The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1876-04-20

EASTER SUNDAY.-The Lcnten season, the
termination Of which has been so long ant
anXiously looked forward to, closed on last
Saturday evening, and the first rays OF the
morning light ushered in the anniversary Of
christ's victory over death, BY his glorious res
direction.
The Catholic church was beautifully decora.
ted with flowers and eysrgreens, arranged
with exquisite taste around the Blessed Virgin
and child, and in the repository. There were no
regular lenta services, but after High Mass
Father Fitz simmons, the recently appointed
as stant pastor, read and explained the 18th
chapter of the Corinthians. He is close
reasoner, clear and logical, speaks rapidly and
distinctly, and cannot fail to attract the most
listless nearer by his senIentous style and
easy delivery. He INDUCES in no flights Of
fancy, hut seems to address himself enti,ely to
one particular person, and that particular per-
son is yourself And as lie advances Ills argyll
1 ments you find yourself giving ground. until
finally lie corners and then pins you. There
is an independence about Inn, rarely met with
in the church, and witha a nameless attrac-
ton; which must make him very popular with
the congregation and others, and an efficient
aid to Father McVerry.
The sGloria III Excelsis," 'sCrcdo" and
easter Anthems" were splendidly rendered
the soprano and bass solos being particular
" fine. The choir is composed of the follow
ing ladies and gentlemen Misses Ellen Ken
needy and Lena Scherer, soprano Miss Ella
Mccarthy. alto; Messrs. w. H. German, bass,
Jro McQuaide, baritone, and Jno. Donovan,
tenor. Prof. Richard organist. The church
was crowded, there being many present be.
sides the large eG1gregation.
At the Episcopal church the services were
very impressive and lasted three hours.
The opening anthem, ''Mornng breaks upon
tho tomb.' by Thomas, was magnlhcently
sung, with soprano solo, as were also the
Easter Anthem, s'Christ our Passover
Willard, soprano and two tenor solos. lie
Dcum'' Wells, aud ''Glora Patri'-Mora
After the regular Easter service the sacrl-
ment of the Lords Supper was administered.
The Easter offering amounted TO Sl,0oo-thc
largest ever known il, this city.
At seven O'Clock i'm the evening the children
of the Sunday School, numbering about 200,
assembled in their now room, to give in their
Offering. 1t was an interesting sight to see so
MANY little ones, most of them bearing some
floral offering, and not q few of them scarcely
able to toddle along. On the platform in the
south end of the building was gathered Mrs.
SInffey's cass-s'Thc Lambs of the fold. y
After singing several Sunday school hymns, in
which they were led by the sweet clear voice
of Mrs Bumgardner, Mr.. Iulhan explained
that each class had selected some appropriate
verse from the bible. IS its motto, from which
it had taken its name. lie then proceeded to
call the classes, as follows
| Mrs. Hopkins, ''Buds of promise; - Mrs.
Bell, ''SeekGrs Of truth y Mrs. CatIett, Fol
lowers of the crucified - Mrs. Hunter, ''Seck-
ers of Christi Mrs. johnson. ''Llllies of the
field )" Miss Kinney, ''Band of hope;' Miss
Fannie Tams, ''Young cleaners - Miss Low
ry. 1.-THE Christian Soldiers;' Miss Halle,
::.Young disciple )" Miss Beers, ''Llttle CLEAN,
crs;'' Miss Stuart, ''Pearl seekers" Miss
Howard, 'sChildren of Light Miss Tams
Miss Deahl, Little Pilyrims;'' Miss Striblns,
Little travellers )" Miss Gay, ''Childlen Of
faith;'' Miss Scott, Buds of promise; )" MIR.
Sheffry, '.Chdren of the resurrection - Mr..
Bell ssArmour bearers;' Mr.. Elder, ''Follow-
crs of tile Cross" Mr.. Harris, Little reap
ers - Nj Powell. ''Srlie sweet singers OF Isra-
cl;'' Mr.. Weller; Mr. sublett; Mrs. Slefiry,
s.Tl,e Lambs OF tlieTo't. .
40 nh, t1,,1 t,,,o
bers marched up the aisle and handed their Of
ferng to the pastor. 1t consisted of beautiful
flowers tasteful!y arranged INFO boquets. cross
es or in baskets, together with All envelope
containing their pecnntry contribution. AS
the pastor received the Offering the children
repeated the verse which had been selected as
their class motto, hut it was generally re-
peated so indistincty. the rcciters being either
tind or frightened, that very few in the room
could hear it, and Mr.. IIullheh, in most cases,
read it aloud after them. There were several
marked exceptions, however, to this iulc. All
ter singing, by The infant class and by the
school, the services concluded with prayer and
bencdiction.
The amount realized from this Offering was
s3Oo-onc class, Maj II. N. Belts, contributing
$ll5.
| At the lutheran church the usual Easter ser
vice was held, and the sacrament administer
ed. A large number of young men were mo-
tceable us commandments. There We're five adj
ditions to the church, four by confirmation
and one by letter.
| This was the last service to be held in the au-
ditory Of the church until it has been repaired
and handsomely painted and frescoeG. The
seats are to be newly cushioned and the floor
carpeted. 1t is expected to have the church
ready for use by the 25th OF May-the time of
the meeting OF the Grand Synod South.
Tic services of the Methodist church were as
usual DR.. Martin preaching in the morning
from Luke, 24tll chap. and 4G and Al verses,
basing his sermon upon the necessity Of the
suffering and resurrection of Christ. In the
evening he preached from the Ii Colossians.
Sd chap. and and 2 verses. The EASTER
anthem sung as u voluntary by the choir,was
superb.
At the lst Presbyterian church the pastor,
Rev. Mr.. Baker, preached in the morning, and
the Rev Mr.. Richardson at night.
DR.. Manly. of the Baptist church, preached
to his congregation morning and night.