The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1881-04-18

The chancel at st. Luke's was more attrac-
tive than usual, and the new arrangement es-
pecially to be commended. On either side of
the altar, under the lancet windows, were the
notices in illuminated letters on blue back
ground "Christ the Passover" and "Christ
has Risen;" while in front of the altar were
the letters Alpha and Omega, which were
placed on either side of the monogram l. H.
S. The chancel arch was mass of roses and
other flowers, the chancel rail wreathed in
smilax, the lectern, credence table, font and
pulpit were all beautifully decorated, and the
memorial windows were not forgotten. There
were several superb memorial emblems dis
played. Owing to the length of the morning
service the sermon was dispensed with: The
music was splendidly rendered by the boy
choir, with Mr.. Goold as organist and Mr.
HAZEL musical director.
CATHEDRAL IMMACULATE CONCEPTION.
The Catholic Cathedral was brilliant with
lights as usual, and the ceremonies were high
ly impressive. Over the altar blazcd the le-
gend "Gtoria IN eIcelsis Deo," the shrine of
the Virgin was bed of magnificent flowers,
and that of st. Joseph was beautifully decor
ated. Pontifcal High Mass was celebrated
with Bishop j. A. Healy celehrant, Father
McEvoy assistant priest, Father Linehan dea-
con, Father Murphy sub-deacon, and Father
O'Dowd master of ceremonies. There was an
immense attendance and the Bishop preached
an admirable sermon. The excellent pro-
gramme published by us was well sung by the
choir under Mr.. Wenzel's direction.
ST. PAUL's.
The usual Easter services were particularly
enjoyable, the principal feature of which was
the first use of the new organ, which has been
placed in the church as memorial to the first
rector of the parish, Rev. N. Taylor Root, by
personal friends 1t is encased in black wal
nut. with elegantly illuminated pipes, and is
remarkable for volume and sweetness OF tone
The centre panel contains the memorial plate
of lacquered brass. The music was well rem
dered all day TIE church was beautifully
decorated with Easter lilies and lovely flow
ers. Rev. Mr.. Ketchum preached both morn
ing and afternoon to large congregations. The
offering was quite large.
wILLIsToN
Rev. f. Z. Clark preached an excellent SER
mon from Joha xiv, 19:-"Beca use 1 live ye
shall live also.' The Worlds Independence
Day. The exhibition of flowers was in baskets
and bouquets, and, although no attempt was
made at artistic ornamentation. yet the great
profuSion and beautiful arrangement made
the display very fine, and a memorial Tyre at
tracted especial attention. The music was of
very high order of merit and called forth
many expressions of commentator.
NEW JERUSALEM
This church was very prettily decorated.
The altar was ornamented with Japanese
climbing fern; the communion table with
pyramid and vases of Howers, while pots of
callas and plants screened its base. The Re-
ceptacie of the Word. and chancel, were dec
GRATED with many lovely memorial emblems,
Easter lilies and callas and the font with
smilax and yellow roses. The sermon and
music were appropriate to the occasion.
ST. LAWRENCE STREET.
The st Lawrence street church was prettily
decorated, and at the morning service the pas
tor preached a sermon appropriate to the day,
taking his text from St. John Xxx, s. In the
evening on excellent Easter concert was given
by the Sabbath School,
FIRST BAPTIST.
At the First Baptist in the afternoon Rev.
F. E. Clark officiated for Rev. Mr.. Anderson,
preaching an able sermon from I Corinthians,
15th-"The Resurrection A large pyramid
of flowers stood at the right of the desk.
PLYMOUTH CHURCH.
AT this church there were several beautiful
memorial bouquets, and Rev. John H. Wind
sor of Grafton, Mass, preached an excellent
discourse from Matthew xviii, 6-"Heis not
here for He has risen."
STEVENS PLAINS UNIvERsALIsT CHURCH.
: Rev. Chas. A. Hayden oficiated and deliver
ed very appropriate and Impressive sermon
from First Corinthians XIV. 26, ''The last enc
my that shall be destroyed is DEATH" There
was an unusually large attendance, and the
floral display, with the memorial offerings was
superb and quite elaborate. Over and back of
the altar was the following inscription: "The
Lord Reigneth. Let the Earth Rejoice" The
choir rendered finely, "Lift your glad voices"
THE METHODIST CHURCHES.
Children's Day is the occasion selected by
the Methcdists for special observance and no
particular mention was made of Easter. At
Chestnut street Rev. Mr.. Clark preached
from Hebrews II, IA and Is on Christ the de-
iverer of those who are subject to bondage
through fear of death.