The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1894-03-26
EASTER.
The Weather Hardly What Could
Have Been Desired.

Great Festival-BeautifuI Floral Decor
ations-Good Music and Appropriate
Addresses,
Easter, the greatest of all the festivals
of the Christian church, as now observed
by almost all religious denominations,
dawned yesterday with cloudy skies and
chilly, damp atmosphere, hardly an in
centive for the DOMINIC of gay spring
apparel. Despite the unfavorable condl-
lions there was large attendance at the
various churches, and in the brightness
of the apparel of the worsh1ppers there
were many signs of the festal season.
The churches themselves were hardly as
gay as usual, for Easter came this year
so early for the northern climate that
flowers were almost beyond the reach of
the majority OF people. Nevertheless
there was suficiency of decorations,
and the beautiful joyous music fully
made up for what was not attainable in
other directions. The day was observed
in the various churches as follows:
St. Luke's Cathedral.
The floral decorations in this simple,
but imposing ediice, were of character
to charm the eye. They were, for the
most part of memorial character. and
were composed of the brightest products
of the garden, relieved by potted plants
and ferns. Over the pulpit was the
usual beautiful cross of Easter lilies for
Mr.. Justice Clifford. Upon the pulpit
rested cluster of callas for Mr.. Colby.
On the front of the chancel rail was
beautiful anchor in memory OF Mr..
Vickery, and large cluster of Easter
lilies for Mr.. W. NJ. Sargent was laid IN
the litany desk. A superb cross Tor Mr..
C.B. Greenleaf adorned the lectern. The
font was dressed with Easter lilies for
Judge George F. Shepley, and large
vase filled with the same emblematlc
flowers for Mrs. Barrett. occupied the
credence table. A large vase filled with
rare flowers for Mrs. Geo. T. Davis, and
Col. and Mrs. C. B. Merrill, stood on the
reredos, which also bore the beautiful
contributions from the church. The
memorial windows bore beau tlful
tributes for Lena Warren, for the young
son of DR.. Gassoway, for Rev. DIR.
Mitchell, Judge and Mrs. Cleaves, Miss
Eliza Pierce, Miss Martha Davis and
Mrs. Riggs.
The music blythe choir was especially
we'll rendered and reflects great credit on
the careful instruction of Mr.. Carter, the
we'll known organist. Bishop Nicely and
Conan Stills officiated and the sermon
was devoted to the Resurrection.
State Street.
The pulpit at this church was beauti-
fully dressed with callas and Easter
lilies, relieved by delicate ferns and
darker leaved plants. The memorials
included very handsome emblem COM
posed of Easter lilies, azaleas and ferns
for Hon. Franklin j. Rollins, basket of
iacqueminot roses and maiden hair fern
for Mrs. Edward 81. Merrill, a cross for
Miss Katherine Clifford, and a vase OF
lilies for DR.. Hersom.
Rev. Or. Jenkins's sermon was of
especial interest, treating as it did. in so
effective way of the great festal
occasion, The music, of course, both
afternoon and evening was superb. The
great chorus of mixed voices filled the
church with its harmonious volume,
while the solos, with violin obligatos
by Mr., L. A. Given, and the offertory for
organ by Mr.. Harvey S. Murray, and
violin, Mr.. Given, were particularly
effective. The anthem "'Tis Night" was
particularly noteworthy.
st.Istephen's
The floral decorations at this church
were pretty, but not elaborate. The
pulpit and reading desk were both
bound with azaleas, the chancel was
decorated with broad leaved tropical
potted plants, the font bore a large
pyramid of white azaleas. In the
memorial windows were tributes in the
shape of pots of azaleas and callas for
Mrs. J. F. Anderson, wreath of rose and
ferns for Mr.. James Bailey, basket of
roses, lilies of the valley and ferns for
Capt. Bailey, large design of pinks for
Miss Bessie Burnham and basket of
flowers for Miss Abbie Berry. DR.. Dalton
preached an admirable sermon, and the
un6 oJ oAo ieA1iol'
was carried out in excellent style by the
organist and choir. In the afternoon the
Sunday school celebrated the day with
reports, carols and interesting exercises.
High Street.
The decorations at High street were
if anything, more attractive this year
than ever. At the left of the pulpit
stood tall cross, composed Of the most
delicate orchids, from Mrs. B. Brown.
On the communion table was placed a
large and beautiful acacia, for Mrs. Jude
Snow. There were beautiful floral
wreaths for Mrs. Gilbert Bailey and Mrs.
I'D. Wiley. On the reading desk was a
bouquet of yellow and white roses, and
on eithetr side of the desk large pots of
callas stood on pedestals. the bases
wreathed with dark glossy leaves. At
the extreme right of the pulpit was a
large pot of beautiful purple and white
hyacinths, and on the extreme left a
large basket of purple and white flowers.
DR.. Fenu's sermon was, as usual, on
such occasions, devoted to the Resurrec-