The New York Herald Newspaper, December 26, 1875, Page 4

4 he DD: FO TS. The Great Festival of the Followers of the Lowly Jesus. HOW IT WAS OBSERVED. Prayers, Paans and Poems of Joy in Every Church and Home. GRAND MUSIC IN THR TABERNAOLES. Feasting and General Jollity Everywhere. “GOD BLESS US ALL.” Tho morning trumpets festival proclaimed Through each high street, Heavily laden stockings, brimming over with the princely gifts of that prince of good fellows, Santa Claus, had early yesterday morning ‘been emptied of their contents, and the sound of juvenile trumpets Oll- ing all the streets announced the arrival of Christmas Day, A misty fog filled the air aud the sky was over- shadowed with a sullen gloom, aud thera was no glimpso of the genial sun, aud the air waschilly and the pavements were wet and slippery; but for all this there were abundant light hearts and bright eyes, and the day was ono of universal merry making, Hearts glowed with the Christmas greetings, old estrange- ments were healed, old feuds were forgotten, and all felt of ono kith and kin, Stores and shops, with rare exceptions, were closed, and all the public offices were shut up. There were no courts: business of every kindy in short, was suspended, and for ail, the rich and the poor and the high and low, it was a geveral hohday, ‘The reports given below will show bow the day was spent in the city. There was the church chimes and the church worship; amid env:ronments of evergreens aud with church music those grandly swelling anthems swelled to greater proportions the hearts of the wor- shippers. Then came the Christmas dinners, These were of every variety and widely varying degrees of sumptoousness, But while the rich sat down wo their feasts of many courses and drank toasts in wines of | rarest vintage the poor bad not been forgotten, Through their beneficence substantial dinners had been | provided for the inmates of our public and private in- stitutions. The scenes at these Christmas dinners were of the mernest character. Toothsome turkeys, chickens, geese, ducks and oysters and ragouts of beef and mutton, with puddings, pies, oranges and nuta, made up the bills of fare, and to see the happy facesat the fostal boards was asight not to be forgotten. A memorable feature of the day was the dinner given to the news- boys by the Evening and Sunday Telegram Pre- Raphaelite pen and ink sketches of the various scenes are gtven elsewhere, Of course both the matinge and evening performances at the theatres and other places of amusement were largely attended, and comprised an Important feature tn the day’s programme, Altogether wo nave not bad such a merry Christmas for many a year, But underlying all the merrymaking was heart- felt praise to Him in whose memory the day was ob- Served, and in the bumblest household as well as in enarch chancel was to be seen— The ensign of the Christian cross, Once streaming in glorious Christian fo! Against black pagans, Turks aud Saracens. TRINITY'S CHIMES. At halfpast ten o’clock yesterday morning Mr. James Ayliffe, the veteran bellringer of Trinity, was at his post iv the tower, and soon the grand old steeple trembled with the thunder of the bells proclaiming to | the listening city the glorious old tidings. never trite to the ears of Christian people, that Christ has come. ‘The tnronging masses treading the streets stopped to lisven to the joyous pwan, and among the groups ot gayly dressed ladies and gentlemen who gathered to exo! the compliments of the season many a poor outeast might be noticed to whose memory the familiar anthems brought back the sceves and faces of other and bever days. The following programmo was pvr- formed on the bells:— 1 Ringing the changes on eight bells. 2 Carol, “Who Will Go with Me to Jesus?” Carol, “Happy Christmas. "” “Ring the Bells Merrily.” . “Glory in the Highest.” “Ring Ont the Bells. ” “The Christmas Troe. TRINITY CHURCH. ‘The humid atmosphere and drizzling ra‘n of Christ- mas morning were not at all in keeping with the train of elegantly attired people which kept moving along lower Broadway at an carly bour with merry faces ashing out and rich furs and gorgeous textures faunt ing till it was finally swallowed up in the masstve por- tals of old Trinity. There as ever the magniticent net- work of flowers, legends and symbols clasping the gaunt old pillars and covering the solemn nakedness of the walls told well, but not more plainly than the giee- ful looks and cheery glances of both young and old, that the and wore well appreciated. As the great smiling, chat. tering throng came surging in the light word was hushed, the merry laugh died on the lips and the cur- tain of silence fell apon all, not with a solema, awe-in spiring eflect, but with a sanctified joy which intensi- fied whilo it tempered the gladsome feeling which the day begets. Inside the church a glorious biazonry of flowers and evergreens burst upon the eye, From the organ loft and down along the walls depended heavy festoons of ivy and in every window a great arch Sprung up supporting a star in its centre and tapering upward to a cros& Around the columas and through the rails and carvings of the pulpit were drawn long | wreaths which dropped off at intervals into some of the symbol shapes of Christmas tide. On either side of the chancel rose two magnificent pyramids of flowers winding upward from the floor ulmost to the ceiling and breathing a soft, sweet perfume, while they glowed q@ith a hundred delicate tints. And soon the bells, the gfund old bells of Trinity, whieh rang in #0 many a merry Christmas in the past, jed out their carol of joy and (hanksgiving, which, entering the lofty edifice softly and musically, swept through the arches aboro the listening congregation Like au echo of the angeig’ pon, re is something ticularly suggestive of the day in the musi¢ of these ls and pening processional hymn, ‘Come ail ye Faithful”? When the choristers had taken their places the orchestra in the great organ loft began a soft symphony which introduced the anthem “Oh sing to God your , hymns of gladness,” the music composed by Gotinod, ‘This is a chorus for altos and trebles, interspersed with @n Oceasiousl solo, two of whieb by Messra Picksay and ‘Ward, were very finely rendered. Thep came the '‘Kyrie” and Nicene Creed of Weber, with a strong orchestral accompaniment, and sung with considerable eflect by \ue entire choir. Rev. Dr. Morgan Dix then mounted the pulpit and reached the sermon of the day. He said that like the favored of old we bave light iu the night The year has brought us another Christmas Day to illumine the dark plane of our everyday experience and to bring surcease of sorrow aud distresa. This is the time to be of good | cheer, to forgot the cares of life and its burdens and to | enjoy the luxury of rest. UJ one intends to pass through | life tn bondago; if he wishes to shut away the lignt from his eyes, be it 80; but if not, this is the time to ro- joice. This is the time when Onrist is born, when a dawns upon world and the work | of mankind’s regeneration in gloriously inaugurated. Take Jesus Christ away from the world, and what is left would be worthless. Christ is the inspiration of aii art, of ali philosophy, of all morals so far as they sterling and of benellt to us and to the State, He great omnipresent furce in the civilized and in- telligent world to-day, though everywhere men are in arms against Him. ‘He is, indeed, like a monarch ‘hroned in magnificence beyond couveption, but hold- | ing sway over an empire in tumult and revolt This | ‘a1s0 in the time to take @ retrospective survey of |i to cpa the jessons it bas taught in the past and to Hect well upon them. Itis the time for casting aside the conventionalities of rank and fashion and to hum- ble ourselves before the manger where the son of the Almighty was laid in His poor swaddling clothes nearly ‘wo 4 years ‘Let us remember that there fore man on thisearth This scene em was the culmination of the greatest of mysteries. The stars of God's firmament, the illimita- | bie amiverse are all wonderful, but none 80 wonderful as the ag of catholic faith, “The Word was made and dwelt amongst us.” Be. fore this ‘the merchant, the man of art and | the maa an separate themselves from the hard sphere of matier and bow ‘This, too, is the for charity. rother.’ Let ew born, men ease to wrangle, Let os keep feast with all joy, without fear, for the strength of measured jconfidence is by our love Let us ad yee] \hroughout the octave the praises of Christ, Re ao humble adoration. God has become our imaginary Christ, who {s to come, but of Him ho has come, and is Jesus Emanoel,” When Dr. Dix ceased the orchestra began a ‘wweet strain proluding the This consinted solos aod a double chorus, supposed to repre. songs of the seraphs, and the responses of the a ex qQuipie laste aud glad tidings of great joy’ had been received ye oor brethren. Now that Christ | NEW YOKK HERALD, SUNDAY, DECEMBER 26, 18%.—TRIPLE SHEET. the to a Rages accordance with the thoughts the ‘strains the Pmind ts §carri of and flowets to that night, long ago, when, be- tho sky of Palestine, the watching shepherds first heard the Heaven-sens tidings of peace and good will to maa. The regular service of the church was then pro- ceeded with, and after a thrilling ‘Gloria’ the congrega- tion dismissed while the chimes rang out again above the thronged streets their cheery Christmas greeting. 8T. ANN'S CHURCH. A midnight mass, with Rev. Father Preston as cele” brant, commenced the Christmas services at St Ann's, in Twelfth street Masses were celebrated afterward nearly every hour unti! eleven o’clock A. M., when a grand pontifical high mass was sung. Tho musical services were very brilliant, anew mass by Ambroise ‘Thomas being the special feature. It was originally presented at the church of St. Eustache, Paria, that favorite trysting place of modern composers of eccle- Siastical music. Although by no means successful as a writer for tho operatic stage, Thomas bas evidenced in this “Messe Solenpelie” decided talents in an opposite direction, Nothing can be imagined in music illustrat- ing religious subjects more intensely dramatic, and yet more profoundly devotional than this mass of Thomas, 1 ws strange in its melodie and harmonic phrases, but | never weak or trivial, The mystery of the Incaruation is told by the tenor, “Kt Incarnatus est’? in measures that pulsate with einotion and convey a feeling of awe. The “Agnes Dei” is written in the pastoral style, aud is so entirely charming that one would be Inclined to look for» different auibor than the one who perpet- uated “Mignon” aod “Hamlet” on the stage. The mass was superbly rendered by the choir, under the direction of the distinguished organist’ M. Louis Dachaver. The soloists were Mila Henrietta Corradi, soprano; Mile. Octavie Gomien, contralto; Mr. Romeyn, tenor; Mr. lum, basa The “Gloria” of Thomas’ mass being rather long and tedious, M Dachauer wisely sub- Btituted for it that of his own second masa, in which ocenrs the beautiful duet for soprano and alto, ‘Qui tolls,” formerly sung by Grisi and Alboni in Paris. The voices of Miles. Corradi and Gomien did it ample justice At the offertory an “Ave Maria”? | by Brahms, for four female voices, was given. | Ib is a clever, though not & thoughtful or brilliant work, and many in the congregation would havo preferred the organist’s tnagnificent work on the same theme, Dachuner’s unaccompanied quartette, “Vent Creator,” preceded the sermon. {t is a trying ordeal for the'four voices, on account of its strange modulations and harmonies. There Is scarcely a choir in the metropolis, except that of St Ann’s, that could successfully cope with it, as enharmonic changes aud the quaintest of effects are constantly brought in, and | the slightest defect in intonation on the part of a singer would destroy the entire work. The celebrant was | Rev. Father Lynch, and alter the Gospel Rev. Father Preston preached a long and eloquent sermon on the deemer, derived from the mystery of God becoming man, and exhorted his hearers to treasure up in their hearts the lessons taught Im the stable of Bethlehem. At two o'clock the services closed with a solemn benediction of the holy sacrament. ST. THOMAS’ CHURCH. The services at Bt. Thomas’ church, corner of Fifth | avenue and Fifty-third street, yesterday, were in every | Way suited to the great occasion they commemorated. | The music was really very fine. The decorations, too, were rich and elegant in their arrangement, Festoons relieved the walls and adorned the pulpit, rails and windows, On the communion table were several very fine baskets of cut flowers, and about the altar rail, in- | stde and out, were stands of growing plants, Wreaths bung in the open spaces, and pine and laurel entwined the pillars. The eleven o'clock services were opened with the processional from Mendelssohn, ‘Hark, the Herald Angels Sing.”? This was followed by chants and anthems, the one preceding the sermon—viz. “Chris- tians, Awake,” having been specially composed for the festival. In his brief discourse the Rev. Dr. Morgan, rector of St. Thomas’, treated the subject of the In- carnation, taking for the text Hebrews, ii., 14-16. ‘The event they were celebrating, he said, commem- orated a fact fall of interest and fraught with as much | Power now ag ever. The good news of the birth of Christ 18 as fresh to-day as when first it broke upon the world. Gop’s aaere 18 PRRENNIAL, ‘The story of the redemption has passed from father to son, from lineage to lineage, still preserving and en- | larging tts worth to men, Tis like acrystal stream of truth flowing through wastes of ignorance and crime. Men die, but God’s truth is immortal; generations pass away and still the Word of God remains The holy text | selected covers the great question of the incarnation as | St. Paul related it to his countrymen, talking plainly to | them. In heaven Christ is the great central attraction, | andthe angels are His ministers. Hes the son and heir. ping hosts; yet, with all these distinctions, He assumed | our human nature, He passed by the angels, taking | not on Him their nature, but with great humbleness | taking ours. From a review of Christ’s condescension | the preacher went back to its first cause, the rebellion | of the angels, This unpardonable sin of theirs, he said, | had its counterpart in man’s heartless rejection of tho | charity and love of Christ. By His arm we have bee | reseued from the gates of despair and borne upward to | the poriais of immortality. He bas promised us a fel- | lowship of love in the palace of the great King. Is it not jast, then, that we shoald on this day say, “Glory | be to God on high 7”? | ST. PATRICK'S CATHEDRAL, The interior of St Patrick’s Cathedral, in Mott street, near Prince, presented @ magnificent appear. | ance yesterday, There was not a very great display of | evergreens, but the grand altar and the chancel were so flooded with light from hundreds of tapers that the | sight was almost dazzling to the vision, The altar, in | tte snow white drapery, was set off in its beauty by the | rich cloths of crimson and gold which encircied the | pilars and hung from the walls within the railing. | ‘There was an unbroken line of lights from the email side altars to the huge crucifix which stands above the | maim altar, and, 1m fact, every niche and corner, high | and low, on all sides near the altars, a stream of light | poured down upon the scene beneath, where were | gathered together, in gorgeous vestments of white and gold, the olliciating priests and the acolytes, It bas been customary of late years since the practice of having midnight masses was done away with to have a high mass colebrated instead of a low mass as the first ceremony of Christmas morning. Yesterday the first | nigh mass in the Cathedral