The New York Herald Newspaper, December 26, 1870, Page 6

8 Churchly Commemoration the Coming of Christ, PEACE .ON EARTH, GOOD WILL TO MEN, RISTMAS. of Songs of Love and Adoration---Sermons Full of Counsel and Admonition. Handsome Decorations—Delight{al Music— Eloquent Discourse: ious Observance of the Festival in the Metropolis and Elsewhere. ‘The great festival of Christiantty—Chr stmas— was honored yesterday with all the pomp, circum- stance and surroandings that could add brilliancy and beauty to the houses of divine worship. When “the brazen tongue of clamorous time” announced the arrival of day chimes of joyful notes rang out upon the air, announcing to the world the “glad Audings of great joy”? which were brought them, Jn all the churches the gifts of nature m flowers and evergreons added to the artistic array of lights, and accompanied by songs of joy and praise, gave fll expression to the gladness of the Chris+ tian hearts, It may be safely said that the festival was more universally reitgiously henored erday than it has been yu many ye: ‘The churches were more nume- Tously attended, the services, 1f possible, more solemn, th» sermons more forcibie aud the generat observance more appropriate. Below will be found reports of the services and sermons, whicn are somewhavout of the ordinary run, and will be found ‘W be bot interesting and instructive, CHURCH OF ALL SOU . A Christmas Sermon by the Rev. Dr. Beol- lows—Popery and Pagavism—An loterview Between Our Lord und the Pope. A ‘fashionable congregation gathered yesterday morning at this temple of liberal Christianity, who were bent on hearing a Christmas sermon, A merry Christmas! What a bright Christmas morning! Such were the greetings that passed between those who met at the church doors, and when these excla- mations emanated from the femaic owner of a@ pair of bright eyes, a musical voice and a countenance beaming with youth and beauty, it warmed the heart of the youthful gallant (we suppose the case) to whom jt was addressed and made him think that it was a bright Christmas morning indeed. ‘The pastor of the church—the Rev. Dr. Bellows—ig the possessor of a highly intelligent countenance, which bespeaks the sympathy ef his hearers, and he seems to have all the qualifications and acquirements that make @ popular preacher. Tis eloquence is of the highest order and Mews with ease and natural. ness, He NEVER AIMS AT SENSATION, but rivets the attention of the congregation by his quiet carnesiness and faultiess clocution, Tne theme of bis interesting discourse was based on Luke, 18, viil—Nevertheless, when the Son of Man cometh shail He find fath on eartn.” He began thus:—-It seems probable that the Aposties and their immediate successors really expected that Jesus Christ would soon return to the earth, to judge the world and to extablisn a visible kingdow, But learned and inoughfnl men, asa rule, have long ago abandoned ths fantastic expectation as notin accoraance with ine general plan of God’s providen more has it appeared that the Gospel was designed by God, its author, to Werk slowly and by various mcthoUs—-notin the erection oj & triumphant esta usiment called “the Church;” nob in the magnifies. won and DEIKICATION OF THB NAME OF CHRIST; Dut in the mierest and service of humanity aud the improvement of the race in intelligence, virtue and happiness. J is by putting everyibing in a pew ligiit, continued the speaker, adding new motives sud Dew meammgs to ail Tue Permanent effices and necessities of human life, that Christa and s' a thenand at the gates of the ont, Where Curisiianity and heathenisia sitll pefore inem a Cireasstal hsees as le looks upon Jin the slave market? slave, Whatis to tat the uman creature ex pos Thank God Wat We cannot to-day And an instance rhome) The heathen sees nothing shocking in Aug this image oF God up for She is no 10 him. She 1s fair to see, aud will hant take her to an indo- sure and make her his » Christian thinking of as side’ Here, beneati all that heathen b h this | posed limbs, is a human soula | ing, a child of God, a possibie | v Uextibit the transtorm@a- under Chrisuap influence more tuts brut Mashing face moral and sf iltserple of Chr uon of humad than the revolution of sentiment in respect to the true worth of every human being, Independent of eX, age, color ane climey Supposing the dream of the 3 ulists reallzeu in the ACTUAL PERSONAL APPRARANCE OF JESUS CHRIST, tus His eighteen hundred and seventteth fo answer His of Man cometh What would be ing im person to- nm the Holy earth s hday, Reve n question, shall He find fait ? His verdict? Imagine tim ¢ . Peter's, In Kome, hun who the upon shoulders nin bis sacred char, amid a proces. Kou Of priests clad in purple, with a graad and gor- weous array of ecclesiastical pomp, wit incense Smoking and thousaads of people prostrate as t fore a coming God; and as he puts on his trip crown, sparkling with diamonds, TH NAZARENE IN HIS JEWISH GABARDINE, with naked feet and bare head, waik up to the grand altar where His real blood and vedy are about to be eaten and drank, and hold a@ public © with his alleged Vicar on the condition and pros scts of his religion in the werid. What wii the Yepe say about “the faith on earth’? which his Divine Master is in quest of He must needs c plain that bis estates, his power and induence h. uwindled since the triumphant day fer the Church when the Pontis’s fool was on the neck of kings, uatil one of the secoud rate monarchs, the King of Tialy, was strong caough to drive nim out of the email remnant of dis semporat dominion wid shut him up iv a mile square in the Leonine vity. Somehow—ne m needs say under the Juspiration ef the devil had get i into leads that Chu and Stale were very oilers way aod must be divorced, ie world had come to the infanous xe Ohureh Was simply a Chure N AND NOT UNIVERSAL, refused to entertatn the excl a- ‘allibility, and Chat tn couse- rung up: ab HED ANTICH HIST had already i kings und popes, orders of hobilily and rgkts of primogeniture Im America, und Was fast spreading its soctal and polttical here- sies over Durope and Asut His excommanications, before wyigh eiuperers once trempied, wiikent power bive right of quence Protestantisy to frighten a weil taught childs iis « ation of Au faliibility, the laughter of Christendom. Is not the | Viear of Chitst hound 10 say to his great Original hat pis ednence 1s failing i the World; that “the faich’’ 18 in dey and “tae Cburen” tu rate Would Jesus Christ believe hiux? Let the Son of Man turn from this great EPI TATIVE OF CMNRCW MILLINERY er He Wed. Let biim call the dd foet—a Duudred milion ible in their Lands aad hearts; -with the open the COMMON 4 kis AOOLS OF ini DI AMERICA on, the | the Lora’s ndments, arid who know and and the history of ali this be pr set, & Vindwat pubis anc ALARMS OF THE PAPACY. Woapid not Jesus Olirist aay, Now js the Sun of Man giorified; He fas sound {ai on te Barth on its comog? America is among Cliastian vations what ibe Jews were among the pre-Christian uatiovs. American Christianity may Lave been narrow, need- dng inore light, put it was pus Jrom the etart, and dt Bada virgin bemisphere to start im