Smyrna times., 1893-04-05
Easter Sunday.
A GLORIOUS DAY, AND JOY AND
BRIGHTNESS EYERYWHERE.


BRIGHTNESS EVERYWHERE.
Easter dawned with a delightful
spring temperature, and glorious sun
unobscured throughout the day. 1t
gladdened the hearts of the young and
the aged and forced its way through
the deep, rich colOrs of the church
windows, and fell on festal altars
raised in the midst of the fairest OF
spring blossoms. The darkness and
sadness of the forty days of gloom had
given place to the brightness and JOY
of Easter.
Amid these fragrant tokens, these
first fruits of them that slept, rose the
Keynote of all, the joyous message,
Christ is risen from the dead" From
every church burst flood of melody
into the sunny air. He is risen,"
sang the choirs with a mighty burst of
harmony. "He is risen indeed" re-
sponded the throngs of worshippers as
as the glad tidings filled the air, linger-
ing in every swelling organ tone and
ascending with the perfume of every
flower.
In nearly every church there was
some such observance of the season,
either elaborate and profoundly i'm
pressive with the glowing music, the
altars banked with flowers and the
chancels converted into indoor bowers,
as with the majority, or else using only
the beautiful lesson of the day to bring
the spiritual beauty home to the hearts
OF the people, without recourse to the
outward and visible signs of Easter
and spring. But whatever form it
took the celebration was heartfelt
everywhere.
The beautiful Eastertide had too
many gifts and Joys to be confined to
the houses of worship, and the relig-
services once over, the streets were
soon filled with young folks or old
folks fastening homeward throughout
the breezy air, or lingering for prom
enade among the gayly gowned throng
that was out on every street.
METHODIST CHURCH.
At this church the usual preparation
of decorations and music was some.
what interfered with by the extra
meeting, but there was a creditable
display of flowers and the music enjoy
able, the organ voluntary being espec.
tally rich. The flowers were blooming
house plants banked about the pulpit,
the distinguishing feature being dozen
Gala lilies. The congregation more
than filled the auditorium, number
OF adults besides children, Overlooking
into the gallery. A Lovefeast of more
than usual interest had filled the lee
ture room, meeting at nine o'clock,
Joining the congregation otherwise
upstairs at 1890 o'clock.
Presiding Elder Smith preached the
sermon. He did not preach an Easter
sermon, as he would have done at anv
other time, feeling impressed, under
.he peculiar circumstances, that it was
his duty on different and more direct
theme, taking for his text, Have faith
IN God" 1t was one of the Presiding
Elders very best dseourses-wel
the command unfolded in
-he short text, earnest, direct, occupy
ng nearly an hour in it delivery. At
night, Notwithstanding the preaching
'f Rev. Mr.. Mowbray at Jerman
Chapel and Rev. Mr.. Hynson at
smyrna Landing, (which have hereto
ore been attach to Smyrna church, |
and the extra Easter services at St. |
Peters, Rev. Mr.. Stengle had full
church and attentive audience.
PRESBYTERIAN.
This church has not been in the
habit Of giving much attention to the
movable feast days as some other de.
nominations, nor was there any dis
'lay at the church here on Sunday.
'nly two Easter lilies that seemed as
N emblematic purpose for the day.
The exercises mainly consisted of
lnion services of the school and con.
.regation, consisting of songs, respon
i've readings, in which the full texts
i the Scripture in reference to the
resurrection were brought out, review
y the Superintendent, G.. B. TAYLOR.
nd address by the pastor, Rev. G. C.
Il