was celebrated at five o'clock the diocese, Rev. Father Quinn, Fathers O'Grady and Crosby, of the Troy Seminary, officiating respectively as deacon and sub-deacon ‘There wsa no sermon at this mass. Tho sacred edifice, notwithstanding tho arly hour at which the services were begun, was weil lied by a congregution the major portion of which were strangers. ‘There was a grand Pontifical high mass at balf-past ten, the celebrant being Cardinal McCloskey. Keverend Fat O'Grady and Crosby officiated as deacon and sub-deacon, with Fathers Kane and Hogan as aeacons of bonor, and Father Farley, the Cardiual’s secretary, and Father Kearney, Masters of Ceremony. The scr: mon was preached ‘by Rev. Father F. Treanor, 8. J., one of the most eloquent preachers of the Jesuit Or: | der, His theme was the grand mystery of the Son of God becoming man for tne salvation of mankind. He called attention to the birth of the Saviour in a man- ger, and showed what lessons were to be learned with rofit by Christians, how ap poverty taught us not | to look for Fiches a4 ofr great aim in iife, but that, on the contrary, He had been born for and lived in pov- erty to give Os an example, to encourage those strug- ling in adversity to bear ap onder their sufferings a3 i soeived affected as they rose to join in the | He had done noder His, and thereby obtain an eternal reward with Him in heaven, The musical part of the services was by no means the least attractive, The mass sung was No. 2 in D minor by Gastaves Schmitz, the accomplished organist of the Cathedral, It was rendered superbly by the Cathedral Choral Society and the other artists Who were specially engaged to reinforce them. There were filty voices inall, The ‘Adeste Fideles,” soprano and chorus, was beautifully rendered, a8 was the “Laudate Dominum” by Cherubini,’ soprano and chorus, the solo being sung by Madame Bedelli, Mme. hileareich, alto, sang the ‘Veni Creator” very sweetiy. “0 Mapnum Mysterium” quartet, was also given with excellent effect. was quite a large congregation present during the servi which came to a close about half-pust twelve o’cloc' Vespers were sung in the afternoon jn the Cathedral, there being « large attendance, despite the bad weather. 8T. STEPHEN'S CHURCH. Special pains wore taken to preparo for a suitable celebration of the great Christmas festival at St Stepheo’s Roman Catholic church, in Twenty-eighth street, near Third avenue, The congregation \s one of the richest and most fashionable of the Catholic charches of the metropolia. On the galleries were {cs- toona of evergreens and in the interspaces hung ‘wreaths and crosses, The occasion was not made, bow ever, one of (protuse decoration, as, for example, the middie altar, which at Eastertide is loaded with flow- ers, was yesterday artistically dressed with floral de- signs bardly sufficient to relieve it from its everyday appearance of simplicity, But while the main ir was not loaded with fowers, those on either side, dedi. | cated to St, Joseph and the Virgin Mary, wero made specially attractive. There were six masees, the first Degtnning at half-past four A.M. This one, like that which commenced at eleven A. M., was @ high mass, with deacons and sub-deacons, a master of ceremonies, | a host of acolytes ands volunteer choir, ‘The o | intervening between that and the one whic! ed at olen tow largely attended, The is ie usual, were for the | an asylums under | Catholic Church, The music at the high masses was of an exceedingly high order. At eleven o'clock “Mercadanti’s Mass” in 1) minor, scored and orchestered by Mr. H. B. Danforth, was sung, Tho composition of the choir was as follows:—Sopranos, benefit Mile, Anna Leiman and Mila Ackerman alto Mila Munier; tenor, M. Tolle; ‘basso, MM. Kaufman end « band of twenty ‘pieces. | Tho chief musical portions of the mass rendered were | ereat subject of the festival, the birth of the Re- | He dwelt earnestly on the many lessons to be | He sits upon the throne, surrounded by worship- | in the morning. Thecelebrant was the Vicar General ot | collections at all | the charge of the | as follows:—"Qui » goprano solo, by Mila, Leiman and chorus ‘Es Ipcarnatus,” tenor solo, by Mr. Telle. “Kt Unam Sanctum,” alto solo, by Mile, Munier. “Veni Creator,” by Mme, Ackerman. The celebrant of the mass was Futhor McCready; Deacon, Father Byron; Sub-Deacon, Father James T. Curran, and Master of Ceremonies, Father Costigan. Rev. Dr. MoGiyan preached, taking for his text the first verse of the Gospel of the day St. Joba, first chapter, “In the beginning was the Word and tho Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Dr, MoGlynn, in beginning his discourse, said thatin the opening ' worda of the epistie of the lavorite disciple of the Saviour which he bad just read was the solution of a problem which had engrossed the minds of all human kind on the earth until the coming of the Saviour, Man bad fallen from his high estate, the mind which was intended to comprehend the Maker of the universe had become clouded, the heart which was intended to be filled with the love of God bad become callous But now a new life was com- menced, With the birth of the God-man anew king- dom was inaugurated, A kingdom of peace on earth to men of good will; perfect in the mind, be- cause of the possession of truth; perfect peace in the ines because of the assurance that eventually God would fulfil his promise, Man had fallen from his high estate, bat God so loved the world that He sent His only begotion Som that whosoever believed might not perish, but have eternal life In conclusion Dr. Mc- Glynn said:—*‘In gathering around this Christian altar Jet us in spirit gather around the manger cradle on bigh, which is in reality the throne of God, on this an- niversary of the birth of the King of the kingdom of @; resolve that from this time and henceforth our ves shail be void of offence toward God and man.”" ST, IGNATTUS’ CHURCH. ‘The little church called St. Ignatius was very prettily trimmed with evergreens yesterday. Each panel in the church was lined with green, and contained a white satin banner with motto in green and gold. ‘The altar was one mass of green, and in the centre was: placed a pillar of camelias and tea roses, with the word “Rest” in violets in the centre, The following was the programme ot music:— ‘The Litany Celebration—Processional Litany Hymn. ‘The Introit—Kyrie Eleson, The Sequence—Gloria Tibi. Credo—Offertory. Sanctas—Benedictus, Hymn after the Canon—A, Gloria in Excelsis—Nunc Rotrocessional, Dr. Ewer took his text from the ninth verse of the first chapter of St John:—“That was the true Light, which hghteth every man that cometh into the world.” On a billin Palestine covered with fir trees stands the village of Bethlehem. From that place came forth the Saviour of souls. To use the quaint language of tho ancient tarmers:—“In December, when the nights are long, rose unto us the day of which there is no mor- row.”