What rel doa we bave in America we mean shal! be practical. ‘e want our Chisuauity iv ow Zearts aud lives, it our wade aud commerce, Dour politics and pt sure, The Knglish @hurch, so tree aud novi one end, 80 superstitious and heatuen ap the ober table ofc wraphy of the Hol ‘idea counties | mi of Man t n of Sis NEW YORK HERALD, MONDAY, DECEMBER 26, 1870. babe in Bethle- and seventy years ago, was born a hem |” THE SWEDENBORGIAN CHURCH. Sermons by Rev. Chauncey Gilew=God’s Friendship for Poor Humanity us Shown in the Creation—Chrisv’s Incaruation and Infi- nite Love for Fallea Men, ‘The followers ef Emanuel Swedenborg, and many others, yesterday morning crewded the Taber- nacle, In Thirty-fifth street, near Lexington avenue, to listen to the Christmas services of the pastor, Rev, Chauncey Giles, The church was plainly but taste. fully decorated with evergreens, and the congrega- tion in attendance was quite Lirge. ‘The pastor took for his text Luke IL, 19 and 11—"Behold | bring you good tidings ol great Joy, which shall be to all peo- ple; for unto you is born this day, in the city -of David, @ Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” In these words the angels announced to THE AWED AND TREMBLING SHEPITERDS the grandest event In human history—the comtng of Jehovah on the earth, The fulness of thune had come; the goal of all prophecy was reached; tne preparation of the ages now culminated ina com- plete work; the divime became embodied in the hu- man; the Alpha became the Omega, the first be- came the last; the end of thd Lord's descent into nature and ultimate form was reached. Man bad jalicn to the lowest deep from the heights of his perfection; the Lord had now come to him to reseue bim from the hands of his enemies, and to lead hin back w Himself, The crisis is past. Henceforth throughout coming time poor, wandering, ensiaved, dying bumanity is Ww begin the ascent, Mis dead Taculnes, like the DRY BONES IN THR PROPHETS vision, begin to stir; the walls ot his prison begin to crumble; his Chains joose their hola upon hin light begins to visit his sightiess eyes. The whole bedy of humanity lay like one whose LIFE 18 TREMBLING IN THE BALANCE, going, coming, Mutiering, fading, reviving; the Lord came im the critical moment and put into the seaie of life the preponderating influence. When the: Saw that help was provided, that man was saved, there Was occasion for them to make ali heaven sing with hallelujahs of glory to God in the bigh- est, and on earth peace and good will to men, ‘The speaker dwelt eloquently upon . THE LORD'S INCARNATION, ‘The Lord is love and wisdom itself. Itts the na- ture of love to create; it Is the source of all power; it ts pure vital force itself; 1t is active, irrepressible and symbolized in those invisible and weightless agents which flow through and move to action all material things. Love does pet act at randon; it has @ purpose, an end; it 1a an essential element of its ature to become embodied in something out of and distinct from itself, that tt may give itself to oshers to be their own—to hold, to have, to enjoy. ‘The Lord consequently has embodied himself in the creation, The material universe 18 His love and His thonghes embodied in form, * * * The Lord ts within aud betine the visible worlds. Light is HIS SHINING ROBES, the stars are the brilliant gems in its folds, the earths are the fine threads of which it is woven, Wie suns are the vetl of His face, and their light the glory of His wisdom shining through. ¢ Lord has foiedy 4 been in the creation. He canno* be separated trom it, The pastor beautifully traced the creation of plants, vegetables, &c., and showed that, commenc- ing with the lowest, God ended the creation with man, made in His own image; He gave hin a higher and more noble form, endewed him with A RATIONAL MIN and gave him a higher form of freedom, Man Is the temple in which He dwells, and man is the fullest expression of the Divine character. Diverting elo- quently upon the preparations made by the creator Jor man’s Wants, the mimister declared that the Lord did ail for man that He could do to prevent his fall, to hom) him up. He met him face to face at every ste] his departure from Him, He restrained him, He watched over him, He left noth undone which infinite love could suggest and infinite wis- dom couid execute, He came according to all the methods of His working; 1¢ was the culmination of mre He had been doing from the creation, aud this is THE KRY TO THIS GREAT MYSTERY of God coming 1 the fest. The Lord comes down to man’s level; He stands side by side with him; He comes out from the Interior and invisible dwelling place to man’s senses; He walks with htm, talks with bim; He eats, drinks, labors and suffers with him; cures diseases, makes the lame to walk, and by 80 doing gains recognition and gets embodied in history and in human thought; He makes this fallen human nature which He has assumed THE GRAND BATTLE FIELD OF THE UNIVERSE. In this human nature He stood between man and his enemies; He stepped to the front of the battle, and, like David, with the smooth stones of His own divine trath, He smote the Goliath of man’s spiritual enemies, Thus He restored man to spiritual freedom. Bat He was deing another work— He was glorifying the human nature which He assumed by means of Mary. 1 human nature, the Son, was becoming one with the Divine nature, tie gPother, Thus the great event announced in the us of the text, while it marks the turning period fa buman history, and 1s the final effect of jove and wisdom, ts taken out of time becomes an eternal tru As we plate the grand event we can pt it as true. There will never come a period in the were of any created soul who acknowledges the Lord, when he cannot take up the words of the angel and say 0 every other soul, “Behold 1 bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. Fer unto you Is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Clirist the Lord, contemy ST. JOSEPH: CHURCH. Sermon by the Rev. Father Clancy. The handsome church on Sixth avenue under the pastoral care of Father Farrell looked very bright yesterday. Ou the high altar was placed a statue of the Virgin, surrounded by pencil jets of gas, ‘There were flowers and evergreens. Above the columns embowering the altar was the motto, in evergreens, ‘Glory be to God on high,” and around the galleries, in the same material, was written the angeis’ warn. ing to tie shepherds, “for this day is born to you a Saviour, whois Christ the Lord’? The congrege tion was of the SOLID MIDDLE CLASS, and was not wanting in bright, happy face, end comfortable, well-to-do exterior. ‘The mas ine was oue never before performed in this country, is arranged for four voices, and is the composition of Signor Tiberio Natalucei, It abvunds im beauties, and is, perlaps, much of the dra- matic kind wow much in yogue, Tne Gloria is powerlul, and gives some tine opportunities to the bass and soprano. The #t Jnvarnatusia a very siveel soprano solo, Sung with telling effect by Mme, Passions are cooled down, unt!! they are old; but Who can tell that the snows of age will cool the furnace of passion, and that at last they may not be called away inthe midst of @ revel without so much a# @ handwriting on the wall? But God is ASE, He waits lovg aud patently for his debts; ere NO BANKRUPTCY BETWEEN GOD AND MAN. So this day, though one ef mirth, becomes one of thoaght as we grow older. It 1# a milestoue on the road of life. It brings back tho shadow ef absent friends, of the faces of the dead; it tells us we are growtng old and passing away, and, with our feet Planted in the shifting sands of time, we K “Whither are we drifting ?’