The Christmas services started with celebration of the Holy Communion at am., at which there were about 100 communicants. The chancel was simply but effectively decorated with mountain ashi, evergreen, bamboos and poinsettia. Christmas day usually brings a number of people to church, but the congregation which assembled at morning prayers must have been a record one. The Cathedral was quite packed, and late comers had the greatest difficulty in finding seats. The service opened with the hymn Chri tious awake, salute the happy morn. The choir which has improved wonderiully of I.te, really surpassed itself on this occasion, and no small credit is due to Messrs. Lanning and Moule, who presided at the organ in turns. Stainer's Te Deum was exquisitely rendered, as was 0 the anthem then from Haudel's "Messiah." The Rev. A. J. Walker preached from St, Luke LI, 7. His sermon, though short, was straight and to the point. The service concluded—with "Hark the Herald Angels Sing," and there was afterwards another celebration of the Holy Communion.
The children's service was held in the Cathedral instend of in the Church room. The children were invited to bring offerings of toys to be sent to the OE. M.S, ut Ningpo. This novel idea quite took their fancy, and the younger members of the congregation came to church laden with presents for the lose fortunate Chinese children. Carols were sung during the service, in which the youngsters joined lustily. "Evening prayer was held 8 usual at 6 p.m. The Cathedral was again well filled. Appropriate hymns were sung and also another suitable anthem. At the conclusion of the service, instead of a sermon the choir gave a selection of carols, which were much "ppreciated. They wore mostly all favourites which all Englishmen know from their youth up, and the congregation was therefore able to join in. Collections were taken at exch service for the general Fund of the Cathedral, and "during the day no less than $640, a Christmas record, was contributed.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.