The New York Herald Newspaper, November 29, 1872, Page 6

GIVING THANKS, How the Great Day for Glorifying God and His Good Gifts Was Cele- brated in the City and Vicinity. en cs CEREMONIES IN THE CHURCHES. a ee The Sacred Rites of Thanksgiving in the Cathedral of St. Pat- rick—The Counsele Deliv- ered from the Pulpits. Sse ae ae oe THE FEAST OF THE FAMISHED. peta The Lame, the Blind, the Poor, the Out- east, the Sinful, the Imprisoned, the Unfortunate, the Homeless, the Friendless, the Orphaned Cheered and Comforted by Good Samaritans. — THE GOOD DEEDS OF A DAY. Roast Turkey Being Gebbled Up by Twenty Thousand Destitute Children in New York. Rena SCENES IN THE STREETS. The most thoroughly American of al) our holk | days ts Thanksgiving. It appeals to our strongest sympathies, to our pride of country and our pride ‘@f race, and awakens the patriotic recollections *fokien times. It brings before us the heart- Wrilling pictures and images of those early days ‘when the hardy and sturdy Poritans set foot from ‘whe stormy bosom of the Wintry sea upon the rock- ound shore of Massachusetts Bay, That hard, ‘old spot which first knew their presence was not éaviting to their consciousness, but the longing” for unirammelled and unpersecuted freedom in- ‘*pired them with the heroism that in the conduct ef asmall band of men and women has not found ate superior in any part of history. PAINT TO YOURSELF THE SCENE ™ the bitter midst of Winter; the dark, frowning | forests, skirted with cold, icy fringes of snow; the | rocky coast in the nearer perspective bare and G@exolate; the harsh, salt waves, dashing with a mourniul and chilling music like that of incessant ‘woe, and the sky lowering heavily, with cheerless eiouds, and you form a faint idea ef the dreariness and repulsiveness of aspect with which the borders | *f the New Worla—the El Dorado of their hopes— | ‘Gret saluted their gaze and bespoke the character ef their chosen future. Disappointmenf must have sickened their hearts at first, after listening to all | ‘the stories and promises of the smiling beauty and gorgeous plenty of the new land that further south had already been partly settled. But that | stern will which held them straight on in their course against the soft allurements of the time, in their #evotion to the ideals of their religion, inapired a sourage which led them to burst immediately into @be mysteries of that strange wilderness with axe and fire, and the cheerful sounds of their sturdy labor awoke the preiude of THAT GREAT ORATORIO OF CIVILIZATION, She mighty thunders and harmonies of which are mil] progressing in the full glory of its grand pur- pose as part ofthe scheme of the Almighty, That the grim fathers, who first showed in America the un- Sinching pluck which still is the pride of our true- dorn citizens, are in greainess the here-giants sfour history, 18.4 fact that cannot be disproyen, although nical disposition to laugh at their | Puritanical austerity is one of the features of this | tharming age in which we live. But scarcely less | i* the old-time feeling of se}f-gratulation—that our #ommon nationality can claim to have sprang | partly from this ancient stock of iron hearts and | Hoble souls—scarcely less is it present in us to-day, | Gespite the armor-of frivolity (hat men earry about | ‘with them in the crowd, than tt was fifty years ago, The landing of that small company of poor men aud women had a fur grander significance for | after generations thaneven the Day of Indepen- | dence, when the bells rang out so gladly the tid- | j music was the “Te Deum NEW YORK. HERALD, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1872. pe saeco e an renay Yor their in the rites; the women— leasant-Jaced, industrious Matrons and their ro- ast danghters, with white, roi arms bared— were at work, and how circled a group of urching with pe- cullar eagerness the labors that were ae gressing. If you wei there and observed closely you would have seen that most of those persons were dressed in their holiday attlre—even those who Were working wore over their pony 1 dag white aprons to protect them from soiling. In the “sitting room” are seated the grave “men folk,” talking stolidly of stock and of crops, A% last the hour has arrived; the long white table is spread steaming plenty and the ‘men folk,” with sudden, sueprising alacrity and jocoseness, seat themselves at the board with their wives and daughters and sisters. The matron and “the girls,” @ little flushed and furried from the kitehen, have smoothed thelr gowns and doffed their aprons; the little urchins with wide, bright eyes wider mouths, have all taken their places, and after the grace, with jokes and laughter and kindly smiles, the feasting proceeds. The twilight falls before the table is deserted; the air without the doors and Windows seems peculiarly mgstioal with movin aladows and strange suggestions of remembere: images; but within the fire glows with a ruddy heat that lights the placid countenances and the sober walls, The talk goes on with @ quict, sub- «ued accent of contentment and pensiveness, and still it grows darker without, At length the staid old upright clock on the stairs strikes the beeing time, and the house silent and dark alter al the eceupants have finished their prayers and gone to bed and to sleep, But the clock does not slumber, By day its voice is low and light; Bit in the silentdead of night Distinet as a pi footstep’s fall, It echoes sions. the vacant hall, Along the ceilings, along the floor, An‘ scems to say at each chamber door, Forever—never! Never—forever! THE BITTER AND THE SWEET. ‘The eve of Thanksgiving Day too a) saddened with regretful memories after the exu- berauce of joy and gratitude past. Theo we ponder on other days and dream of hearts that have been laid in the dust; but the steadfast pur- pose of life, the noble exclusion of weakness which Should form every man’s ideal can still hold the ascendency, and these moments are rich in their golden lessons of the past. The loss and vacancy ofdeath and failure make stronger the will that will press us forward to the accomplishment of tangible gain, There is no flock, however watched and tended, one dead lamb ts there; * ‘There is no household, howsoe'er defended, But hath one vacant chair, Yesterday's national memories were both sour and sweet, mournful and happy. Great, good and noble men have died within the year; one at this moment is on the verge of the abyss of dissolution, whose loss will be echoed in sorrow!ul tones throughout the world. Another appalling calamit, Jike that of Chicago has visited us with its dreade devastation and ruin, But peace, comfort, pros- perity, honor and industry have characterized the general condition of the country, and little more could be asked. The pans of the people that ascended yesterday must assuredly have come from full hearts and willing lips. to be AT THE INSTITUTIONS. The celebration at the institutions, public and charitable, in the city partook largely of & carnal nature, and