The Portland daily press., 1874-04-06
EASTER.
Observances of the Day.

The weather Yesterday was scarcely congru
GUS with the great floral festival OF the year
Tho slv was clear, but its blue was chilly a
,bot of Damascus steel. The wind was raw
and the clouds of dust which filled the street
from sunrise to sunset were disagreeable in tn,
extreme. The day however was very generally
observed and crowds of worshppers thronge,
the churches. AS the commemoration of al
occurrence which is the very foundation ant
starting point of all modern thought and his
tory, the fulfilment of prophesy in the resur
rectlon OF Jesus, Easter Sunday seems worthy
OF more general and devout observance than
any other day in the christian calendar. NO"
that the rigid simplicity of the Puritan wo--
ship is no longer necessary as STANDING pro-
test against a State Church and liturgy the
whole christian world can unite once more In
RECOGNITION of those days which tradition points
out as ever memorable in the great drama of
the redemption of mankind. There is some-
thing inexpressibly pleasing in the thought
that men and women all over the civilized
world were yesterday lifting up their hearts in
thankfulness to God for His manifestation
of the truth of the Immortality of the soul by
the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
That the observance of Easter is growing
more general becomes apparent with each sue
ceeding year. Yesterday scarcely church in
the city omitted mention of the day. In the
Catholic and Episcopal churches the solemn
and impressive ceremonies of the Roman
Catholic anu Anglican liturgies We're given.
The Liberal churches were profusely decorat-
ed with flowres. Easter carols and anthems
were given, and the festival was mentioned in
sermon and prayer. At the Evangelical
churches the significance of the day was gem
orally recognized, though no special services
were held.
CATHEDRAL OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION.
An immense congregation assembled in the
morning at the Cathedral of the Immaculate
Conception to witness the celebration of the
resurrection of Christ as typified in the gorg-
eous symbolism of the mother church. The
high altar was blaze of light. and below the
figure of the Nazarene stretched upon the go-
rified cross was beautiful gas jet forming the
word "Resurreri" Purple, the color of mourn
ing, which shrouded the altar and crucifx dur
ing the days of the Passion, was removed, and
the great paschal candle burned before the
pontifical chair. The ceremonies were joyous
and impressive. The organ pealed forth the
triumphant strains of the Gloria, clouds of in
cense foated up to Heaven like the prayers of
saints in their sorrow, and the priests, attired
in their sacerdotal robes, and surrounded by
the altar boys with tapers in hand, intoned the
Easter service. Bishop Bacon, mitred and
croziered, officated at high mass. and delivered
a discourse appropriate to the day. His theme
was the Resurrection, and he drew therefrom
doctrinal lessons and practical applications.
The full significance of the atonement was ex-
planned, and the mercy of God as evinced in
his plan of redemption for fallen world
dwet upon at length The Bishop besought
his flock to take this opportunity 10 bring
their hearts to the newly risen Christ whom
they had crucified by their sins. Sin, he said,
was robbery, and as it is the duty of the robber
to make restitution before he can hope to be
pardoned, so it is the duty of the sinner to give
back the heart which sin has stolen from God
before he can hope for absolution. At the con-
clusion of the discourse the elevation of the
Host took place, the vast audience kneeling in
the Rea. Presence.
There were no floral decorations on chancel
or altar but pyramids of white roses and great
vases of callas, surrounded by profusion of
other flowers, adorned the shrines of the
Mother of God and Of st. Joseph. Long after
service groups of people were kneeling before
these shrines offering up petitions to the
maid-mother and to the faithful man.
The music was of course fine and was in
main of jubilant character as befitted the
day. 1t was all from one of Generals Masses,
and consisted of the opening Voluntary, Kyrie
Glria, Aueluia, Credo, Haec Dies, Sanctus,
Benedictus, Agnus Del, Dec Grat,us,. and the
closing Voluntary
In the evening another very large congrega-
ton was n attendance at the celebration of the
Pontifical Vespers. The services were grand
and impressive. The music consisted of
Voluntary by Verling, Domino Dirit, Laudate,
Puero, Ldudate Domino, Haec Dies, Magnif-
cat from Mozarts 18th Mass, Regina Coeli,
jSalutoris, Tdntum ergo, Laudate, and closing
Voluntary.
CONGRESS SQUARE.
The Easter decorations of the Congress
Scare church were of the most elaborate and
beautiful description and were very prettily ar
ranged. The central feature was beautiful
cross of green, callas, roses and colored flowers
seven feet high, which was placed on base four
feet in height, near the wall back of the altar.
Above the cross, and suspended from the point
of the arch was an elegant floral crown of white
rose buds. The entire arch was spanned with
heavy evergreen dropping gracefully down to
the poor, while on the right and left outside Of
the arch, in finely worked letters of green, was
the motto, because L live, We shall live also"
Directly under the words on each side, was
beautiful Tyre of evergreen filled with rare flow
ers of various coors. At each end of the plat
form were two elegant vases containing magni-
ficent Gala lilies. On each side of the desk
was a small table on which was placed rich
boque is of flowers, from which smlax was de.
pendent On all sides, also two wire stands filed
with elegant flowers of the rarest description,
with running vines dropping therefrom, and
each stand surmeunted by white dove bear
ing sprig of smilax The altar seemed ground
ed and established in hope-iudging from the
sign of the large green anchor at its base-fill-
ed with evergreen and covered with white roses
heath myrtle geranlums and other delicate
and choice flowers. The communion table was
covered with several memorial offerings which
were both elaborate and beautiful, loving hands
having sent tokens of affection in profusion.
The central emblem was an exquisite marble
cross in memory of two lately deceased leading
members Of the society. On the arms of the
cross were the words ''Father "Mother," at the
base, the family name, and on the lower base
.In Memoriam" On eech arm of the cross
was placed magnificent floral wreath, the
two interviewer by trailing bands of smilax.
The entire decorations were very fine
and included many flowers of brilliant
hues and fragrant perfume, iIupregnating the
very atmosphere with delicate exhalations. AT
the close of the evening services, the flowers
were made up into boquets and distributed
among the sick of the society. The music at
both morning and evening service was beauti-
fully rendered Mr.. Marston presided at the
organ; the soprano parts were ably sustained
by Mrs. Merrill and the alto by Miss King.
The sacred ediice was filled to repletion. The
Rev. VIM. E. Gibbs, pastor of the church, Off
ciated, and at the morning service preached an
eloquent discourse having special reference to
the day. He selected for his text John, xiv. IL,
because live, ye shall live Also" A new
Easter anthem, composed by Marston, waH
given with fine effect Also the following Eas-
ter hymn, written by the late Mrs E. M. Bars
tow.
Easter Hymn.