The Portland daily press., 1888-04-02
EASTER.
Its Celebration In Portland Churches
Yesterday.
a Description OF the Various Floral
Decorations.
Large Congregations In Attendance
at the Interesting Services

Easter, 1888, dawned a perfect spring day.
The cl0udless skies and brilliant spring sun
shine. filed the churches with the largest
congregations they have held since Christ
mas. and many. both ladies and gentlemen.
improved the opportunity Easter affords, to
worship in new spring garments. The floral
decorations at the Catholic, Episcopal and
Liberal churches we're very fine, although,
as a rule, not very elaborate. as 1t Is rather
early for profusion Of flowers. The music,
arranged especially for this occasion, was
very fine. and majority Of the programmes
has already been published. Below we give
a description Of the decorations In the Yari-
GUS churches. The sermons were all based
on the resurrection.
FIRST PARISH CHURCH.
At the old First Parish there was a radi-
cal change In the arrangement Of the decora-
tions this year. The Corinthian columns
that form the supports 10 the chaneel arch.
were wreathed with evergreen, and from
the centre was suspended flying cross Of
evergreen. The pulpit was also prettily
wreathed with evergreen, and bore across
the top the motto 'Rejoice," In marigolds.
On its centre WIS a beautiful Tyre Of daffo-
dis. The communion table was heaped
with superb memorials Of every design, com
posed Of white and red camelIlas. Jaequemi-
not, Marechal Neil and Niphitos roses, ara
leas, hyacinths, genesta, tulips, callas and
heath. Some Of the memorials bore no
cards; others were tributes to Mr. and Mrs.
Asa Clapp, Mrs. w. II. Clapp, Beatrice En-
cry Prince, j. III. Prince, a beautiful cross Of
glossy Ivy leaves, held at the centre by
few beautiful lilies, and inscribed Beloved
Grandmother" and baskets Of choice flowers
for Henry Mcclellan. Thomas G.. Loring,
Charles G.. Haines, and others whose names
were not given. Tropical plants interspersed
in the pulpit recess, added to the general ef-
feet their graceful forms. The Christmas
wreaths were allowed 10 remain, but we
missed the floral Tyre on the organ and the
tablets that In the past adorned the walls
on either side Of the pulpit.
In the afternoon the children Of the Preble
Chapel and the Sunday school Of this church
held their celebration, and In the evening
the church was filled to overfiOwing with
congregation which listened with great
pleasure to the following programme, and
which was splendidly rendered by Mrs.
Young, Miss Rice, Messrs. Samuel Thurston
and John l.. Shaw:
Gloria Patr DIR. Hodges
Hymn-"When shall the soul Of singing"
Anthem-Praise the Lord .......... :. .Randegga
Anthem-Thanksgiying ng............... .kotzschmar
Anthem-The Magdalene. .................. warren
Congregational Hymn. n................".-......
ST. LAWRENCE STREET CHURCH.
The floral decorations at this church were
simple, but the effect was beautiful. The
alcove behind the desk was tastefully
trimmed with evergreen. while the pulpitplat-
fo-.,, Aha fahla and fha orOau vvara adornad
with Towering plants In great variety.
an elegant bunch Of Gala lilies forming a
centerpiece before the desk. This was a
memorial Of one Of the deceased officers Of
the church. The services Of the day consist
ed of Easter music by the choir, and sermon
by the pastor at 1890 a. m, and an excellent
Sunday school Easter concert in the eve
ming, which was q most delightful conclu-
sion Of the exercises at this church.
The pastor, Rev. A. II. Wright, based his
sermon on Phil. III: 10-11; THAT L may
know Him and the power Of His resurrec-
tion-If by any means / might attain unto
the resurrection Of the dead"
Easter day services in all our hearts, the
| joyour hope Of Immortality. II bids us con-
| template an empty tomb. IL bids us remem-
Der the risen Redeemer. who has burst the
| iron bars of death, How may the Chris
| tian believer realize the power Of Christ's
resurrection and so carry the blessed hope
of 1t all through life? This Is our theme:
L. Consider that.the knowledge which Paul
craved was experimental rather than doc
trinal. 1t was not more satisfactory proofs
Of the historical fact Of Christs resurrec-
tion, or a larger faith in that supreme fact.
but more intimate and spiritual knowledge
Of thepOwer Of Christ's resurrection. It
was not the Christ Of the flesh nor yet the
Christ on the cross, merely, but the Christ
risen and glorihed-the Christ on the throne
empowered to work complete redemption In
men, that Paul longed TO know.
III. The power Of Christ's resurrection
can be known and realized by men, only
through their own spiritual resurrection In
Christ, to life Of righteousness. The nat
ural man must become spiritual man, a
new man in Christ Jesus. This new birth
Of the soul, Is the beginning, In every case,
Of the resurrection from the dead. This
must precede the being clothed upon with
our resurrection body, which Is from
Heaven.
iii. The power Of ChrIst's resurrection
may be further known and realized BY the
believers growth in spiritual life. Risen
with Christ from the death OF sin he Is alive
evermore unto righteousness. N0n-con-
formity with this world follows naturally
and necessarily. The vital principle OF the
forth the inspiration and the power OF pro-
gressive holiness.
Nv. Immortal hope results from this ex-
perimental knowledge Of Chrlsts resurrec-
that anchors the soul, inspire peace and
comfort, energies the life, and whik8 will
have its glad fruition In the possessi0Eo Of an
immortal spiritual body In the Kingdom of
Heaven, made like unto Christs own glo-
rious body; Let US go forth to realize by q
living faith, and loyal life, this blessed
hope OF the resurrection.
CONGRESS SQUARE.
Rich and tasteful were the Easter decora-
tions at Congress Square church and throngs
Of people poured 10 and from the church for
two hours after the morning service were
ended. The usual white cross was this year
supplanted by one more modest and Of more
artistic bea uty. 1t was composed Of green
spruce and ornamented at its centre by a
graceful cluster Of Easter lilies, and this
was enhanced by heavy rosette Of cream
satin ribbon.
The front of the platform was covered with
memorials. The central figure was mag
nifcent harp to the memory OF Rufus Stan
ley, and at the right OF the pulpit lovely
piece. the Gates ajar, bearing the name Of
Mrs. Leonard Billings. The other floral
tributes were for Mrs. IL. w. Bean. Mrs. N.
G. Fessenden, Z. II. Jonea, Lillian Deane.
Mrs. r. +. OsgOOd. Nellie NJ. Kilgore. Mrs.
Rebecca w. Bean, Harriet Dain, Lulie Z.
Rowe, Mr.. and Mrs. Isaac Jackson, Mrs. G.
NJ. Plummer, Darling Spencer and Alice
Perry.
Rev. Henry Blanchard preached to large
audience In the morning a sermon upon the
appropriate subject Of Immortality.
The music at this church was fully up to
its high standard and the following pro-
gramme was rendered, under the supervis-
lon of Mr.. G. w. Marston;
Organ voluntary y....-....sssssss.s-ss.
Easter Anthem. Stainer
Baritone solo-The Resurrection. ........ Marston
Gloria Patrt.. MarStOn
Easter AnfheHl. wilson
Hymn. Hayte
HeH STREET CHURCH.
High street church was very prettily deco
rated. The front Of the reading desk was
banked with lilies Of the valley, genesta.
daisies, white heath, white tulips, eallas and
Easter lilies. On one side stood tallvase
OF Easter lilies and callas, and on the other
q mass Of roses. On the right, a little in the
roor ,,,oo a fou croaa of gunqrh xvhita roaaa