the plenitude of good eating was, to say the least, astonishing. The friendless, the homeless, the crippled, the halt, the blind, the sick, the imprisoned—all seemed to have been pro- vided with good cheer, and, as will be seen by the following accounts, the number of hearts made glad by the kind hand of benevolence was certainly very great, and if thanks were not rendered for the blessings of the year they might well be for the blessings of yesterday. Five Points House of Industry. The poor and Nungry children of the Fourth, Sixth and Seventh wards assembled in large force yester- day outside the Five Points House of Industry, and crowded and jostled each other to ashocking extent in their anxiety to reach the tables in the dining hall, where a gratuitous Thanksgiving repast had been served for such as desired to partake of it. The regular exercises of the day were opened at two o’clock, when the children, some two hundred and tilty in number, of both sexes, who are regu- lar inmates of the institution, were marched into the upper dining room and ate of a bounteous dinner. The tables, thanks to the liberality of the rons of the House, were abundantly supplied h substantial food and delicacies, and the little ones scemed to enjoy the occasion heartily indeed. ‘They were of all ages between three or four «nd fourteen, and were really a handsomer and m: | iutelligent lookiag set of children than an equal number of children found at random. in our streets could. be expected At the close.of the repast the little brigade | of re: waifs were marshalled to the chapel, and pre eded to entertain the large number of guests and visitors with a series of songs, choruses, re tu be. amusements and accomplishments the children proved themselves exceedingly clever, more expe- claily in their singing. The proceedings were opened by the children intoning the Lord's Prayer, which they did ao i The next andamus,” which they saug in English with exceeding unity of voice and movement. The remainder of the after- hoon was spent m a_ similar way, and must have proved very interesting to the juveniles, Rev. George J. Mingins delivered a brief address during the day. The most tonch- ing sight of any in the building was in the hospi- tal, where minkature patients with attenuated ms were seen trying to enjoy a Thanksgivin, ck, and where convalescents thought that at leas! ‘on this oc terect thelr delicate little bodies in t Superintendent Barnard and ie, pastor and assistant superintendent were kept very busy all day. Hun- ‘8 strolied over all parts ofthe Mission. ) ssed their astonishment at the per- evident benefit of the system. and freely fection and 4nye.of liberty. It was the first act in the play. ‘We are now somewhat nearer the last act. SHE MODERN CELEERATION, It is simply and purely fitting about the a@sme season of the year in which this event oc- | turred, when the land is full with the gathered | harvest and glad with the joy of pienty, that the | House of the Good Shepherd. The girls of this institution, most of whom have been reclaimed from the dark byways of the great metropolis, and many of whom had not known the calm happiness of a home circle until they passed under the tender guardianship of the miid | Sisters of the Good Shepherd, were yesterday avout them were | About fifteen hundred boys were sui recitations and calisthenic diversions. In ail their } lece Of * is one of those exc @ay should have been customarily selected for the | gaqiy disappointed. ‘They had looked forward to Thanksgiving Day with anxious expectations, for on that day they had anticipated an innovation on | the monotonous routine of their everyday life “in common national rendering of thanks to that high- est Power, upon whom our finity or our ifinity, eur happiness or our misery, is acknowledged in all mythology and all gospels to depend. Since that old, bitter day of the arrival of the Mayfower— ‘that (reiicrait which now has more and better fame given it than ever had the one in which the search ‘was made for the golden feece—thia with each si eding recurrence, gained greater | and greater jificance and memorial dignity, un- | ‘Ul now it is laden with associations that exalt it in | grandeur and solemnity far above the expression oftongue or pen. The struggies, the triumphs, the rorrows, the joys of the nation, have each been evhoed in the deep-toned hymns, the solemn chants, the awful cudences of earnest prayers and | the accents of kindly words that have filled, the re- | membrauces of the day with myviad reverberations of that which has been, YESYERDAY IN THE City. But it is a pleasant thought cat most of the im- Pressions associated with the event are happy ene*. it is its characteristic that its purpose and gin call upon us to veil and drown all images and sounds of regret, sorrow and fear, and to let | the heart dwell altogether in the thankiul cham- | bers of praise, the inner temple of life, into which but too seldom it may retire oul of the tumuit and | turmoil. | Asif Nature were in coy unison with the joyful | Mapiration of the asion she yesterday was most bright and cheerful aud smitied with the briliiancy | Of Ashort-lived beauty. A clearer sky could not | have been wished tor; tie solt glow 6fits azure | depths almost deceived one into the thought that | ‘Tine had reversed too soon tis fatal glass and the gands were running backwards to Keep in counte- | Dance the memories in many hearts, But the air Was chilling aud siarp, and thick, warm clothing | hecessity. The streets were | ight faces wad sparkling eyes, and the pavements resounded to elastic and ligat- | /eurted steps all the day ioag. It wasstrange to seo | aii manner of people mingling as they paseead | aiong and to study the diferent sorte of expres- | sion on the many fuceg. The Judifference of the well to-do imdividual contrasts atrongiy with the | eager joy on the features of some ote who is poor | 3n purse, emaciated from hardship, il-cloied | from poverty, but warm, righ and bappy with the | emile of the gojden sun and the iaghad privilege | oflife, The thronge in the clarches were egual to those of any former Thanksgiving and were equally as interesting. As a general assertion it may truthfully be sald ‘lat the piety of J er. day has, | { day was wore wuiyersally sit than on any viher day in th The awfal and appointed — solemn) Olle every hh that beat within the grave shadows of holy walls, and ite earnest gieam of longing hopes lighted | every bowed head or upturned. face upen which | fel] the vays ofthe sun through painted windows, Bat p the chorus of devotion went up from | She sombre sanctuaries, In out-of-the-way nooks, | fet ug hope, as weil as in public of praise, Shere Wére siieut and singular ul mces poured Auto Lhe listening ear of our unknown God, i aH But the church wi hours siter the « came the groat feat ‘Tie was the dinner, Wag past, aud three ar four | of the bells bad first pegun | and cotermony of the ay, | vadigou and memory have | Ccomnecied tii tely with roast” fowl | and >2umpkin pics the old man with | Oe hive hair and the — bleared | the eye remembered with dre: She quiet torimionee are where at this time the ear Bre weeny peo nragl how the once aglow With roaring fires, the i Went continnaliy on; the lurkeya “wore, toaedny abd simmering On the spits; the “iat, generous pies More ranges jn wovie plenvy ou tne pantry #helves, | ‘amy recoliection how in } ug the hiis and groves, this covered deeply with areat,wide Kitchen, were | j the cloister by the water,” and many of the way- vard daughters of well-to-do and respectable pa- | rents, who have feit the holy influence of home, and who once were used to the earnest sympathy | of @ mother, the proud flattery of a father and the earnest attention of a brother, yes- terday gazed from their narrow windows iu the Asylum on the ruitied, troubled waters of Hell Gate, and reviewed again in imagination scenes to be expericneed no more forever. Their expeciations of a good time had fallen from their dizzy heigut; they had been forgotten by those who of yore had kindly watched. their wants and provided for thelr comiort, The good Sisters com- jorted as many as complained by telling them that they would probabiy naye their Thanksgiving dinner op Sunday It is sud to reflect on the fact that these poor in a large and muniticently charitable city like New York. if there is any reformatory institution in our midst that should be encouraged it is this, and too much cannot be done to make the new lives of these unfortunates attractive and happy. Home of the Friendless. Thanksgiving proved a brigit day im the history women have been neglected | fnous stuffing which remained on the table soe they had finished attested the faithful mannerin which they had done their tuanksgiving work, lied with a meal. The girls hada like dinner, which, judging from their merry pratile, they heartily enjoyed. St. Vincent's Home, One of the best charities im the city is the St. Vincent's Home. It is a great re- sort for boys, inasmuch as when hard pushed they can always find a substantial meal and @ cosey bed at a very moderate cost—five cents for each meal and five cents for lodging, ‘washing free.” The members of the St, Vincent de Paul So- clety do all they can to keep the institution in con- dition, and good Father Drumgoole is always on hand to attend to the wants of the needy ones. Yesterday of course there was a grand time and the dinner was a iree one, & good one and 8 well attended one. About ninety boys were seated at the tables, and it is needless to state that each and every one of them had all he wanted. The Father was ubiquitous and did all that lay in bis power to make the plates as heavy with good things and as palatable ag good season- ing could make them. The little fellows were in the best of spirits, and, {nang from the brighteyes that met one’s gaze and the cheery laughter that pine one’s ears on all sides, they had ne reason complain of their banquet. Ladies’ Home Mission. At the Ladies’ Home Mission, No, 61 Park street, opposite the Five Points House of industry, there were acenes yeeterday of rare juvenile animation and pleasure, mingled with the delighted satisfac- tion of peopie of more mature age, who rejoiced to see the littie ones so happy. Thanksgiving comes but once a year and the children enjoyed it very much indeed, Yesterday the chapel was filled with @ fine audience, assembled to to and admire the entertainment, musical and recitative. Superintendent Shaffer was kept busy, even to fatigue, in attending to the multhform wants and troubles of his little “loud of witnesses” to the benefit and beauty of benevolence, but he managed to direct both the chapel entertainment and the dining hall with excellent judgment, ‘This institution is controlled by the Methodist Church, and in addition to caring for the wanta of the 260 or 300 little ones who are regular inmates, about eight hundred ‘outside’ children from the siums and alleys of the metrop- olis were made glad by a good 1 pan kaaiving: din- ner and reflected the comiort which their experienced by the light which beamed from their eyes. The Howard Mission. About one thousand persons, of nearly all ages and of both sexes, were yesterday the recipients of Thanksgiving dinners at the Howard Mission | and Home for Little Wanderers, No. 40 New Bowery. Mr. Charles Cook, the Superintendent, had an ex- tremely buy day of it ooking to the comfort and answering the queries of visitors and in directing the order of exercises, Of the whole number there were 600 children /éted during the day, being the inside and . regular outside beneficiaries of the Mission. ‘There were entertained during the day and at night an additional assemblage of 400: persons, chiefly poor and widowed i Leper ytd ‘The afternoon exercises were opened by read- ing and prayer by Rey. Dr. Bidwell, followed b; addresses by Rev. Dr. Deems, Rev. Dr. Bidwell, Rev. Dr. Perry and Rev. George J. Mingins, These addresses were interspersed with songs by the regular inmates, some 200 in number, who exhibit admirable training. Many hundreds of persons visited the institutfon during the day and even- ing, merely to look on and enjoy the feeling that sullering hearts were being made glad. St. Barnabas’ Home. The youngsters who were cared for by the St. Barnabas’ Home had a right jolly time ofit. There was divine service in the morning, which was con- ducted by the Rey. Mr. Warner, and an hour or 80 | afterwards came the dinner. About five hundred chilaren sat down to the feast, and the way the turkeys disappeared was a caution to all the na- tives of Hungary. The carving waa done by ex- perts of the Home, and during the operation the little ones’ eyes followed every motion of the knives and torks with an cagerness that was ry comical. Every dish that was passed out an placed on the table became an object of general observation, and as the yot ster whose right it was, by reason of the plate being put be- fore him, to make an attack upon the great pile of tatoes and turkey and vegetables generally, gan the siege, every one of his companions riveted his eyes onevery mouthiul that the fork and the knile, too, by the way, selzed with an xiety that plainly told how they appreciated the situation, When every one had been served the general happiness was complete, and ‘The olatter of knife and tork, ‘That fei like tomahawks to work, became by far pleasanter music to the ears of the Diaunagers than the melodeon had been up stairs dnring the rning services, Several prominent members of the Episcopal Chureh were present to see that the children had a pientiful supply of everything in the eatable line. The Girls’ Lodging House. The Girls’ Lodging House, at 27 St. Mark's place, lent institutions supported by the Children’s Aid Society. The homeless and des- titute girl can always find a resting place within its hospitable walls, They have on an average about thirty-four lodgers every night, though there is accommodation for flity. Those that have any money pay at the