Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-06-02
CHURCH FESTIVAL.
Memorial Altar Consecra-
ton.
Children's Whit-Sunday Celebration
The Ceremony of Baptism
and Other 0bser-
vances.

AhO ual VI 4 chtecOsN, Wneu the
Holy Ghost descended upon the disci-
} pies of Christ, as is described in the
second chapter of the Acts of the
Apostles, was duly observed yesterday
in several Christian churches. The
ceremonies were especially notable in
the Episcopal churches. 1t is the
occasion when the solemn sacrament
of baptism is usually administered,
and a number of youthful candidates
for religious publication we're to have
been baptised at Calvary church by
the venerable rector, DR.. Geo. White,
the threatening elements, however,
preventing their appearance.
The day is generally called Whit
suntide, from the emblematic custom
Of presenting children for baptism
costumed in white garments. 1t is the
fftieth after the day observed as resur-
rection day, hence the name Pentecost,
a Greek word signifying fifty.
At St. Mary's Episcopal cathedral,
on Poplar street, the ceremonies were
remarkably beautiful and inspiring.
The memorial altar, erected in COM
memoration of the Sisters of st.
Mary, who died of fever while work
ing to alleviate human suffering, was
dedicated with religious pomp, while
at night the Sunday-sehoo classes
held their annual celebration jubilee,
and their exercisessexcited universal
commentator from the large number
of spectators in attendance. The
shoWery afternoon interfered to some
extent with the festival, but not
enough to prevent the church from
being filed.
THE MEMORIAL ALTAR
was ~conseerated during the morning
services, near eleven o'clock, the ex-
ercisss being conducted by the Right
Rev. Bishop Qunintard, Revs. George
G. Harris, George Moore, of Somor.
willie, Tenn, and Thomas Gailor, of
Pulaski, Tenn. The altar was erected
inmemory ofSisters Constance, Thecla.
Ruth and Frances, who died last sum
met and it is a splendid work of art,
executed from designs furnished by
the architect Henry N. Congdon, by
an able firm of marble artists in New
York. An elaborate description Of
this beautiful work appears in yester-
DAYS Appeal. and is as follows:
The altar rests upon a platform o. dove-
coiored marble, of three steps, with risers
Of Tennessee marble. On the lowest riser
is the legend Sisters of st. Mary, Sep
tember and October, 1873" On the riser
of the second step are the four names (:
Constance, Thecla, Ruth, Frances On
the upper riser these words from the
Songs Of Solomon: ale feedeth among
lilies" These letters are cut through the
polished surface. and then gilded. The
body of the altar and the retable,are of
Caen stone. The front is divided BY
shafts Of red Lisbon marble, VIII nodded
bases and a%nnuii, and carved caps Of
natural foliage, flowers and fruits, into three
panels, each bearing II group of lilies in
high relief. A carved land of hawthorn
leaves and berries, forms the cornice under
the mensa, which last is of white statuary
marble, inlaid with five crosses Of red
marble. The altar projects two feet in
width from the reliable, and is eight feet
ten inches in length, and three feet six
inches high. The retable is ono foot five
inches in projection, and nine feet long.
with ends paneled and carved. The
central portion is Of superior digni-
ty, hight aud projection, and out
Of its gabled top rises an oetago7
nal pedestal with modelled base, and
capital carved with morning glories,
bearing the large white marble
cross heretofore used as the altar-cross.
This projecting center Is hAnked by red
marble shafts, with nodded bases, annuli,
and carved caps of natural foliage, carry
ing a trefoil arch under the crocketed
gable. A band of carvd passion-nowers
forms n cornice between the capitals and
supporting the typpanum Of the arch
above. which Is Of red marble, with the
| Chi Rho, hanked by the A and %, in
cised and gilded. and with the descending
tOye in a panel above, in the spandril
formed by the gable. Below the c%ornice,
boldly carved in Caen stone, Is the device
II the SisterhoOd Of 81. Mary-the lily OF
the order, the ground being richly
liapered and gilded. The bottom shelf Of
the retable il csrved with foliage, and the
Racers are Of Tennessee marble, with the
legend on the gospel side. Allelula
Osanna I, and on theepistle side, tIOsanna
Alleluln I, cut into the polished surface
anil gilded. The risers Of the upper
shelves are Of red Lisbon marble. They
finish against two terminal octagon pedes-
tails, with carved capitals, and are sur
mounted by an ornamental carved crest
ing. Eeyery detail Of the carving will
bear the most minute inspection.
Ia addition TO the foregoing the
chancel Of the church has twelve me.
mortal windows, six being within the
sanctuary ana upon them are inscribed
the names Of seven Of the church
clergy who died last summer, two
names being npon one Of the windows.
All are Of stained glass. Five Others
in the choir are memorials to Ave lay.
men who also died last year. On
another window is to be seer illus
t%rations Of the craeidxion aud the
fglies Of st. Mary aud 81. John.
THE CONSIDERATIONS
ceremonies as conducted by the rev.
erend gentlemen previously mentioned
were unusually impressive and en-
braced devotional cxercies and hymns