CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS.

Press, Volume L, Issue 8676, 28 December 1893, Page 5

CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS.

At St. Saviour's Church, Sydenham, the decorations Were perhaps more successful than usual. The prayer desk and lectern were excellent, aud a novel, but Very graceful, treatment of the font was much noticed. The beautiful banner of the church was hung in a conspicuous-position, and two new banners were placed in the chancel. A rich white silk coveriug for the Holy Table, presented by.Mra Cocks," and richly embroidered by her in gold thread, was used for the first time. At the close of the Sunday evening service, .at which the Rev. H. B. Cocks preached to a large congregation, Christmas carols were sung, ~.«oios being taken by Messrs Jacobs and Hitchings, and also by two of the choir-boys, Lawrence Gill and William Whittair. At the 8 a.m. celebration of the Holy Communion on Christmas morning there were 122 communicants, besides those at the midday service. There was also.a short service at ? p.m. The incumbent, the Rev. E. A. Scott, was the preacher at both services.

At St. Peter's Church, Akaro&, the Christmas decorations were; very artistic. At the entrance to the chancel, ferns and snail cabbage palms were grouped, and the altar rails and candle standards were entwined with wreaths ot foliage and flowers. At either end of the altar, on the floor of the sanctuary, were pots of ferns and white lilies. The sombre purple frontal of Advent was replaced by the, white festival hangings. After the collection the Rev. A. 0. Blaker sang Gounod's ''Nazareth," and then the choir sang a carol. On Christmas Day Holy Communion was celebrated at 8 and 11, and notwithstanding the wet weather there were good congregations, the number of communicants at 8 being more than double that of last Christmas. In the Maivern district service was held in all the churches on Christmas Day. The buildings were very.effectively and handEomely decorated with flowers and evergreens by the ladies of the various congre gat ions. The services were conducted *by the Rev. Mr Hodgson.