? Over the spot where the manger stood the early Christians erected an oratory, and after St John’s death the Emperor ordered the temple to be de- molished and us Dei, 1D ALLS, A STATUE OF ADONIS to be erected in its place, Subsequently St, Helena destroyed the statue and built a eburch, to which | Christians have made many and large additions, until the original structure is lost to sight. In the orypt is a block of marble which wo are told marks the place where the manger stood. | twin brother of scepticism, but his heart ts not to That bill in Palestine, with its town, that town with its church, that eburch with its crypt, that crypt with its block of marble, are the nucleus of the festivities to-day, The manger is every altar where the Lord is. Every altar to-day may be a heavenly one. To-day is the Christian's great thanksgiving. ‘This day is second only to the queen festival of Easter; ‘the work then to be Completed is to-day begun, We rejoice in Jesus to- day not as aking or God, but as a mun, our brother, Let us from to-day hold fast to the truth of the perfect | manhood of Christ, tor on that iact bangs the salvation | of the world. | CHURCH OF ST. MARY THE VIRGIN. | The services yesterday at the Church of St Mary the Virgin were of the high ritualistic character, The ed, | ifice, which is at Forty-Afth street and Eighth avenue, was beautifully decorated. The altar was draped in white and gold, and the upper part of the tabernacle was adorned with flowers, the most conspicuous ot which was a bright scarlet star, Waxen lights of every size and brilliancy glorified the sanctuary, while the church aisles were in the shade, the day being dark and few gas jets lit. The services began with the midnight mass and were continued in the morning until celebrated by Father Brown, the pastor. At eleven o'clock the last morning service was begun by the the vestry door in pairs headed by a crossbearer. acolytes wore white surphces and red soutans. The | choristers wore dark soutans, the celebrant a white eatin chasuble, with a golden cross, over a white alb. | The procession entered the chance! by the centre door | and the services progressed. La Hasdie’s mass was | sung, and Rev. Dr. Batterson, of Philadelphia, preached | the sermon, after the first gospel. His text was found | in Matthew, xxii, 42: “What think ye of Chris | son is He?” The sermon was a model of brevity and dealt prin- cipally with the questions of Christ’s incarnauion and | divinity and their inflaence on Christianity. At the | outset of his remarks he said that the whole Church | was ringing with joy on this Christmas morning be- | cause it was commemorative of the Saviour of mankind. | Still he felt constrained to cail attention to the palpa- | ble tendency of mankind in these days to reject every | form of religion and follow a philosophy of their own | under the specious pretext that they were doing 60 | under the banner of human freedom. Condemning the | | | prevalence of infidelity thus apparent, and deprecating | the latent desire in so many hearts in these times ° hurry forward !n the direction opposite to the religion of the Master, Dr. Batterson repeated the words of gho textand described anew the old, old story of the nativiyy | at Bethlehem; Christ's lowly lite and origin 80 far ay they were known to human beings at that time, and the grand victories He has since achieved over tho world, wisdom and everything; He by His word had conquered | not only nations but also human hearts, winning them from themselves and turning them ‘to God. The preacher described Rome as it was at the time of the birth and passion of Christ; its religious, social and temporal condition, and the total change wrought so speedily in these 80.as to make the Imperial city the home of Christianity in three centuries. The preacher, speaking of the Redeemer and His attributes, quoted the words of Napoleon I. on St. Helena, which sub. stantially declared that Christ’s achievement in | the conquest of mankind throngh love rather | than by force proved Him incontestably more than man, surely divine. From this to the close of the sermon Dr. Batterson devoted his attention and arguments ‘to proving how absolutely necessary were the incarnation and divinity of Jesus to the faith of the Catholic world. The divinity was the heart of religion. In the tncarnation Christians found reat from sin, woo, suffering and distress, and through both mankind’ found redemption. In ‘conclusion the preacher exhorted his hearers to avail themselves of the salvation afforded by these means, and to hasten to do something for their souls on this day of general re- Jwicing. ST. FRANCIS XAVIER'S CHURCH. Seldom bas St. Francis Xavier's Church contained such a number of devotees as on yesterday at last mass. Indeed, long before the solemn services commenced, hundreds wore unable to gain admission. The interior presented an impressive and most appropriate aspect, every object the eye could rest on being in complete and beautiful harmony with the gladsome time, The altar was brilliantly illuminated and adorned with the choicest exotic plants Handsome festoons of hem- lock depended along the galleries, the large columns in the church being neatly trimmed witn evergreens, In- deed, the spectacle was altogether characteristic of rev- erential joy, and not the least couspicuous feature was & figure to the left of the altar of the Infant Redeemer in a cradie, surrounded by all the embiems that could recall the glorious event of the birth of Chrisk At balf-past ten o'clock the procession issued from the sacristy amid the grand strains of Mendelssohn's processional march. The celebrant was the Rev. Father Hadon, the Rev. Father Prendergast, deacon, t Key. M, Mclameny, sub-deacon, and the Re: Plante, master of ceremonica, At the termination of | the first Gospel the Rev. Father Shea preached a ser- mon, taking his text from Isaiab, vii.—"'Therefore the Lord bimselt sbail give yous sign. Behold a virgin shall conceive and @son and shall call bis name Immanuel." The reverend gentleman in the course of an eloquent address alluded to the adorable presence of Goa, He showed that during the two centuries of the highest human civilization the so-called philosophers of the time bad no right or title to the name, for philosopby, if i meant auything, meant the love of wisdom and dealing with the highest principles known to human reason. It was proven by the f They spoke of God as @ being far away from man, utterly heediess of what took piace highly cultivated men of the present day who called into question the existence of God, and denied it be- cause they could mot sve God with ‘their eyes or hear Him with their ears y coud not lay their foger earth, There were many upon Him and h concluded that God did not exist, Others there were who apparently did not go quite #0 far into the regions ot obscurity who contented themselves with the thought that al though God might exist, still it was impossible for them to know it 8t!!] these so-called ecicntists and wits were the work of God’s own hands, and by a | strange contradiction they presented instead of the true God their manner of betituting one for Him. Science was taken instead of and all sorts of substitutes wore taken instead of the living God, because people could not do without a God. As the late President of Ecuador exclaimed on his death bed, “God does not die,” and as He does not die His piace could not be vacated, Therefore, nowwith- standing all these new pagans, those scientific blas- phemers said, the God question, if he might so speak, was to-day everywhere the absorbing question of the hour, The reverend preachor submitted that, despite all the science of the day and the would-be wits of the Gay, the existence o' aid not be overset by bu- J, human law, progress 4 | mad reason, In concinding the reverend speaker | showed that ag God was omupresent the greater vigi- lance should be exercised to guard against | ein, The musi¢, wander the direction of Dr. William Berge, the organist, was worthy the grand occasion. ‘Ihe double quartet con. sisted of Mile, Teresa Werneke and Mme. Berge, 80- prani; Mile, Marie Werneke and Mme, Sbults, con- traits; Signor Tamaro and Herr Krebs, tenori; Herr BE. Vierling and D, Stanton, bassi, and was assisted by a full and well framed chorus, with Thames’ atrinwed Credulity is the | | be envied who can stand in sucha place questioning. | the messa cantata, which was | choristers chanting the processional aud appearing at | e ; Whose | superb, | orchestra and Herr Jacobsohn as solo violinist. The mass selected for the occasion “Messe Solennelie,” “St arn ning to end was rendered with grand offertory the “Adestes Fideles,” as Berge, ‘was sung {mn @ manner cot solemn ceremonies of the day, The wi rendered by the chorus, the second verse was edtalta, biy given as a so; solo by the exquisite voiced Mile. Teresa Werneke, while the