Daily Kennebec journal., 1884-04-14
come those strains melodious, /" BY Root. This
concert pleasantly closed . very bright and
Interesting day At this church.
Ar THE UxIrARrAx.

AT THE UxIrARrAx
The decorations were simple. but tasteful
large bouquet of calla lilies adorned the
communion table, and wrea:hs of smilax.
Geraniums. tulips, fuchias and roses encir-
cleo the pulpit. A wreath of heliotropes and
a bouquet of roses adorned the choir rail.
All the services were in harmony with the
day. The pastor delivered finished and schnl-
ariy sermon founded on / Cor. xv 81: 1--WE
snail not all sleep; but We shall be changed"
once more Easter Sunday points our thoughts
10 the future. and the world of narure con-
spires with the day to fix our minds on the
great uprising in which there lies a prophecy
OF our immortality. The cluthipg of naked
trees with foliage and bare earth with yerdant
carpets Is hint that our souls will be rejuv-
enated The boundless capacities of man
cannot be reconciled with earthly limitations
we have innate convictions of futurity
which must have an objective reality because
nethihg Is ever attracted towards nothing. If
we we're restricted to this life our thoughts
would never wander beyond the boundarie. OF
death Deny immortality and your own soul
VIII contradict your contradiction. Man
scorns the present az too little for him, and
haroors the feeling that he was born for
something greater. If man receives his all in
ed him that he should be satisfied with his all.
And what shall we say when We see man IN
death, without q thought Of death as he
listens to voices of welcome from the other
shoref The progressive Development of
human nature indicates another life. There
Is no eVldence that We shall ever cease to ex-
ist. There Is NO creation, no destruction, only
change. This is indicated by the indestructibil-
Ity of matter and the conservation Of energy.
There is proof that the spiritual facul-
ties are independent of the physical or
ganization. What takes place every day
the awakening into conscious life from
unconsciousness, NAV take place after
DEATH The power of the immortal hope cannot
be overestimated Thi. life would be desolated
If the next we're discredited. But the business
OF this life is not the contemplation of another
The poorest preparation for heaven would
be to be always anticipating its glories and
joys. 1t asks to be let alone, to be sought
only for a breath of inspiration. Our heaven
IL here or nowhere. Whoever liveth in love
liveth in heaven. He will have no new lite
to live when he Joins ''the great majority"
but will simply take up the thread he dropped
for moment, and weave on the golden woof
forever.
At the vesper services, the same theme was
discussed from different stand point.
AT THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
appropriate to Easter Sabbath, The floral
decorations were very prettily arranged and
gave fine effect. In front of the altar was
suspended a beautiful wreath composed of
geraniums, petunias and mignouettes. In
front of the altar. on the marble slab, rested
basket of geraniums in full bloom; also two
pots of geraniums. Upon the top of the altar
were two bouquets of flowers also pot plants,
On the right of the altar was a beautiful
foliage plant. basket of flowers composed
of geraniums, petunias and mignouettes; also
pot of lantanna; also several bouquets of
flowers in bloom. Resting on table was a
bouquet of callas. From the table was
suspended smilax.
The pastor prefaced his discourse by re
marks concerning the meaning of Easter" "
He spoke of the derivation of the y ord and
of how the name of an heather idol became
attached by association of ideas to a christian
festival; stated the rule by which the date of
Easter Sunday could be ascertained each
year; mentioned some of the superstitiens
connected with its early observance, and mar
rated legends current of Easter, the most
striking being that held by the ignorant in
some parts of Ireland, who believe that on
Las'eI Sunu.y 'olns 'he 81" u.neIs ', III 'ne
nnon ,bos. vho sre nm, md mon tba h;Iis
early enough to receive its benediction.
The preacber then said: While there
is no law in the Methodist church
compelling the celebration of the Eas.
ter festival vet believing in and low
ing the doctrine, of which this day has come
to be a special reminder, and glad to sound a
note in unison with christians of whatever
name upon a theme 50 delightful as that em-
bodied in the doctrine of the resurrection. we
enter our sanstuary- made fragrant with
flowers and melodious with song -
and from trustful happy hearts sffer
to God sacrifice of devout gratitude
and praise The text was | Cor.
1872 Christ the first fruits afterwards they
that are Christ's at His coming" In these
words are sounded forth the glorious meaning
of that event which make. this anniversary
day sublime. Here the doctrine of the res
urrecton-here the promise of blissful i'm
mortality. Our belief is not rounded upon idle
sentiment nor selfish desire, but upon an in
stinct of hope lodged within the human soul,
which gains its full assurance from the in
spired word of God.