The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1886-04-30
The Egis & Intelligencer
Bel Air, Md, April 80, 1856.


In your issue of last week there appeared an
advertisement with the above heading giving
notice of the services in this parish on ne happy
Easter DAY. and also the hours at which they
would be held. had before determined to avail
myself of the opportunity of worshipping with
those who should gather at both the churches in
this Parish on this day, that l might enjoy the
sweet privilege of uniting my voice with theirs
in singing the praises of and in telling of every
triumph won by Him who. on the first Easter
Day. arose from the dead and now ever liveth to
save. And did so, and transmit herein some
impressions made upon me, hoping you may find
space in your issue of this week for them.
Early in the day, even before the Sunday School
had been dismissed, the congregation of Grace
Memorial Church, at Darlington, began to assem-
bic and 1t kept on increasing until room could
scarcely have been found for more, nearly every
seat in the spacious building being occupied
And what shall say of the ne that greeted the
eye of the worshpper within that building? or
the church itself need not say anything. Many
of your readers doubtless knew it well already.
beautiful and strikingly unique in design, almost
faultess in its execution and rich in all its fur
nishings, it displays the large-hearted, generous
munfcence and the Christian devotion of him
who was chiefly instrumental in its building
tan lberality and to be The House of Prayer"
to generations yet unborn, wherein they may
hear the sweet message of Gods love, and learn
TO enjoy every blessing of His great salvarion.-
But the beautiful and chaste interior of this
building was rendered far more beautiful and al
tractive on this glad Easter Day by the hand
some and elaborate floral decorations, given by
the members and friends of the congregation
Great taste had surely been displayed in the ar
rangement of these decorations, showing that the
skill and thoughtful, loving care of woman had
been bestowed there TO make the sanctuary of
God beautiful and pleasing in appearance on this
day, and to fill it with the delicious fragrance of
Gods own gifts to nature. How forcby are we
hereby reminded that IL was woman who was the
first to repair to the sepulchre of Jesus on the
morn of the Resurrection, bearing sweet spices
with which to embalm His crucifed body, loved
and honored though dead. But how mucn great
er and more blessed the privilege now to adorn
and beautify the place where assemblies for wor-
ship His Body the Church. the living witness
of His Resurrection, and likewise tn channel
through which He seeks to bless the whole hui
But within the chancel rail of this Church were
to be seen the most beautiful and costly gifts
and ornaments OF that day. Over the Holy
handsome altar cloth, of exquisite design and
finish. 1t was made, appropriately to the season,
in chaste and embematic designs in blue velvet
bordered with gold thread and silk the latter
This was the gift and Offering OF Mrs Horace
Stokes, member of the congregation, and had
been made with her own hands
When this cloth was removed, which was done
after the evening service, there was displayed a
new Holy Table" very handsome, made of black
walnut, ornamented with oak panels and cover
ings combining in itself, in one, the furniture
both of the chancel and the nave. This was the
gift and offering of Miss Bessie Smith, daughter
of Mr.. ID. q. Wharton Smith, now of Philadelphia,
but who expects soon to remove to his new resi-
dence now building, near this church. This
Holy Table and the cloth just spoken of were
used for the first time this Easter Day.
have thus far omitted saying anything of what
would doubtless by many be considered the most
important topic to be spoken of, namely, the SER
vices and the sermon. But have already tres
passed too far upon your valuable space, and
hence must be forgiven for merely alluding to
them to say that they were rendered by the rec
tor of the Parish. the Rev. +. w. Wroth, accord
ing to theIbeautiful and time honored and soul
inspiring liturgy of the p. e. Church The music,
under the direction of Mrs. E. W. Wroth, organ
list, was very good and well rendered. The regu
lar choir of the Church was ably assisted by Miss
Shure and Miss Conner, of Havre de Grace. The
sermon, by the Rector, was on the text written
in the TX. chapter of st. Mark and 10th verse.
The service of the evening in this Church was a
Service of Song, which most fittingly closed this
glad Christian Festival with hymns and selections
appropriate to the day. 1t was attended by a
congregation that filled the church to its utmost
capacity
Ascension Church, Deer Park, was also well
filled by large and attentive congregation, and
1t was also very pretty and sastefuy decorated
with floral offerings. The music under the direc-
tion of Miss Carrie Scarborough, organist of the
church, was very good and well rendered. The
Easter offerings at both the churches were quite
large. ONE WHO KNOWS.