The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1892-04-18
EASTER'S SONGS OF JOY.
Yesterdays Services in Crowded
Portland Churches.
APPROPRIATE MUSIC AND AN
ABUNDANCE OF FLOWERS.

1t Was an April Day with a Wintry
Wind and the Skies Were Partially
Clouded-But the Spring Costumes Ap-
peared just the Same.
There was no mistaking the fact that
Easter fell on an April day this wear
Judging by the weather. 1t is true the
shower was absent, but the skies were
overcast more frequently than they were
clear, and the air had that rawness in it
That told of snow on the mountain peaks,
from which quarter the wind blew. But
the sun was out sufficient of the time to
set OFF the spring dresses and Easter bon
nets that frightened up the streets and
churches. Almost every one wore flow
ers, the ladies breast knots of roses, and
the gentlemen boutonnieres. The
floral display at the churches was in a
few cases elaborate and in most cases
sufficient. The festival came so late in
the season there was plenty of flowers,
but theprices were very high. Some
idea may be gained of the decorations by
Congress Square Church.
There was the usual Easter throng of
hearers at this church which filed eyery
seat in the spacious auditorium, while
quite number remained standing dur
ing the whole sermon. The pastor, Rev.
DR.. Henry Blanchard preached sermon
on, "Paurs Appeal to Living Men that
they should rise from the Dead.'' The
text was taken from Ephesians V, A.
Awake thou that sleepest and arise
from the dead and Christ shall give thee
light" The main point was that Paul
used faith in immortality to produce no
BILE lifekon earth. The discourse was lis
tened to with the closest attention. The
music was even finer than usual. The
choir sang "Why seek ye the living
among the dead?' GAS sleep takes
flight chant after the prayer, an
Easter carol in place of the hymn, and
after the sermon 1.-THE Resurrection
and "O!Zion blest city.'' The last two
were sung by a double quartette, Mrs.
Fellows and Miss H, D. Rice, Mr.. Rar-
nard and Mr.. Follansbee, assisting Miss
Knight and Mrs. Morrison, Mr.. Hall and
Mr.. Duncan.
T The decorations consisted of large
cross in the rear of the pulpit platform
covered with evergreen and lilies, Easter
lilies and the memorials of the dead.
Among these were those of ex-Gov. Is
rael Washburn. Mrs. Ellen M. Barstow,
Arthur S. Megquier, Mrs. N. G. and
Frank Fessenden, Mrs. G. NJ. Plummer,
MI. Chas. Fl. Jones, Mr.. Rufus Stanley,
Lillian Dean, Bessie Waldron, M. and
Mrs. Isaac Jackson, Mrs. Ethel Pomeroy,
Spencer Rogers, Jr., Mr.. and Mrs. L.
Billings, Mr.. and Mrs. Chas. Fobes and
Mrs. A. G. Schlotterbeck. In the even
ing the usual Easter concert was given
by the Sunday school. ~
New Jerusalem.
A very handsome display was made at
the New Jerusalem church, consisting Of
tropical plants, bouquets and baskets of
the choicest flowers and vases of ferns.
A handsome floral star was among the
decorations. The font was surmounted
with spreading palm, the base of the
palm hidden by a profusion of ferns,
smilax and flowers. There were memo.
rials for Capt. Henry Coffin, Mrs. Lena
J. Roberts, Mr.. Moses G. Dow, Mrs. Alb.
bic FL. Roberts, Mrs. d. M. Rea, DR.. Mar
clan Seavey, Mr.. Jas. S. Bedlow and Mrs.
G. d. Livermore.
The service was opened by the chorus
choir under leadership of Carl Weber,
chorister, with sThanls be to God,''
which was rendered finely.
The sermon by Rev. John A. Hayes of
Boston was from Luke, oath chapter and
5th verse: ''Why seek ye the living among
the dead?" He said: ''All religious sys-
TENS of the past and mythology are dead
forms. The sepulchre in which Jesus
Christ is embalmed is the Word. The
Lord is found now in His own Word.
The literal sense is the sepulchre. I'm
less the stone is rolled away we will never
CONTINUED ON SECOND PAGEEl