rate of six cents for lodging and six cents a meal, but the destitute are never re- fused admission when there is room within the in- stitution, Mrs, E, S. Hurley, the matron, was quite busy terday looking after their comfort and enjoyment, At twe P. M. they sat down toa dinner composed of turkey, roast beef, ham, mince pic, <&c., which was furnished them at the expense of the Children’s Aid So- clety, the charitably disposed having forgotten the existence of such an institution as the Girls’ Lodging House, In the evening several ladies came in and played and sw td jor their amuse- ment, They were also indulged with a dance, and the inmates of those hospitable walis will long re- member Thanksgiving Day of 1872, Protestant Half Orphan Asylum. The Protestant Half Orphan Asylum {8 one of the many worthy charities with which our city abounds. Yesterday was a general holiday in this institution, and everything was done in the power of the managers to insure the amusement of the little ones in their charge. In the morning the children all went to Dr. Deems’, where, after hearing avery sensible address, suitable to their years, they were brought back to the institution. At half-past one they sat down to their Thanksgiving dinner, where everything of a suitable quality of food was rovided. A number of visitors were present, and it was really an interesting sight to watch tle 202 happy little faces that sat around the festive board, Turkeys, geese, mince pies, &c,, all disappeared like Magie, each of the orphans eae to be gifted with an excellent appetite. irs. Hudson, the ma- tron, watched over her charge with motherly car and prevented any extraordinary excesses on tl part of the youthful gormandize: They were given the evening to themselves, and the merry ring of their childish laughter gave ample evidence of the jun they were having in innocent amuse- ment. St. Joseph’s Home for the Aged, Thanksgivin, | no instance is this more fully exemplified than | among the poor okl women who reside in the St. of the childrea plaved under the fostering care of | 4his institution, located on Thirtieth street, be- tween Madison and Fourth aveaues, and those of | industrial Schools Nos. 1, 6 and 7, associated with them in the festivities and exercises of the occa- sion. During the morning the children of the industrial sehools mentioned gathered at thelr respective houses and marched to the “Howe Tables tad been laut in every place could be made available, the dormitories and busi- neas oMlees being vacated for that purpose. The diuper tok place at half-past one, and 400 chil dren were amply fed witi the good things pro- vided. “Home” aod the schools. tutiowy the el balance wore of the industrial Many Of the eapecial friends of the insti- e present rendering their assistance to ent aatvon, Mrs. Sarah c, eare takers and teachers, in making things 3 of smootuly aut Pleasantly, uidren’s ages ranged irom tiree te ten rs, and’ thelr qilet yet confident man- | ner, their red cheeks, bright eves and happy faces, bore eloquent temimony to the traintog received and the kindness svith which they are treated. j wing the @rner the children of the | “Home ant @ portion of those of the schools assed inte the chape!, where @ considerable audience hil gathered to listen to the exercises of the children. Nev. Dr. Pendie- ton presided, dirceting the carrying out of the pro gramine Jaid down, ‘his comprised recitauone, dialogues, ening, with instrumental muste, aud was of muel interest, evincing great care on the part ol the tea@ehera, Bimilay exercises took place n the evening, in which Otier classes of the schools took part. bk The Catholic Protectory, The children ju tits Iustitation had a great feast yesterday, thanked God for the manifold blessings of the past year and entreated (ov an increase in the years to come; from church td? the playground and from thenge to the refectory, where they beheid a rare sight. Turkeys in profusion dgckod the tables, Aiter sdjng grace in a somewhat jmpatient man- ner they went systematically to work oat the turkeys The sad scene Of havoc, polished hones Add super, | ple, whose ages vary from sixty (0 nine | berky sac Of this number eighty belonged in the | Wikeox, the | The | In tha Morning they went to mass and | Joseph's Home, at 200 West Filteenth street. is institution is governed by the’ Sisters of Charity, with Sister Frances Borgia. It is supported, to a great extent, by the voluntary contributions of those whom fortune has placed in the position to be able to assist and snc old age in distress, Yesterday was a day of rejoicing with the old pe t the alternoon they sat down to a stu ner, comprising turkeys, geese, veg mince pie and other luxuries of ¢ bountitul repast was supplied them liberality of Mrs. Daniel veviin, Mrs, Mack, Miss McLaughlin and Miss In the eve they all ate to- season, through the Malone and M va Davidson, gether and The old times, Aome of these old Ladi attentive listeners, Water Strect Home tor Fa At the Home for Fatlen Women, the premises formerly oceupied dinner was provided for the inmate: ality.of the patrons of the institut wa datontial and good and Burns, by the liber- The fare he poor whtily, the iniya' had finished piumber of women of the saine class were invited in, and they too were sumptuous When the jeust had con- cluded a series of entertaining exere: 0 Kinds were gone through, and ay dresses were made. Owin the peeu! of the inwiitution and the easity ti keeping the wowen wded, none © who are directly Jmterested im the so admitted, The Newshoys, At the Newsboys’ Ledging House, 49 Park place, eveyything was qniet ugtil the evening, at which timd the boys had all assetabied in the large room. There-were nearly four hundsyed boys present aud they all Jooked clean and neat and heartily en- | joyed the feast of good things that were bounti- tully spread before them, The dinner consisted of turkey, chicken, pies, Sruity, cakes, coffee, &e, Alter the boys had feasted to their hearts’ content suitable addresses were fuade to them, and the entertayncnt and tuy contiaued umhl a iate hgur, stomachs | isten | | Day brings round many recollec- | | tions of years that have drifted by, and perhaps in | ran | the < | when the boys went to their beds highly delighted with the programme of Thanksgiving Day. Ladies’ Union Aid Society ot the Methed- ist Episcopal Chareh. ‘The institution of this society, located on Forty- second street, near Eighth avenue, and designed for the benefit of the aged aud infirm members of the church of both sexea, was the scene of a pleas- ant reunion among the immates yesterday. Owing to the liberality of the charitable in the persuasion an immense supply of the eatables appropriate to & Thanksgiving dinner had been sent in, and at one o'clock ¢ inmates, eighty-six in number, all Old men and women, sat down to a repast which contained all the elements suitable to the occasion. There were no unusual exercises during the day, save as the dinner was over the old people arose to their