The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-04-22
IT WAS EASTER SUNDAY
And the Weather was Warm and
Springllke
Permitting a Large Attendance at
All the Churches.
Beautiful Floral Decorations al
Numerous Sanctuaries.

Easter this year, came very late, and TINS
was all the better for the churches where
special decorations are prepared for the days
observance. The florists were able to sup
ply all demands and the result was shown
in some of the most beautiful arrangements
of flowers ever seen in Portland houses of
worship. The day was very fine, and the
high temperature and southerly winds.
especially appropriate to the occasion. The
weather was symbolic of the Resurrection,
when cold, bleak winter has passed away,
and all nature smiles. The churches were
well filled and the Easter music, as published
in Saturdays PRESS, particularly enjoyed.
FIRST PARISH.
The decorations at the First Parish con-
sisted principally of memorials. On the pill
lar supporting the arch above the altar were
hung by means of ropes of smilax, balls
made of calendular and sweet elysium. At
the base of the pillars were ported plants
Easter lilies, hydrangeas, ETC. On the table
in front OF the pulpit were the memorials.
Among them was bunch of callas for DIR.
Nich0.s, basket OF choice flowers for Thorn
as b. Loring, beautiful bunch of pink and
white roses for Mrs. Noyes, a bouquet for
Mr.. Thompson, basket for Rev. Mr.. Phelan,
broken wreath, Charles w. Haskell, Tyre,
Mary E.. Haskell, ivy leaves and lilies
marked grandmother" crosses for Mr.. and
Mrs Clapp, a basket for Beatrice Prince,
basket OF primroses for the Libby children,
| basket for Judge Goddard and many others.
On the railing in front of each member of
| the choir were bouquets of jonquils and for
the organist an exquisite bowl of tulips. In
| the afternoon there was union service, the
Preble chapel school uniting with the First
10 VI ch fhn Al.n
meeting of the Sunday schools:
| 10th Hymn. Coward Christian Soldiers
Introductory Sentences. Easter Service Page 7q,
with responsive reading and Chant following.
"Tne World / self Keeps Easter Day.S ~
Responsive Reading Choral and prayer pp. sc. 81,
SOLO. resurrection song" Shelley
Miss Allen with violin obligato, Miss GOODWIN
Canticle of Remembrance. .....................
NdTOi.... Page 1872
"The buds are bursting on The trees
Distribution OF Easter cards. =.
Here, Lord, we offer Thee ali that is FaIrestp
Inc Lords Prayer in unison. .................
STATE STREET
State street Congregational church was
decorated in manner that must have been
very pleasing to the large congregation pres
emit. Potted plants of great variety were
tastely arranged on the platform about the
desk. A large cross, composed of white
and carnation pinks, was placed directly in
front OF the desk while basket of scarlet
flowers was suspended from one corner On
either side were tall vases filled with Easter
lilies and callas. Two large vases of ee-
giant roses in memory of Miss Helen Spring
and DIR. N. A. Hers0m adorned the plat
form; basket Of white roses and lilies Of
the valley, In memory of Mrs. G. L. Baxter;
an elegant wreath of azalias and white roses
In memory of Mrs. e. S. Doten, and basket
OF white flowers in memory of the daughter
OF 9. G. Chapman, Esq.
The music was of high order. ard was
rendered by the choir excellently.
Rev. VIM. Nj. Barbour, ID. D., formerly of
bangor theological Seminary, late of Yale
College, now Of Montreal, occupied the
of Acts, a. part of the 10Th verse, Zone
Jesus, which was dead. whom Paul affirmed
to be alive" The facts as set forth in the
scriptures are as promise of our own resur-
rection. They are for the elevation of life
and character as set forth in the life of
Jesus. While the apostles lived and preach
ed they laid great stress on the fact that
Jesus lived, and went forth constantly af-
hrming that he died, that he arose from the
grave and that he still lived. One great
question comes to us, is Jesus dead las Festus
said. or is he alive, as Paul affirmed?
