, 1874-04-05
Prof Swings Opinion of sumptuous
Churches.
Notes and Personals at Home and
Abroad.


poTtant event sh4t has ever taken plnce on eaftl
the Resurrection Of Christ. Upon the even
is founded the belief in tho Immortality Of the
Soul. Its historic Importance cannot, therefore
be orerestimated. The early Christians con
stantly spoke aud thought OF the Resurrection
Us the one grand theme to which all their hopes
were bound; and when persecution from tht
Ronan Emperors overlook them, the one swee
thought was that He who had yanqushed Deatl
was still living and clothed with all power te
protect his children. So Easter has been cele'
b1atcd throughout ali the intervening ages down
to the present time, az an event to inspire oniJ
joy, hope and e1altation.
TIE PASSOVER.
The celebration Of its antctvpe, tbs Paschal
Feast, bv the Jews had taken place for centuries
before tile birth Of Christ; and the two COM
memoratiye days were 20 close together as to
cause much doubt in the minds OF the patri-
arche1 Christians as to whether the true celebra-
ton of the day was the Jewish, viz: the 14th OF
Nisau, or whether it should be ut eome other
date. The Council OF Nica fixed the date for all
the Christian world, which has ever since ro-
rnaiucd a. Easter.
TIE EASTER EGG.
Mixed with the original idea nf the resur1cc-
tion, OF the redemption from from death, have
arisen several practices analogous to or repro
sentative of that idea. The resurrectionis is typi-
cal Of epr;ng, when dead nature revives. Tie
Easter eg1: is another type Of the idea which is
dominant. The egg is the centre and germ of
animal life, and SO has como to be associated
inevitably with the day.
HOLY WEEK.
The week that has just closed is called Holy
Week. celebrating the most painful scenes in the
life Of Christ. It commenced with Palm Sum
DAY. On Thursday was celebrated the institu-
ton Of the Eucharist with great pomp in the
Roman Catholic churches. After the consecra-
ton OF the Host, it is removed in procession
to repository 17-ordina1ily smaller ALTAR
nhero it is deposited. This rec ptaclo is adorned
slabora!ely with flowers aud lights, and is visit
ed By persons from all the churches. On Friday,
the day of the cr1cii1ion, no mass is said tie
Host, consecrated the day before, is produced on
tie altar; the church is drared in ulnck. On
Good Friday such visitors to the churches as
choose, kiss crucif1 ke1. fo- that prrpose, at
the altar ruling in order to show their yencra-
tion for tie instrument OF. mans redemption.
Lent properly closes On Good Friday night. On
Saturday the Bishop tesses the Paschai candle,
the oils, and the holy wafer that is to be used
throughout the year-
Holy Week, in Chicago, has been observed
with various degrees OF solelnnity by various de-
nominations. Next to the Catholic Church, arc
ihe EpiEcopa1iaps who have spent the week in
solemn evening and daytime gatherings; con-
fE1nations have taken place, and the minds Of
all true church people prepared for the recep-
tion of the holy communion on Sunday.
Religious services have also been held every
dcy in several OF the Methodist and Unitarian
churches, and the neophytes prepared for full
admission into the churches on Easter day.
ROMAN CATHOLIC.
The most imposing services take place to-dhy
in all tue Roman -Cathuli: Churches. During
Holy Week tle confessional hns been busy pre-
parlng the people for the reception Of the E,1-
eharist, which will be administered today to
some 10000 devout Catholics alone; Services
begin at S o'clock, and are continued from that
time to about half-past 10, in order to admit all
the comn.unicants and visitors. 1t is estimated
TINT fully 2,000 will partake of the Eu-
charist in the Jesuit Church to-day. lu
that church tic Office Of the I.enebr;r
was sung at 4 p. H., Wednesday, THURSDAY,
and Friday. Thursday night sermon WAS
delivered on t'1he Passion of tie Savior" by
tho Rev. Father De BIick- The Rev. Father
Damen who is expected to return from New
to-day. The choir will eing Hummelrs mass in
E lat The solos will bo sung by Airs. Minahan,
A1iss Seaman, Miss Lyons, Nr. Rietla, and Mr.
Bullcn. In the evening, Solemn vesDera will
be sung with Emmerick's 3 magnificent zlngarellis
Laudati-
This is one OF the two occasions in the year
on which the full power Of the organ may be
heard. 1t is said to be the largest in tho United
States. Several statues, which Father Damen is
expected to bring from New York, will be placed
where they will add much to the interior beauty
OF the church.
In Sta. petrick's Church, on the corner Of
Adams and Despla;nes streets, mass will be cele-
bla,cd at 6, Z, $ and 9, and at 1880 Solemn High
Mass will be celebrated. The choir will sing
Under direction OF A1r. R. Hall, tho celebrated
Mass OF La Hacle, md tho Rev. Father Terry
will preach. 4 new gan has just been placed
in the church md the cllo1r, which is one of the
best-traired III the city, will rchearSe some very
ENC music.
In St. Mary's Church, Wabash avenue, cc7ner
1t Eidrldge Court, the early services. will be US
usual At 1890 o'clock. Pontihcal High Mass
bishop Foley The choir will sing Haydn's
Fourth 3iass, and the Rev. Father Lawlor, Of the
Jesuit Church, will deliver the sermon. Vespcrs
will ccmmc.co a, quarter OF s, followed by q
aefpQon and banediction-
EPISCOPAL.
III the Episcopal Churches the services Of
uoiy Communion tahe placa to-day. The
churches will generally be finely decorated with
flowers; the Sun1aJ-schools will hold festivals
ather during the afternoon OF the evening. In
most OF the churches services wero held Good
friday, and also Saturday evening.
At tho Cathedral Of Saints Peter and Paul the
services Will be very solemn and impressive.
The musie.i portion of the services will be full
cnora: composing several special Easter ter hv1aps M ms
aud anthems An carly celebration OF tho Eu-
cAar:ss WILL take place at a. m., followed By
morning Prayer, litany: confirmation service and
G asecoud celebration Of the HOLY Communion ut
1890. Tho chiidren'e tloral service viii BE- held
St5 r. m, with Easter carols By the children
AZ Trinity Church, on the corner OF Twenty
s.Aih street and Michigan avenue, there will be
aa ,s3 Sssis ee.earatlon Of the Holy Communion at
9oc!ock At quarter to II, morning service
sermon anH Holy Communion will tako olaco'
A. o'clock the Sunday school will celebrate lis
AAaster festival, with music, addresses, etc. The
fa1ls:c hIs been carefully prepared. an, viii ho
3fchearsel by fue choir. Tie decorat ations .1e
T. 1i1e. Ao
The Church Of Our Savior, on the corner Of