feet and gang “Praise God trem whom all blessinge tow.” The Midnight Mi: Rev. Mr. Gallaudet, of St. Ann’s church, con- ducted divine service at the Mission yesterday, aud there was also Holy Communion, The institution has now twenty inmates, and they were all treated to a good turkey dinner. Besides these three girls, now occupying good situations in respectable fam- nies and who faa been inmates, were guests of the Mission. Rev. Mr. Gallaudet made a short address to the girls, srgaing to show that they had munch to be thankful for in their new lite, In the evening there was a musical entertainment and singing, and innocent games made up the balance of the day's exercises. Owing, of course, to the nature of the Mission no visitors were received, and the dinner was therefore a quiet sort of amily affair, The Union Home School, In the Union Home School, 151st street and Eleventh avenue, fifty girls and 165 boys sat down to a merry Thanksgiving dinner. The dinner was an unusually good one, There was roast. turkey and stewed chicken, pumpkin pie and mince pie. The children had their choice—they could have whatever they wantea. They all enjoyed excellent When Mr, Forster Apps ilies, came in and asked “Who is ready tor pie?’ almost | all the little girls held up their hands cagerly. ‘They all pronounced the pie excellent. There was an abundance of everything and all spent the day very pleasantly. Quite a number o! guests were present, prominent among whom were Mrs, Charles P. Daly and Mrs, David Hoyt, who have done much toward making the institucon what it is—Mrs. Daly as President and Mrs. Hoyt as Secre- tary of the Home," A novel feature day was the playing of the juve- nile band, The boys have had just three months practice, and display much talent ter instrumental music. A reporter of the HERALD, who went through the whole building, found merything clean and neat. The children all looked hearty, and there was not one singie patient in the sick room. The children of our volunteer soidiers and gailors are evidently well provided for. in the House of Merey. In the House of Mercy, Eighty-sixth street and North River, thirty-six unjortunate girls sat down to the Thanksgiving dinner. The dinner consisted of turkey, turnips, white and sweet potatoes, volled onions and pumpkin pie, In the morning— before dinner—there was the usual service in the beautiful little chapel. After dinner the girls went up to their rooms and the building resounded with their gleeful songs. Quite a number of visitors came to see the institution. The Sisters (of St. Mary) have done everthing) tomake the unfortunate in- mates oi this “House of Mercy” as happy and as con- tented as it is possible to make them, Yesterday many girls who had formerly been inmates of the institution, and now lead a virtuous life, came back to spend the day with the Sisters, One or two complained that they did not feel as happy as when they lived in the “House of Mercy.” They said they remembered with pleasure the calm, con- tented life they led when under the eare of the good Sisters. The Sisters share everything with the inmates. Although some of them have left chasing homes in this city they gladly renounce all the themselves to this good work. They are respected and loved by the unfortunate girls of the House, and find no difficulty in enforcing their authority over them. Some of the girls become s0 attached to the Sisters and the ‘House’ that they are un- willing to leave it, The Colored Orphan Asylum. Two hundred and fifty little boys and girls en- joyed their turkey in the Colored Orphan Asylum, 143d street and Eleventh avenue. ‘The dinner con- sisted of turkey, turnips, meghed potatoes and apples, The pumpkin pie whick had been made for dinner was left for supper, 80 that the little ones enjoyed another feast in the evening. The chil- dren, whose parents have in many cases dicd young, donot look so hearty as children of the.r race generally do, but it is still a noteworthy fact that out of ninety girls and 160 boys not one wasin the sick room, All day long the children romped and danced and played and laughed. They all had a splendid time, even down to the babies in the bursery, Whom the reporter found with all sorts of playthings in their hands. After dinner and after supper the boys sang some jolly songs. They were all sorry when the great enjoyment was over and the last mince pic had been eaten up. Mr. A. K. Hutchinson, the efficient Superintendent, stated the areeuty of turkey consumed was nearly 150 pounds, St. Vincent de Paul’s Lodging Ho At this institution, which is located at 53 Warren street, under the management of the Rev. Jonn Drumgoole, aided by the St. Vincent de Paul's So- ciety, over eighty bright little newsboys and boct- blacks sat down to an excellent repast yesterday, to which they did ample justice, as was evident by the silence which reigned during dinner and the wreck oi turkey frames remaining. Over twenty ladies and gentiemen from various parts of the city volunteered as carvers and waiters, and were amply repaid for their generous sacrifice by the grateful pleasure exhibited by the boys. Father Drumgoole delivered a short address to the httle ones on the motives which should ani- mate them in celebrating Thanksgiving Day, and the boys, by their orcerly manner and commend- able decorum, evinced the influence which he has already gained over them. Sheltering Arma. If any one wanted to see happy, pretty children, he ought to have gone to the Sheltering Armes, 131st street and Tenth avenue, Some of the little ones lad received presents, which made them com- pletely happy. All looked clean, neat, cheerful. They sang before sitting down to dinner, and some knelt down and said the Lord’s Prayer, little girl but @ year and a haif old, was one of the first ones to kneel, to fold her hands and pray to the Lord. Many of the children in the Sheltering Arms have respectable, educated parents, who have been reduced to poverty. Some of these came esterday to see their dear little boys or girls and to ing them to their hearts, The institution takes care of all children whose parents have been re- duced to extreme poverty, It is a home for many a little child which otherwise would have to suifer from want of food and clothing. There was an at- mosphere of cleanliness and cheerfulness about the home which pleased the many come to see the children enjoy their Thanksgiving Day. The Javenile Guardian Soctety. Yesterday was a gala day at the industrial schools of the Juvenile Guardian Society, at 101 Righth strect and 207 Bowery, At the former place the tables groaned with turkey and the rooma were | crowded with littic ones to the number of 450, The exercises consisted of recitations, singing and ad- dresses. Major General Sigel voth in German and English. Allister and the Rey, speeches. ‘The entertainment at the other school, at‘ 207 Bowe was of a like character, and there were about three hundred and fiity children present, The Rey. H. A. Mc- Mr. Steriing also made On the