St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1893-04-06
EASTER SUNDAY.
An Extensive Celebration by the ST.
J0hnsbury Churches.


Easter Day opened with somewhat
cloudy skies and a raw, chilly at
mosphere; but the sun rapidly gain
cd the asccndency, and though the
carly date of the festivals occurrence
made a more balmy spring air inn
possible, there was nothing about
the atmosphere to hinder thorough
enjoyment of the day and its festiv-
tiles. The observance of Easter here
was perhaps more extensive and
misunderstanding all the churches
togcther-than for some years past,
and sermons, musical programmes,
concert exercises and floral displays
were full of suggestiveness and
elevating lessons.
At ST. Andrews Church
There were three services-at 7.30
and 1870 a. m. and 5 p. M, at all of
which the attendance was good.
The main service occurred at 1870,
when the cnoir presented, in very
effective manner the programme an
nOuuced in the CALEDoNIAN Of last
week Easter lilies, callas and other
flowers added beauty to the chancel
and helped make the exercises OF the
day impressive and uplifting. Rev.
Mr.. Appleton's sermon was based on
Mark xxi 3-"And they said among
themselves, who shall roll us away
the stone from the door of the
sepulchre 2"
The question which these faithful ask
ed has always been the cry of humanity.
What is the meaning Of these heartaches
and cares, this death and decay? This
life of ours-whither is it drifting, what
its end F? Two ways seem open for the
solution; the one to assert that death is
the end OF things, and the other that
humanity has the power to right itself.
But the conscience of man will never be
satisfied with the former, tor it leaves the
question OF questions unsolved-ls
there a God who rules the earth,
and can he give life to his creatures
The latter will not stand the test
of facts, for the ablest ethical teach
ers doubt the regeneration Of the
world on moral principles alone.
Christ's resurrection answers the cry of
the soul. He has rolled the stone from
the sepulchre himself The after life is no
longer a possibility, but reality. He
has actually walked the earth. He
speaks in familiar tones TO men. The
deal has become profoundly real
Through him we also can rise to life
immortal
The chidren's choral service oc-
CURED at p. M, when carols and
other appropriate music was sung,
and an Easter offering was made by
the Sunday school. The gift of a
prayer-book which was offered by
the former rector, Mr.. Buckley, to
that member of the school who should
be most regular in attendance dur
ing the year was conferred on May
Johnson and Andrew Moote.
The Free Baptist Church
People did their full share in bring
ing out the special lessons of the day
at both morning and evening eXer-
ercises, and the attendance was
large. The decora tions were hand
some and in good taste, the plat
form and choir gallery being adorn-
ed with protusion Of evergreen,
moss, callas, Easter lilies and many
other pretty plants. A cross OF
variegated moss, bearing the word
EASTER" was prominent figure.
In the morning Rev. Mr.. Davis
preached from John xx;31-"But
these things are written that ye
might believe that Jesus is the Christ,
and that believing ye might have life
through his name" The preacher
said, in substance;
The gospel story was not given to
satisfy curiosity. On every point per-
tanning to mans salvation it yields suf-
ficient evidence to convince the candid
seeker. 1t is not the aim of the writers
to heap up evidence, for much more
could have been adduced.
My text affirms that what is revealed
in the gospel is, if believed, sufficient to
unlock the grave, and unseal the future
All devout hearts are turned today to
the most sublime event in the history of
the world In wonder surprising the
opening of the eyes of the blind, the turn
ing of water into wine, the feeding of the
multitude with the loaves and fishes ;
yea, more marvellous than the incarna-
ton.
Without the resurrection Christs work
would have been incomplete. He gave
to the world system of morals unsur-
passed. Comparing him with Aristotle,
Pericles, Socrates and Others of earth's
wisest we are compelled to crown him
king in wisdom, morals, justice and love.
Without the resurrection he is the prince
of the worlds history, but with it he be-
comes the worlds Redeemer and Saviour
of men, Without the resurrection the
disciples were false teachers, and blind
enthusiasts. If the resurrection was un-
true they acted more like insane than
rational men. Without the resurrection
our dead are lost to us, and man with all
his powers is doomed to the grave
Heaven is delusion, and the race is de-
4 Al H.. L.. 1. a