The Portland daily press., 1876-04-17
ST. LuKE's CATHEDRAL

at o'clock there was an early celebration OF
the Holy Eucharist, Canon Hayes acting as
ceebrant assisted by Rev.'s Pyne and Nc
Laughlin. There was a goodly number of
communicates present and participating in
this, the opening service of tho day.
At q o'clock the full services of the day
were held. Right Rev. FL. A Neeley D. D.,
bishop of the diocese, officiated assisted by the
Cathedral clergy. Morning prayer and the lita-
ny were said by Rev. Mr. Hayes. The lessons
were read by the deacon, Mr.. Mclaughlin. At
the conclusion of the service the right of confr-
nation was administered to large class Of
candidates by the Bishop, after which he
preached very able sermon upon the text
Phil. 5, 10, "That l may know Him and the
power of His resurrection" Then followed
the "Holy Communion" in which very large
number of communicates joined The floral
decorations were beautiful. The entrance to
the chancel was through an arch of evergreen,
adorned with lilies. Over the arch was the in
scriptiop, ';The Lord is risen." At the apex
was cross Of crimson and white, while PEN
dant beneath was a memorial crown of exquis-
lite beauty. The pulpit and the stone work of
the chair were festooned with wreaths of
flowers, roses, lilies and evergreen, and above
hung floral cross, memorial tribute.
The windows in the chancal of SITS. Peter
and Paul were appropriately adorned with
floral emb.ems
Over the super altar, in the Ieredos upon a
dark green back ground was placed a memorial
cross, of one who was for many years devoted
communicate of St. Luke's. The various me-
mortal windows and tablets of the cathedral
were all decorated by the loving hands of those
who on this anniversary Of the resurrection de-
sire to keep the memory green of their departed
friends. The afternoon service was specially
arranged for the children of the Sunday School,
and a number of infants were baptsed. In the
evening large congregation again crowded
the cathedral. The services was choral and the
Bishop preached. The cathedral was crowded
to its utmost capacity and the services of the
day were enjoyed by all. Being the 25th ami
versary of the formation of the Parish, it was
indeed joyous Easter to the members of the
cathedral.
ST. STEPHENS.
The floral decorations of this church were fur
nished by the ladies of the parish, largely from
house plants of their own cultivation. Conse-
quently they were not SO profuse as in several
other churches, but as usual much taste was
shown in their arrangement. Two arches of
cut flowers were elevated above the pulpit and
reading desk, surmounted by cross and
crown, producing beautiful effect Over the
font was an elegant canopy of flowers, and sew
eral memorial windows were appropriately
trimmed. That to the memory of the late
James Olcutt Brown was wreathed as usual at
Easter. Mr.. and Mrs. Benjamin Fogg pre-
sented beautiful floral tribute to the memory
of their deceased children, and ''the child win
dow" was not forgotten. The music at this
church was heartily rendered. Mr.. j. B. Coyle,
Jr.'s and Miss Annie Leav tits being the lead
ing voices, and Mr.. E. G. Farnsworth presiding
at the organ. The sermon was by the rector
and related to the Resurrection of Christ.
Text Exodus, III-3.
In the afternoon the anniversary Of the Sun
day School was celebrated. A large congrega-
ton was present. The services were highly
interesting and consisted of carols, emblems
and addresses, The emblems were excellent
and the carols sweetly sung. Capt. Coyle made
a sensible and suggestive address TO the sehol-
ars, and the superintendent, Mr. E. +. Fassett,
read the report, which represented the school
as united and prosperous
HIGH STREET CHURCH.
There was very fine display of flowers in
this church, the table being covered with
large number of beautiful boquets, in the centre
of which was very fine one of callas, the
whole being connected with wreaths and clus-
tiers of smilax. In the absence of the pastor,
the Rev. Mr.. Blanchard of Cumberland Mills,
occupied the desk, and preached from Hebrews
10: %. The casual reading of the passage
opens up the privileges of the Christian.
drawing near unto God, "full assurance Of
faith, "hearts sprinkled from an evil cons
cience," and "bodes washed with pure water"
The old Jewish High Priest entered once
year into the hottest of all to make interces-
sion. Jesus Christ is our High Priest through
whom we draw near, and whatever privileges
He has, we have, even to come into the very
presence of God with our prayers. The glory
of an Easter morning is that Christ has died
and risen again, and we in Him shall die and
rise again and sit in heavenly places. AS the
High Priest saw the blood on the altar and
came with confidence into the hottest of all to
for the people. so the Christian
through the blood of the everlasting covenant
has confidence, triumph, joy, peace and faith
in prayer. The chief thought of this Easter
Sabbath is, not only that Christ has risen, but
that his people have risen above the world;
have taken hold Of Him, live in Him, and are
constrained to live the heavenly life.
PARK STREET CHURCH.
The floral display at this church was more
elaborate than at any former period. Directly
in front of the pulpit was a mound of ever
greens surmounted by cross and encircled by
wreath of flowers. On the right was hand
some memorial basket to Arthur and Harry
Brown. On the left was beautiful memorial
cross to Miss Allie Bryan On the table and
platform were two vases Of callas, vase of
rosebu1s and several other vases of choice
flowers. On the pulpit, among other adorn-
ments were two dainty little baskets of flowers
most exquistely arranged.
The pastor, Rev. Mr.. Buck, preached an adj
mirable sermon suitable for the occasion from
the texts John Ala, and 17-3 upon the gen.
eral theme of "The soul's prophecies of immor-
tality.''
The music was very fine, the programme
announced liz the PRESS of Saturday being
given without change. Mrs. Mabel Burnham's
voice was heard to excellent advantage in the
solos rendered by her, and the whole choir exc
cuted the music admirably.
ST. PAUL's CHURCH.
The floral decorations of this church, though
not extensive, were very graceful in design.
The font was filled with callas, and other flow
ers entwned with smiax. The altar, covered
with its white communion cloth, was wreathed
with ivy, with sprays of flowers. Two baskets
of ivy hung from the lancet window, showing
with fine effect against the finished back
ground Of ash. The tablet in memory Of the
late Rector. Rev. N, w. Root was wreathed
with ground pinesand feros, ntermingled with
bouquets of flowers. On the altar and on the
credence table were handsome bouquets. The
windows in memorial of Mr.. McEwan and of
Mrs. Carney, were also decorated with flowers
and ivy. The rector in charge, Rev. C. M.
Pyne, delivered an excellent discourse on the
~ ~ ri.