Enst River Islands. ‘Thanksgiving is not usually a day to which much atiention is given by the Commissioners of Public Charities and Correction, Christmas is the season when they render the jlnventies and the aged poor under their charge happy by palatable feasts such as they are treated to on no other day in the year, Consequently yesterday did not bring unusual joy to many of the inmates of the institutions on the Island or Bellevue Hospital. In the Penitentiary. the Charity Hospital, the Workhouse, the Alms house and the Lunatic Asylum on Blackweil’s Island the billof fare showed no material change from other days, yet the jamates were given a hoil- day aud were permitted to arause themselves in every manner consistent with the rules, While disap- pointed in not being supplied with an abundan of turkey and chicken the prisoners and the poor were furnished increased rations of meat and yege- tablet and @ few ¢ cies to remind them th Thankagiving had arriv rhe Same may be of the institutions under the charge of the G missioners of Emigration, where the Commiasioners ¢ tion made eXtra provision was in the Juvenile Asylum on Raadall’s island, where 649 males and 139 jemales were served with au excellent dinner, cluding soups, roast beet and vegetables, and cake, pie and other extras for supper. The Ran- l, composed of over two hundre: ed in uniform by Mr, Ste- tigable Warden, and jar military evolations ir associates and the ere the a urse of to the great delight of thet few visitors who were present, In the afternoon the children were ¢ ained with music, and in the evening the Warden improvised w magic lan- tern entertginment for them that pleased the little ones greatly, A class of about one hundred hoys ju the aftermogp were marshalled iu the gymua- exercises of the | leasures of the world to be able to devote | One, a | ‘itors who had | red an address | Mm The only institution | harities and Correc- | { sium, where one of their number mancuvred them in king of Zouave drill that provoked much mirth and elicited the praise of the visitors. Among the visitors to Blackwell's Island was the Farl of Caithness and a travelling companion, who spent some hours in Inspecting the ing tutions, At the House of Refuge on is Isiand the day was generally observed as @ holiday. The wsnal services were held in the chapel at ten A. M., Rey. Mr. Smi of Baltimore, conducting them, and 458 boys and ninety-four girls were pro- vided with @ bountiiu! repast, in ng chicken sour roast chicken, pies and vegetabies. In the ude they were supplied with a supper that many articles not om the usual bill of fare. Were the Commissioners of Charities not so | seriously em! financially @ better dinner | would have been served. The number of visitors to the Island was much smaller than on previous Thankegivings, owing, doubtless, to the knowledge that no special programme for entertaining the r and the prisoners had been arran; The ommissioners hope, however, to make up at Christmas for what tley failed to accomplish yes- terday towards gratilying those committed to their keeping, On Governor's Is) de ‘There was no celebration whatever on Governor's’ Island. Many persons went down to the barge office to cross over and sce the evening drill, but it Was announced that none would take place. The oniy inhabitants of the island at present consist of the Permanent company, commanded by Major Blunt. ‘The dinner yesterday tor the soldiers con- sisted of roast beef, which is the usual dinner on Thursdays, The only manner in which it may be sald that the day was observed was that passes — granted to the men not on duty to visit the city. | CELEBRATIONS IN THE CHURCHES. The church services, yesterday were among the most impressive exercises of the day. All sects and religions joined in the service of Thanksgiving, and Jew and Gentile acknowledged by devotion and prayer the beautifal Jesson of the day and ac- | cepted as part of their own creed this genial relic of old Puritanism. The Greek, the Armenian, the | French, the Protestant und the Catholic Churches in our midst were all one in the observance of the only bit of national religion that the United States admits into her polity, and in church, cathedral and synagogue the preacher, the priest and tie rabbi, in English and Lativ and Hebraic, offered up | thanksgiving to the one God of all sects in obedi- ence to the call of the nation’s President. | At Calvary church, on Fourth avenue and ‘Twenty-first street, services were conducted by | Bishop Clark, of Rhode Island; Dr. Verren preached | atthe French Church du St, Esprit, and at the | Jewish temples Abawati Chesed, Bnai Jeshurun \ | i | on. 8T, PATKIOK'S CATHEDRAL. | Sermon by Bishop McQuade, of Roches- | tex=Gratitude for the Nation’s Pros- | perity—The Evil of Seeret Soci+ | Cties=Godless Education—The Catholic | Union. | The principal celebration of Thanksgiving Day | by the Catholic Church was held in the Cathedral | in Mulberry street. A solemn high mass was com- ' menced at ten o'clock A. M., at which Archbishop | McCloskey was present. ‘Three other bishops— Bishop McQuade, of Rochester; Bishop Lynch, of | Charleston, and Bishop Quinjan—also attended | | the service. A number of priests from the city occupied seats in the sancthary, among them be- ing the Rev. Father Quinn, the Rev. Father Reilly, the Rev. Father McGheau and the Rev. Father Don- nelly. The mass was celebrated by the Very Rev, | Father Starra, V. G., the Rev. Father McNamee be- | Rev. Father Kearney master of ceremonies and the Rev. Father Farley assistant master of ceremonics, | The altars were, as usual, beautifully though simply i decorated. The presence of so many bishops in | their purple robes and of so many priests in vest- ments or surplice, imparted to the sanctuary an imposing appearance. The church was filled in every part, the congregation being so large as to | press around the altar and rails, Admission was had only by tickets of membership of the Catholic { | and Rodolph Sholom similar services were carried | ing deacon, the Rey. Father Kune subdeacon, the | Fifth avenue, dedicated their new church building On the corner of those streets, The edifice, archi- and most cheerfnl in the city. The design both within and without scems to be new, and the blending of colors in the artistic finish lends & beautiful harmony to the whole structure. The celling is high and open and is fnisiied in polished hard wood, The light and ventilation is excellent. The organ is located on the west side of the pulpit, level with the gallery, so that both minister ant people can see the singers without the trou! sr disturbance of turning about, as is the “ge many churches, ‘fhe building is illuminated at nies by means of a new and improved kind of gas reflector suspended from the projecting resta of the wooded ceiling, and not from tae roof, ag in some churches, THE EDIFICE WAS CROWDED yesterday at eleven o’clock, and the services were conducted by Rev. Dr, Vermilye, one of the colle- giate pastors whose