The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1868-12-28
Service. In Cathedral Church of 81. LAX

Services In Cathedral Church of 81. Lake.
There must have been some hard work and
we'll timed industry ON this grand edifice to
get it so far finished as TO hold religious service
es in 1t. The building, when completed, will
make an imposing appearance. 1t is Episcopa-
liam in all its aspects, and those who have
been instrumental in building it are entitled
to great credit. Much money and time have
already been expended upon it, and, when
finished according to the original plan, it will
have cost more than one hundred thousand
dollars. Those who sat down and counted the
cost before building must have been endowed
with great courage and an indomitable perse-
severance. The erection of this magnificent
church is a fresh illustration of the old saying:
"Where there is a will there is way" The
lott occupies has front on state Street of
40 feet, and runs back $50 feet 50 that there
is ample room and verge enough. But we do
not intend in this article to give full des.
cription of this noble edifce.
The work has been much hurried in order
to get il ready for Christmas services, and if
the day had not been the coolest thus far in
the season, the large congregation that assem-
bled on the occasion, would have enjoyed the
services much better. The church being very
spacious and new, thu furnaces could not give
heat enough to make the room comfortable
and manywere compelled to leave before the
services ended on account of the cold. But
the worshippers seemed to have warm hearts
notwithstanding the cold atmosphere that
surrounded them.
The Sabbath School scholars of St. Luke's
and st. Paul's united in State street Chapel.
together with ST. Luke's cho L, the teachers
and the Bishop and his chaplains, Rev. c. w.
Hayes, Rev. N. W. T. Root and Rev. G. I.
Chaplin, and marched in procession to the Ca
thedral, singing Christmas carols. The pro-
cession made line appearance. First, the
Sabbath school children. and then their teach
ers, followed by the singers draped in white
aud the clergymen in their SUPPLIES. Bishop
Medley marched in the rear of ALL The sing
ing was good and sounded we'll in the cold
air of the morning. In conducting the services,
the Bishop was assisted by his Chaplains
whose readings were clear and SO distinct
that they could be heard in any part of tile
house. We are inclined to the opinion that
acoustic properties of this house will be good
when the finishing touches are made upon 1t,
The cold was SO severe that the services
seemed much longer than usual and to us, it
seemed an age before the Bishop was ready to
give us his sermon. His text was. II was
glad when they said unto me. let us 20 into
the house Of the Lord" The Bishop alluded to
the civilized nations Of the earth and the great
Joy of the people in offering the house of the
Lord on Christmas occasions. He also spoke
of this Cathedral and of its unfinished state,
thanking God that they had been able to do
SO much in so short a time. And well he
might render such thanks; for the builders
have thus far been highly favored. Tie sermon
was well written, and well delivered, and suit
ed to the occasion. There was nothing strik-
ingly original in it, and no attempts at mere
display. This is well ON an occasion like this.
The church was handsomely decorated with
evergreens, and fir trees were placed around
the room under the galleries There was a
long row of them, which gave the church
quite sylvan appearance The cold atmos.
phere and this forest of fir trees reminded no
of some scenes we have witnessed in the val.
ley of the Magalloway river during the winter
mouths; and the "reminiscences was by no
means unpleasant, save the cold air. We like
such forest of trees in church or out of it.
We congratulate the members of this socie-
ty on their success thus far, and we have no
doubt that the tower in due season will 90 I'D.
the organ be placed in position, the bell be
hung, the grounds be properly graded, and the
finishing touches be made. And then the
worshippers of st. Luke's may well be proud
OF the house they have builded. tt-