and therefore He knew Him,
and what He


was true for 1t was given from the Father to the
Son, and mo man cometh unto the father but
through the SON."


Men, said the divine, must not doubt God be-
cause they had not seen him, for that privilege Is
given TO no mortal Yet, though we are as yet de-
MED the bliss OF seeing God the Father mortal
eyes have seen God the son. As to the Holy
Ghost better, probably, the Holy Spirit, every man
had that in his own breast, and to turn away that
godhke quality from one's


OWN SELF
constituted sin beyond forgiveness here or here-
after Ii Ike inviting an honored guest 10
ones house, and after treating him Ill kicking him
out OF DOORS Apology nor prayers could not COM
pensate for the wrong. Let none deceive them
selves: though we have not seen God, yet he
surely liveth and In time we shall know this, and
with our own eyes shall we behold him. Blessed
are they VINO wait not for this vsi0n but who have
seen and know God through Jesus Christ, our
Saviour and Mediator.


THE MUSIC,
which was all English cathedral, was fltly chosen
for the celebration OF the day, and the organ
praise and heads bowed In humble thanks that on
this day they were allowed TO celebrate the birth
OF Him who taketh away the sins OF the world.


SPECIAL ANTHEM
for the day was first rendered. after which came
the professional, "Hark, the Herald Angels Sing )"
anthem, LET Us Go Now Unto Bethlehem ~
"Shout the Glad Tidings,n occasional; "Adeste
Fldeles," offertory.


After the services were over between 300 and 400
persons partook Of the communion.


For those who saw lit to avail themselves OF the
opportunity an early service was held at this
church.