The Portland daily press., 1872-04-01

riSht sue VI tiie ditar IN the DaptlSnal ION
was large and elegant boquet, composed o.
smilax, red and white roses, calas, white azalea'
and other rare flowers, which was universally
admired as one of the chief features of the
decorations. Just in front of the chancel, al
the side of the pulpit and reading desk, stood 8
splendid pink azalea in full bloom while pots
of heath and calcalarias added their beauty tc
of red camelias and white roses was suspended
from the center of the reredos and gave the cul.
minating effect to the fine appearance of the
chancel
At the early communion service, at o clock,
quite a large congregation was present, and the
service was very impressive and interesting. A
large number of communicates partOok of the
Holy Sacrament, and the music was excellent
and appropriate.
AT the second service at 10A o'clock, the church
was filled to its utmost capacity. The music
was of bright, joyous character befitting the
occasion, and it was rendered by the well trained
choir with unusual spirit and effect. The prin-
cipal feature of this portion of the service was
Cornells Te Deum, remarkably effective az
rangement of this grand old anthem Mr.. G..
Walter Goold presided at the organ with more
than his usual artistic skill and finish, and his
performance elected praise and admiration
from all who listened to it. Bishop Nicely de-
lvered an eloquent sermon ON the great truths
of Christianity and the reality of the Resurrec-
tiOn OF Jesus from the grave by which the
promise of immortality is assured to the entire
human family. The text was taken from St.
PauPs Epistle to the Romans, 10th chapter and
the 9th and 9th verses but what saith it?
The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and
in thy heart: that is, the word of faith which
we preach that if thou shalt confess with thy
mouth the Lord Jesus and shalt believe in
thine heart that God hath raised him from the
dead, thou shalt be saved" At the close of the
sermon the rite of confirmation was admins
tered to ten persons by the Bishop, who subse-
quently addressed them in few brief and ap-
propriate remarks as to the duties which they
had assumed, and the life that they should
hereafter lead --.-.--
The music at the evening service was very
elaborate and attractive. Chappers Easter
Rev. N. w. Taylor Root, of st. Paul's, deliv-
cred an eloquent and finely written sermon on
the danger of modern rationalism and infdeli-
ty, taking for his text St. John 90 2O3O,-'They
have taken away my Lord, and know not
where they have laid him.
ST. STEPHENS.
The decorations at this church, although not
elaborate, were beautiful and appropriate. The
baptismal font was wreathed with running
uip oil
while the reading desk was adorned with fine
cross, and on the front of the pulpit was a
splendid anchor, composed of the rarest flowers,
together with red and white roses. The me
mortal window in memory of the late Jas. o.
colt Brown, was wreathed with smilax and
other vines, interviewer with choice flowers
At the morning service, the fine music was rem
dered by the choir in a very satisfactory man
ner Millard ornate 7e Deun being the prin-
sermon appropriate to the occasion. In the af-
ternoon, the children's Easter service was held.
Notwithstanding the severe storm, goodly
number of the children were present. and the
service was very interesting and profitable. The
exercises consisted of the singing of carols, Of
fering of the various class emblems and an ad-
dress by the rector The whole number of
scholars connected with the school, is 153, the
library numbers 469 volumes, and $27.59 have
been expended for the purchase of books during
the past year, leaving balance of over $2S
mars favorite carol, ''Come forth, and bring
your garlands," was well sung by the children.
Mrs. G. o. Gosse presided at the organ in
manner which gave the best satisfaction.
ST. PAUL's.
This cozy and comfortable little church on
the corner of Congress and Locust streets, was
rendered unusually home-lke by the presence
of flowers and Towering plants at the chancel
end of the church The font was filled with
callas and trimmed with ivy.
The Communion table was graced with boquets
and cut flowers, while beautiful white azatia,
full of blossoms stood by the reading desk. The
foot of the lectern was also surrounded with
choice Towering plants. The principal features
in the music were Kotzschmar's Ie Deuna and
Kotzschmars new Gloria Pat,i The sermon
by the rector, Rev. Mr.. Root, had special refer
ence to the Resurrection 1t was expected that
a baptismal service would be held at oclock,
but owing to the inclemency Of the weather, it
was postponed. AT 3 O'clock Bishop Nicely
preached and afterwards administered the rite
of confirmation to four candidates and after
wards addressed them very affectionately and
earnestly upon the new relations which they
had assumed.
CONGRESS SQUARE UNIvERsALALIsT CHURCH
The floral display at this church was proba-
bly, the finest and most elaborate of any in the
city. The peculiar arrangement of the pulpit
arch affords an excellent opportunity for the
effective arrangement of decorations, and this
advantage is always fully improved by those
having such matters in charge. The church
presented beautiful appearance and literally
seemed to t'bud and blossom like the rose.'-
The entire pulpit arch was spanned with ever
green, which dropped in graceful folds down to
the floor. At each end of the platform, were
two tables on which stood two elegant dishes of
the rarest flowers. In the centre of the scroll
work and under the arch, was magnificent
harp, composed of evergreen, callas, and other
choice flowers, while below, suspended from the
double arch was festoon of evergreen. From
the middle of each was a basket of white flow
ers, smilax and passion vine dropping graceful
ly from all sides. A little below the basket and
just above the pulpit was large floral crown,
elegant in design and rich in material; COM
posed of white rose buds, smilax and myrtle.
In the recess back of the altar, was suspended
large cross Of evergreen and Gala lilies. Two
splendid pyramidal boquets stood ON the altar,
while two small and delicate baskets of flowers
were suspended to the right and left of the
same. At the base of the pulpit was a large
green anchor, filled with callas and white roses.
The entire recess was filled with plants and
flowers in full bloom, while a miniature rose
tree, from two and half to three feet high, con
tanning over twenty full-blown white roses at
tracted the attention of all. On the commurf-
ion table were memorial wreaths, baskets and
vases of rare flowers-beautiful in conception
and execution and finish-thewhole:p representing
a delightful appearance. On either side of the
arch were the notices, ''Christ has risen" and
''He ever lveth," very distinctly worked in del
ieate green. Under each motto was large
cross worked in evergreen and filled with callas
From the gas fixtures in the galleries were sus-
pended wreaths, while around the entire gale
ries, and extending also around the organ loft
was massive festoon of evergreen, which gave
the proper finish to the whole and added mucf
to the display. The magnificent !yre on the
front of the organ was one of the most attract
i've features of the decorations, and it was great
ly admired. In the merning very large con
gregation was in attendance, drawn thither to
witness the superb floral display and also te
listen to the music. Rev. w. E. Gibbs, the
pastor, preached a very able and interesting
discourse, from st. Luke "a: :6-"He is not here