Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1895-04-18
EASTER SUNDAY.
Large Gatherings at All the Churches
in Spite of the Bad Weather.

in Spite of the Bad Weather.
Year by year the observance of Easter
Sunday as religious festal day becomes
more general. No longer is it observed
only in the Catholic and Episcopal
churches. Substantially all Protestant
churches observe it now and each recur-
ring year seems to bring larger efforts be-
fittingly to celebrate the supreme event of
the Christian church.
Easter this year occurred late in the
season, and warm, bright spring day
was hoped for, but the elements ruled
otherwise, and the morning dawned
dull, gray and cheerless. Threatening
clouds filled the sky, and before noon
rain fell. The result was dismal day.
In spite cf the lack of cheer out of
doors, however, all was bright and joy
Gus within, and the elaborate prepara-
tions at the various churches suffered
little in consequence of the inclemency of
the weather.
AT THE CATHOLIC CHURCH.
The easter services at the Catholic
church consisted of low mass at s O'Clock,
high mass at 10 and vespers at Z.
The aItars were beautifully decorated
with Easter lilies, palms, cut flowers,
smilax and potted plants, in the arrange
ment of which exquisite taste was shown
by the four ladies who had charge.
The principal service of the day was
the high mass. A select musical pro-
gramme was excellently rendered. The
| features of the programme were the
| Gave Maria by Miss Mabel Monaghan,
| the "Haec Dies'' by Miss Lizzie Mullan,
the go, Salutaris" by Charles H. Drum
| mey and the opening anthem "To-day
He's Risen," by the choir.
Rev. Fr. O'Brien preached an Easter
sermon from the text "He is risen-He is
| not here"
An excellent musical programme was
| also presented at the vesper service in the
| evening.
AT THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
| AS large an asemblage as ever entered
the stately edifice gat hered at the Con-
gregational church at the morning
service, and the polite ushers were kept
busy in finding sittings for those who do
not ordinarily worship there.
The pulpit presented a pretty sight.
Potted plants and bouquets of cut
flowers completely buried the massive
pulpit The preachers desk was moved
back and the front edge of the platform
was fringed with small potted plants.
Conspicuous above the old pulpit back of
the pastor rose handsome cluster of
Easter lilies.
An elaborate musical programme had
been prepared, and it is safe to say that
better or more inspiring music was never
heard within the walls of this church.
| The regular choir was assisted by MIR. and
Mrs. T.. f. Redman, A. w. King, Miss
Georgia r. Hastings, Mrs. F. S. Smith,
Miss Grace JOY, vocalist, and Mrs. E.
Morris. violinist. Mrs. Hall presided at
| the organ.
The pastor, Rev. D. l.. Yale, preached a
sermon appropriate to the occasion,
taking the words "He is risen!" as q
| text.
In the evening the peoples service was
held in the church instead of in the
vestry, and special Easter service was
rendered by the choir, assisted by the
Sunday school. At the close of the
service $50 potted plants were distributed
to members of the Sunday school. The
pastor was presented with an Easter lily
having beautiful cluster of blossoms,
by the school.
AT THE UNITARIAN CHURCH.
The usual morning service was omitted,
and special vesper services held at p m.
! Tod uior
choir was supplemented by Mr. and Mrs
Redman, Mrs. j. P. Eldridge, Mrs. Lewis,
Mrs. j. 4. Peters, jr., f. X. Hopkins and
F. w. Rollins. Miss Mabel Monagh han
sang an Gave Maria by Millard, after
the invocation. Mrs. F. l.. Kent was the
| organist.
A feature of the services was an original
poem, written for the occasion by Arthur
| E. Austin, as follows:
EASTER MORN.
In sweet confusion gliding down
The mornings golden rays
That diesipate the cold, white mists
OF winters parting days;
A thousand white.winged cherubs come
With carols pure and sweet
Bring heralds of the Eastertide,
The waking world to greet.
With fingers deft they cothe the trees,
And loose the ice,bound rils
And ope the tulips to the breeze
And wake the daffodills.
They breath into each swelling heart
OF sentlent bud new cheer,
And yernal joy and hope impart,
While whispering Casters here"
The soft lightof the breaking day
| Grows brighter with each song,
And sweeter incense from the groves
Greets all that angel throng;
All natures heart and tongue, in praise
Break forth this Easter morn,
And songs of alteration raise
To Christ, the lowly born.
Ring out glad bells, the tidings tell,
The Christ is risen indeed,
butn Ha