CHRISTMAS DAY.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2569, 27 December 1888, Page 2

CHRISTMAS DAY.

S. PETER'S CHURCH HAMILTON. The Festival of tile Nativity was observed in the above church by an eight o'clock celebration of the Holy Comm.mion, and religious services, appropriate to the occasion, at 11 o'clock. The decorations were very simple, but tastefully arranged, and reflected much credit on the tnem'-ers of the congregation who had been the workers. The reading desk lectern, and pulpit were prettily decked with lyoopodium, as wore also the pillars at the aisles with festoons of the same plant wound around them. The altar rails had the same class of decorations, and thfi rood table was simply ornamented with ferns and white roses. Ivy and lycopodium were (ixed around the arches of all the windows. From the centre of each arch at tho aisles floral baskets were suspended and had a graceful effect ; bannerettes were hung against the Church walls. The font near the door was charmingly decorated with lycopodium and moss. The Rev. R. O'C. Biggs, the incumbent, officiated, assisted by Col. Forbes, lav deacon, and there was n large congregation at matins. The text was taken from S. John, Ist chapter, 14th verse, "The Word was made Flesh." The preacher gave an excellent sermon in the course of which he led his hearers back to tho period when the message of " glad tidings" was conveyed to a languishing world, nearly two thousand years ago. He referred to the many loving memories recalled to nearly all by Christmas Day. Every one should be happy in their homes, with their children, and in their souls. He exhorted all not to forget the Lord on His Birthday; the Christmas joys that Christ gives can reach the sick, sorrowful and needy. The following hyinns were rendered by the choir, and heartily joined in by the people : —" 0 come, all ye faithful," "Hark! the herald-angels sing," and " While shepherds watched their flocks by night." After the ordinary service, the Holy Eucharist was administered by the celebrant to about thirty communicants. S. MARY'S CATHOLIC CHURCH, HAMILTON. This church was very prettily decorated, tho principal feature being the altar which was beautifully ornam nte.d with feft ons of ivy and roses. The musij.d part of the service at morning mass was suitable to the day and was efficiently performed by the choir, Miss Cassidv being the organist. There was a full congregation and Father Fox preached from the gospel for the day, and delivered a very earnest sermon on the way in which Christmas should be observed and enjoyed by Christian people. THE CHORAL SOCIETY. The Volunteer Hall, Hamilton West, was filled with a fashionable and appreciative audience in the evening (Christmas night) to hear the carols and sacred concert by tho Hamilton Choral Society. There were many visitors from Cambridge and other districts in the hall. The stage was quite a picture with its tasteful decorations, consisting of nilcau palms, ferns and trophies of flags, which serving as a background to the perfoi iners, the ladies in their light and elegant costumes and the gentlemen in ovening' dress, was very pleasing to the eye. Under the able and efficient conductorship of Mr H. Connell, the conceit was a pronounced success and afforded the fullest satisfaction to all present. Mr Connell had evidently spared no trouble, in training his chorus, and had them remarkably well in hand throughout. The concert opened with the well-known hymn

" Adilste Fidnles," arranged lor organ, piano, violin, and 'cello, which was smoothly played, the piano variations being especially well rendered. Mendelssohn's oratorio "Christus," which is essentially a Christinas work, was then performed. The opening chorus for male voices was very effective, but was slightly marred by hesitation in tlm commencement. We have not space to give a detailed account of the work, but will mention for special approval the chorus " 'There Shall a Star From Jacob Come Forth," tho chorus "Daughters of /ion," and the concluding chorale, "He Leaves His Heavenly Portals," in all of which tho expression was well marked and the meaning of the composer well interpreted. In the second of these the wail of the female voices "Weep For Yourselves" was particularly good. In the consecutive choruses " And the Multitude Arose," "He Stirreth up the Jews," " Away With Jesus," and " Crucify Him," the powers of the Society were taxed to their utmost. The tempo is fast, and the music requires an amount of preparation which the limited number of rehearsals hardly sufficed to complete. They were, however, fairly well rendered, and reflect credit on both the conductor and chorus. The recitatives were taken by Mr Meachem. This gentleman has a good tenor voice, hut his articulation was hardly sufficiently clear for the difficult role of recit The first part concluded with the well-known chorus from the Messiah, " And the Glory of the Lord." which would bear favourable comparison with the effect produced by much larger and more powerful societies. Miss Missen, piano, and Miss Newell, organ, were all that could be desired, and formed a very effective orchestra. The second part of the programme opened with " La Prise D'Armes," a military march for piano and organ, which was well plnyed. The children's carol, "Ivy aud Holly,,' which followed, was a very successful item, the modulation of the voices being particularly good, and the appropriate decorations of the children had a vory pretty effect. We wish Mr Connell every success in his effort to train the young voices of the community, and shall hope to hear further results in due course. The carols sung were all familiar to a Hamilton audionce, and were perhaps for that reason especially welcome. They were without exception well sung, and the musical expression were well carried out. The carol, " Good Kinc Wenceslas," in which Miss Cassidy and Mr Meachem sustained the solo parts, was much appreciated, as also the quartette carol, " Cradle Song," in which the voices of Miss Chappell, Miss Murray, Mr Connell and Mr Steele blended most harmoniously. We are glad to welcome a new soloist in the person of Dr. Kenny, whose song, "There is a Green Hill," (Gounod), was artistically rendered. This gentleman possesses a melodious, but not very powerful, baritone voice,' and though evidently nervous, will, with training, be a valuable acquisition to the Society. The duet, " When Brighter Suns," was rendered by Miss Sinythe and Mrs von Sturmer with effect. The first named young lady possesses a powerful soprano, and would no doubt with proper instruction, be capable of much. Mrs Connell contributed two items : Tho hymn, "Le Rameau." with orchestral accompaniment, and the solo " O for the Wings of a Dove" (Mendelssohn). We have never heard this accomplished vocaliste to oetter advantage, the latter solo being beautifully rendered, and both were much appreciated by tho audience. The duet, "We Are Ambassadors," from "S. Paul," by Messrs G. and J. S. Edgecmnbe, was acceptable, their voices blending well, although evidencing want of sufficient preparation. The carol "Wassail Song" brought a most pleasant evening's entertainment to a conclusion. We believe the Society intend to produce a series of works during the year, the next concert being of a secular nature, and we heartily wish them success in their efforts to improve the musical capabilities of Hamilton, which, we are convinced, only want such opportunity of improvement to develope themselves.

THE BAND CAROLS. The public of Hamilton were given a rare treat by the Hamilton Light Infantry i3and on tho evening of Christmas Day. The baud assembled on Barrack Hill about seven o'clock, under Bandmaster Mettam, and performed several choice selections of sacred music, in a manner that delighted all present. All the parts were well played, the cornet solos being excellent, and the euphonium and bass parts drew forth special mention from those present. The harmony was excellent throughout, the chords being quite thrilling ; the piano passages were played iiweetly and distinctly, and the forte with spirit and energy. The following is tho programme gone through :— " Adeste Fideles," " Adoration "(anthem), "Blessed is He That Cometh " (anthem, IT. Round), "O Come All Ye Faithful" (anthem, H. Riund), "Brightest and Best" (chorale, by Gluck), "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" (carol, Mendelssohn), "Endless Blessings" (prayer, Beethoven), "Angels from the Realms of Glory " (anthem, E. Newton), "ho He Conies" (selectiqn, M. Leslie).