Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1878-04-26
FRIDAY MORNING. APRIL %. 1878.
Local
Easter at the Churches.

Local
~O~O-~~~o0-o-~-7-o --~-o-~-o-~~--~-~o-~
Easter at the Churches.
ORATIONS-ADDITIONS TO THE CON-
GREGATIONS-THE MUsIC-CONFIRMA-
TION BY BISHOP WHITTLE, TONIGHT,
&C.. &C.. sc.
Sunday was very bright and the air was
soft, and already sweet from the bursting
of the flowers into life. In the streets the
colcrs OF spring had appeared in the
ladies' dresses and there were enough of
new bonnets to catch, if not satisfy the
eye. The walks were filled with long rows
of church goers and the corners bore
scores of loungers in the sunshine waiting
to see the more devouJ pass on their way
to worship.
THE CENTRAL LUTHERAN CHURCH
was the point of attraction as far as floral
attractions were concerned and the visitors
there were astonished by the picture Of
beauty presented. The ceiling was net
work of evergreen festoons, from the cen
ter of which swung cord of evergreens
tipped with moss edged basket of beau
tiful flowers. Looking forward to the pull
pit the visitor saw it surmounted by an
open work arch, the words ''He is risen"
being in the arch. Back of that was a
harp and at the foot Of the altar was bas-
ket of flowers, while on top of it were
vases containing Gala lilies. Along the
walls were devices of harps, anchors, &C.,
in evergreen. In the front panel of the
pulpit was the word ''Hallelujah.' Along
the choir gallery ran the inscription
s'Christ the Lord is risen to-day" Under
the gallery at each side Of the entrance
door was a cross, one having inscribed
over it "Simply to thy cross 1 cling" and
above the other ''Jesus died for sinners"
But the GROWING glory of the. decorations
was creek cross at the door five feet
high twined with evergreens into which
the congregation as they arrived put their
bouquets of flowers. The effect was very
beautiful. Altogether there has never
been church floral decoration in the
city at once so profuse and tasteful. The
decorations were conducted by the Luther
Aid Society," of gentlemen and the sVon
Bora' 1.-THE name of Luther's wife) of Ia
dies. The pastor, Rev. J. b. Haskell, who
suggested the decorated cross and many
of the prominent ornaments, lent help
ing hand to all. Miss Eva J. Piper and
Mr.. M. A. Trenary decorated the Greek
cross with the bouquets as they were
brought in. The harp in rear Of the pulpit
which was so much admired. was the work
of Miss Phronie Trenary. The large bou-
Duet for the cross and some of the altar flow
ers were presented by Mrs. d. Q. McGuf-
fin. The handsome floral basket at the
foot of the altar and two Of the vases of
lilies on top were the gift Of Mrs. VIM. 3.
Craig. Mrs. DR.. S. Fl. Henkel sent pair
of vases with flowers on the altar. The
handsome central hanging basket was con-
tributed by MI. Henry B. Brown. Mrs.
N. M. Cartmell sent two beautiful baskets
of flowers Mrs. George Greaver sent six
handsome baskets of flowers and a lily for
the cross and Mrs. Geo. P. Baker sent
eight handsome bouquets for the cross.
Long before service the church was
packed, not only the pews but the aisles
which had been filed with benches. The
choral service was conducted by Prof. E.
l.. Ide, and consisted of an Easter anthem
composed by himself, TIE Deum and at
the offertory the solo ''Jesus Savior of my
soul,'' sung by Mrs. Geo. P. Baker. The
anthem by Prof. Ide was also sent to Rich
mond for use Easter Sunday. and sung at
the 1st English Lutheran there, where
Rev. J. I. Miller, of Staunton preached.
The choristers at the Central church Sun
day were Mrs. G.. P. Baker and Miss Mary
Lushhaugh, Sopranos Mrs. E. L. Ide and
Miss Eva J. Piper, altos; Messrs G. P.
Baker, George V. Ruhl and H. B. Brown.
bassos, and Frof. Ide, tenor.
The Luther Aid Society is organized
with the following officers, DR.. S. H.
Henkle, President; D. M. Landes and
Geo. P. Baker. Vice Presidents II. B.
Brown, Recording Secretary, Jas. W.
Hess, Corresponding Secretary and W. E.
Craig, Treasurer. The officers of the Won
Bora Society, are Mrs. G. Venable, Pres
ident; Mrs. Eta Lushbaugh and Mrs. G.
P. Baker, 1st and End Vice Presidents
Miss Maggie Wright, Secretary Miss
Mary Lushbaugh, Treasurer and Rev. j. B.
Haskell, Reader.
The Sacramento of Communion and
Baptism took place Sunday morning and
fifteen persons were added to the church.
There was no sermon, but some remarks
were made by the pastor and by Rev. Mr..
Burr. Congregatlonalist, from Connect
ticut who also appeared in the church
robe.
At night the house was again crowded,
many being unable to gain abundance, and
so completely had the beauty of the deco
rations taken the town by surprise that
after the services were over at the Central
church visitors streamed in from other
churches to see it, and it was nearly IL
O'Clock before the church was empty OF the
crowds who were enthusiastic in their ex-
pressions of delight.
BETHLEHEM CHURCH.
At this pretty Lutheran Church, about
four miles from Fishersville, the pastor of
which is Rev. Lafayette A. Fox, the deco
rations on Sunday were beautiful. The
ladies were assisted and directed by Prof.
Chas. n. Stebbins, in fact the success OF
the occasion was in a great degree due to
L. e,,o +octo and artistic skill of this gen.