Morning journal and courier., 1886-04-26
EASTER SERVICES.

tended The day was not one of the lovell- est of spring as was hoped for by hundreds of ladies whose elegant new Easter hats and bonnets were to take their first airing, but the weather, though unpropitious and cloudy, was far from unpleasant, and consequently most of the aforesaid hats and bonnets were to be seen, lovely and bewildering at the Easter services. The floral displays for Easter at the churches become more general year by year. The display at Calvary Bap-
 tist church was exceedingly beautiful and
 elegant. On all sides were heard whispered
 exclamations of delight at the lovely and
 beautiful spectacle presented. Although
 there have been many very beautiful and
 elaborate Easter floral displays in this city,
 this was probably the most lovely ever seen
 in the city.
 The flowers and floral pieces which adorn-
 ed the church were indeed perfectly beauti- full. The floral pieces were extremely hand
 some and were composed largely of calla
 lilies and roses. The large cross was about ten feet high. Other pieces were an anchor,
 harp, cross and many other flowers and or
 namental plants. The floral display was ar ranged by Herbert J. Augur, who was as- sisted by several ladies.
 The Easter festival Of the Sunday school
 was held in the church in the afternoon, at
 which one of the prominent attractions was the singing by the boy choir, thirty voices,
 who yesterday sang in public for the first
 time. They sang two selections at the morn
 ing service. Much interest prevailed to hear them and the result was highly satisfactory and gratifying. At the Sunday school festi- val in the afternoon the church was crowded long before the time for the services to open. The boys' choir came up to their work finely Ina as1xi 1fT1l 1oo6 af Mir 0. DeF. Dickinson, with Professor Guion at the organ. The exercises consisted of short address by the pastor, singing by the boys
 choir and by the school of 800 or 600 schol-
 ars, responsive readings by pastor and school,
 recitations by George w. Samson, Eleanor Samson, Hattie Hall, Lottie Kiskall, Ruby Ridgway, Maud Arnold, Carrie Tripp, Grace Linsley, Ethel Jewell, Herbert Thompson, Jennie Thompson, Mamie Loveridge, Faith Anderson. May Hotchkiss, Allie Alling and brief recitations and the presentation of 1 masses of flowers from which the mammoth cross was formed by thirteen boys. At the evening service the pastor, Rev. T. s. Samson, repeated by request a sermon which he preached two weeks ago. The first part of the sermon was descriptive of the early days of the children of Israel when l there was no king in Israel and every man | did what was right in his own eyes. The pastor referred at length to two national sins I estimated that there are 600 900 drunkards | in the United States, which causes the loss of | the labor of one half that number So much | grain is used for the manufacture of liquor | that the price of the remaining
 grain used for food is advanced | Pauperism is caused largely by l inteinperancs. The pastor spoke well of la | boring men and expressed a willingness to assist them. It is extremely doubtful if | strikes ever benefit anyone, either proprietor l or workman. Strikes are seldom successful and during the strikes much money is spent l by the strikers, who in many cases are not taken back by their employers.
 l Another national sin is covetousness. ! There is no absolute property but what is
 made and the property we hold is the gift of | God. Give me generous man. Give and | spend and God will save you.
 1 After singing ''Nearer My God to Thee'' l the meeting closed and the throng of people 1 dispersed.
 AT CENTER CHURCH.
 l At Center church there was a handsome floral display, and upon the pulpit platform | were foliage plants. In the afternoon there | was a union Sunday school service of the l schools of Center and the Lebanon mission. and Rev. Dr. Smyth delivered a short dis course appropriate to the occasion, and
 there was singing by the children. The ] Lebanon school came down and returned nome on lufeo SpScld1 uOESo CdrS.
 DAVENPORT CHURCH.
 Rev. l. O. Meserve of the Davenport 1 church preached discourse appropriate for Easter morning from First Corinthians 15-20 1 ;sBut now is Christ risen from the dead and become the first fruits of them that slept" /" The floral decora tions were furnished by the gentlemen of the church and were tastily arranged by the ladies. The organ rail and gas fixtures were trimmed with palm leaves IL II, rarity in northern cline caused them to be admired by all. On the right of the pulpit stood huge green cross interspersed with white flowers. On the left was @ group of
 flowers comprising several varieties On the ends of the platform were large lots i of sza'eas. Across the pastors desk smilax hung gracefully relieved with delicate roses. The back of the platform was e solid mass of pinks of different hues, which lent their fragrance throughout the entire church. On the organ in white letters surrounded by green were the words: "Chist Is Risen, AL lelulia." The communion table held pyra- mid of white flowers. The baptismal font
 supported a large group of white azaleas The railing at the right and left of the
 platform was tastefully trimmed with pots of flowers.
 The church was crowded in the evening at
 the Easter praise service. The opening piece
 was finely sung by the male choir of twelve
 voices, which was followed by prayer by the
 pastor. "Christ the Lord is Risen" was again beautifully sung by quartette consist ing of Messrs. Jones, Sage, Crehore and
 Strong. The organist, MT. Percy, executed some very fine music while the ofertory was
 being taken. After singing by the congrega- ton the pastor read the Scripture lesson; re sponsiye reading and singing followed. The last piece sung by the choir was composed by
 Mir. Harry Rowe Shelley of Brooklyn, form erly organist at this church. The audience was dismissed with the benediction and then the throng of people returned to their homes after viewing the flowers.
 AT ST. JOHNS EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
 There was handsome display of flowers at this church. The new pastor, Rev. MT. Means, oficiated, preaching an excellent Easter discourse in the morning.
 AT ST. PAULs.
 The display of flowers here was very beau tifu1. The collections for the day were set apart for the purpose of increasing the fund for the rebuilding of the west tower of the church. At the morning service over $1 ,O00 was given and at the Sunday school service about $900. This with the $1 ,000 or $1 300
 before raised provides enough to rebuild
 the tower. A considerable portion of the sum previously given for the purpose was given by the late Elias Pierpont. The result of the special effort made yesterday was very gratifying to the people of St. Pauls IL IS pfopaDle tnat me work upon the tower will be begun in short time
 At this church also in the afternoon an Easter service was held by the Sunday school, conducted by Rev. MT. Lines. The children
 made offerings of flowers, which were formed | into a large, massive and elegant cross, upon which was inscribed ''Christ is Risen" The effect was fine, and the lesson of the hour was appropriately inculcated. The larger part of ] the Easter offering was devoted to the tower rebuilding fund. About 600 children were present.
 The choir at St. Paul's commencing next Sunday will be. Soprano, Miss Nora Russell, who concluded her engagement at the United church yesterday; contralto, Miss Carrie
 Phelps; tenor, MT. Brown; basso, MT. Bush nell
 ST. PATRICKS CHURCH.
 A special display of flowers and plants was made at St. Patrick's church. The serv- ices were thronged and very impressive. The Foofa nn11o IorC Tho oypaT1-