The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1874-04-07


the very queen Of all the festivals In these
churches, and as such was celebrated on
Sunday. The mournful season OF Lent is
passetI, the Saviour has been crucifled and
buried, aud snow is Christ risen indeed"
1.-THE first fruits of them that slept" The
name Easter is derived from Foster. q god
deSs to whom the SaNons and other North
ern nations sacrificed at about this season.
The PaaScha or jewish Passover, celebrated
at this time, lent its name to the Christian
paSchal season, but the precise time for
keeping Easter has been cause Of con-
tention between eastern and western
churches. Customs peculiar to the sea-
son are dying out in England. On the
continent, paSchsl eggs with colored shells,
aud toys in the shape Of gigantic eggs, are
given among all classes. The custom of de-
corating the font and altar Of the churches
is still retained in many places. decorating
them with flowers, the emblemS Of the resur-
rection and Of faith in the promises. These
flowers, after the solemnitieS Of the day, are
sent to the sick and others who have not
been permitted to visit the temple. ,..
The Episcopal Churches.
The services In the Episcopal churches on
Sunday were particularly interesting, and at
some of them there were very large congre-
cations both morning, afternoon and even
ing.
AT Tub MONUMENTAL
the floral decorations were very pretty. The
flowers were arranged in much better taste
than on any previous Easter festival. On each
side of the chancel appeared beautiful white
cross entwined with a wreath OF crimson and
white flowers, and eyergreens arranged to
represent "Easter Morning." beautiful
oil painting of great reputation. These
crosses attracted q good deal Of notice and
were very highly complimented. At the
foot of the crosses there were several pots
containing growing lilies, geraniums, YER
benas, and other flowers, which made the
contrast very striking.
The font was completely covered with
beautiful flowers in great variety, including
lilies, tube-roses, Veroenas, Vlolets, etc.
Emerging from the top of this pyramid OF
flowers was an exquisite cross in excellent
proportion and made Of tube-roses and ever
greens. The sides Of the font from the top
TO the kneeling cushion were also tastefully
decorated.
The reading-desk and pulpit, as usual on
Easter Sunday, were covered with pure
white cloths. Upon the face of the cloth on
the readins-desk the word "HoLY," in en-
bo.sed gilt letters, might be seen, while be.
low the letters there was a cross Of ever
greens and white flowers. Immediately
above the word there was handsome gilt
crown. The pulpit cloth bore half wreath
in gilt, in imitation of palm branch.
The communion table was also spread with
| pure white cloth, upon the face OF which
Il. II. So in large gilt letters, tastefully and
| beautifully made, attracted good deal oi
attention. The effect was beautiful.
The pastor, Rev. George Woodbridge, D.
| D., read the service and preached both morn
| ing and afternoon. His sermon in the morn
ing was upon the ''Power of the Resurrec
ton" Rev. Pike Powers assisted in the ad
ministration of the holy communion.
| The music at this church always attracts 8
very large number of persons, and on Sun
| dav. both morning and afternoon, there was
the greater reason why the church edihct
should have been so crowded. Dir. Wheat
| to whom the city is indebted in no small de
| gree for keeping alive aud advancing so re-
| fined taste as that for music, prepared
programme for the choir on Sunday, wbIcf
| has never been equalled in this city be-
fore. The opening voluntary was his oWr
composition, and was followed by Lloyd>
| beautiful anthem, Christ Our Passover"
| bass and soprano solo and chorus-one o
the sweetest pieces of church music known
But it is difficult matter to specify any par
ticular selection, the entire programme being
| arranged with great care, and by thorough
artist. whose taste is so well known thai
ANYTHING but a beautiful collection of sacred
| pieces would have been impossible. Tht
| respopses to the commandments in the anti
| communion service were all sung and Will
| GREAT effect. at the otfertory, an exquisite
Selection by Warren, Behold, Show OF
q Mystery" a bass solo and chorus, wa
sung in superb manner, the congregation
being evidently deeply impressed by TIT
music. from its eminently devotional charac
ter. In the afternoon it Was repeated at tht
close Of the service.
| At this service the church was filled II
| its utmost capacty-persons even sat upon
the kneeling cushions around the cnan
eel. DR.. Woodbridge, before going int
the pulpit, took occasion to reQues
| that the congregation would observe The
utmost quiet. lie had noticed that thert
had been good deal Of talking and that TIT
Young ladies were responsible for 1t more
than the gentlemen. The request had al
admirable effect, for although it was one o
the largest congregations ever assembled IL
q church in this city, it was one OF the mos
orderly ones. 1t is a well established FACT
and worthy of notice just here, that non'
but strangers 10 the church ever talk or 9th
erwise disturb the worship, and wheneve
| the strangers even begin TO attend the ser
vices regularly they invariably become a.
devotional and decorous in their deporsmen
as the regular habitues. The music in th'
AFTERNOON, like that of the morning. wa
grand. The Goth hymn" Christ, the Lord
Is ris'n today "a beautiful soprano sol'
and chorus by Weber, was sung at The con
clusjop Of the services. 1t is joyous piec
| of music, and was elegantly rendered. In
soprano voice, which afforded so much en-
ioymert in this choir on Sunday. IS that OF
Young lady who has but recently becoln
attached to the choir and under MIR. w heal>'
superior training is being rapidly de
yeioped. and already is one OF the sweetest
freshest voices to be found anywhere. Ii
| this connection, too, il must De saia that tn'
! trainipg OF this choir is second TO none II
the city, and this was displayed to q Wonder
full degree on Sunday. The tenor was tha
of young gentleman well known here, ant
who possesses a sweet voice OF considerable
compass. 1t was pleasure, too, to recog
| nize again the regular tenor of the choir
| who has been absent long lime by reason
of sickness. 1t is needless TO speak OF sht
| rich and powerful bass voice which adds &c
much to the strength and volume OF the
| choir, and we cannot refrain from noticing
the truly wonderful progress Mr.. Grant has
made. t". G..
Tomorrow evening at s O'Clock there l.
TO be social meeting Of the congregation
and Sunday-school teachers In the lecture.