—to an eternity of piness or one of misery, Let us humble ourselves, therefore, before that humble crib, and we shall find that as His small voice comands the Heavens and the Earth, so will our huimbie prayers be magnified in the sight of the Lord. Then shall we be Milled with a pure and hely joy, aud when you wish @ wget roorry Christmas, Tis maxims, i followea, wiil secure not only that, but, through Mis grace, o happy New Year. ST. CHERESA’S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH. Impressive ServicesEloquent Discourse of Rev. Father Flauery~Splendid Defence of the Pope’s Temporal Power—A Suot at Freemasons. ‘The imposing Catholle edifice corner of Rutgers and Henry streets, known as St, Theresa’s, of which Rey, James Boyce Is pastor, was thronged af all the Masses yesterday. At hulf-past ten o'clock the ser- vices were particularly impressive, a solemn high mass belng offered up, Rev, Father Boyee acting a3 celebrant, Rey. Father Vitalian as deacon, Kev. Father Hogan as sub-deacon aud Rey, Father Me- Cauley a8 master of ceremonies, The high altar was beautifully decorated with a choice selection of naturaP fowers, while the pillars and galleries were tastefully wreathed in evergreens, St. Theresa’s church bas probably one of the most select cong: gations in the city, and the attendance at late ser- vices yesterday was highly respectable and fashion- | able, The music was under the charge of Mr. J. 5. Gleason, the taiented organist of the chureh, and | was conducted with much artistic ability, After the first Gospel, Rev, Father Flattery as- cended the altar and delivered @ most linpressive and ¢loquent discourse on the topics suggestive of the great fesuval of Christmas. This gentleman has achieved @ high reputation as an orator, as well as being a most accemplished scholar, and his dis- course yesteraay gave full evidence that this reputa- tion has not been overestimated. After dilating at length upon the prominent topics suggestive of the great festival he glided into some BEAUTIFULLY POINTED REMARKS as to the Papacy and its temporalities, Me stizma- tized in scathing eloquence the vandal attack which had been made upen Rome by Victor Emmanuel, calling him the Hered of the nineteenth eentury, and prophesied that «ll dynasties which interfered with the rights of the Pontiff would inevitably end im destruction and decay. He also con- trasted the condition of Rome anterior to its capture by Victor Emmanual and the aspect of that city at present. Now the tramp of the war horse, and the blasphemous tongue of a ribald and licentious soldiery had taken the place of the + matin song and we beantiful chantings of the Ave Maria, Fatuer Flatiery logically proved tie audacity of the attempt to rob the Pope of his tem- oral douinions, aud remurked that the Itahan King’s action Was open as much to condemnation as that of any individual who JUMPED UPON THE ALTAR from which the reverend gentleman was speaking and stole therefrom some of the ornaments which had been given to decorate the house of God by some inemver of the parish. In the discourse of Father Flatvery he also condemned Freemasonry m_ bitter terms, and drew a vivid picture of the calamities waich it eutailed opon Catholic at's ticularly at the hour of death. No more despondent or despairing dying sinner was there to be found than the Catholic Mason, and no MORE DIFFICULT TASK had the priest to perform than fo prepare that indi- vidual to meet his God after renouncing Masonry and dispel frem his inind those harrowing sepsa- tions, ‘The reverend gentleman conciuded a most unpressive sermon by exhorting his hearers to enter into the spirit of Bethlehem, and then they might heartily exclaim, “Glory to God on high and peace on earth to men of good will 1?" ‘The services were then proceeded with and did not conclude until after one o'clock, Solemn ves- pers took place at four o’cleck in the aiteraoon., NEW ENGLAND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, Christmas Sermon by Rey. Merrill Richard- sou—Che Light and Beautiful Puases of the Mission of Christ-Glad Tidings ef Great Joy to All. That gladdest time of all the year—Christumas Day—found in no chureh in the eity more litting or tasteful commemoration than in the New England church, ¢ oruer of Madison avenue and forty-seventh street. Evergreen and ioral decorations mingled their dark and rich emerald hues with the most dei- feate tints of the rarest flowers, About the pulpit and the organ THE FLORAL DISPLAY Was Amost heauteous and complete parterre, and the sweet incense of their delicious perfumes im- parted a most grateful fragrance to the whole cx- pansive interior of the ‘red edifice. These Now- ers were most artistically wrought into bouquets, baskets and wreaths, and eviuced in their extent and arrangement the most charming grace as well as profuseness, As usual, there was a CROWDED CHURCH, onky yesterday morning it standing the mtense cold and ing winds, more than usual. Waue the congregation were coming in Mr, McRae, the } secomplished organist, piayea an exauisite yolun tary on the organ—a lively and almost merry piece », Which to play on any day but this merry | ry would seem, especially to New England thelr modern liberahty and pro- stili some old Puritan notions of ! notity clinging to them, ab once | appropriate Co the solemn sanctity of the Youth, was, notwith- pieakly eddy- Ko. allogether appropriate to this oceasion. Mere sub- Gued, but still breathing a spirit akin to the same sentiment of heartfelt delight, was the anthem “Hark | the Herald Angels Sing,” sung by the chotr. Jt Was most superdiy rendered by Miss Mosher pustataing the soprano pari, Miss Macomber the alo, Mr, Alain the tenor and Mr, ¥ Martinez, ‘The Sanctus—parucularly the second part, “Hosanna in Excelsis!’—ts very exquisite, but light and almost dance music. Mr. Martimez did full justice te the orgun accompaniment, Father Farrell was high priest, aud the sermon was preached by the Rev, Father Clancy. He first al- vended to the collection about te be made, and premised tuat pil the collecuons take yesterday in the diocese were for Une erphans. St. ‘Joseph's congregation had done Ms duty nopiy, vr is something i the name of orphan which touches every and mother, and at this happy ume jew could turn away from the orphan's need. It often requires peculiar —_ discrimi- nation to kuow on what object our charity should be bestewed. Individual charity often works more harm than good, for at times it serves but to foster vice and encourage idleness. In this instance the case is reversed, take the erphans from the haunts of vice and crime and eh them the secret of labor, their duty to man aud telr duty to God, The text was trom the epistie of the day, “Our Saviour came to teach us te vt aside impiety, that we may live justiy and thoughitally and possess the long-expected hope.” PIETY means clarity.’ Originally it denoted only the affec- tion which cluldren should have for teir parents; now li is the Jove which We express to the great 4. but how are we to distinguish between pious and the impious?) What is the lug of ual pietyr We cannot manage our dislikes as We please. Shouid you ask a child if the meaning oi the commanament whicn tells dim to honor his father amd his mother ts that he sould dod his hat when he meets them, even the child wit laugh at yo No, When we say “honor? | we mean love and duty and obedience, | MEN ARE OLDER CGILDRE -bubthely duty is the sameto God. The preacher then yelated the parable of the two sons—te one Who promises to obey aud falls to do 80; the other who gruify refuses, but finally repents and docs his old father’s wil’ Christ peadeifully asks, “Whict 1s the better one?’ The love of thé ove is oaly a sentimental one, With the real force to carry bis | Jove to practice, the other letung it beat unheard against Nis first sentiment until w deeper tuougit ‘calls fort lis sense of duty and filial love. He Was the jatter one. So with OUR HEAVENLY FF Rs + Is “not those who ery Lord! Lord! shall be suved, but those who do the will OF my Vatuer who is Iu Heaven.” This may pol appear to have much in common | with the greai .estuval we celebrate, but It has, For | our lirst dutyJs to love and honor Him who was ; bork fis day ju the lowiy manger at Betnichem. We recai! and re-read that lovely story of the shep- herds and the angels. Westrew around the palm as if we expected His coming again. We snatch a joy j irom the dying moments of the paseing year. Juinty lingers deck 1s temple, and we give IN HEALTHY COARITY alittle fromonr stere. But the best offering you can Giake 1s to show by your love and by your Ilte how you appreciate all tie fas done for you. He came to redeem tie Werld from sin, te mediate and ED \ ube Roman Charch, so pagan iu what 1¢ deems ifs most Christian part, but Olyisen only in Usk good works apd ite love of the r—these are sirty ing to resist or supplant the natiye Christianity of tue Jund; but thelr eforts will not avail. ‘she reverend genueman concluded with this biess- ing:—“God bless We jife that communicates nsell ae a from Win who Use dar giguionn Awudsed | | explaie for us, Let the sintul among ns, then, turn | to Hin, How inaoy Wil answer i asked to repent, “{ DON'T FEEL LIKE 1 TO-DAY)? day they deler. Hxpostulate with them will, acimit all; will tell yeu they can’t siness standing tn society or some otRer awe Ver a ae Wi Dhey Wad Want UG unew Fro mo te the} Followlag this were reading the ing by the congregation, whe East? enthusiasm tat is atonce grandly worship ful and ispiriag. Before commencing te deliver DHE SERMON Rey. Merrill Richardson announced that in the eveumg ne Would exchange pulpits with Rev, Dr. | 4. PB. Thompson, of the Broadway ‘Tabernacle, and | preach 1 the latter church, and Wat on next Sun- day morning he would preach a "New Y ser mon.’ His sermon yesterday was a mas sermon,” and @ rarely — ciequent conrse it was—replete with all fis accus- tomed impassioned style and copious energy of argument and iMlustration, His text was Luke it, 20- ehoid, 1 bring you glad tidings of great joy, Which shal be to ail peopie.” Lhe virth Of Ohfist, Ne began, Was announced by angels. ‘The news spread through the reauns of buss, and in- splred a new song of praise, After an eloquent exordium, urging ‘that upon this day, in comme- moration of the birth of Christ, they should consider These glad tidings, his first point was that any authentic news from the other World 1s of momens tous interest Lo men, 48 there a life beyond this lite? What is it aud how is it related to var Lite { here? BEFORE CNRISTS ADVENT oracles Were Consulted and varlous means used to obtain some clear voice from belind the y ‘fhe sae, tu substance, is done io our day. i, now, God should speak by a@ living voice, what tidings: couid be orsucn ivterest¥ Let the whole dome ot night ve lighted op, wd its brightest star guide the shepherds to the spot! These tidings are authentic. They speak to the reason and the heart, and they are’ glia tidings. ‘They eli us that good and fis merey is plentiful unto ail This Gospel teaches no limited ator it or par- tial grace, It reveals God as uature reveals Him, giving tue Sun aud the rain alike toallmen, A special evidence which Christ gave that He came from God Was that to tbe poor the Gospel was preached and the door opened to the captive, Nose were excluded. Aretiinedes s: iveme a stand. point, and with imy lever L can move the word?’ Yhe people were Cliist’s standpoint, and He has moved Ul id, ‘The common people can Judge Teligious truth as well as the most intelligent, A M and a Jolin knew it better than the Saphedrim, The learned may be authority in phy- not positively sacrilegious. But it was deemed 1 | atan end? Had not the hand of God been in the matter in some | God ts | can save till the will snbmiss to God's will. It 1s glad news, for it shows how deep God 1s Interested in us. God so loved the world that he gave his only begot- wn son to die for us, This is the grace we need; it the love we crave. The heart responds to this revclation of God in the flesh, He dwelt at length, and with the cogency of irre- sistible argument, on this point, and then proceeded to consider the liberty which the Gospel brings to men and to all people. There was no Raman mas- ter in religion. “Judge ye not your own selves what is truth? Christ allows no buman anthority over conscience, No priest or prelate or has a right over coneclence. Some nations are seeing this truth of God, The demand is, religion Irom the State and commit it to the people. Why, if Christ had come under authority of the Sanhedrim He could have spoken no gla’ tidings, ‘To-day, then, we will join in the anthem of Heaven:—*Glor: to God in the highest; on earth e, and Go.l’s will to men? In return for these Gospel udings he urged that they should devote life anew to the service of ‘Hin who, though rich, yet for our sakes became poor, that we, through His poverty, might be rich.”