The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1881-04-18
EASTER.
It's Observance in Portland.

lights, was duly observed in this city yester-
casion. There was the peculiar feeling of
spring in the air; the trees showed their tender
buds just putting forth; the sun was warm and
bright; the skies cloudless 1t seemed as if
Nature herself had put on her freshest and
proudest robes to do reverence to the day that
celebrates the resurrection. AS usual the
churches were superbly decorated with floral
offerings, the music was specially chosen for tue
occasion, and several of the!sermons displayed
more than usual ability. We can only regret
our inability to place before our readers abb
stracts of some of tbs discourses that attracted
especial attention.
CONGRESS SQUARE UNIvERsALIsT.
The interior of the church presented the usual
magnificent appearance and was pleasing and
imposing The desk was removed and the
base covered with evergreen at the sides and
top. On each side were lovely marble vases
filled with easter and Gala lilies, heath and
violets, white smilax and dropping vines hung
in profusion. Near the vases, on the right and
left were two stands for the use of the PASTOR
beautifully decked with bright and brilliant
flowers, heath, rose buds and smilax. From
the gas fixtures on either sdo were suspended
choice baskets of brilliant flowers and running
vines. In the rear Of the chancel there was
placed large white cross, some eight feet in
hight, with the letters in bright green-I. H.
S. The decorations on the cross were wrought
of the finest and rarest flowers, elegant in con-
ception, design and finish
The pedestals which formed the base of the
quets OF Mayfowers supplied in abundance.
The large space in the recess in the wall was
filled with garlands and festoons tastefully ar
ranged which presented very fine appear
ance. The arch above was neatly filled up in
a bright green, while in the centre of the cir
Gle was lovely white cross composed of white
flowers, and over all was a heavy festoon of
evergreen which dropped in graceful folds
down to the floor. The memorials, which
numbered some twenty OF more, sent in by
loving hands from friends of "those who have
passed on BEFORE" swere simply magnificent
and reflect great credit on those who prepared
them. These were placed on the platform at
the foot of the cross. TIE memorial tablets on
either side of the recess were each supplied
with elegant floral tributes, as was also the
window.
The pastor, Rev. VIM. E. Gibbs, delivered a
very able discourse from l Cor. XIV: -, IL and
IA. 1t was strong argument in support of
the resurrection and the superiority of Jesus as
the Divine messenger from God The music
was very fine. The Easter anthem cliff your
glad voices" was rendered with fine effect
also the aria 81 know that my Redeemer liv-
eth," and other music appropriate to the occa-
sion. In the evening the annual Easter Sun
day School concert was given and the vast edi-
flee was filled to repletion, hundreds not being
able to pass into the church. The services
were very pleasing, and it will always be a
bright spot in the memory of those who were
fortunate enough to be present. At the con-
clusion of the evening service the flowers were
made up into boquets and distributed among
the sick of the society.
FIRST PARISH.
The beautiful Christmas decorations at this
church were allowed to remain. thus adding
greatly, by contrast, to the floral display. In
addition, over the pulpit recess cluster of
callas adorned the Star of Bethlehem, and
baskets of flowers were suspended from the
gas brackets on either side of the desk. The
front of the pulpit was decorated with superb
star composed of magnificent hydrangeas while
the communion table was loaded with beau tt
full tributes to the memory of friends. The
evergreen wreath about the clock was caught
up with knot of callas and dark yellow flow
ers and q magnificent Tyre of bright hued exo-
tics, including number of Jacqueminot
roses, surmounted the clock itself. Smaller
emblems adorned the organ and the singers
stands were festooned with roses and smilax
Dr. Hill preached an admirable sermon from
1. Peter L. to 5,-"The Hope begotten by the
Resurrection"
The music was very fine, as usual, and the
following was the programme:
Voluntary. .......... .kOtZschmar
Dlc he to Cxod C,,J1
n Kingsley
y PARADISE. ............. Barnby
LYNN. .Kotzschmar
Irlsagton observation-disclosures. DR.. Hodges
In the afternoon at 3 o'clock occurred the
customary Easter service by the joint Uni
tartan Sunday School of the city, in which the
First Parish, Park street and Preble Chapel
schools participated. Reys. DIR. Hill and Mr..
Alger made remarks. The services were of
unusual interest, and the singing of the chill
dren, particularly of the Preble Chapel school
under leadership of Mr.. Jordan, was very fine.
The Easter carol, written for the school by Mr.
Frank i. Collins, was effectively rendered and
much admired
PAysoN MEMORIAL CHURCH.
The floral decorations at this church were, as
usual, admirable in taste and arrangement
Without profusion, there was large and beau.
tiful display of plants in bloom, mainly of mag
nificent callas, and on tables and stands about
the pulpit and platform were placed baskets
and vases of flowers, many of the latter being
elegant memorial offerings TThe occasional
arch behind the pulpit displayed for the first
time yesterday an elegant curtain artisticaly
Graped in folds, a much needed improvement
to the fine audience room of this church. Rev.
Mr.. Dickinson preached in the morning from
Luke viii. 81: "She is not dead, but sleepeth -
and in the afternoon from Phil. ill., TO- That
l may know Him and the power of His resur-
rection, to one of the largest audiences ever
gathered in the church, the aisles and every
other available space being filled with settees
and chairs. The music, by the well known
choir singing at this church, was exceptionally
fine, and with the eloquent and impressive
sermon of the pastor, filled the measure of a
service long to be remembered.
FREE STREET.
At the Free street Baptist several bouquets
adorned the communion table. Rev. Mr.
McWhinnie preached an able sermon from
Mark xvi, 3, 4. The choir sang Bucks "Christ
the Lord" an Easter hymn, and Thomas's
"Day of Resurrection"
HIGH STREET
Tho decorations consisted of ported plants
from private Conservatives arranged about the
communion table-azsleas, ferns and Easter
illleS. lutefuilHSIeU were three SlilDlenlS, a
large anchor composed of tea roses and violets,
a harp of white azaleas and star OF azaeas
and heath; all three pieces ere in memoriam
The music was admirable, the second anthem,
a composition of the organist, Miss Adams,
and the recitative every early in the morn-
ing" by Misses Webster and Bryant, quite eff
fective. The sermon, one of peculiar comfort,
was flom the text Phil 3, 10. In the evening
there was Sunday School concert, with sing
ing by the choir and Miss Kennard, recitations
and Easter carols by the children.
STATE STREET.
The communion table was banked with
plants and ferns, embedded with rare flowers,
supporting beautiful cross flanked with bas-
kets Of exotics. Two large vases of callas
stood on either side Of the pulpit. Prof. j. w.
Churchill of Andover, the distinguished elocu-
ZIONIST, preached most eloquent sermon.
PARK STREET.
AT Park street the communion table fotmed
mound of rare flowers surmounted by beau
tiful floral cross, while there were many
charming bouquets and vases of callas. Rev.
Mr.. Alger preached one of the finest sermons
ever heard in Portland from John xii, 81
"Christ abideth forever" The music, as pub
lished, was very finely rendered by the choir,
assisted by Misses. Poole and Long
ST. STEPHENS.
At st. Stephens the font was wreathed
with. eyergreensand smiax, garauded with cal.