The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-04-18
Priests and Pastors on the Resurrection
Of Mankind'S Redeemer.
aLfARS RADIANT WITH BRIGHT FLOWERS.
Impressive Services in the Cathedral Trinity and
Grace Beautifully Decorated Children's Cele-
hratiOnS in Methodist and Pres
byterian Churches.

The annual return of the queen of church
festivals-Easter-wa celebrated with great
religious pOmp and JOY in ali the churches
Of this city yesterday.
There was no reason on the part of San
Francisco ministers TO complain of lack of
congregations.
A beautiful April morning radiant with
California sunshine, ushered in the Sunday
Of Christian gladness.
Preparations TO make the observance OF
the sacred festival as enhancing as bewitch-
Ing music, lovely flowers and gorgeous deco
ration combined could make il. had engaged
the attention of active church members for
several days past.
AT many an altar the simple symbol Of
Christianity was almost hidden by is rail-
ment of lilies. The perfume of roses blend
Ing with sweet incense and fragrant flowers
twining about columns and banked on bap-
tlsmal fonts and lecturns revealed the eX-
quisite taste and loving devotion Of the
gentle hands that had wrought
The flower gardens and green houses in
the suburbs of San Francisco had been laid
under tribute for the floral garlands that
adorned the Interiors OF our many beau
tiful churches yesterday. The extent
and ric hneSs Of California horticulture were
never SO beautifully shown as at the Easter
Sunday church decorations. The congrega-
tons Wed with one another in the wealth
of the floral display.
The glorious interiors of the sacred edi-
fees disclosed a new beauty with these
added embellishments and stood out in
nobler and stronger relief because of their
charm. The dim religious light that slanted
through stained windows touched the white
Easter lilies with their rich color and
streaked arches, columns ani walls with
respondent hues.
By these eXternals the divine sense of
worship was elevated IN the breasts of all
who had eyes &c see and hearts to appre-
eiate.
Not alone were the eyes brought under
the dangerous spell which fascinated all
who poured into the churches yesterday.
Music. too, contributed her soulful art to
stir the spiritual nature Of those who
crowded the pews and filed the aisles. If
there were floral oyations there were also
musical triumphs. Peans Of Christian Joy
found expression In the most exalted mel
ody. All genius, past and present. were
invoked IL glOrify the services, and the
works OF the most gifted composers found
sElllful and graceful Interpretation in every
church. As the thrilling masses aud an
thems Of Mozart, Hayda. Memberships.
Millet Tours and other great masters of
harmony burst forth In organ pipemand
vocal song the effect was not Of earth but of
heaven.
And last, but not least, were the soothing
influence OF the prayers and the convincing
logic of the sermons that illustrated the
Easter text. Many heart was touched by
the inspiring lessons taught by the story of
the resurrection, as told from pulpits of ell
Christian denominations yesterday.
The noticeable feature of the Easter floral
offerings in all the Protestant churches was
the beautiful custom Of contributing elegant
memorials to departed friends. Ii was no
tlced that the practice is growing. and that
the pieces lcontributed this year were uu-
usually elaborate. In the Catholic churches
very few set pieces were 10 be found, the
affairs being ornamented chiefly with cut
flowers reDosing in luXuriant masses under
the blaze OF burning wax tapers.
At many OF the principal church services
there was not seating accommodation for
the throng that f1ocked in. By the time the
bells ceased ringing thousands of people
unable to gain admission were seen return
ing from the doors and with disappoint-
meDt clearly written on their faces.
Judged by their apparel the church-goers
Of San Francisco are the best and most
tastefully dressed people on the American
continent. The observation applies more
particularly to the ladies who bossomed
yesterday in church and on the highways
In ali the magDifcence of the Easter fash
ions of 1892 The Easter bonnet, with its
almost infinite play of form and color and
arrangement of ribbon and delicate plum
ness. The milliners and dressm ekers had
done their share toward making the
Easter Sunday services a thing Of beauty
and JOY forever.
Notices Of some of the prominent affairs
In the city churches will be found below.