Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1871-04-13

is Risen Indeed" The flowers for the
decoration were mostly obtained from
Boston. but some of the finest were con-
tributed from private conservatories in
this place. i
The exercises of the day commenced
with morning prayer at six o'clock, at
which Rev. Mr.. Harris, the rector, on1-
cisted. |
At half-past ten public services were
held, which were opened by the rendering
of an Easter anthem by the newly organ
lied quartette of the church. The quar-
tette now consists of Miss Campbell of
Peultney, soprano; Mrs. Hathaway, con-
tralto; Mr.. ]. @. Day, tenor; Mr.. A. 81.
Cobb, bssso, and their admirable render
ing of their parts added in no small de-
gree to the interest of the occasion.
After the recital of the litany, Rev.
Mr.. Harris delivered a brief but appro-
pirate discourse. The text was taken
from Psalms cxvIu, "a: "This is the
day which the Lord hath made; we will
rejoice and be glad in it," Mr.. Harris
spoke substantially as follows:
Once more have we come to the Sab
bath of all the Sabbaths of the year, the
gladdest day of them all. On this day
above all others do we say: "This day
Christ our Savior rose from the dead"
On this day He has opened the gates of
heaven to all believers. Every first day
of the week recalls the resurrection Of
the Lord, but this day, the undoubted an
niversary of this glorious event, pre-emi-
nently calls for our devout Thanksgiving
and praise. The undoubted anniversary,
because however men may differ as to the
date of our Lords resurrection, there is
abundant evidence to establish the fact
that this, the day celebrated by the church,
is the true anniversary. Let us, then, re-
gard with high sense of gratitude, and
with joyous ontpouripg of praise this
happy occasion. To such acts of glad de-
votion will we give ourselves.
But while yielding to the joyous senti-
ments of the day, let me call your atten-
ton to a consideration of the preliminary
| importance of the resurrection of our
Lord, and some proofs of the authenticity
of this event. The resurrection of Christ
was important, because by this means a
way was open for the forgiveness of sin.
Without the shed ding of blood there could
| 4 e - l.. -
been the Son of God, he could have given
no remission of the sins of the world. Had
he been mere man, he might, perhaps,
have expiated his own sins but not those
of others more than that, he would not
have been perfect man, for he would
have been deceiver. Having made us
rational beings, God requires of us only
rational beliefs. Christ must prove bis
doctrine, or he could not reasonably re-
quire the belief of mankind. 1t was
necessary that he should rise from the
dead to demonstrate the truth of his mis-
sion.
1t was necessary to establish the de-
clarations of prophesy. He had himself
foretold that he should rise from the dead,
and the prophets had also predicted this
event. 1t was necessary that he should
rise from the dead to open the path to fu-
ture happiness. His disciples taught
this glorious truth and the apostle Paul
declares HE brought immortality and
life to light through the gospel"
Let us consider what are some of the
proofs of the resurrection of our Lord.
They are many, but we will look at only
few, and first, it is necessary to prove
that he died. The evidence of this is
positive. Those who crucitied him re-
garded him as dead. The soldiers break
not his legs because life was already ex-
tinct. Then, as to his resurrection there
can be no doubt. He was seen by many
of his disciples, who could not be de-
ceived. 1t is vain to say that his resurrec-
ton is a myth. The proofs are so
numerous that it would seem incredible
that they should be called in question.
But it is not necessary for rs who be-
lieve, on this day to contemplate these
proofs. We can to-day rejoice in the glori-
Gus fact. The season of the year, the glad
return of spring, the resurrection of Ma
ture, calls for rejoicing in harmony with
this day. In common with nature, in &C
cord with the singing birds, let our
praises and rejoicings go forth. Let US
keep 1t with thanksgivipgs, not forget
ting, however, to humbly confess our
sins and implore divine forgiveness. Let
US keep it, also, by contributing of our
substance to relieve the necessities of
others, by visiting the sick and the sor-
rowing. Let US keep it by coming to His
Holy Communion. In fine, let us keep it
not with the unleaven bread of malice,
but in sincerity and truth. During the
forty days of fasting which have Just
closed, we have been called upon to be-
wall our sins; but we are more than sat
isfied to-day by the consciousness of sins
forgiven. More than ever can we rejoice |
in the victory which Christ has gained |
over sin and death. While here we pass
through a season of suffering, temptation
and sorrow, but upon death will come
paradise. At the Judgment will come our
actual Easter, the time when our joys
will be complete. God grant that we may
all thus find our contamination of happi-
ness in the endless joys of heaven
At the conclusion of the sermon, the
sacrament of the Holy Communion was
administered.
In the afternoon there was very in
teresting Sunday-school service, and in |
the evening, prayer with anthems and |
sermon.
EPIsCoPAL.-BishopB issell confirmed |
eight persons in Trinity Church, Rutland,