The Portland daily press., 1876-04-17

A. D., 325 By that Ecumenical council it
was decreed that Easter should always occu
on the first Sundly after the full moon, which
happens upon or next after March 81. If the
full moon now happen on Sunday, Easter will
be the Sunday following. By this arrange
ment Easter may come as early as March 22d,
or as late as April %. This rule, however
would have made Sunday the 9th inst Easter,
so that it m ust have limitations.
The day has always been celebrated with va
rious ceremonies, popular sports and supersti-
tions. Some Of the latter seem incredible such
as belief that the sun dances in the sky on
Easter Sunday morning. In certain parts of
England a game Of ball was favorite Easter
sport in which twelve old women participated.
In the northern counties of England the men
used to parade the streets on Easter and lift
every woman they met three times from the
ground and claimed in payment kiss or six
pence. In part Of England as late as 1892,
after evening service, the men and women
threw apples into the churchyard, and those
who had been married during the year threw
three times as many as the rest. After this
meaningless performance, they went to the
| house of the minister and feasted on bread and
| cheese and ale. In France the somewhat less
| innocent custom prevailed of stonng the
Jews and one French nobleman appointed his
chaplain to beat jew, which he did so sue
cessfully that he died. In England it was
common for the boys to run about the streets
Easter morning crying: "Christ is risen, Christ
is risen; all the Jews must go to prison.
YESTERDAY was anything bat pleasant for
II ae}a 1.
and promised fair day, but later the wind
| blew up raw and gusty, which whirled clouds
| of binding dust through the streets. About
go the wind shifted and the rain squalls set
| tied into rain storm. 1t wasn't a good time
| to show the spring styles in dress.
The churches generally were well attended
| in the morning, but the rain in the afternoon
kept many at home.
CONGRESS SQUARE.
The floral display at Congress Square was
the richest and most profuse ever made there.
All about the altar was wilderness of bloom,
| vines and flowers quite hid the desk, and the
air was heavy with perfume. The church was
the centre of attraction, and all day long the
aisles were crowded with people anxious to see
the spectacle. Behind the sacred desk stood
| the great cross, as 1t did last year, with q
broad band of beautiful callas wreathed about
it. Down its base profusion of vines crept
Its apex wore crown fashioned of tea roses
and pansies Above the cross and crown were
the words in evergreen, Jesus is King" On
each side beautiful white doves, from whose
beaks depended trailing vines. were suspended
| in air. Huge rustic baskets of ferns and
4 rnn akt 1a Iocl,
the altar stairs were great stone vases all
crowded with flowers. From the ceiling a
bunch of ferns depended. The desk itself was
| quite hidden by evergreens and flowers. The
whole effect was very beautiful, and called
forth warm expressions of admiration from the
I crowds of spectators. Except in the space
| about the altar, and basket of flowers and
two vases of callas in the organ loft, the church
| was unadorned.
The memorial offerings were many verv
beautiful and more numerous than ever before.
On the very front of the desk was a floral star,
formed of smiiax and roses, aud bearing the
name of Julia A. Russell. On the altar table
was cross all of callas, with marble base, upon
which was chiseled ''Barstow-in memoriam."
| basket of roses, azaleas and heath was in
| memory of Emmons Chapman. A beautiful
cross of azaleas, vioets, heaths and roses. near
the desk, was memorial Offering to M rs.
Doctor Thayer. In memory of Mary Maud
| Washb1rn was basket of beautiful flowers
and vines. A large and beautiful floral Tyre
bore the name of Mrs. Isaac jackson, while a
fine wreath of flowers in memory of Mary A.
Butterfeld hung from the desk. An exquisite
II ltstar in If
day, was placed near. To the left, basket in
which three .calas were surrounded by mass
of other flowers bore the name of j. r. Daley.
A very large vase filled with rare exo.cs COM
memorated Nathan j. Davis, and basket of
beautiful flowers, from which many vines
dropped, formed memorial Offering to George
w, Billings.
Mr.. Gibbs took his text from l Cor xx-57
"But thanks be to God, which giveth W the
victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" The
preacher gave vivid description of the pas
sion and the resurrection, and dwelt upon the
significance of both. He then proceeded to
consider why and how Easter should be cele-
brated, saying that it should be celebrated be.
cause it is a commemoraton of the greatest
victory the world ever krew, the victory Of
Christ over death, and it should be observed by
| personal conservation to the Lord, as we'll az
| by floral offerings.
The following is list of the music which
| was so beautifully rendered by the choir:
Anthem, rejoice in the Lord. .......... .Kotzschma
Gora Fa!rl' .s..... ............. .LloyC
Hymn-Lift your glad voices. .............M arstOI
Christ our Passover response .......... Greatori,
/ Hymn-l know my Redeemer Liveth, ..... Marstor
Anthem-How beautiful upon the mountains,
Him,
In the evening the church was crowded to
l listen to the Sunday School concert which haG
| been prepared with great care. The Taste
concert piece entitled Jesus is Risen,'' wa
1 given with fine effect. At the close of til,
piece the children came forward, bringing let
| tiers which formed the following inscriptions
l upon the cross:
JESUS is KING.