New-York tribune., 1882-04-10
THE FEAST OF EASTER.
THE DAY WIDELY OBSERVED.

denominations for a long time, Christmas was
the gicat day, but now Easter has an equal IL
not greater place beside it. Almost without
exception houses of worship yesterday were
decorated with flowers and filed with people,
who were instructed or entertained, as the
case may he. The music was elaborate, and
| by many was regarded as of more Importance
than the sermon-at least it was listened to
more intcntly than the discourscs even of the
most noted preachers. Below will be found
details of the services of some of the churches
in this city and Brooklyn.
MAIN FEATURES OF THE CELEBRATION.
The weather probably intended for Easter came
one day too soon; the Sunshine and the balmy
springtime atmosphere which wcro here on Satur-
day. giving promise of a no less delightful Sunday,
were a deiuson and snare. Easter traditions are
| all of pleasant days; for once, at least, they
were at fault. There appears to have been some
confusion in the calendar this year, in the meteOro-
logical arrangements for st. Patncks Day and the
great ecclesiastical festival which was celebrated
yesterday, for contrary to precedent. st. Patrics
Day was the reverse of dsagrceable. Yesterday
overcoats were found comfortable by Hen whose
pride in displaying the handiwork Of their tailors
vas not suiiirient to make them defy the ther-
mometer. and the overcast sky suggested umbrellas
as n sensible substitute for walking-stlcks
The unfavorabe weather. however, was not al
lowed to interfere with the very general observance
Of the day and the churches filled to overflow
ing the people who always attend morning service
being reinforced by the large class of easy
going Christians and still more careless worldlings
who coEdense their deyotions into about three hours
a year, dividing these three hours inside church
between the services Christmas and Easter Such
worship is not unlike the paying of ones social
duties for 800 days, by making calls on New Years;
even this meagre attention TO the outward demands
of religion, however is not unattended by good re-
suits whether the motive is a desire 10 show ones
new clothes see what other people are wearing en-
joy the music crafty the eye by inspection of
the wealth of floral decorations.
Year by year Easter is becoming moro generally
recognized a sacred holiday, and the fact is not
only noticeable in the increased attendance at the
churches, but also in the fact that the observance is
no longer mOnopozed by the Roman Catholic and
Episcopal churches. Yesterday other denomina-
tOns recognizing the fitness of special services to
celebrate the feast of the Risen Lord. gave express
to the universal gladness in swelling anthems
and songs of praise.
For hour before morning service, and for another
hour following its close Fifth-ave was crowded |
with wOrshippers while the other avenues and in
tersccting streets presented hardly less animated
spectacle There was not so noticeable display of
brilliant toilets some previous occasions but |
the absence of particularly gorgeous products Of the
drcSsmakers and milliners art was compensated |
for by the very general exhibition of cut flowers and
growing plants, among which the beautiful ascen- |
sion lily was the favorIte in the windows of many |
houses
In the Roman Catholic churches yesterday the |
signs of mourning were put off like the weeds
Of widowhood The gloom of the Lenten season was |
dispeled before the first beams of the Easter morn
Ing and in all the churches there music lights
and flowers. The solemn services by which the |
Church has observed the day of the Lords resurrec-
ton from remote antiquity were conducted in all |
the churches of the faith Most of the Obscrvances
were accompanied by elaborate music and floral
decorations and by that wealth of ritual which
the Roman Catholic Church, its high religious
festivals, can so abundanty command and 50
fttingly use.
THE PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCHES
At Old Trinity yesterday, there was the
usual Easter display OF flowers, with singing appro
pirate to the occasion The decorations tndsomo,
but elaborate in former years. Around the
plants Of every description arranged. The
font decorated with many flowers, mostly gcran-
inns and Jacquemnot and palms. The lectern.
mortal of the late DR.. Ociby, pretty festooned
with smilax The floral display consisted for the
part caas roses. azaleas In pots, palms, and fine
display Of tulips.
The church was crowded. ali the aisles being filed,
and In the vesihules there standing room.
Gldt crowds surgcd up and down in front Of the
frances to the church. jostled another their
anxiety the flowers and hear the sin .ng Two |
policemen kept busy in preserving order In the
great crowd that stood inside the doors aud |
back OF seats, three tramps had grouped
themselves around of the pillars, Of which they fur
nished the chief decoration They seemed unusually
interested services and showed their appreciation
Of the singing by frequently nudgng another. They
we're the principal features Of attraction rear of
he church, and their costumes ragged and torn
that, together with their attitudes and SURROUNDINGS
they much we'd the artistic sensbIlties woman
present that could resist tho temptation and
skctched them the spot.
Tho singing OF the choir was exceptionally good, the
programme being elaborate. The rector the Rev. Dr.
Morgan Dix spoke Easter its Observance and in
luence In his description Of Easter he said Easter
Easter" He believed it to be the chief and great
festival the church lie contrasted the day itself
with Immediately preceding. and said it was the
randest day Of the Christian year. the keynote Of all
Apostolic faith.
large cross, made principally Of ongilorum lilies
and bound with wreath Of rel roses stood before the
altar in Grace Church The altar was nanked |
by large masses Of white acs IN bloom. The pulpit was
decorated with and other flowers. church was
filed at the service at IL number OF persons be-
ing unable 10 obtain seats The service was conducted
by the Rev Dr. Henry c. Potter, rector OF the church.
by the Rev DR.. Flagg The sermon was
preached by the rector. Holy communion services were
held a. H., and evening prayers p. IN. At the
early morning service the musical selections included
the Trisagion," by GrcatOrex, and "Gorfa in Excel
sis" The IL O. IN. service opened by the anthem
Break Forth Into JOY" by Banby The choir and or
ganist gave the anthem " Christ Our Passover" by
Battishill "Te Deum Jublate' in d, by Field "Kyrie
Elcson," by Field ofertory anthem, by Dudley Buck
and the hymn st. Agnes" by Dykes. "GOrfa Patri,"