third verse {nto requisition the entire force of the choir, orchestra and organ. “Benedictus’” was m sweetly sang by Mile, Werneke after the Elevation, ‘and in it she was weil supported by the chorua 2 CHURCH OF ST. VINCENT FERRER. As is usual on all great festival days, the programme tor the celebration of Christmas at the Dominican church was excellent indeed, The ladies of the Altar Society deserve much credit for the rich and tasteful manger in which the altar was decorated. A profusion of natural flowers was distributed on the altar, and when the tapers were lighted the effect was very brill- lant, The grand spectacle was not completed until the advent of the priests and acolytes on the altar, In solemn state the —- deacon, sub-deacon and at- tondants filed out of the ‘sanctuary, and as the head of the cortege entered’ on the altar the organ pealed a joyful tribute, lasting until the clergymen and boys had taken up ‘their re- spective positions During the progress of the grand high mass the choir rendered ‘te of ‘Haydn's Imperial Mass’? and ‘Mass No. L” The Ne (4 ‘at | “Gloria” and “Credo” were from Mass No, 1; the “Sanctus Benedictus” and st tl from the [mperial. At the offertory Adam’s “Noel”? was sung by Miss Mor- rison-Fiset, the soprano of the choir, The rendering was very fine. It afforded Miss Fiset an opportunity to display her art, which is of ahigh order. The quartet of the choir, under the direction of Mr. Hunschel, was distributed as follows:—Miss Morrison-Fiset, soprano; Miss Fivet, alto; Mr, Groschel, tenor, and Mr. Walker, Mass was celebrated by Father Slinger, assisted by Father Daly aa deacon and Father Lynch as. sub- deacon. ‘Tho sermon was preached by Father Lilly, the prior of the convent THR SERMON. After reading the gospel for the day, the reverend father proceeded to explain the text. Ho dwolt es- peclally upon the fact that Christ had been the emancl- pator of the poor, He described m graphic terms the debased aud enslaved condition of the poor at the com- ing of Jesus, and then drew a glowing picture of their happy condition after He began His preaching. Ho spoke of the rich and priceless legacy He had left them— a legacy bought with His precious blood on the Mount of Calvary. He spoke words of consolation to those whose-lot in Irfe 18 not as prosperous or comfort- able as they could wish, telling thom that the stations men filled were not of their own making, but of God’s will If they entered seriously into the subject, they would see— no matter how hamble their condition—that God bad appointed them to It to fulfll a certain oft and on the faithful performance of the trust depend |. their happiness here and hereafter, ann CHURCH OF THE MEDIATOR. At the Church ofthe Mediator (Protestant Bpiscopal), Ormond place, Brooklyn, service was held yesterday morning. The church was very appropriately deco- rated, The musical programme was exceedingly at- | tractive and was as follows:—Organ voluntary; pro- cessional hymn, “The Angel’s Song,” solo and chorus, G. K. Bleecker ; “Venite,”’ chant No, '11, common praise ; “Gloria Patri,” J, Ernest Perring; “fo Deum,” Lloyd, in E flat; “Jubilate Deo,” A. H, Pease; ante-Iitany hymn, No. 63, ‘Saviour,’ when’ in Dust to Theo;" 46, "Shout the Glad Tidings}* » LW. Greatorex; | 17—“Hark the Herald | Angeis Sing, ron; “Gloria Patri?’ after ser- | mon, J. B. offertory anthem—"While Shep- herds Watched their Flocks,’ quartet and chorus, Lioy: organ voluntary; communion service; trisa- “evherefore with Angels; hymn; “Gloria in xcelsis” The following ladies and gentlemen sang the solos:—Soprano, Miss Lizzie Crowell; alto, Mrs. Isabel Thatcher; tenor, Mr. W. ¥. Saxe; basso, Mr. F. L. Condit, An eloquent sermon was preached by the rector, the | Rey. T. Btafford Drowne, D, D., who selected for his text the fourteenth verse of the second chapter of the Gospel of St. Luke—Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” Dr. Drowne described the social and political condition of the world at the period shortly before the birth of Christ, the unostentatious announcement of this great event and | its effect upon the ensuing centuries. He then pro- | ceeded to sketch the significance of the song of the angels and to show its realization and the development of Christianity throughout the ages. He diiated at length, and ina very attractive and earnest manner, upon the Jessons ‘tanght by this song, particulariy those which had reference 10 the words “Peace on earth and good will to men.”” At the conclusion of the | | sermon the communion was partaken of by the mem- | bers of the church. THE SERVICES AT GRACE CHURCH. ‘The Christmas services at the above church were pe- culiarly impressive, The morning congregation was large and fashionable, the music especially being an Attraction. In the choir wero Mme, Brignol!, soprano; | Miss A. Henne, contralto, Messrs. George Simpson, tenor, and J. H. Wheeler, baritone, Miss Drasdil | being’ il! was not in attendance. Mr. George W. Colby presided, a3 usual, at the organ. Tho fol- | lowing was the musical ' programme :—Mosenthal’s | “Venite,” in C, was sung frst, and this was succeeded | by “Gloria Patrie’ and Pease’s “Gloria in Exceisis,”’ Thomas’ “Te Deum”? was sung with fine effect, and the | “Cantique de Noel,’ by Adam, wasa performance worthy of St. Stephen’s. ‘Mr. Potter, a brother of the pastor, | preached an unusually fine Christmas sermon, and after | sacrament the large congregation dispersed to indulge | | in the usual Christmas festivities, A collection was | taken up for the bened of the Grace chapel mission. CHURCH OF 8ST. AGNES. At St. Agnes’ church, in Rast Forty-third street, there were special services of a nighly interesting na- ture yesterday, The church itsolf had been tastefully | decorated and festooned, and the altar was brilliant with lights and flowers, Mercadanti’a mass was sung | | bya large choir, with fino instrumental accompant- ment. E. Marzo presided at the organ, and Mr. Albytes wielded the baton. Among the soloists, Mrs. Robinson, | soprano, and Signor Coletti, bass, deserve special and fayorable mention. Rev, Father McDowall, the pastor | of the church, officiated as chief celebrant of the mass, | and also preached a Christmas sermon, in which he re- | ferred ieelingly to the occasion, and urged his bearers to profit by the lesson of humility taught them in the | obscure grotte of Bethlehem two thousand years ago. THE PAULISTS CHURCH. i} At the Paulists’ church, West Fifty-ninth street, | yesterday morning, the usual masses wero celebrated. | ‘The half-past ten o'clock mass was celebrated by the | Rev. Father Young, the deacon being Rev. Father | Dwyer and the sub-eacon Rev. Father Stone. Tho | sermon was preached by the Rev. Father Brown, Tho musio was the Gregorian chant, which this church makes a specialty. The altars were espectally decorated, | and around the church the pillars and windows were festooned with evergreens, AT THE CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS, | The various charitable institutions throughout the city provided liberally for the good cheer of their in- mates, whether old or young, in order that they, one | and all, might bave some pleasing recollections of, and | solid comfort on this season, when the universal metto | is “Peace on earth and geod will to man.” Tosay that the participants of the bounties provided for them | appreciated the efforts that were made in their behalf | conveys but a faint idea of the actual case, Suflice it to say that they will long remember with gratitude the festivities of yesterday. At the Howard Mission, No. 40 Bowery, about eight hundred persons of all ages and sexes were served with | a liberal dinner of oysters, poultry and bread and butter | and coffee, Tho opening exercises commenced at eleven o'clock with singing by the scholars attached to | the mission, | In the afternoon presents were made to | the children, consisting of