The Portland daily press., 1871-04-10

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Easter.
"A mora striking contrast between the worl
outside anl that inside the various churche
on Easter Sunday could hardly have been 'm
agined. Outside the skies were leaden 'hueo
the air damp and raw and singulariy inapprl
ate for the festal day that marks the revlvin
influences of spring. Inside the atmospher
, was that of summer, and the beautiful fora
. decorations, the sprirg-like attire Of many q
, the worsbippers, the glad straius Of the music
and the sermons applicable to the occasion
} were in perfect sympathy with the spirit Of th
day and the glory of the resurrection ~
The observance of Easter was not confined
| this year to the Romish. Episcopal and LIBERIA
Christian churches. Among our Orthodox
friends we are glad to see that the new birth
the Saviour is as worthy of being recognizea a.
his natal day. We are also pleased 10 cnroni
Gle the fact that there was not SO mucn eHor,
evinced among tho parishes to see wnich couio
provide the greatest quantity of flowers as tt
arrange those furnished with taste and with ar
eye to pleasing effect. Iii
as ST. LUKEs. ,g rita
At the Cathedral Church of the Episcopal
denominations the floral offerings were profuse
and arranged with fine effect One hardly re.
alizes the amount of flowers expended on the
decorations owing to the depth of the chancel.
FROM the top of the reredos q magnificent
noral crown was suspended, while 'on either
SIDE OF the atar-cross were four tall vases sup.
porting superb bouquets of callas, roses, came.
has and smilax. The two farther vases were
OF BRASS from pattern procured in, Europe
On the super-altar were placed vases of rare
nowers and floral mitre over the Bishop s
chair. On either side of the altar proper were
placed two immense azaleas in full bloom
The chancel rails were bedded in roses, wis
terra and smilax; the font was mass of calas,
roses and azaleas, and its front was exhib-
tied beautiful cross composed of ever
green and roses. Above the pulpit, on the
chancel wall, was suspended a magnificent
cross some five feet in length which was a
complete bed Of rose buds, of different shades
OF color, and evergreen. Another cross, equal
ly elegant, although not so large, was suspend
ed from the front of the pulpit and q third was
placed on the gospel side of the altar. A choice
bouquet of roses was laid on the litany desk.-
The superb altar cloths, presented by Miss Fol-
som, were used on this occasion. The contrast
between the many hued flowers and the darker
shades of the evergreen and smilax, the richly
embroidered altar cloths, 1.-The surplices of the
clergy and choir boys, the stained glass win
dows, the massive arches, and gay attire of the
congregation was very impressive and effect
i've. .rt ..s 1..sl.
Bishop Nicely delivered a beautiful and elo-
quent discourse, appropriate to the day, taking
for his text the 20th verse of the 18th chapter
ofSt. Paul's Epistle to the Corinthians, "But
now is Christ risen from the dead and become
the first fruits Of them that slept"
In response to an earnest appeal from the
Bishop, as to the claims of the Cathedral, not
only upon the members of the church and reg
ular attendants, but also upon the general
public, large and generous contribution was
obtained towards discharging the debt OF the
church. In the afternoon, at three O'Clock,
there was full choral service and the rite of
confirmation was administered to fifteen per-
sons. A large congregation was present and
the service was very interesting character.-
The music throughout the day was full choral
and very fine, and the new "Te Dunn of Mr..
Goods was spoken of by those who were quail
ified to judge in terms of high praise. "a 81
ST. STEPHENS.
The decorations we're not as extensive at this
church as at some of the Others but they we're
in perfect taste and very beautiful. The font
was imbedded in evergreen and filled with YER
benas, callas and tulips, while the plinth and
base were gracefully intertwiped with ivy. The
border of the reading desk and pulpit were
bedded in roses and ornamented with trailing
vines. A beautiful cross of rare flowers, varie-
gated in hue, and crown of exquisite tea
roses adorned the sacred desk. The Brown
memorial window was bordered with evergreen
intertwined with myrtle, ivy and the sweet
flowers of the Trailing Arbutus.
In the morning Rev. Mr.. Dalton preached
very fine sermon from the text sand they said,
one to another, did not cur hearts burn within
us while he talked with us by the way" from
Luke, oath chap. 32d verse. The choir render.
ed Wilson's TIE Deum and Kotzschmars Ben
edictus finely. In the afternoon the church
was crowded with the children, who brought
their Easter emblems and who sung their carols
sweetly.
ST. PAUL's t
ANo oioooiato AOrdl uisplay was maze at tnl6
church, compared with some of the more pre-
tentious places of worship. The adornments
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stone front was heaped high with beautiful
flowers, in which pure and fragrant callas were
conspicuous-fit floral emblem of Easter and
its memories. The musical portion of the SER
vice was remarkably good and given by a full
choir of twelve voices. Goods new Te Deuns
was very handsomely rendered, and the other
selections were from the best composers The
discourse was informal and extempore, the
subject being "Our belief in the Resurrection"
and it was earnest and fervent. The Holy
Communion followed the sermon.
No service was held in the afternoon. In
the evening the children of the Sunday School
held their Easter celebration. The service
was begun by singing Kotzschmar's carol,
"Come forth and bring your garlands." Eve
ming prayer was said and then the classes, as
they were called, came to the chancel, bearing
their emblems, flowers, notices and money Of
ferings. A beautiful cross, trimmed with ivy,
stood on the platform, and the older classes
bore evergreen letters, which were successfully
placed on the arm of the cross, forming the
legend, "Chrst is Risen" and the offerings and
emblems were laid on the altar. The boquets
brought by the younger classes made an ele-
CANT cross of flowers upon the font. The chill
dren had a prominent part in the musical sell
vices. 1t was very pleasant occasion for
them and was evidently much enjoyed by their
elders, who filled the house quite as full as it
was possible for it to be with comfort.
FIRST PARISH ------------------
There was not SO much of a display at the
First Parish Church this year as on former oc-
casions, but we think that the effect of the dec
orations was enhanced thereby The display
was ample enough and some of the designs
were most elaborate as well as most exquisite
in their construction. Around the border of
the pulpit were thirteen full blown white ca
melias, and from the centre depended an inn
mense cross composed of evergreen and callas.
Two baskets of flowers adorned the base.-
Across the front of the pulpit was festooned a
wreath of evergreen and roses, the wreath be-
ing carried up to the pulpit lamps around
which it wss entwined, and from thence car
ried to the gas brackets on either side of the
pulpit recess, from which baskets of brilliant
hued flowers depended, each containing cal
la buds also. The Communion table was filed
with beautiful bouquets, wreaths and baskets,
memorial tributes to the loved ones who had
departed. We remember in particular two
beautiful crosses, in conception and execution
perfectly exquisite. They were composed of
ub;to o1aloou tho offaot ho;n~ that ~ frcs<