Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1882-04-12
Easter Day.

Brown relieved by patches Of snow with no
signs OF vernal green, raw, chill April air
through which the sun shone with brightness
which had in it little Of cheering warmth, the
greeting Nature gave Easter Day. The weather
could hardly be 30 unpropitous, however, as to
chill the ardent emotions repress the feeling OF
jubilation which the sacred anniversaries bring
among Christian people everywhere. Our local
columns show how well the day WAS observed,
and the following reports tell Of Easter services in
Montpelier and vicinity,
AT BETHANY CHURoH.-Mr Hincks preached
from the text, Romans iv: %: Who was raised
again for our justification. lie pointed out that
the ancient and continued observance Of this an
niversary afforded in itself important evidence
for the truth of the resurrection; and that evil
dence of a similar kind, though of higher value,
was supplied by the continuous observance of the
Lords day from the first. 1t was important to
observe that the fact OF the resurrection was
given the first place in the teaching of the apos-
| ties Why was this? Not because of the i'm
| preston which that event made upon their own
minds; nor even because the resurrection Of
| Christ contained the promise Of general resur-
| rection, but for the reason stated by the text,
that Jesus Christ was raised again for our justi-
| fication His resurrection, indeed could furnish
no substitutionary penalty for sin, as his death
| did, but it inspired faith in the atonement by
which man was justified, and thus indirectly it
| secures mans justification. Without the resur-
rection, faith would have been more difficult, and
hence less general, as was illustrated by the I'M
belief OF the first disciples before Christ rose
again. Above the joy, then, which this anniver-
sary brings in the assurance that there is glori-
| Gus resurrection open to humanity above the
| joy which 1t brings in the assurance that the be-
loved dead are not dead, but sleeping, rises the
| joy that comes from the assurance Of the great
fact OF facts that God sent his Son into the world
| to save sinners, and hath declared the one who
offers himself az a Saviour to be the Son OF God,
| with power, by the resurrection from the dead
| In place Of the usual evening sermon there was
an Easter praise service, consisting OF choir and
congregational singing responsive readings, and
an address by the pastor. The music, which was
selected with special reference 10 the character Of
the day, was well rendered the soprano solo by
Mrs. Briggs being especially fine. In the address
allusion was made to statement OF Remains that
the imagination OF hysterical woman gave to
the world risen Lord, and in opposition to the
phase of infdelity which it illustrated a summary
X
the resurrection OF Christ the best attested fact
in the history OF the world The fact 80 estab-
lished affords an adequate ground for faith, which
will stand the test OF any reasonable and practi-
cal investigation, and yet one so simple as not to
be above the comprehension Of the unlettered
The truth Of the resurrection carried with it the
truth OF Christianity II any one desires to know
what is the truth of God and to guide his life ac-
I l..
vesligation the course OF reasoning which the
apostles followed in their preaching and examine
whether there is reasonable evidence that Jesu:
Christ rose from the dead. And II he finds thai
there is, he has solid and unassaiabe founda.
ton upon which to rear the structure of his faith
The floral decorations were characterized by rare
good taste rather than by elaborate profusion.
series of evergreen wreaths descended from til,
desk to the table on the platform below, a wreatl
on the table and another at its base completing the
series. Cut flowers Of brilliant hues were en-
, twned with the wreaths. Callas lent their pure
, suggestive white 10 the charms OF these decora
tons. Tea roses adorned the desk, and baske
, OF beautiful flowers rested In the midst Of tn,
wreath which reposed upon the table
AT CHRIST CHURCH.-The yesterday service
! of this church were attractive as usual. Tn,
, church was filled The decorations consisted o
a bouquets ON the retable, pot plants in flower il
front OF pulpit and lecturn ivies, Topped owe
a white and In shapes, in front Of the choir AM
a other places, a magnificent stand Of Gala lille
: upon the baptismal font and choice pyramid o
a cut flowers in the center Of the chance front
Il The musical programme was elaborate and su
perbly rendered by Messrs r. W, Bancroft, tenor
d II. G. Gleason, bassoi Misses Josie A. Robinson
"A soprano, and Jeanne Kimball, alto Mr.. II. II
l. scribner at the organ The pieces were as follows