The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1874-04-10

Last Sunday was day of more sLan Ordi-
nary interest to the Episcopal and Romlsh
churches. 1t was celebrated as the day on
which our Saviour arose, an event that is
the foundation of the Christian religion.
This observance of Easter Sunday, owes its
origin to the fact that Christ was typined
by the paSchal lamb which was ordained by
Moses to be slain on the day of the Passover,
the feast being continuation OF the jewish
festival. AS early as the second century,
there was much controversy as to the day
on which this feast was to be kept, some
contending that Il SHOULD be kept on the
same day observed by the Jews, while
others thought that il should be kept on tie
memoratiOn of the resurrection of our Lord.
The dispute was finally settled by the Coun-
Gil of Nice, in the year S25, which ordained
day to be observed. Accordingly, after the
usual Lent, which is kept in cOmmemora-
ton of our Saviour's Passion, the members
day, observed in a most impressive manner,
the festival of Easter Sunday, The church
was beautifully adorned with flowers, pre-
senting the appearance of some fairy scene,
well calculated to inspire feeling of rever-
ence, and to I'LL the hearts with gratitude,
in contemplating the event that was then
being celebrated. Services were commenced
in the church at SUNRISE, and at eleven
o'clock Rev. George Beckett, the pastor,
sermon, after which the Sacrament was
Commemorated. The most attractive fea-
sVeninS ceIebration OF the Sunday-schooI
children of the church. The exercises of
the evening commenced by a procession OF
the children from the residence of +. {.
Huntington, Esq, the smaller ones going in
front, the teachers accompanying their re-
spective classes. The procession entered
the church and marched down the center
aisle in two ranks, and having reached the
altar, the ranks divided and cOunter-march-
cd TO the right and left along the side aisles
back to the front door, and then again down
the center aisle to their proper places in
front of the altar, singing as they marched,
Onward Christian Soldiers" The TIE Deum
and Easter Anthem we're rendered in the
most impressive manner, after which came
the presentation of Offerings" The fol-
lowing order was observed, as indicated by
the programme: Little CherubS;" ''Our
Saviours Little Ones, and the InnocentS;"
"The Aspirants;" Lilies of the Valley"
Faith, Hope and Charity" THE MisSiona-
rieS;" THE Daisy Chain" Faithful Work
ers of the Lord" Gems of the Church,"
STANDARD Bearers The Ten Virgins"
The members of each class presented to the
pastor an offering of flowers, accompanied
BY q contribution to the church. HWould
be unjust to discriminate between the class
es as TO their respective performances, for
every part Of the exercises was highly cred
liable, and was performed in manner ap-
proprfate and impressive. But we cannot
pass, without special notice, the "Ten Vir-
gins" for the moral truths and scripture
maxims of this parable were presented in
the most fOrcible manner. We have often
read OF the foolish Virgins, but their folly
was here impressed upon our mind in a
manner that il had neEeE been before.
Hear US, oh Father, now we implore Thee"
sung by Miss Rosa Barnett, and the Easter
Carol, Thou art our Father" sung by
Miss Anna Baird, were the browning fea-
lures Of the occasion, and inspired a holy en-
thusiasIn throughout the large and dense
assembly. The whole AFFAIR was success,
beyond anything of the kind we have ev-
er witnessed, and we were solemnly i'm
pressed with the fact that religion can sui
Ter no violence from such beautiful and i'm
PFessiSe concentrations. MAURS.