? Rich in faith and hope; rich in this abounding grace of God. Ours the duty to make ‘nls Gospel glad tdings to ali people. The serinon, of which the above 1s only a very Teagre abstract, was listened to with the most earnest attention, The exercises clesed with prayer, singing the Doxology, and benediction, Scattered ; about in the pews Were printed announcements of 4 course of scientific lectures on Creation,” by the pastor, on the Friday evenings of next month, at the choreh, A ripe and rare scholar, having few equals in this country, there can be no doubt of the highly interesting character of these lectures and of a large atiendance, CHURCH OF THE MESSIAH. | | | The Mission and Exact Position of Christ— Sermon by the Rev. Mr. Hepworth. ‘This now favorite resort of the fashionable church. goers of Murray ill was crowded yesterday as usual, by & congregation apparently as zealous and devout as one could wish for, Mr. Hepworth’s text was taken from Matthew xvi., 13:—Whom do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” He began by saying that the question which Christ put to his disciples so long ago men have been putting to each other ever since. It was hard for those who Jooked the carpenter’s son in the face and talked with him to b ‘lieve that he was anything more than an ordinary man. And yet nothing is more evi- dent than that Jesus claimed aa authority far tran- scending that Whicb obtains with common human- ity, and the record tells that the Jews more than ve took up slones to stone him because he gave the impression that he and God were one, That he did lay claim to be an ultimate authority and in some Way connected with man’s redemption no one can deny. His exact position in the scale of being jas been. A QUESTION OF DISPUTR ever since He was cradied in Bethlebem. There are two classes of thinkers, both of them Christian, who look at what is called revelation in such different ways that it may be well for us to hesitate for a moment at this point. The first party is, compared with the great company of belivers, very small. They look at the moral education of the worid from the standpoint of naturalism. They are willing to admit that Jesus was greatest and most glited among the great and gifted; but credit Him with no More power and authority than belong to any extraordinary genius. When He is said to have worked a miracle they tell us that either the story or the fact is the product of the people's nnagination., Thus they are led to believe one part of the record which they can easily com- prehend, and to deny the other part, which teils hew Christ bade even the dead to come forth, and they oveyed his voice. THE BIBLE HAS A VERY SLENDER AUTHORITY for the naturalist, It takes its place among the books of philosophy, and that 1s all, for there cau be no middie ground, ‘The Bibie 1s either a Divine revelation, supernaturally conducted, or a treatise of moral science, With no more authority than any other work on the same subject. Next we come to the believer in a real revelation from God, and this belief is not merely a fuct of faith; it is @ logical deduction from history. God is a Being who 13 constantly interposing im human affairs, and who has religiously educated the world by ralsing up certain personages who have been our authoritative teachers, Christ came from heaven to deliver the will of the Father, and we believe that Christ knew of what he was spesking and was conscious of the Weight of His words when He claimed fer Himseif attributes which belong only to God. That He aid lay claim to a power equal to that which the Ai- | mighty exercises no one who accepts the record can easily doubt. This 13 THE POINT OF DIVERGENCE mysell. My sympatiies on this matter, so dear to every Christian, are very much closer with other bodies than with the Unitarians. I have little patience with men who are illing to prociaim their faith in Christ as their Saviour, On this day especiaily do I feel that {am more in concert with the great body of believers who accept Christ as the Anointed, the Messiah and the Final Judge of the world. I believe not only in the Book as the great great source of spiritual inspiration, but in Jesus as ny. asc Saviour, the very embodiment ef God himsel Look for a moment at the slender beginning of that system of moral redemption which is yet to embrace the whole world, When the divine Babe was man- gered in Bethlehem who could have dreamed of the | influence His life was destined to have? Only they { ‘who saw the star as it rested over His cradle were between the denomination te wnich I belong and | then | | paraileled, and the lesson was worthy a lon gesns was born and since that day the intellect of the globe has been ni LOOKING THROUGH THAT STABLE DOOR and bowing over that manger-cradle to catch the Warm breath of the newbern, The question in the text agitated Palestine from border w border. The uulversal reply was that Messiah was to be the son of David, but the rejointer, «If he was Daviit's son how did David cull him Lord?’ struck the Jews dumb, As there has never been a moment since the first Adam when the brain of his children ceased to think, so there has not been athrob of the pulse or the tack of a second fn which the brain of man has not been on the streton to measure aad comprehend the last Aduim, and tt still rings out THIS CHRISTMAS DAY, on the passing and into the coming ages. His (the Preacher's) theme Was Christ, who wW-day took up thought in every division, art in every school, archi- tecture in every style, poetry m every measure, his- tory in every page, song in every bar, intellect in every investigation, eloquence in every form and Worship 1p every faction, Christ comes out of ever; crucible all the brighter and more uisunet, Gravi- tation had Frito its theories, but Cliristianity, ax the centre of all moral gravitation, stil draw. all men into it Astronomy has often corrected its theories, but the Sun of Righteousness stili gees on. He (the preacher) had no patience with & man who sheers away the question, The greatest thinkers of all nations had been the humblest disciples, Eng- land's Milton, the world’s greatest epic, sat in dark- ness singing @ vision of his own eyes of the Clirist in sublimest strains; France's Fenelon and COLUMBIA'S WASHINGTON had given their pest love to Christ. Sceptica, ea- wayists, reviewers, have a dagger for Christ, but each im turn has pierced his own Mesh. Literary men the worid over confess that the grav question presented is putin the text, and that it ts maduess to disreyard it. ‘The age of sneering at the cliuns of Christ bas passed away, EXCEPT WITH FOOLS. Even Professor Seely in his “Keee Homo” is equi- Vocal, not daringly dedant. The reverend gentle- man then retersed in detail te the leading proposi- tions.in the book named, refuting tli and also Dr, Bushpell’s ratloualistic views; afler which he narrated the incidents attending Christ's birth, lite and death, proving them to be multiform proots of His Godhead. It was a matier of the very highest Importance what @ man thinks about Carist, by Mhat thought he forms his action; tat action forms: his live, and that lite SEALS TIS DESTINY. The reverend gentleman closed is eloqnent dis course by a glowing appeal to all to take hold of the Saviour; to strip Him of the swadding bands and robe Hii im the warm aifections of thew hearts, ‘and in conclusion trusted that by the sweet, pre cious, Saving power of grace, and under its intu- ence, every heart and every soul would be as merry as the merriness of Christmas and the complete love of God could make it, After singmg the doxology commencing ‘Glory be to God on high’? the cougregation dispersed, ex- ghenging merry Christmas greetings as they passed ow ST. PATRICKS CATHEDRAL, Pontificu! High Mass by Archbishop Mc- Closkey—Sermon by Very Kev. Dr. Starrs—Papal Benediction, At St. Patrick’s Cathedral yesterday Archbishop McCloskey celebrated Pontifical high mass, assisted by Very Rev. Dr. Starrs, Viear General; Rev. Father McGean as Deacon, Rev, Dr, McSweeney