The Portland daily press., 1886-04-26
EASTER SUNDAY.
A Pleasant Day and a Large Attend
ance at the Churches.
Impressive Services and Elegant Flo
raj Decorations.

Easter Sunday was bright and fair. The pleas
ant weather of the past week continued through
the day, although it was not as warm as the few
preceding days. At the churches, the services
were of an appropriate and impressive character.
The floral decorations were handsome, but in
many of the churches not as elaborate as in pre-
vious years. The attendance at all the churches
was large
FIRST FREE BAPTIST CHURCH.
The decorations consisted mostly of potted
plants of which there was a large number and
great variety. They were arranged on the plat
form, large mass in the centre, and on stands
and about the gas fixtures at either end, so that
the whole space front of the organ seemed
great flowery bank. There were large number
Of yariegated geraniums, many Gala lilies, begon-
las and other towering plants. Great taste was
shown in the arrangement of the plants and How
ers and the effect on entering tne cnurcn was
very pleasing. There were numDer OF meinS
rial offerings-One beautiful star 10 Netta >.
Fulam: handsome floral basket 10 fercy NC,
Donald; a cluster of Gala lilies in memorlam, and
two large bouquets OF Maynowers 10 Ahnie u
The pastor. Rev j. NJ Lowden spoke from
the midst of these floral dec0ratlons,, TAN E1i
ing for his text Psalms 138:S-"The LOrd VIII
perfect that which concerneth me.n The sermon
was appropriate to the day, the central tnougnt
being that through death and the resurrection We
shall be freed from all limitations and restrictlcns'
shall have the full and free use of all our powers,
and in that way may be perfected and fitted to
live with and serve our Maker according to MS
own divine plan.
Easter concert. The decorations were increased
by the addition OF two immense Gala lilies, oue OF
the centre of each of which beamed the
bright face of child. In the "lily exercise
these flowers were. addressed and each ,,ii
responded. The exercises were interspersed with
singing by the school and were very interesting
The church was filed to overfowing.
FIRST PARISH.
According to custom at this church, the ever
green decoration put up at Christmas is left for
Easter and adds greatly to the effect produced by
the flowers. Back of the pulpit, on spruce back
ground, was large cross of red geraniums, above
which was crown of white roses. On the pulpit
was vase of annunciation lilies, and in front of
it a star of May flowers. At each side of the
steps leading to the altar large jars of Gala lilies
were placed. The communion table was covered
with beautiful memorials. In the center was
hollow square of cameliaS, with cross OF purple
pansies in the middle. On each side was a large
cross of white cameliaS and aZaleaS. Beautiful
baskets of roses jesamine, Easter lilies and other
choice flowers were scattered over the table. On
a small table at one side of the communion table,
was leaning anchor of white japonicas and law
ender hyacinths, with base of English ivy
leaves. At the other side, bishops mitre, made
of white camelias, aZaleas and heath, surmounted
by cross of purple hyacinths. From the chan
deIier hung star, one side of red geraniums the
other of daffodils In front OF the organlst and
each singer was basket OF choice howers Dr.
Hill took for his text, Romans viii "a. The mu-
sic was appropriate and finely rendered. The
following was the programme:
Christ our Passover. :Schilling
Jubilate in Hate. ;MoSentnal
.Magdalen,''. Geo. w: Warren