shawls, hosiery, clothing, | &c., for the purpose of protecting the little ones from the cold blasts of winter, At the Old Five Points Mission the children at- tached thereto were present atten A. M., when each one was supplied with a new suit of clothes. No | dinner was provided, but what perhaps pleased the little ones equally as well was two large Christmas trees, | on which were hung suitable presenta, which wore sub- fequentiy distributed, a8 also packages of oranges, apples, nuts and confectionery. At the Five Points’ House of Industry some 600 or , 600 children were entertained, The opening exercises | consisted of singing and gymnastics, after which, at | three o'clock, dinner was served, consisting of a bountiful supply of turkeys, mince-pies, vegetablea and other good things. Every girl was given anew | calico drows, while the boys were given extra clothing, ‘The Children’s Aid Society did not forget its littic charges, but. held festivals as follows:—At the Thir- teenth Ward school, at No, 327 Rivington street, at the Seventh ward, av No, 62 Market en A. M5 street, at eleven A. M.; Cottage place, ab No, 204 Bleecker sireet ‘at haif-past one P, M. ; El No, 709 East Eleventh street, at three P. M.; German Evening School, at No, 272 Second | street, at half-past seven P. M. The inmates of the different lodging houses of the society were also given | @ Christmas dinner at haif-past seven P. M.. viz :—The | | newsboys and girls, at Rivington street, Eleventh ward | | and Sixteenth ward lodging houses. The basis of these | | feeds was turkey and pumpkin pic, which was heartily | | enjoyed by all. Numerous presents of woollen shir ts and clothing were also made, A merry Christmas was spent atthe Home for the Friondiess, Some 300 children were given a good tur- key dinner at one o'clock. Singing and other exercixes | succeeded the disposal of the edibles, which in turn were supplemented by the dispensing of gtita to the children from the Christmas tree, ‘The Howe Lodging House, 192 Chatham square, gave | ‘4 free dinner to its inmates. At the Reception Hospital of the New York Jovenile Asylam, in West Thirteenth street, the little inmates were well supplied with Christmas’ choer, and passed the afternoun and ayaning in tha apiavmens of holiday | of Lavater’s and other amusements. A sfinflar fostital took place at the Sezer, Asylum Bloomingdale, in Half Orphan Asytu: ‘colebratedhe day oy providiagé turkoy dinner for their ‘The day was celebrated by Father Drumgoole’s boys at their home, Nos. 63 and 65 Warren street, with more than the usual festivities. As the early masses most of the larger boys received Holy Comme ‘The small were provided with new and rtable com- +6 Suits of winter clothing. At half-past one P. M. boysand children enjoyed their usual Christmas Caeeeth gad 1s ts needless t state that of the 400 Iba. of ny fhe vw ga things provided for the occasion At the Union Home and Sehool for soldiers’ and sailors’ orphans the children enioyed a bountiful din- good Gate Olena ieee Seas Ge Dak, kee Adar d 8. all other ladies te ja the man- the children at the House Sheph id not retire much before Mianideck yee: terday, owing to the three masses that were celebrated fter migaabh, ® choir of each class awoke the “in charge, at hbalf-past singing joyous Christmas carol er toven o'lorh ‘then breakfast; ator which ihe jawsete seven 0! en i Or classes assembled around thelr Christmas trees, which were ladon with gifts of Lana pr epi le | unt and con. sisted of an abundant supply of turkey ite usual concomitants, followed by a dessert of (ang he gee and nuts Recreation then followed till three P. M., when allassembled in the chapel to colebrate grand vespers, Monday will also be a high holiday at this institution, ail ied classes taking recreation in suitable amuse~ meni A turkey dinner was aye! yesterday to tho inmates of Ward's Island. In the evening a Christen 8 festival was held tn the State Emigrant and Refuge Hospital, under the direction of Dr, Mann, the resident physi- cian, Itwasa fine ailair and greatly enjoyed by the poor emigrant, The Commissioners of Charity and Correction, trae to their promise, gave a splendid Coristmas dinner to all the inmates of the several institutions under their supervision, At the Penitentiary, some fourteen hun- dred prisoners were provided with # fine turkey din- ner, which was superintended by Warden John Fox and lady, Commissioner Brennan was algo in attendance, with several friends. Commissioner Cox looked after te Cras of the foast of turkey. person: esterday. The paupers on Blackwell's Island, about 000 in number, were also furnished with a sumptuous dinner, together with 2,200 lunatics: At Randatl’s Isiand 1,800 children sat down to 1,500. pounds of tarkey, while 1,800 disabled Pa tienta were the recipients of a like Tepast. At the school sbip ry @ very pleasant time was had, about 200 boys enjoying the dinner given. by the Commissioners, There wero in all 14,000 pounds 3 eke distributed ary 10,600 soveral public institu- jong and consumed u lunatics, sick and disabled and chhdren Nota opin curred to mar the day’s pleasure. The Pemgcareen the Peniten! expressed themselves as highly pleased with their Christmas feast. At the Colored Orphan Asylum, tn 114th streot, and St Luke’s Home, in East mighigratnits street, the day was also suitably commemora’ The old folks of the Baptist Home for the Aged had a fine Christinas dinner, at which many kind Nadies ale tended, and made the day pleasant by their presence, Bister Irene, of the Founding Asylum, distributed a quantity of toys among the little waifs under her care, to their infinite delight. The Christmas gifts had been contributed by a number of kind-hearted ladies. ‘A philanthropist who yesterday might have tound himself in that exceliont and extensive institution, the Catholic Protectory at Westchester, could not fail to have oxperienced a feeling of profound grati- fication while witnessing the hundreds of happ little ones whose hearts had been made glad Sect § the kindness and liberality of their guardians and friends, At sev ‘clock the peneiete He uomber about 1,500, enjoyed a hearty, “special” breakfast, after which they were marched to the chapel, where a grand musical ~_ mass was celebrated and an instruc- tive discourse delivered. This over, the juveniles were Parmitied Ao enioy Sengelrss Sine Foatrain’ on be spacious play grounds of the (mip until twelve Selook, when they filed into large dining halls. Here the sight which presented iteelf was all-euflicient to again remind the eager boys and girla of the homely phrase, “Christmas comes but once a year.” The tables seemed almost unable to support the weight of good things which they bore, . These latter embraced a bountiful supply of poultry, different kinds of vegeta- bles, whtle for rt there were apples, oranges, can- dies, coffee, &c, It is needless to state in what manner the tables were lightened of their load. During the afternoon that dear, delightful old patron of chil- dren—Santa Claus—made his occasional visit to the younger ones, not one of whom was forgotton, A num- ber of the inmates were also allowed to spend some time with relatives and irieads, who calied to see them during the day. HOW THE NEWSBOYS DINED. The dark, dreary day brought little joy to the cheer- less homes of the ‘wee folks,” whose domicile had been passed unheeded by Santa Claus. Indeed, Santa Claus had been so busy in leaving lots of toys tn the houses of the rich and well-off that it seemed as if he had no time to visit the Haff and cnff'd and disrespeckit poor little boys and girls, whose useful occupation tt is to distribute the Telegram and other daily newspapers among the busy inhabitants of this gfeat metropolis. But the proprietor of the Telegram had ordered to be prepared an agreeable surprise to the little news venders, in the shape of a substantial dinner at Mou- quin’s restaurant, Na 