as Subdeacon, and Rev. Francis McNierney as Master of Ceremonies. The attendance was verv numerous, every seat being occupied long before the com- mencement of the services. The chotr of (us church rendered in @ creditable manner the ‘ass by Man- danici in G major. The principal parts were Xvrie, chorus and terzetto; Duminus Deus, soprano) = solo, «= sung) = With = much = expres sion by Madame home; Guin Sancie Spiritu, grand chorus ef thirty-five voices. Madame Chome, soprano; Mrs. Werner, alto; Mr. Groschel, tenor; Mr, Sobst, basso; Mr. Henry Schmitz, con- ductor, and Mr. Gustavus Schmitz, orgamist, jeintly displayed fine musical ability in their respective parts, and contributed not a littie to elevate the SOLEMN CHARACTER OF THE‘ SERVICES. Very Rev. Dr. Starrs, V. G., preached a sermon ap- propriate vo the occasion, and selected his text from the second chapter of St, Luke—“ And it came to pass that in those days there went out a decree from Cesar Augustus, that the whole world should be ea- rolled,” &c, The reverend gentleman commenced by alluding to the august occasion, and dilated at some length upon THE GRAND EXAMPLE shown to mankind in the humble birth of the Sa. viour of the world, He referred to the devotion of this holy time and the contemplation of the iufant Redeemer, who came among mankind poor and humble and clothed in the poorest garments, He adverted to the wonderful mystery which marked the birtlrof the Saviour, and proceeded to show that it was to Save man from sin and perdition that He so debased Himself, The example was une life study. In fine, the reverend gentleman besought the congregation to consider the WONDERS OF Gop's ALMIGHTY POWER, wisdom and goodness which on earti He had wrought for the love of man, to have firm hope and confidence in His rnmsend pein and mercy. At the conclusien of tne reverend gentieman’s sermon the services were proceeded with. Archbishop McVios- key gave the Papal benediction after mass, ‘The ceremonies terminated shortly after one o'clock, THE GERMAV: CATHOLIC CHURCHES, aware that A NEW EPOCH i in human affairs had begun. And when a man full | grown He went down to the sea and bade the fish- | ermen follow sim, and then farther on in His walks | gave the same command to & few poor arisans, who | could have dreamed that those seemingly humble instrumentaities Were to be the means, in God's | bands, ef uprooting old systems, of tearing down | moss-covered structures of ritualism and of estab- | ends of human lite? the mob and crucified, did not His reign seem to be Who could have forecast the luture? especial manner the whole work wouid have ended then and there, And because the hand, yes, and the heart, of God, were in it, we hold this Christmas festival, trim our churches with © the Father and the son, FIFTH AVEVUB BAPTIST CHURCH, What Think Ye of Christ@ Whose Son is He @=A Christmas Sermou by the Kev. Dr. Thomas Armitage. Yesterday morning this elegant church was well ergreens and | flowers, sing aloud our anthems of praise and bless | of Peace would send the | | Christmas Celebration at the Temple of the The congregations that atiend the German churenes have much need to pray that the scourge of war be taken away from their brovners and countrymen. At the church of the great and good old St. Nicholas, the friend and patron of all the "little __ ones, the usual masses of the day were celebrated. The churcl was handsomely and protusely decorated, and lishing something that would reach to the uttermost ; a little representation of the stable at Bethlehem And when He was arrested by | stood at one side of the mala altar. At the Churen of the Most Holy Redeemer, in Third street, there was aiso a miniature representation of the Nativity, an elaborate display of Mowers, natural and artif- celal, and numbers of vart-colored lights. ‘tne pious congregations flocked to these ea at all the Masses, and no doubt many an earnest prayer went up from a devout and anguisued heart that the Goa olive branch 10 the harassed nations. There was benediction of the most holy sacrament after the lash mass VINCENT FERRER, CHURCH OF Dominicans—Nativity of the Suvioar—Ser- mon by the Rev. Father Turner. At early dawn the elegant new church at the cor- filled by the usual fashionable congregation, but was by no means overcrowded. Though the Sun shone gayly In the heavens its rays imparted little the pinching coid, frosty wind which biew in fitfal gists down the thoroughfares, pealing forth a cheerfu) strain az the down the aisles, There was a look of BENIGN IAPPINESS on every face, and prior to the commencement of people Med of the Psalms had been chanted by the congregation the cheir sang a concerted piece very effectively, and the Rev. Dr. Armitage, pastor of the church, de- | livered a fervent prayer, in which he alluded to the many blessings which they had enjoyed since they | were assembled on a similar day, Dr, Armitage then the text--Matthew xxi, 42, | “What think ye of Christy Wh and preached ” masterly sermol The reverend | lis words were AGLOW WITH ELOQUENC and for nearly an hour he enchained of all his hearers, out, he was especially so tn lis conciuding remark: and every listener was visibly affcied by tec nestness of his nal appeal. He commenced by comparing man—beautitul, per- fect, complete, organized within and without, every limb, every feature, every member of his bony per- ct: formed in the dust, complete in the image of reated by God's love; yeb as unconscious of made unull God breathes into nis nosills THE BREATH OF LIFE and that power awakens the attnimtes of sens tion—to a splendid pti of mechaoiso thematically exact, mechanically — perfect Dbeautt ul in every respect, but motionless, deyoid of sensation, and totally uncol of its own existence, until some ariideial power, 1s applied when it will aggregate to itself immense ipluences and move with tremendous: force, plough trough the ocean, plunge into a Mounwwin or sweep across a country. One breath ol God's spirit and the mind of man has been in slew science, bub when lt comes to the truth of life PERPETUAL 3 Hicun decide, ‘I've missionary could do ive With | ever since—it has never stopp This curious, our systems of divinity, bul much with te mysterions, deatnless power 18 restless, etlereal, GOBERL OF CHRIST, divine. Its inception !s the measure of a Tt is glad news that the trutly of God comes to man | span; its consummanon {3 the boundless tntintr so thal the poor, the heavy-iaden, all the millious of | With soind, tis lowest formula 18 that the the world, can lind it and kuow it isot God. fe en- largea upon this topic of lis discourse, showing the eect upon the werld’s progress and history of Chriss mission on earth, wad then with equal earpestness elucidated his sevond proposition, which was, that & revelation #fuiure life the Gospel is giad news. Itshows (hat Go's Kingdom ts within Us—that We must reap as we sow. Kyvery one’s aracter contal Hes. Man will of bappivess or misery, Th tnflictions. Nota uttle of God’s worsl law will pass away. The wicked will be flied with thelr own de vices, and the righteous be satistied In tacmselves. ‘Yhis prinetpie of the next fe can be understood, ‘the gods et the pagans pardon and punish eapri- eciyusty, but within iivelf its rewards of penal- GOD 18 IMPARTIAL and yvithont variableness, His governme plung.