consistory has built the church, and by Dra. De Witt, Ludiow and Ormiston. Dr, Vermilye made a few suening: ramarte touching: church dedications, eee, ere.n to the dedi~ cation of Solomon's Temple. He then offered, x and read the Ten Commandments. The tha Psalm, metricized, was then sung, after which the 147th Psalm was read, the 628th hymn sung and the dedicatory prayer was offered by Key. Dr. De Witt, the senior pastor of the Collegiate Dutch church, who preceded it with some appropriate words of encouragement and advice. The Rey. Dr. Ludlow, the pastor, then delivered a. discourse based on the fourth verse of the 200th Psalm:—‘“O, enter into His gates with thanksgiv- ing and into His courts with praise; be thankiul unto Him and bless His name.” ‘They had met here, said the reverend gentieman. in response to the recommendation of the Chict Magistrate of the nation and of the State, and be~ cause we are ON THE HIGH ROAD TO PROSPERITY, and churches like this, said the Doctor, are the best evidences ol our prosperity, As evi- dences of our religious poe the Doctor ed the rich men to raise more such edifices to God in this city and througuout the land, He reierred to the harmony and beauty of the new church structure, and complimented the: architect, and remarked that he hoped this ex- ane would be the means of Iiiting ecclesiastical architecture out of the slough into which it has: been cast. Dr. Ludlow then recounted several material as well as spiritual reasons why -we should on this day give thanks to God. Our erops- have been abundant; our factories and workshops. have not been idle; we have not sutfered from ders; our national debt has been greatly reduced; peace has reigned in all our borders, and the work of God has pone forward, not only in this land, but. | in India, China, Japan, and in the uttermost parts of the earth. Dr. Ormiston followed with @ few remarks in a. corresponding strain, and closed with prayer. | After the Doxology had been sung Dr. De Witt pro- | nounced the betiedictinn and the congregation Separated, Dedication services will be continued this evening and Sunday, and on Monday evening the church will be open for inspection, and on Tuesday evening a Hee meeting will be held, at which addresses will be delivered by bone of all the evangelical denominations in the city; and towards the end of next week the pews will be offered for saie, This ia the ninth Reformed Datch church built by the Collegiate Consistory, and is am ornament to the upper part of the city. MISCELLANEOUS EVENTS OF THE Evory person yesterday seemed to be celebrat- ing the day individually and independent of the public demonstrations. The small boys did %o by wearing hideous masks over their faces and frightening everybody whom they met. After church and dinner people made their friendly ealis on other people, or walked the streets to enjoy the | sunshine, or drove im the Park to breathe the cool | breezes that sighed among the remnants of its | summer beauty—the pale leaves and stripped branches. The roadways were crowded with ve- hicles and the footpaths with pedestrians. Alt public buildings were decorated witn waving ban- ; ners, Thank«giving Night at the Opera. | The management of the Italian opera cave an extra entertainment last night, in which all the | artists of the company, except Madame Lucca and ‘Miss Kellogg, took part. Moriami, Coulon, Jamet and Sparapani sung @ few operatic selections in | Union, Bishop McQuade, of Rochester, was the preacher. The text selected for the sermon was from Join viil., 31, 32, The Bishop began by alluding to the ‘Thanksgiving which the people were called upon to render to God for His blessings, In a country | full of prosperity and Mont | such evident marks of the abundance with which God had blessed it, it | Was a holy duty to acknowledge the dness of ; Providence towards us and to thank Hii for Ilis. | manifold favors. Catholics had many things to be ratetul for, and he would mention especially | | that we owed gratitude to God tor the cessition, to a great extent, of that bisoiry | and intolerance toward our faith which, in years | past, we had to fight against, | at home, in this free and glorious land, we were | not suffering from religious persecutions, yet if we | looked abroad to the older countries we should see | | taat our holy faith was still an object of attack on | the part of wicked mes. In Rome the Holy Father was in sorrow. ; dominions, he was obliged to see himself robbed and despoiled of the possessions of the Church and | | of that temporal dignity which belonged to the | sovereign of over two hundred million Catholics. In Germany, also, We saw a government turn adrift ity own peopie—natives of the country, with all home associations dear to them, and with their right to dwell in their native land beyond dispute. | And the only reason for this expatriation was | simply that these subjects of imperial and united Germany were teachers of the young and were | Jesuits. All this was owing to the secret societies | which prevailed jin Europe. | were thoroughly organized, and, though in poiut | of numbers they were not formidable, yet, owing | to the thoroughness of their organizution | and to the determination to succeed that united | them, they had effected most lamentable a | nefarious purposes. In Belgium, belore the ple awoke to aknowledge of the true state of afviry, ; that country wasin the fiands of these men, but | when the people began to understand the drift of | the societies they soon used the ballot to deicat intended to strike at religion. Nowhere had thix | godless system of education had a fairer trial than | in Ireland, aud yet, thouga ii was at Arst accepted by the clergy, bishops and priests were soon com- } petied to condemn it. We were now seeing in this country that something of this spirit of irreligious teaching-was creeping in. Leaders of the people had already made known their thoughts and in- tentions in this regard. As yet we were not at- tacked to any great extent, but it would seem | 1. the battle were coming. The constitution of the United States did not deprive us of the right to teach God to our children, and yet the State peepee in aud | did 80; for, thoug! the Bible migit be | read in schoois, yet he knew that, as presented, it | Was not the same as ours, and we wanted to teacit | children the meaning of the Scriptures, Thix godless | system of education was simply the taking away oi the liberty of the parent. It was the right of tue | Catholic parent that his child should be Instructed ) in religion and be taught intelligently the doctrines | of the Church. The schools im which even the name of God would be ignored was not the place to train a child in religious exercises or to instil into his | young mind correct notions of virtue. The preacher then went on to say that the members of the Catholic Union owed it as a duty that they shontdt ; openly. ' triamph in the end, for truth was always Vv Os. ‘The music of the mass was under the leadership ot