The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1872-04-03
EASTER SUNDAY.

Last Sunday was Easter-day-the
Christian Passover, or festival of the
resurrection. It has been observed as a
sacred festival by Christians from the
earliest times, and has been we'll termed
the queen Of festivals. The Church sit
ting, as it were, in sack cloth and ashes
during the long period of the Lenten
season, now puts on its festival robes to
commemorate the most illustrious event
In its history-the resurrection of its
risen Lord. Well do the buds and flow
ers which crown its affairs and decorate
its courts-first fruits of the genial
Spring-typify the conquering power Of
that Life, which unbarred the Gates of
Death and rose triumphant from the
Grave,
There was long question which di-
vided the Eastern and Western church
60 as to the proper time of celebrating
Easter. 1t was finally settled by adopt
ing the rule which makes Easter-day
the first Sunday after the full moon
which happens upon or next after the
21st March; and if the full moon hap
pen on Sunday, yesterday is the Sun
day after. Thus Easter may come as
early as the 22d March, or as late as the
25th April. During the present year it
is some ten days earlier than it was last
year.
Trinity church was most tastefully
and beautifully decorated-and with
even more than usual care and elabo-
ratenesa-by the ladies Of the congrega-
tion. Spring had lent its choicest fiow-
ers, and skillful fingers had woven
them into many forms Of beauty to
typify the soul-inspiring associations Of
the day. Wreaths and garlapds, aud
festoons, and crosses. and crowns, and
devices and inscriptions, all symbolized
the joys and triumphs of new and
conquering life. Entering the vestbule
Of the Church, the spectator was first
met by beautiful cross of evergreens
and flowers, rising from a bed of violets
and hyacinths, whilst within and on
either hand were columns wreathed in
evergreens and flowers, and graceful
festoons Of evergreen suspended between
the stained glass windows, surmounted
by Magnolia blossoms. On the left of
the reading desk was the inscription,
''Christ Is risen from the dead" and
above Maltese cross; and on the right
Of the pulpit the inscription, death is
swalked up in victory" with the crown
above; whilst chancel-rail, and desk and
pulpit, were alike beautifully decorated
with flowers and evergreens. These
well harmonized with the lovely interior
Of the Gothic building, and were per-
haps more beautiful than the stained
glass window, and the graceful tracery
Of leaf and twig and flower. which form
the triumph of medieval art.
The religious exercises were very
interesting and impressive, and the at
tendance was unusually large. The open
ing anthem Coronation" end the mu-
sic generally, were rendered with fine
effect by the choir; and the discourses of
the Rector, Rev. E. R. Miles, morning
and Afternoon, upon the evidences, exter-
nal and internal, Of the resurrection,
were especially able and eloquent.
At the Methodist Church, the
Pastor, Rev. William 7. Capers,
preached in the morning from the
text In the 34th verse of the 9th
chapter of Luke: 'aThe Lord is risen
indeed" At night his text was part
of the 10th verse Of the Ist chapter
of Timothy: "Our Saviour Jesus
Christ who has abolished death, and
hath brought life and Immortality to
light through the Gospel
, Rev. Mr.. Martin was absent from
his charge on Sunday to fulfill an
engagement at Pendleton, but at his
request the Rev. DR.. Boyce, Of Due
West, filled his pulpit. The Doctor
is prominent minister of the Asso-
eiate Reformed Church, and is much
beloved and respected by all who
have had the pleasure of knowing
him. .......-