*, Uluy the abed@ent ca» pe leaded, it will babe in the manger is a babe, that ope 18 one, that A is A. Its bighest formula is that the child born in, the manger is the Mighty God and the Prine of Peace. “What tink ye of the Christ?’ Whose Son is Hey”? 1t Was a matter of thoaght, and the thought was to know who this Bemg is. The reverend gen- Weman went back to the tune of Plato, the illus- trigus pupil of Socrates, four hundred years before Christ, and said the enlightened ages ot those centuries stood upon the brink of revesled trath, Just as achild without Knowing if makes a play- ihing of #& precious diamond, or & bind beggar treads upon A BED OF ROSES. They kept thinking on trom day to day, Jrom temple to tempie, from altar to altar, and yet they knew no God by wisdom. — Art, iteravure and science flo. rished; the world was at peace, civilization was AB Kerenc and Clear as a Kea Of Class; the World's ex- gentleman seemed Lo be inspired by the occasion, | Pr the attention | Impressive as he wae through | Digh | the handsome and spi his own creation as the clay out of Which he was | a, { ty and ner of Sixty-s.xth street and Lexington avenue was | yesterday crowded to the doors, Peritaps a more warmth, and all were attired in their sober and | comfortable winter garments as a protection from | \ an The organ wag | unpressive exhibition in honor of the great ocva- sion could not suywhere have been seen the metropolis, Jiluminated by thousands of cheerful lignis, which tor a long time repelled the advances of smiling Aurora; appro- priately decorated and filled to overtowing by a devout and earnest multitude, the he)y edifice pre- | sented an appearance such as ever makes the hely the services many a hearty Christmas greeting was | exchanged by those in neighboring pews, After a ; High mass was commenced at five ovciock in the selection from the recently introduced new version | festival WELCOME TO THE FAITHFUL, morning, and the grand ceremony was marked by all the solemnity characteristic of the Roman Catholi¢ Church. Tho fine choir, largely aug- mented by additiona! soloists, faterpreted the beaa- tulul selections with great ability, und when the joymul strains of the Adeste Ptieles Durst upon the ear just as the bright and lovely day appeared, | a feeling of religious delight, happiness aud grati- tude pervaded the assemblage, imen vowed tv ‘ayer. For a solemn spectacie on Ohristinas prning 1% could not have been surpassed, Ab succeeding mass the attendance was Jarge, but it was not until the mass, at hal-past ten o’ciock, that jous temple Joeked to the ue altar was very tastefuliy each equally very best advan | adormed and the cheerful rays of the Sun shone pleasantly through the grand Gothic windows, har- | monizing the variegated hues of the numerous ele- gant toilets displayed. The celebrant was the Rev. Father McGovern, while the Rev. Father Liliy oMe- | ated = as) deacon, and the Key, Father Dunne as sub deacon, A host of acoly- tes and assistants = surrounded the — altar, and when the ceremonics were begun the in it jor aspect of the building was Imposing in the extreme, The choral arraugements, under the rectlon of the organist, Mr. Charies Liauschel, | formed A MOST ATTRACTIVE FEATURE of the ceremonies. Generati'’s fue mass in G was | performed in a very creditable manner, ‘the chorus ) Was excellent and the goivists were un | good, The readition of Gounod’s 4 | Miss Fissett, soprano, at uke — offertory, | especially good, having beem given with | he Jeeing and expression which that beautliul composiion requires. ‘Lhe other principal artists ere:—Aliss Tracey, contraito; Mr, Frauzel, teuor, | and Mr, P. FB. sullivan, daritone; assisted by Miss Nolan, soprano; Miss Noonan, contralto; Mr. Marshall, basso, and Mr, Philip Biameuschela, violin obligato. Kreuizer’s ave Verum was most agrec- ably sung by Miss Fissett, Mr. Franzel and Mr. suili- yan. in dine, the musicai portion of the services reflected much credit upon the organist and his weli- tramed assistants. At the termination of tne first Gospel the Rev, Fatuer Tarner preached an eloquent sorion, taking his text freim the second chapier of the Gospel according to Si, Luke and alluded to THE GREAT EXAMPLE OF AUMILITY which the saviour had shown to mankind. He re- | ferred to the high price paid for man's redemptton, | and showed how it was incumbent paralleled humility of theigmfantJesus; to vearn to be poor in spirit in cousiteration of His voluntary poverty; to learn mortification self-denial in ba Of His sufterings, which Were all of kis own chotce. Iu the evening the church was again crowded to | | 0 grace | pevtency slaud cy Wolpe, mag deid his breaih~thep | excess, Mijard’s Vespers were periaswed, we obit ame 4 peers solo betng allotted to the baritone, Mr. Sullivan, Whose tine, mellow voice did it every justice. Alto- ether the Christmas celebration at St. Vincent rer’s Was solemn, appropriate and interestiag. BROOKLYN CHURCHES. PLYMOUTH CHURCH. Observance of the Festival of the Nativity at Plymouth Church—Evergreens, Flowers and SongeA Serm a the Joy-Prodacing Power of Christianly. ‘The Festival of the Nativity was celebrated tm Plymouth Church, yesterday with a latitudinananiany of ritualism that would have shocked the early Puri- tans of Plymouth, although the service diifered very ; Uttle from that of ordinary Sabbaths, The most richly iuminated red-letter day of the church was marked by a special foral decoration, and by anthem and song of appropriate mental and metrical har- mony. A Chiristinas tree, 80 tall that Its topmost branches hid the face of Miss Morgan, the new con- traito, and other feminine members of the choir, attracted the eye immediately on entering the church, and was an elegant hint that after the ser+ vice of the day Santa Claus could put it to a good use for suspending Christinas presents upon for the clildren of the Sunday schools. The Olivet stand had fir tree branches so eatwined around it as to give a good representation of A MALTESE CRO33, ‘and the minister's table had a stand upon it of dark green foliage, interspersed here and there with gerauiums of @ carmine hue, ‘the servi song, was opened by the “Song of the Angels,” an authem by Mr. Zundell, and winch, for operatic effect, could scarcely have been surpassed, One of the Choruses was strongly suggestive of the “Whisper chorns’ m “Les Brigands.” Mr. Rockwood, im the tenor solos, and Miss Thursby, In the soprano solos, di Unguished themselves, and taking into considera tion the zero condition of che atmosphere, inay bo said to be in excellent voice. Belore the sermon Mr. Beecher had sevgral an- nouncements to make, not the least important of which was the annual auction of the pews on tho evening of the first Tuesday in January. Attention was called to the printed diagram of the pews of the cuurch, which were to be found distripated. liberally in the pews, and to the desira- iuuty of those who intended to make any change taking them home with then study both price and location, The usual annual reference to the newspaper criticism consequent on the sale was deferred uatil next Sunday. he text selected was from the gospel of Saint Lnke, in, 10-11:—“And the angel said uato them, ‘fear not, for behold 1 bring you good Udings of great joy, watch shall be to all people; for unto you is born this day, mn the city of David, a Saviour, which ts Corat the Lora.’ Mr, Beecher began the elucidation of the text, and the expansion of the theme of his dis- course, which he designated “The Joy-producing Po, ev of Christianity,” with his asual careful reading from his manuscript of a number of well constructed sentences on the universulity of the obsérvance of Christinas Day throughout the civilized world, and then warming up to his subject he burst into ex: temporaneous flashes of eloquent rhetore, and dealt with the suggesiive thought that seemed ta arise 80 spontancously as to the influence ot Cnris- tauity upon the world. In answering the question, *‘What is Chrisdanity, itself?’ ne said that historically und beeen! considered At was a system made up out of the life aud teach- ig of Jesus Christ, that merely tells us where the name came irom. A larger study of it showed it to be asysiem developed by God, influenced and de- signed by God to educate the mind of the race to Its fuil capacity. The germs of this Christianity were With Christ, and as lilustrative and prophetic ot the sialiness of tue begumming he had said Lis king- dom was not of this world. Chrisuianity never was so imperfect as when Christ lived. Men talked about going back to the time of the Apostles. They maight us Well talk about going BACK TO ACORNS z to fiud the best timber tor the building of ships. The absorbing power oi Caristanity to encompass all tat was Werthy was lilustrated ey the reference to Paw’s Episiie te the Philippians, and the passage , “Whatsoever things are pure, and whatsoever | things are tne,” &c, but men answered to all this about Christianity bringing Jey into the werld, and said—*It was all very well for these flignty angels t¢ talk about joy, peace op earth amd good will to- ward men,” but what did te Master say:—"T' your cross and juliow Me;? “In this “world you shall have tribulations. ‘And then think of the crael wars, the persecutions, allin the name of Christianity,” said tuey. Weil, Christianity for all this was @ Joy; the chastising influences, the periods of suffering, were all trials and periecting processes out of witch joy came, Mr, Boecher bere gave @ number of familar illustrations as delineative of this trutu, among which Were the chiselling of the sculptor on the block of stone; the housewile’s Cleantiness and ucat- ness, the school pericd by which a biockhead was TRANSFORMED INTO A GENIUS. Iv was the law of the world that through suiering should come perfection, wnd pain was God's mid- wife, Which helps virtue into existence. No man takes a cross upon him for Unat which 1s splritual—it ts always for that wiilch Is animal. The cross is not taken opon hun for bis love, for his faith, but upon ius pride, his passion or his lower nature. 50 Chris- uanity gives the promise that a higher or more giorious future fs before it, and he (Mr. Beeener) thougnt that the sun of righteousness had gone a3 Tac back in its course ol winter in the world 2s It was likely to go, and henceforth we should be getting nearer and nearer to that glorious summor when Christianity would snine on all the nations with a jendent brigiiness than it had ever shone vefore, ven the Chiristinas Day was an embiom of tuis, forthe 2ist was the shoriest day; but on tie 2oth the first lock from e covering of darkness ad been won by the sun, and was brought back as a Wophy that the sun bad gone as far towards ine darkness of ihe days as it could go, and that we vad commenced our alinual return to the days of te rich and REFU! SUMMER. Ii they wished to see witat joy there was in Chris- Uanity let them look at the writings of the Aposties. ‘The most ilustrious literature on the glebe was that wich had been written by tue outcast Apos- lies, God’s vagabonds of the earth, Tne sermon was closed with @ reference to the hardness of the old times, hundreds of years ago, and tifty years ago, and Le the joys and privileges of the present, and the thankfulness we ought to feel in (his lestive season of the year for the joys aud privileges with, which we were surrounded. ST, CHARLES BROOKLYS CHURCH OF BORROMEO, Grand High Mass—Sermon by the Rev. Mr. Ronayne, 8. J. ‘The Chuwh of St. Charies Borromeo was crowded yesterday morning &t hali-past ten o'clock. There Was a grand high mass, and in addition to the ordi- nary choir the services of 2 wind and string band were secured, The music went effectively. ‘The altar decorations consisted of flowers, ever- greens and numerous lights, while the pillars and walls of the handsome and spacious church were wreathed in an appropriate manner. The congrega- tion numbered among if several of the clue of Brooklyn Cathollc society, Many Protestants and dissenters were also present, attracted, no doubt, by a desire to witness te solemmity with which Catho- lies celebrate and honor the great festival of Curist- mas. At the Gospel the Rey. Mr. Ronayne, &.J., of St Francis Xavier's church, New York, preached, inking Its text from that part of the sacred volume which recor!s the birth of our Divine Redeemer in the manger at Bethlehem—“Glory be toGod on high, and on earth peace to men of good will.” The reverend gentleman, who was frequently inandiple in the progress of his discourse, lowering his voree at the cads of semtences, ob- served that the last words of the Gospel of this day wore words by which ‘he angels signified to the worid the great event which to-day they celebrated. They were words ever sounding and repeated in every Christian country to-day by faithful folds. There was JOY REIGNING THROUGH HE WHOLE CHRISTIAN WORLD, Mea tricd to share in this universal joy. There were men among them who were not perfectly con- scious of the real power and source of this Christian They came in contact with men who were anl- ated With @ spitit of coldness, and who, at this Christmas season, evinced motives that are not re- ligious. ‘They made use of the joy which the Christ- ias season proclaimed to tac world as if it were & national joy—as if Christmas could be called a na- tonal anniversary. They studied only what pleased their senses, what amused them; but the great masa of Christians through the world had no such motive. ‘They went deeper into VHB SOURCBS AND CAUSES OF THIS JOY. The Christian Catholic tuth was the wrimate cause of their joy. Instiuctively and without refec- ton this joy ‘came Jorth tro the depth of their hearts. ‘There were many sacred memories cou- nected with that Joy~tie memories @f 1800 yours, and it came home to the true Ubrishan heart through THR INSTRUMENTALITY OF FAITH. ‘They tried to give expression to faith and good will in the spirit of the Catnolic Church; and of all these who were trae Christians and Catholics he asked to come to-day and kneel belore their Divine Saviour, aud that they might do this the mure efiee