Mr. Schmitz, the organist of the chureh, the singing being by the members o! the Choral Union, THE NEW CATHEDRAL. The Uncompleted Edifice Visited by Thousands of Persons Yesterday—It Was Thrown Open in Honor of the Day. The new Cathedral was thrown open in honor of ; Thanksgiving yesterday, and from morning till night there was a constant stream of visitors. As | this grand monument of piety and open-lanuder tmunificence grows on the sigut it seems ever | become more and more beautiful. It is now what may be popularly termed one story high, and one | cau form @ lair idea of the vastness and sym- | ‘etrical loveliness that will distinguish It when, years hence—lor much remains to wwe done—it is opened for public worship. Its dimensious have been often published; but toa | Spectator who has ne enjoyed the opportunity of looking at some of the great European cat} | dvs, its imposing size and the exquisite jer tion of its proportions are singnlariy impressiy Many thousands of people must have embraced ; the ohance afforded them yesterday to take | giunce at what has already been done towards tis completion, and it was dimicult to make one’s way | from the entrance to the chancel through | throngs of sight-seers that blocked wp the passage, In further honor of the day a band of music was | placed in @ shed in the centre of the building oce pied by the workmen, who for the moment were a | enjoying the national hoitday, and lively and tn | | spiring music added to the pleasure of the vis’. | THANKSGIVING AND DEDICATION. A New Church Opened Yesterday with Solemn Serviecs—Addresses by Drs. Ludlow and Ormiston—Sketch of the New Church. ‘Yesterday the Reformed congregation, under the min%etry of Rey. James M. Ludlow, D. )., worship- ping iNthe chapel on Forty-eighth psireet, agar | But though here | Almost a prisoner in his own | These societies | their plans. “Godless education was the weapon | practically ; speak out the trnth everywhere and detend it | They were sure, in upholding the truth, to | t concert form, and Herr Bonawitz played Liszt's | fantasia on “A Midsummer Night's Dream” superbly. | Sefiora Sang, the distinguished contralto, sung | some of tlie songs of her sunny clime, the Iand. ot | the Cid, with an archness and naiveté that brought | applause, The second part of the programme con- | sisted of a scene from “Crispino e la Comare,” in- terpreted by Ronconi, Sparapami and Rema, and ; the second act of ‘Lucrezia Borgia,” in which , Mine, Leveille, Abrugnedo and Coulon took part. | The latter'selection on the bill was a novelty. ‘The | Lucrezia showed even more dramatic power than she has been accredited with this season and Vou- | lon entirely surpassed himself, The audience was not large. but not lacking in enthusiasm. ‘To-night “Les Huguenots” for the last time. { The Target Companies. In accordance, too, with tradition and time- honored usage, the target companies made their usual display, and filled the streets with nojse and the g@ping throngs which they attracted. Most absurd among them were those comical and fan- tastic figures called ragamufies that always afford people a hearty outburst of laughter on ‘Thanksgiving Day. The usual variety of costume | was to be seen, from the king to the fo | sorts of steeds were riuden. In the en ; Was terminated with a grand festival, The Caledonian: Club. | ‘The members of the New York Catedonian Club | assembled in considerable furce at the grounds of the Athletic Club, at Harlem, yesterday, to cele- bvate the holiday of Thanksgiving by engaging in | @series of those sports and pastimes which are pecullarly dear to Seotia’s sons. Quite a Jarge: number of spectators were present, and the fair | sex lisesi in goodly numbers, The sperts con- sisted in throwing the caber, putting shot, leaping, ' jumping, &c. The contests were close and well merited the plaudits of the assemblage. A brawny Highlander, in full costume, paraded the ground , and astonished the Ac et itt on the fene by his performauces on the bagpipes, |THE OBSERVANCE IN BROOKLYN. | The oriental bird was elevated in Brooklyn yes- terday, and sage and timely remarks upon the component parts of stuffing were to be heard | upon all sides, The drumsticks of the turkey and the drumsticks of bands of ragamufins and tar- geleers each lent their share to the measure ot. joility which went to make up the general observ- ! ance of the occasion. A bright sunlight, clear, bracing atmosphere; gayly dressed people, of alt ages, Sexes and conditions, @ cheerful expression upon every tuce; bright white window blinds, suowy curtains, the shrill whistle of the fife, joyous | shouts of juveniles, happy greetings ot family folks, cheerful words and crumbs of spiritual comfort | from the pastors, all went towards making the at- mosphere one of very genuine thanksgiving in Brooklyn, Everything passed off acvording to | programme, and everybody appeared well fed and salisticd with the fesult. If there was an | exception to the rule it was found aimong | the unfortunate inmates of the County Hospital, * Almshouse, Lunatic Asylum and Nursery. Owing to | the economical inclinations of the Board ‘of Com- | missioners of Charities this year no provision was: | made for feeding these institutions on turkey and | eranberry sauce. The eonsequence was that the inmates have declared their intention to change | boarding houses ere the return of another Thanks- giving, if they can make it convenient to do so, But, sefiously, it is to he regretted that les misera- | bles were not {éted on fowl yesterday, Had it been | made pnblic in advance there are charitable, weil- | to-do-and-a-littie-to-spare people in Kings County who would have loosed their purse strings had they been notified, and would have procured the delicacies of which THE PUBLIC CHARITY INSTITUTIONS stood in need. At the Vine strect Home for Boys, the founder of that institution, Mr. Bernard Bogan, through the assistance of a few good people, provided a rare repast for the newshoys, messengers and boot- | blacks domiciled therein, Ex-Governor Lowe and other gentlemen put im an appearance tuere dur- ing tho afternoon aud addressed the juveniles upon the subject of true manhood and Unristian doportment. At the Catholic hat ga asylams the fatherless. were not overlooked, bat were fed upon choice viunds by the gentle, good Sisters, The Industvial Home young ones, Sonth: Third street, were dined at noon upon sweet morsels | supplied by the friends of the Home, Prayer and | thanksgiving commingled, bat fowl play appealed | strongest fo the longing, hungry crowd as they drew nigh to the banquet board. ik NEWS BOYS, The Poplar Strect News Boys’ Home, under su- pervision of Mr. Lawrence, onjoyed a spread of Garth and plum pudding on Thanksgiving eve, 8° at they had to live on the remembrance of the ast yesterday. ‘This was too bad, the boys sald it they “could not have their loaf and eat iti At the Butler street branch of this institution’ the | | | | | | teoturally and artistically, is one of the handsomest :