20 Ann street, where arrange- ments had been made to entertain all the nows boys | and girls who might come between the hours of twelve | and four, provided with a ticket, which could be had at | the office of the Telegram merely for the asking. About noon, a stirring and nosy crowd of children— mostly boys—between the ages of five and fifteen years was assembled in Ann street. The little people pushed, Jostied and struggled fora place in the line, which a few police officers assisted to form in front of the rest- aurant Boys of all nationalities, ages and conditions were there; litte shock-headed, fair-faced, blue-eyed urchins, whé had about them the look of much war iness and sharpness of character, which could only have been acquired by ¢h amount of friction with the ways of this weary worla that must be quite dis- proportionate to their ages. There were, too, many specimens of the genus gamin, who, in dark looks, bright black eyes and dusky skins, showed that they belonged to parents whose ancestors sleep be- neath the sunny skies of beautiful Italy or the vine-clad hills of France. THE CELTS AND TRUTONS were largely in the ascendant; and it required but littte science to point out among the young- sters those whose sires had come from Fatheriand. and those whose ancestors had been “kings an princes’ in the Emerald Isle, Still, there they were, as American boys, with all the rights and privilege: of citizenship before them; and it is impossible to guess how many generals, statesmen, diplomats, legislators or jurists may have been present yesterday at that newsboys’ dinner. The large dining ball of Mouquin’s, | which extends clear across from Ann to Falton streets, had been fitted up with a double row of tables Seats were placed on both sides of the tables, 60 that be- tween two aud three hundred boys ana girls could sit down to dinner at once Th room was decorated with Christmas evergreens, and @ | string band occupted an elevated position on a plat- form on the south side of the hall. It was arranged that the four tables should be served successively, and an hour allowed to each oue, 80 that the entertainment should cover four hours, from twelve o’clock until four. ‘The bill of fare consisted of roast turkey, with mashed potatoes, rolls and butter, and cake, pies, coffee and oranges, Atthe Orst table there sat down $20 individuals, in- cluding forty girls, and the other tables accommodated nearly as many, 80 that between 1,100 and TWELVE HONDRND CHILDREN WXRE SERVED, When the meal was finished at all the tables by the successive batches of children, each child was allowed to draw from a bag a lottery ticket, and the lucky on: who drew prizes were furnished with an order tora suit of clothes. Each of the boys who drew prizes got 8 coat, pantaloons and vest, and the girls a good warm shawl. ‘The little people vociferously shouted their admira- tion for the Telegram, and on three or four occasions called out Mr. Hall, who each trme made a short speech to them, They sang the ‘Mulligan Guard a Coal Mine,” the “Red, White and Blue, songs, with much feeling and expression.’ Throughout the afternoon the proprietor of the Telegram was cheered to the echo. ‘The following are the names of the bo; were lucky enough to draw prizes in the lottery :— Abraham Alexander, No. 178 Clinton street; Maggie McDougal, No. 81 Cherry street; Mary Carson, No. 31 Cherry streot; May Haney, No. '85 Mulberry ’ strec John Uanney, No. 2 Roosevelt street; Ira Miller Frost, Forty-ninth street and Third avenue; Thomas Singer. No, %&43 Frankfort stroot; Jenny McGowan, No. 16 Deabrosses street; James Foley, No. 101 Greenwich street; Edward O'Hara, No. 18 Cherry street; Thomas Henderson, No 24 Rose street; William McGowan, No, 439 Fourteenth street; Mary Houston, No. 81 Rose street; Charlie Flynn, No 16 Cherry street; Philp Ryan, No, 24 Mott street, and Nellie Mahony, No. 7 Grand street, WASHINGTON MARKET YESTERDAY. If the purchasers of good things on Christmas Eve presented @ gladsome appearance on the eve of the great Christian festival, those who went thithor yester- day morning to make their tardy acquisition of poultry, &o., presented a saddened aspect principally of those who were poorly provided with the world’s goods and went to buy atas cheap prices as they possibly could, at an early hoar {n the morning, bony turkeys, emaciated goose and half starved looking ducks for their Christmas dinner which bad not found purchasers on the preceding day. wan and pinched woman’s face was to be feon there, who haggled desporately over their purchas for their homes wore unhappy and drunkenness or sickness caused them to be aud necessitated their fighting for low prices. were but few poultry stands open, however, and those fow in charge of assistants, the proprietors being ab- sent, engaged in the disposition of good cheer, and for- getfal, perhaps, of the poor who came to purchase the “leavings” of their heavily loaded stands on the day preceding Coristmas, A few vendors of Obristmas green! also in the market vending their surplus lock: and in Barclay sireot a well known fcuk stare their | af They consisted | rematned open till the afternoon. eleven o"clock the poor ors had nearly ail asnamanaes ‘and serrata lone avd wpa br na 6 samo nea be witnessed, - 4 uh ——. CHRISTMAS AMONG THE GERMANS. The Germans have transformed Christmas Day fnto a children’s and family celebration, ts brilliant attributes and presentation of holiday gifta are the charming features. There is hardly a house- hold which ts not provided with @ Christmas tree. While Christmas eve is generally celebrated in tha seclusion of the family circle, Christmas Day ts gen- erally observed in @ more public manner, by an exchange of visits and ~ recep- tions =6The Gorman laces of amusement along the Bowery and other ‘ities on the east side wore profusely decorated At most of them musical and vocal performances bad been provided and the at- tendance was numerous, The German sovictice meat Saengerband the Germanta Assembly Rooms last night ‘was tastefully decorated, and @ Christmas tree deco- rated with toys for the children and prosents for the adios was ove of the princtpal features, The affair was wound up by a ball The entertainments provided by the other German jes were similar in obaracter, and tho German residents ef Ni York enjoyed themselves in their usual way, IN THE STREETS, CARS AND FER- RIES. ‘The sloppy condition of tho streets, and the rain falk Ing at intervals throughous the day, rendered pedes- trianism tncompatible with comfort, and consequently caused the sidewalks to be almost deserted at times, As early as fve o’clock inthe morning, however, the vicinity of the Catholio churches was alive with wor- shippers, trudging In the dark through the mud to attend the early mass, and which was celebrated at that hour, Daylight brought out the representative city boy in small force, but powerful for noise, alded by tim horns left by Santa Claus in suspended stockings, As the day wore on tnto the forenoon there was no im- provement in the weather, but the services at the various churches were 680 attractive that thousands thronged within their welcoming doors. Those who came out of doors, however, all had a positive object im view. There were to be seen none of the gaily dressed! and merry crowds of chattering and idly strolling, pleasure seekers that usually throng our avenues on holiday occastons. Whon it was not actually raining a heavy mist hung over the city and exerted » depressing iniluence on the spirits of all, which required all the elastic tendency of the merry day to overcome. Perhaps it was this that caused so many drunken men to be seen on the East side, Lsersbuer J out to have @ ** Merry Christmas '* they too frequently indulged in potent libations ta drown the soporitlo effect of the weather, and having gone too fur many of them will find themselves thia morning in the presence of