The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1880-03-31
FASTER SERVICES,


Easter--tho festival of the resurrection o
Jesus Christ--was generally observed Sun
day, divine services being held in all tn
churches, which were filled to Overlooking
with large congregations. Especially wa
this the case with st. Matthew's Cathedra
(EpiscopaD and the Church of tho Sacred
Heart (Cutholic), many turning away from
the doors for want of even standing room
Tne windows we're filed, while Others stooC
outside, catching what they could of the scr
mons delivered.
AT the Catholic church High Mass was
celebrated, Father Thion officiating. The
ceremonies were very impressive, and the
largo audience present was very attentive
The morning sermon, delivered by Father
Martinez, was in regard to the resurrec-
ton of the Saviour, and was an able
discourse, which was listened to with
marked attention. The mus sic was very
fine, and was the subject of favorable com
ment. AT night Father Thion preached to
nm audience almost rs large Ms the one Of that
morning, and his sermon was we'll received.
The main altar was beautifully ornamented
with q proiuson of rare roses and other
flowers. The gold cruciilx which stood in
the center of it was wreathed around With
flowers and vines, and the altar lit up with II
large number Of tapers, made II beautiful
scene. The church was brilliantly lighted,
producing most pleasing effect on the eye,
st. Matthews Cathedral was tastefully
decorated with evergreens, potted flowers
and shrubs, with draperies, appropriate en-
bems and mottoee. There was u large cross
composed of evergreens on the altar
Bishop Garrett preached one of his fine
Ephesians |. 10-That in tho disposition OF
the fullness of times he might gather to-
gether in one all things in Christ, both
which are in heaven and which are on earth.
The resurrection of Christ, which we cele-
brate to-day, is the central fact in the history
of the world. Towards il the progress of
events in the past continually pointed, and
from it the march Of succeeding ages has
received an ever increasing influence Ger
tain opposing principles are manifest in his.
tory, in human nature and in the universe
The resurrection affords the only power by
which those antagonisms can be harmonized.
|. Jewish history and religion have illus
trated the belief that all things in heaven
and earth are the expression of a personal
creative will. Amid all the changes of their
national existence, even to tho present hour
they have been and are still the opponents of
the prophets statement that God doth ac-
cording to his will in the army of heaven
and among the Inhabitants of the earth.
On the other hand cultured paganism,
whether among the Orientals or the Greeks,
held that events were subject to fate, or SO.
ries of phenomena evolved by a process of
natural law. Pantheism and Polythesm by
scattered lights bore their testimony to the
instructive hope and traditional belief of the
human family that God, though subject to
fate, had, in some way or other, to do with
the affairs of men. But no principle was
found whereby personal will might be rec
onciled according to the natural law.
Change, decay and death seemed the univer-
sal and irresistible destiny of things human.
The resurrection shows death AS the abnor-
nal and temporary expedent by which an
endless life may be introduced. Reveals God
as the worker who, underlying phenomena
guides evolution and destiny by law obedi.
ent to His will.
ii. In every human being two opposing
elements co-exist. The instinct Of immortal.
ity is common to the whole human family
Should any one deny that he possesses such
an instinct he may be fit subject for YOU
compassion but not for argument. He may
lack an element distinctive of humanity a;
one born blind lacks faculty common tc
his kind. Reasoning on the distinctions o.
color in the latter case would be as pl oftablt
as upon the future destiny of man in the
former. On the other hand reason knows
only of the existence of human spirit by
virtue of its inhereacy in human organ
Ism. Death dissolves the organism, why may
1t not dissolve thespirit with it The resur
rection affords the only satisfactory solution
OF this difficulty. The organism, purified from
all that is frail, perishabe and mortal, come
forth from the tomb re-animated by tn,
spirit. The law Of personality in each cas-,
preserves the identy through the grave ant
gate of death into joyful resurrection. TIL
new life imparted-the resurrection of Chris
to humanity by restoring the organism, salts
lies the requirements of reason by re-nhabit
ing it by the soul, satisfies the claims of in
stinct.
Ill. Philosophers are careful to tell US of III
insgniflcance of the earth and moon whe
compared with the vastness of the surrount
ing universe Quick to point the finger Q
scorn at our nothingness, they ask, with loft
contempt, why beings so valueless shoul
claim such great things as the Christian r,
ligion purports to have done for us. W
are ready to ask with the Psalmst, in CIV,
increasing wonder, 80 Lord, what is ma
that Thou visitest him." But who told the.
wise men that this poor world of ours W,
always to be thus isolated and contemplate
The Resurrection reveals purpose on Il
part of God TO gather together in one
things in Christ, both which are in heavt
and which are in earth" We know th
9 1t this poor life were all, mei
and contemplate indeed mig
Gem to DO our lot. But in that splend,