The Republican journal., 1888-04-05
Easter Sunday at the Churches.

Easter Sunday at the Churches.
Easter Sunday, April lst was beautiful spring
day, and 1t is thought that more people attended
divine worship, in Belfast than on any Sunday
for many years past There were special attrac.
lions at each church. At the
BAPTIST CHURCH
there was an unusually large attendance both after
noon and evening. The entire seating capacity
was occupied in the afternoon, while at the Easter
concert in the evening extra seats were required
One of the features of the afternoon exercises
was the attendance in body of Palestine Com.
mandcry Knights Templar, of which organization
the pastor is a member. The Knights met at the
Temple, and without uniform, marched to the
church, taking reserved seats in the body of the
house. The church was deliberately decorated for
the occasion. The pulpit was trimmedin white ma
terial which was gracefully Topped up. On the front
OF the pulpit was picture of the crucfxion, and
above 1t was cross and crown. In front of the
pulpit on stand were the three great Masonic
Hghts-the holy Bible, square and compasses In
the rear of the chancel was a floral cross over
winch In gilt letters was the Tempar motto-'In
Hoe Signo Finces." From the arch of the chancel
was white drapery, lOoped on each side. In the
folds were flowers, with evergreen wreath
tralled over all. At the right of the pulpit was a
representation of Joseph's tomb where the body
OF the Saviour was laid. The door was aiar and
the great rock rolled one side. Above the door
were the words of the angel Gle is not here, 1t
was beautiful idea of the resurrection On the
left of the pulpit large cross, with the words
"Christ is risen' Along the front of the platform
were tastefully arranged potted plants and flow.
ers Midway from the arch of the chancel to the
pulpit, and just above the pastors head was sus.
pended white dove with outstretched wings,
which moved gracefully with the current of air.
gan voluntary, anthem, The Lords Prayer re-
peated in concert by the Templars, hymp re.
sponsiSe reading by the audience, prayer re.
Spouse, hymn, sermon by the pastor, Rev. Geo E.
Tufts, whose subject was "Thc Resurrection of
Christi from the text Matt. p :G4-G6-"Command
therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until
the thlrd day Plate said unto Them We have a
guard; go your way, make it as sure as You can.
so they went and made the scpulchre sure, sealing
the stone, the guard being with them" The ser
mon was followed by an anthem, the exercises
closing with benediction. The sermon was a
very convincing argument concerning the resur.
rectlon. The pastor said that the evidence of the
resurrection of Christ was as strong as the eyi.
dence of his death, and the evidence of his dealt,
was as strong as the evidence of his BIRTH All
were from the same source If one falls they all
fall. The Easter concert in the evening, by the
children, was in keeping with the other exercises
of the day
UNITARIAN CHURCH.
Ihere was profusion of cut-fowers at the
Unitarian church, but no special designs except
two floral pillows on either side of the pulpit
which was tastefully trimmed in white. There
were several canary birds in cages and during the
prayer OF the pastor beautiful incident occurred
MI Savage referred to the season Of bursting
buds and singing of birds and at that moment n
canary broke out into song that nearly drow ned
the pastors voice. The text of the sermon was
from Romans, chapter "A, verse s. sOne man
estcemcth one day above another; another esteem.
eth every day alike. Let every man be fully per
suaded i'll his own mind.' The sermon was a
very able one. The music by the regular church
choir was OF the best The solos by Miss Colburn
Mrs. Quimby and Mr.. Craig being finely rendered
while the quartette work showed much practice
me 'nt;rlanS may well be proud of their choir
NORTH CHURCH
The subject of the Rev. X. L. Hack at the North
Church was the Resurrection, and while he dis
claimed any pretensons to originality his sermon
was most able eloquent and convincing one
Ills text was "And they talked together of all
these things that had happened" Luke 24-l4 The
choir rendered some beautiful Easter music
and there was singing by the congregation as
usual. 1t was communion Sunday at this church
and twelve persons were admitted to membership
me services throughout very impressive
The deco rations consisted of cut flowers potted
plants on either side of the pulpit, and beautiful
floral cross.
In the evening there was an Easter Concert hy
the Sunday school, under the mana cement of DIR
40 Stoddard, the superintendent, who deserves
much credit for the success which attended his
well directed efforts. The programme-whic was
eNccllcntly rendered was as follows Music
reading of the Scriptures; prayer by the pastor
| music; recitation, Miss Gertie Ferguson; recita
ton. Miss Edith Black; music; responsive read
ing, Luke p, Ii to &c. recitation Miss Brown
recitation, Miss Edith Stodlard music; recitation
Miss Susie Black recitation Miss Charlotte IT, Sib
ley; responsive reading Cor 15 y to %; music
recitation, Miss Carrie Field; recitation Miss Ma
bel Wise; recitation, Miss Sadie Francis music
benedicton.
METHODIST CHURCH.
The decorations at this church were not 81
| elaborate as usual The altar was trimmed il
white, and there were goodly display of flow
| ers. The pastor gave a missionary sermon with
| out reference to Faster,
| There were no services at the Cnversalis
| r.