Justice Bixby at the Tomba, Christinas, apart from its religious character, is ossen- tially an eating day, as well as an occasion of making and receiving gifts and love tokens, and itusually is, too, a general visiting day. Yesterday, however, seemod to be an exception to this latter phase of Obristmas life. Scarcely any ladies were to be seen abroad after the hour of returning from the churches, and the street cars weré hardly so well patronized as on ordinary week days. The ferries were almost deserted, Ki: boat from Brooktyn and Jersey City brought, as a rue, only a straggling half score of men, muitied and goloshed, who proved, on inspection, to’ be, for the most part, newspaper employes on their way to their daily work: Central Park, the Mecca of ‘our holiday-making masses of the working class, might have been taken by a stranger who’ wandered through its abandoned walks and drives for some secluded private demesne, a thousand miles away {rom the teeming metropolis fhe commons, which asually present such a gay appearance on Sun- days and holidays, brightened with gay colored cos- ‘umes and fluttering ribbons and merry chawer of thousands of children and lady visitors, were relegated to silence and solitude, The trees stretched their limbs brown and bare across the walks, which were de- serted, save that bere and thore some miserable “dining with Duke Humphrey” with folded arms and head bowed down, strolied mournfully along oblivious of thedrenching drops that fell upon him from the dripping boughs overhead, Among the tenement houses the day was celebrated with comparatively more enthusiasin than in the “brown stone fronts on the avenue” Every family | Rot absolutely and hopelessly impoverished bad if not a turkey or other fowl, at least a piece of roast beef for its Christmas diuner, and in many cases there will be pinebing and saving all the rest of the weex to make up for the extravagance of that festive meal. Many of the apartments, especially on the east side, were taste- fully decorated with evergreens, which were carried about the streets by pediers and sold for asong. There was a giut of “green stuff in the market, and the large dealers sold it to pediers for little more than the cartaga. The means of decoration being thus within | easy Teach many a room was gayly decorated whose | Inmates knew wot where to-day’s breakfast is to come from. CHRISTMAS IN BROOKLYN. ‘Tne day was ushored in by the ringing of church bells and the “‘tooting” of that most obnoxtous of all musical instruments—the fish horn, The bells sum- | moned the pious members of the Roman Catholio Charch to the early masses and the borns proclaimed that the stock of Santa Claus had reached its déstina- | tlon—the hands"of tho little ones There was joy om every side apparent, rich and poor sharing in the sen- | Ument which prompts Christendom to be glad because of the retarn of the glorious anniversary. The hand of charity was busy, and the pleasure of giving was cer- | tainly eqnal to the delight of receiving. The cars and many private conveyances were thronged during the day by people visiting the churches ll public offices and stores remained closed, and no work of any | description was to be seen out of doors, This circum- stance was commented upon as showing @ remarkable change in the observance of the Christmas festival i Brooklyn now and the manner in which it was kept thirty years ago. An old resident of the city informed the wi that at the period named and for soveral years after Christmas was not regarded as a holiday, | none but the Catholics and a few Church of England people went to church on that day; the schools re- mained {n 4ession, public offices and stores transacted business as usual, and work went on in tho shops and factories, Now the entire aspect of the scone on Christ- mas Day is changed, and the Sabbath quietude and solemnity would aliuost seem to have dawned with the festival. First in the order of the day, after the inspection ot Kris Kringle’s budget, came the churches. Grand high masses were celebrated before five o'clock in the | thirty-eight Catholic churches of Brooklyn, and the sacrifice was ofered in regular succession till haif-past ten o’ciock, each priest celebrating three musses. At each service contributions were made by the congrega- tions to the orphans, according to the custom of that diocese, At St Stephen’s charch, Hicks and Summit streets, Haydn's Mass, No. 2 was admirably rendered atthe last service by the choir, composed of tho follow- ing volunteer artists:—Miss A. Wents, soprano; Mme. Leamelinyt, contralto; Mr. Charles Lockwood,’ tenor; Mr. Dalton, basso, An orchestra, the .O’Riely Band, twelve pieces, accompanted the cho ‘The mass at St. Peters’, Hicks street and Warren, was “Prince Pontatéwskt in #,” solennelle, which was sung for she first time in Brooklyn, the choir being under the direction of Professor A. Contado, Tho solos were taken by Mrs. Anna K. Mixteiland R. B. Hall, soprani; Mrs. James Furey, contraito; Mr. Ed. B. Cadley, tenor; and Signor B. Agramonte and J, Saunders, 'bassi,’ The chorus consisted of twenty-five voices. At St. Charles Borromeo’s, Sidney place, Generalli’s | mass No. 6 was admirably rendered by the choir, Con- terno’s orchestra accompanying. At St, Joseph's, Pacific street, Haydn's mass No. 2 ‘was sung by the regular choir of the church. The music at St Mary's Star of the Sea, Court, near Luqueer street; at St. Paul's, Court and Congress streets; St. James’ Jay streot; Our Lady of Mercy, Debevoise street ; Church of the Nativity, Ciasson avenue; and the Sacred Heart, Clermont avenue, was also excollent and demon- strated care and pains in the preparation on the part of the choirs. | Special musical services were held also in the fore- | noon at St. Ann’s, on the Heights, choir being | under the direction of Miss 1. P. Schott; at the Holy Trinity, Clinton and Montague streets; St James’; | Church of the Messiah, Greene avenue; St. Mi Classon avenue; St. Jdbn’s, Seventh avenue; C! church, Harrison street; St’ Mark's, Adelphi’ street; Grace chureb, on the Heights; Emanuel; Cutler Momo- rial, Washington street: St Barnabas’, Bushwick ave- nue; St Matthews', Throop avenue; Church of the Reformation; St. George's, Marcy avence; St. Luke's, Clinton avenue; Church of the Redeemer, Fourth ave- nue; St. Peter's, Stato strect, all of tho Protestant Episcopal denomination. ‘The inmates of the Newsboys’ Hone, Vine street, were fed heartily on the good things ofthe season by the patrons of that house yenerday. ‘old ladies sojourn- ing at the Home tor Aged and Indigent ¥emales wore re- galed on boned turkey, Charlotte Russe and other ter dor delicacies by the Church Charity Foundation, managers of the Industrial Home gave adinner to the chijdren and their parents, Several clergymen whe | werk present delivered brief addresses. At the Orphan Asylum roast beef and pies prevailed a\ihe dinner hour, and disappeared with remarkable rapidity before the onslaught of the children. | the out-going Sherif, for this Christmas “treat”? consisted of, roast beef, o1 vory cheap cigar aud the contents or | six twenty-five cent boxes of grapes, equally shared | (after deducting the bruised fr among 300 prison- era At the ‘kings County iventiary the eunvicta | fared better, They were well supphed with turkey, | beef, pies and tobaceo at the expense of the Bay State | Shoe Company, which latter corporation has the con- | tract for the convict labor there, Governor Shevlin and his Lieutenant, E. Crammie, presided at tha | distribution of the food and saw that every was | satisfied, There was no attempt made to entertain the | inmates of the Almshouse, the Charity Commission | dreading a rebuke from the economical Board of Sup hanes | IN WESTCHESTER COUNTY. Throughout Westchester county the festival was duly honored and universally kept. Although the weather was not of an inapiritigg charagtor tho rolyigqus sors