Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1878-04-23
sOThe Central Lutheran Church.
BEAUTIFULLY DECORATED FOR EASTERN
Fl = CESsIoNS TO THE CHURCH.


he,Lutheran church of this city, which, was
beautifully, artistically, and deliberately deco
rated for Easter was filled to Its utmost capaci-
ty on Sunday morning and evening last
Though benches were placed in the aisles and
other places to seat persons who could not get
seats in the pews, yet many could not be &C
,commedated. The church was beautifully and
tastefully decorated, and the exquisite taste
displayed reflects the greatest credit upon the
fine esthetic tastes of the ladies of that oongre-
CATION whose def hands wrought such scene
of remarkable beauty. We will not attempt to
give description of it, for no description, how
ever minute, could give those who had not the
pleasure of witnessing it, anything approach
ing an adequate idea of it.
At the entrance of the auditorium there was
a Greek cross five feet in height standing in a
pile of moss-covered stones with growing flow
ers, and the cross was decorated with most ex-
quisite taste with natural flowers iof varied
bloom and delicious. fragrance which capitivat-
ed two senses at once This cross was superla-
lively and indescribably sweet and beautiful
and excited the wonder and extorted the praise
Of all beholders.s ~ - - T. y
The pulpit was spanned by an arch in ever
green, interspersed with flowers, bearing the
|inscription-"HE IS RISEN" The front of the
pulpit bore the NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS..
The chaneel railing was festooned with ever
green, and the panel in the rear contained a
beautiful harp in evergreen.
The panels on the walls of the church were
decorated with beautifully wrought crosses,
anchors, and circular wreaths, made of ever
greens interspersed with white roses and lilies
The walls were beautifully festooned with
wreaths which extended from the center Of the
ceiling and on the windows, as well as in the
centre of the church, were suspended baskets
with growing and blooming flowers. The front
of the gallery was tastefully decorated, and
bore, in evergreen letters, the inscription
"CHR1sT THE LORD, IS RISEN To-Day"
There were crosses on each side OF the en-
trance under the gallery. one bearing the in
scription-"JEsUs DIED FOR sINNERs"-and
the other, SIMPLY TO THY CROSS CLING"
The whole spectacle of adornment presented
q scene Of charming beauty and exquisite taste
In the morning, four persons, including an
infant, were baptized after which nine persons
were added to the membership of the church
| by confirmation, and five by certiticates-mak ak
| ing an accession Of fourteen members.
Rev. Mr.. Burr. of Connecticut, though not 6
member of the Lutheran church, in spirit o
Christian brotherhood, assisted the Pastor ir
the services and at his request made some very
appropriate remarks of cheer and eengratula
| ton, breathing catholic Christian spirit.
The Pastor announced that, for want of time
| the sermon for that morning would be dis
pensed with. He then followed the remarks 0
Rev. Mr.. Burr with a brief, but eloquent ant
! impressive invocation to persons to connec
/ themselves with the church-to seek, knock
aud enter in-not to delay, but to come at once
| NOT to rely upon their own merits, but thu
atonem emit Of Christ. .,0 So.
During the singing of the offertory, the col
lection of the Easter offering was taken up
| which amounted to about sixty-five dollars
The congregation was then dismissed to give
those an opportunity to retire who did not5Sish
TO remain till after the sacrament OF the iofd's
supper was administered. After such had re-
tired as did not wish to remain that holy ordl'
nance was administered. Members Of other
churches were invited to participate.
In the evening, the Pastor preached an in.
teresting discourse based on the text-II limo
thy IL: lib
at is faithful saying: For If we be dead
with him. we shall also live with him =
+ If we Suffer- we shall also reign.with him: If
we deny him, he also will deny us:
five believe not. yet he abideth faithful he
cannot deny himself .-. as
/. The subject of his discourse was the "resur-
rection," and he maintained that all the king
doms of nature-mine ral vegetable, and animal
furnished emblems and illustrations by an
ology of the resurrection from death to life, a
few of which he mentioned, comprising one or
more from each kingdom. All nature, hc main
ed proclaimed in tones of eloquence the sublime
octrine of the resurrection-the seasons in
their ceaselsss round. sang it in tones of Sc
raphic music
The very flowers, which so beautifully and so
appropriately at this season decorated the
church, were impressively emblematic Of that
great truth of christian doctrine and hence it
was proper to have the church decorated With
them on the anniversary of the resurrection OF
eur Lord and Saviour.
AS usual, the music, by the choir OF this
church was excellent The choir contains sew
eral fine vocalists, and the organist-Prof Ide-
is an accomplished performer and teacher OF
music.