Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1891-04-03
THE EASTER FESTIVAL
AS IT WAS CELEBRATED IN THE
BRATTLEBORO CHURCHES.
Bright Sunshine. Music and Flowers IL
proG,siou

Bright Sunshine. Music and Flowers in
Profusion.
Yesterday was 1t the snow was here
The whstlinR winds and the frozen rtme'
But now IN the sweet OF the rolling year
We have tome again o. the biithe springtime.
The chime Of the swinging lily bells.
And the peal OF bells from the tall church tower,
Aud the fervent solemn organ swells
Aud the grand t. Deums hail the hour
For after the hush Of the wintry sleep
The heart Of the earth is glad and gay.
Aud all earths children haste 70 keep
The beautiful iestal Easter day
Easter Sunday, the glad church festival,
whose associations, If more solemn than
those Of the Christmas time. are not less
precious and significant, was observed this
week. probably as far aud wide as Chris
tianity has reached a festival all JOY
and hope is fittinglv celebrated with flower
aud carol and the telling again Of the never
old story Although Easter came 81 early
this year as to miss it, usual accompani-
ment of spriuging grass and swelling bud,
there was still promise Of these in the soft
air, aud the songs Of returning birds told
the same story.
Among us the observance of the day was
much as usual special services having been
arranged at all the different churches
At the Methodist church the morning
sermon was preached by Rev X Morgan,
the presiding elder Of the district, his
theme being THE risen Christ, " the proofs
of the resurrection and the hope through
the resurrection being dwelt upon At the
conclusion Of the sermon the ordinance Of
the Lord supper was observed, Rev Mr.
Webb Presiding Elder Morgan and Rev
MIR Morse officiating. Six persons we're
admitted To- full membership in the church
The floral decorations consisted Of a hand
somely arranged bank Of potted plants IN
the corner opposite the organ and few
plants upon the platform and pulpit At q
o'clock the children Of the sunday school
gave an unusually excellent Easter mis-
sionary concert An anthem by the choir
was followed by selections by a choir Of
children a solo by Miss Hattie Williams
au exercise by the little folks Of the infant
class, which with songs and recitations
pleasantly filled out the hour.
At the Catholic church the green foliage
and bright blossoms Of plants set OIL the
usual paraphernalia of the main altar and
also found a place on the two side affairs,
the effect ~ the evening, with the many
lights among them. being very beautiful.
The three usual services Of the day were
held. Low Mass at an early hour. High
Mas lAinbillotte's at lO3u when Rev
Father Cunningham gave Il short talk on
the great topic Of the day. AMI ~ the even
ing Stearnss vesper service.
The Baptist church was not deliberately
trimmed. simple mound OF plants IN front
of the desk with graceful cross OF green
aud white at the speakers right hand, he
ing the extent Of the floral decking The
sermon wa from Mark XVI. 3 Who
shall roll US away the stone from the door
of the sepul hire which question, at the
hands uf the preacher was made b. sug-
gest many others. full Of the meaning Of
the day. aud of deep interest 70 the hearers
The beautiful Easter anthems were render
ell especially well by the regular choir
The early evening concert 10y the sunday
school was 90 the usual line Of such exer-
cIses responsive aud musical program,
given variety by readings soiO, and
4 pretty infant class exercise a selection
hy the choir with cornet obigatO and an
/ Easter story by the pastor were among the
/ pleasant numbers
The Episcopal church had ia It the true
/ Easter seeming when the congregation Of
worshippers gathered for the early morning
service with the Easter sun Frightening
I the windows and lighting up the tasteful
/ floral display. which consisted both Of cut
/ flowers and potted plants At all three Of
I the day services the boy choir Of "a voices
rendered more elaborate musical program
/ than had before been attempted The ar
rangement was by Mr. Walter Simpson Of
( Boston. a former musical instructor Of the
choir, and the music was given with excel
lent effect At the 1880 service the rector
/ preached a sermon suited to the day, and at
. . H.. j
the Young people
Although less elaborate than in some
/ former years. the floral display at the nj
versaist church. which consisted mostly Of
potted plants, Was an attractive one The
choir sang Easter music. with solos bv Mr.
Markham Rev. Mr. Sprague preached
from the familiar text IF We then be risen
with Christ, seek those things which are
I above The subject was the spiritual res
/ direction which the life and teaching and
/ revival Of Jesus from the dead wrought
upon the thought, feeling and purpose of
I humanity. At the close of the service
eight persons were admitted To the church
/ including two 10y letter The usual Easter
concert was given IN the evening IL was
largely musical in character. with class and
individual recltstions 10y the younger mem
bers Of the school
Easter lilies and callAs tastetullv arraug-
eel in front of the pulpit. were the main
features Of the flowers at the Unitarian
church Rev Mr. phalen's theme was
The law 0f resurrection the text being
from Revelations Behold make all things
new The resurrection as seen ia nature
end history, and the belief and hope in i'm
mortality, were the points treated of in the
discourse. In the evening there was al
Easter service for the children. consisting
Of carols, an address hy the pastor and
special music
The most noticeable piece IN the decora
tions at the Centre church was a handsome
white cross m front Of the pulpit Plotted
plants and Easter lilies were banked IN
front of the platform and flowers were ar
ranged IN the window The members of
the 5. J.. s. O.. + held a sunrise service a,
: O'Clock, at which 80 20 - were present
At the regular service Mr. bay preached a
strong Easter sermon aud the choir rendered
al Easter anthem and other music In the
evening, when a concert was given by the
sunday school, there was "A different ar
rangement Of the decorations The charm
ing professional hymn was then introduced
There were responsive and scriptural read
inCs, recitatious, readings class exercises,
congregational singing, and a well-executed
song by Cora I4iscon Mr. bay closed the
exercises by using Us his topic Children
Of Light The church was crowded to it.
utmost capacity.