The preacher discussed very ihtelligently
the judgments passed upon the death of
Jesns by both Paul and Festus.
ST. STEPHENS.
The congregation at St. Stephens church
yesterday was not large one. Rev. Asa
Dalton, rector, conducted the services. The
usual Easter services were performed. The
floral decorations were very similar to those
OF last year. The memorial tributes were
pretty, but none of the designs were large
or elaborate. The front and sides of the
pulpits were bordered with two rows of
n q hQf xub nf
carnation pinks. A tripod of azalias sur
mounted by cluster of Easter lilies rested
upon vase to the left of the pulpit. The
memorial tablet of Rev. James Pratt, d. d.,
who, was for many years rector of St.
Stephens, was enclosed in border of
smilax and crowned with cluster of the
beautiful Easter lilies. On the piano were
two vases OF calais, plant in full bloom and
some Easter lilies. Among the memorial
tributes was. floral basket to Charlie p.
Of callas to Margaret Elizabeth Burnham, a
triangle to Mrs. Louisa Flagg, and star to
James Bailey. The memorial window of
james Olcott Brown was filled with gera-
NUNS and other plants In full bloom, very
pretty ivy cross and bunch of English
violets was placed in one of the windows.
The sacrament of the Lords Supper was
celebrated after the services in the forenoon.
NEW JERUSALEM
At this church was the usual display at
Easter time. vases and baskets of flowers
and memorial crosses and stars. The
chancel rail was decorated with ferns and
trailing vines. The font was filled with de-
licate ferns. Behind the font and in front
OF the Bible receptacle was tall white cross
entwined with green leaves. Upon the cross
In letters of gold were the words Jesus is
risen. At the base of the cross was pyra-
mid of various kinds of plants in bloom.
The music at this church was of very high
order. The morning service was opened by
the chorus. The sacrament of baptism was
given unto two persons and was confirmed
In the faith of the New Church. The text
of the sermon of the Rev. II. c. Durham
was Rev. xxi; and 4 verses.
In the afternoon the sacrament of the Holy
Communion was administered to those who
devoutly desired to partake of the same and
one lady was admitted to the society At
the close of the service the children of the
Sunday School had an exercise of singing of
Easter music assisted by the choir. Ten
boys took part in a recitation of "Christ is
risen," and six young ladies recited poem
relating to Easter. There were few recita-
tions by some young misses and q very pretty
duet was sung by two lady members of the
choir.
PLYMOUTH.
The floral decorations at this chui h were
not numerous, but in good taste and prettily
arranged. In front OF the pulpit was large
and handsome arch of evergreen made
bright with an occasional geranium flower
Upon the arch in letters of gold were the
words "Christ is Risen" Under the arch
was very handsome cross made of Nav
flowers and roses, and bordered with beauti-
ful moss. A few plants and evergreen were
placed upon the platform. A vase of callas
was gwen as memorial tribute to Mr..
Elias y. Allen; pretty floral basket to
Meta 5. Fullam, a basket to Lena n, Wat
son, and basket to Annie g. Allen. These
were all the memorial tributes.
THE METHODIST CHURCHES.
The Methodist churches, in Portland. do
not make speciality of Easter, deyoting to
Children's Day the elaborate decorations
that mark the observance of Easter by many
of the other denominations. At Chestnut
street Rev. DR.. Whitaker's sermon was upon
the Resurrection. At the Congress street
there was an Easter concert by the children
In the evening, and at the morning service
Rev. Mr.. Frost preached on the "Bible
doctrine Of the Resurrection" At Vaughan
street church there was an Easter concert
py the children in the evening.
WooDFoRDs CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
Inc Easter sermon at Woodfords Congre-
Ratonai church was preached by the pastor
neV' T. Wilson toa large congregation. The
chu ati was beautifully decorated with potted
lfles commemOrated the servioas - 49, TO-