CHRISTMAS AT THE CHURCHES.

Evening Post, Volume LVI, Issue 153, 27 December 1898, Page 2

CHRISTMAS AT THE CHURCHES.

At St. Paul's Pro-Cathedral there were the usual tasteful decorations. Celebrations of the Holy Communion took place at 7 o'clock, 8 o'clock, and 11 o'clock. The celebrants were the Bishop of the Diocese, the Rev. F. G. Masters, and the Vicar (Rev. T. H. Sprott), assisted by the Yen. Archdeacon Fnncourt and the Rev. F. Sheriff. The number of communicants was somewhat larger than for some years past. At matins, the congregation, which included the Governor, Lady Ranfurly, and suite, was very large — the sermon (Heb. i., 1, 2) was preached by the Vicar. In the afternoon there was a children's service. Carols were sung by the children, and an address upon the lessons of Christ's infancy was given by Mr. Masters. At evensong there was again a very large congregation. The Bishop preached, his text being " God so loved the world." A number of carols, in which the congregation heartily joined, were sung. The sacred song " Nazareth " was very feelingly sung by Mr. Pringle, and the Pastoral Symphony from '•The Messiah" was exquisitely played by Mr. R. Parker. In accordance with the usual custom at St. mark's Church, the Christmas festival began with Communion service at 7 a.m., followed by another service at 8 a.m. Both of these were well attended. At the mid-day and evening services, which were fully choral, the choir assembled in full force, and very large congregations were present. The well - known hymn "Hark, the Herald Angels Sing" was taken as a processional on each occasion. Lloyd's Communion and Evening Service in E Flat were beautifully rendered, as was the anthem ■' The Hallowed Day hath Shined Upon Us" (Stainer). The tenor solo in the latter was well sung by Mr. Hogg. At the conclusion of the evening service some carols were rendered by the choir. The Rev. Mr. Coffey preached at both the mid-day and evening services, and Mr. Laurence Watkins, the organist and choirmaster, presided most capably at the organ. The church was prettily decorated, under the direction of Miss Fitzgerald. A shortened service of a fully choral character was held on Christmas Eve, when carols were sung by the choir. The festival of Christmas was celebrated in the usual way at St. Peter's. The church had been decorated by Mrs. Tripe and Miss Richardson, assisted 'by Messrs. Gowen, Marchant, and J. Tripe. The colour used was white, relieved by a little pale pink. vThe ornamentation was confined to the altar and puipit. A large number of men and boys belonging to the choir were absent on their holidays, and this caused grave fears as to the way the singing would ga but, thanks to the large attendance of the choirwomen, the service went splendidly. The congregations were large throughout the day, and the usual Christmas nymns were sung. There were three celebrations of the Holy Communion — at 7, 8, and after Morning prayer. The preacher in the morning was the Rev. A. M. Johnson, M.A., who delivered an excellent discourse* upon those words talen from the first lesson, "The Prince of Peace." In the evening, instead of the anthem, four carols were sung, in which the congregation joined very heartily, and the Vicar preached upon the Lesson of the Shepherds. Dr. Fyffe played some fine voluntaries at the various services, and the festival was brought to a close by a merry chime upon the fine peal of bells for which St. Peter's is noted. The decorations at St. Thomas's, Newtown, were of a very appropriate character. The Rev. 0. Fitzgerald preached in the morning to a fairly large congregation. In the evening there was a carol service, the church being crowded. Mr. Barltrop was at the organ at both services, and Mi*. Spackman acted as conductor. Pontifical High Mass was celebrated at St. Joseph's Church by His Grace Ai'chbishop Redwood at 10.30. The Archbishop and clergy marched in procession from St. Patrick's College to the church, the organist and orchestra playing the " War March of the Priests " as they entered. The Very Rev. Father Devoy acted as Assistant Priest, Revs. Father S. Mahony and N. Molony being Deacon and Sub-Deacon respectively, while Father O'Shea was Master of Ceremonies. Haydn's Mass No. 2 was splendidly rendered by the choir, under the conductorship of Mr. H. H. M'Cardell. The soloists were Misses Sullivan and Rigg, Messrs. Butcher, Haughey, and Montgomery. Mr. Ennis presided at the organ, arid an efficient orchestra, under the leadership of My. Hotop, very materially assisted in all the services. As an offertory piece the " Adeste Fideles " was finely given by the choir. The Arohbishop preached an eloquent and appropriate sermon on the Feast of ' Christmas. In the evening Solemn Vespers were sung, and Benediction given by the Archbishop. The Sanctuary and altar were decorated, as is usual at Christmas time. Large congregations assisted at all the services during the day. Crowded congregations attended the services at St. Mary's of the Angels. Solemn High Mass was celebrated by the Rev. Father Ainsworth at 11 o'clock, Fathers Hickson and Kimbell being deacon and sub-deacon, and Father G. Mahony master of ceremonies. Haydn's Mass No.' 1 was well Bung by the choir, under the conductorship of Mr. F. J. Oakes. The principal soloists were Mrs. Oakes, Misses Kimbell and M'Donaid, Messrs. Law and Taylor. Mr. D. Kenny was at the organ, and a capable orchestra, led by Herr Lehmann, helped considerably. Father Ainsworth preached on the feast of the day.-. In the evening, Vespers and Benediction

were finely sung by the choir. The Adeste ideles and Rossi's Tantum Ergo were amongst the items given. The sanctuary and altar were decorated in the manner appropriate to Christmas. At the Guildford-street schoolroom, the morning service was presided over by the Rev. Father Alexius, who preached an eloquent sermon suitable to the day. The soloists on the occasion were Mesdames Swift and Cimino, Miss Pender, and Messrs. Blight and Ballance, the offertory piece being Adam's Noel, sung by Mr. Ballance. Miss Alice Maginnity presided at the organ, and Mr. Cimino conducted. The decorations were carried out under the direction of Miss Vincent. There were large congregations all day.