Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-03-26
EASTER.
EASTER.
Inc Festival Generally Observed IN
Augusta.
The Churches Thronged with Crowds of
Worahipers.
The Temnlae of uoI;,,.. -,
The Temples Of Holiness Fragrant with
Easter Flowers.

4
Christian year. From the earliest times i
has been observed with stately and elaborat.
ceremonies. The word Easter is on goot
authority derived from Eossre or Osta<a the
Anglo Saxon goddess of spring, her favorits
month being April. But yesterday the mild
countenance of the goddess was yelled from
sight, and winter reigned. The lakes and
rivers were still in the shackles of the ice
King and far and near the earth was covered
with dreary waste Of snow. The robin and
the blue bird were absent and signs of Spring
were few. Yet it was a pleasant day.
The sun shone brilliantly and the churches
were thronged. That Easter should come a,
this season of the year is fitting. The spring
ing up OF the many species of vegetation into
forms of beauty and grace from their long
sleep. soon to take place under the touch of
the magic wand of Spring, is typical of the
Resurrection. Easter festivities in this city
are celebrated with more pomp and more
elaborate religious services and ceremonies
than has been the case in former years.
| The Christian churches seemed to vie with
each other in preparing special programmes
of music and songs appropriate for the
occasion. The several pastors delivered
sermons fitting for the day and the sanctuaries
were redolent with the perfume of flowers.
the decorations in several instances being
very elegant and elaborate. The Christian
halls Easter with peculiar gladness and his
heart oveIfows with joy and devotion. On
the Resurrection the hopes of thousands of
human hearts are founded. Here lies the
evidence of a higher life, of something be-
vond earth, and secure in this the Christian
can but give thanks. The voice of lamentation
is hushed and the day is welcomed with
exultation and triumph
death is Life and God is good. and all things
shall be WELL
Beyond the Sunrise which this festival foretells,,
ST.. MARKS CHURCH (Episcopal.)
As usual three services were held, and at
each the church was well filled A large
number Of worshipers were present at morn
! ing prayer and at the forenoon service, es-
pecially the attendance was large. The floral
decorations were profuse and very beautiful.
the atmosphere being laden with an exquisite
fragrance. On the reliable at the foot of the
cross was erected luxuriant bank of flowers
| of many varieties, tulips, hyacinths, geran-
iums. pinks and roses predominating. This
was fianked on each side by vases of snow
white callas. Immediately in front of the
cross rested an elegant pillow, an offering
from Mrs. Benjamin Davis, consisting for the
most part of Easter lilies, white carnation
pinks, geraniums and rosebuds. The cross
itself was garlanded with white rosebuds. On
I Il e. 81 l..
memory of Herbert Davis. 1t was composed
of Easter lilies, white rosebuds and white
pink.. Suspended gracefully from the read
ing desk and facing the congregation was
magnificent cross of the same variety Of
of flowers. The desk was also lastly draped
with ferns. A beautiful wreath was suspended
| from the lecturn. 1t consisted of Easter
lilies. rosebuds, japOnicas and carnatiOn pinks,
| filed in with smilax.
Rev. Mr.. Upjohn, pastor of the church.
delivered very able Easter sermon
the text being taken from St. John
| 10Th chap. 18th verse: "Jesus saith,
touch me not, for l am not vet ascended to my
Father. but 20 to my brethren and say unto
them, | ascend unto my Father and your
Father, unto my God and your God" The
subject of the discourse was 1.-The Resurrec-
ton, a Transformation Revealed to Love"
| The music was of very high order. Some
new compositions, were introduced,
among which may be mentioned the anthem
Break forth with joy" by Barnby, and TIE
| Deu,a by Stevens, a remarkably bright and
| facile composition. In addition to these, but
/ pleasing feature of the early morning ser
vice was a Benedic by Parker, which was
also given at Evening Prayer. Among the
most pleasing OF the carols were CAT the early
Easter Morn by johnson, and "Christ the
! hx, Lodi wh oh had
a brilliant effect as professional at the early
service Among the new carols, "Chrst is
risen, Allelua" was well rendered. A marked
| Improvement was noticed in the compass of
voices in the choir. especially on the high
notes. In addition to the organ accompani-
ment the music given by the orchestra of six
pieces under the leadership of Prof. J. w.
Wales of Togus, contributed much to the
precision and richness of effect.
CHRIsT's CHURCH. (Unitarian.)
This church needed no profusion of flowers
to enhance its unique beauty. The decor
| atoms were in that simplicity which good
taste requires. A wreath OF evergreen hung
over the pulpit on the altar was large bou-
Duet of lilies; in front there was a bower of
smilax, in the center of which was crown
| of ransies. At the morning service Mr..
Thatcher took for his text LIST Cor, chap. 10,
| verse. Easter Is OtueT
and has been observed by all nations as the
festival of spring All the Gods of antiquity
were resurrected. Easter should be kept
with flowers and songs, and the presence of
children-those blossoms on the tree of hu
I man life--with tender memories of our dead
and that hope which it symbolizes-immor-
tality-should shed its radiance into our
homes and hearts. There is no evidence
that we shall ever cease to exist. Science
implies. in her postulate of the indestructi-
bility of matter. and in her proof of the con
seryation of energy, that there is no creation,
no destruction, but only change. There is
evidence that the spiritual power is indie
pendent OF the bodily organization, and after
il leaves the body. will take part again in
the strange drama of life. The mystery of
INV awakening from nothing into conscious
ness has undeniably once occurred, and what
has taken place can happen again The great,
est poets have believed in another lite, and
they can see more clearly than men possessing.
only the logical intellect and a more limited
range of intuition, what may be possible Our
love demands hereafter. Nature, so rich IN
her potentialities so infinite in her resources,
will grant this boon, or else the very might OF
our desires, which are part OF nature VIII
force her. We cannot give up our claims on
God. We are children who have rights from