The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1870-04-18
,rbnrs,on and themselves credit they assuredly

Thurston did themselves credit, they assuredlY
| did on this occasion. The programme was
Moseuthal's "Gloria Patri," Vesper Hymn by
Kotzschmar, Easter Hymn by Andrews,
Handeps 81 know that my Releemer," Solo
| by Mrs. Weatherbee,a new TIE Deum by Kotz
schmar, and closing hymn by Rossin. We
| ought have a column to speak Of the music
How exquisitely the Easter Hymn was sung
how de,ciously Mrs. Weatherbee rendered that
| superb composition of Handefs, reminding one
| more of the song of the sky-lark than any,
thing else we can compare it to. The feature
| of the evening was, of course, Kotzschmar's
new saTe Deum." 1t commences in a grand
exultant jubiant strain suddenly broken in
upon by the grand bass solo. "The holy CON-
papy" rendered finely by the deep powerful,
bass of Shaw followed by the exquisite tender
soprano solo, when it pleased thee that he
should be conceived ola virgip,"by Mrs. Weth-
erkee. Then follows quartette so sweet, so
pathetic that it causes one to hold the breath
for fear he shall lose note. The tenor solo,
"Vouchsafe Lord is another beautiful
composition to which Thurston does full JUS
tice, but we have not space to crltlcse this
beautiful composition here, neither do we feel
that we have the right to attempt it after sin
gle hearing. The charm of both of the TIE
Deums written by Kotzschmar is that they are
not operate fireworks, they possess deep re-
ligious character We hope that the music
will be repeated shortly.
PARK STREET CHURCH.
The Park st. display, although not so very
elaborate, was more striking from the great
taste with which the floral decorations were
arranged. In the centre of the pulpit was
placed magnificent cross of choice white
roses, camillias and evergreens, while smlex
was trained from the cross to the pulpit lamps,
in which were deposited two beautiful bou-
quets. A large pot of callas stood in front of
the pulpit, and on the communion table was
profusion of baskets of rare flowers of varied
hues, and q most beautiful little miniature
cross rising from out cluster Of pure white
flowers. A fine sermon appropriate to the
occasion was preached by Rev. Mr.. Buck, the
pastor.
CONGRESS SQUARE UNIvERSALIST.
At the Congress Square Church the display
was very elaborate and gave one the impress
sion that the space about the pulpit had been
converted into a temporary conservatory. The
double arch Of the pulpit recess was festooned
with evergreens, the ends of the festoons be-
ing gracefully caught mp, little above the
floor, by weaths of the same. From the centre
of the double arch was suspended a superb
cross of choice flowers and evergreens, which
was surmounted by large butterfly, the SYM
Dol of Immortality. The words, 81 know that
my Redeemer liveth," beautifully wrought in
evergreen, were placed on the rear wall of the
pulpit recess, with magnificent star just
above, bearing in its centre large white ca
mellia On the wall on either side of the re-
cess were suspended hanging baskets of flow
ers and trailing vines. On the communion
table, directly in front of the pnlpit. was
splendid azalea in full bloom that presented
magnificent sight and was great novelty in
church decorations in this city. Four splendid
bouquets stood oil the pulpit, while magnif
cent cross, supporting basket of flowers,
stood on the left as you faced the pulpit, and a
large basket Of flowers on the right. Then
there were numerous other bouquets, with
memorial wreaths and vases filed with flow
ers. The special music of the day consisted of
the anthem, "Christ our Passover" sung in
the morning, and 'Christ is riseu," in the eve
ming, by the excellent choir with great express
sion, both being the composition of Dudley
Buck in his best style.
THE CATHEDRAL OF THE IMMACULATE CON-
CEPTION.
The Cathedral was crowded through the day
and evening. There was but little floral dis
play as it is not customary to do more than
decorate the shrine of the Virgin Mary in
Catholic churches. But the Cathedral was
sufficiently Respondent in its magnificent fres-
and the superb vestments of the clergy. The
music throughout day and evening was OF a
high order of excellence, as can be well imag-
ined, when we consider that the choir is under
the charge of that distinguished musician,
w. II. bennett. During the morning Ponti-
fcal Mass was celebrated The Kyrie and
Gloria from Mozart's 18th and the Credo from
Weber's Mass in G, were given with superb |
effect. Then the duett Haec Dies by Morgan |
and bennett was rare treat, the rich baritone |
and silver tenor blending most barmoniously. |
The "Sanctus, %" Benedictus," "Agnus Del"
and "Dona Nobis'' from Mozart's 18th Mass
followed, closing with the benediction by
Bishop Bacon.
In the evening the Psalms by the children,
the 'Magnificat," from Mozarts 18th Mass,
and Regina Coeli," the o Salutaris, and the
Tantum Ergo, formed the musical programme.
While all the music was grandly rendered, we
must not forget to mention the Salutaris sus-
tanned as Duet by Mrs. bennett and Miss
Barker, which will linger long in the memory.