The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1895-04-17
EASTER IN MONTPELIER


and Song.
Notwithstanding the fact tina Easter
Day, 1896, will long be remembered in
Montpelier because of the imminent dang r
of disaster by flood, told in detail els swhere,
the Joyous festival was generally observed
at the churches. The mourning garments
of the Lenten season still remained in the
natural world and the day seemed II many
respects more like a season OF penitence
than of rejoicing. But the vibrant music of
Easter bells called large congregations
through pouring rain and flooded treets,
and the story of loves redeeming work and
of risen Christ we're told in eloquent dis
course and harmonious music. report Of
the day at the various churches follows:
BAPTIST CHURCH.
Rev. Mr.. Moore of Ludlow otficia ed and
preached scholarly and thoughtful ser
mon on 1.-THE Resurrection Of Christ" The
fact that risen Christ means more to this
world than is appreciated by many was
dwelt upon, and from this beautiful story, az
told in the New Testament, many forceful
lessons were drawn. The interior of the
church was prettly decorated with Easter
lilies palms and cut flowers, and the music
had especial reference to the day.
BETHANY CHURCH.
The committee of young ladies and gen.
tlemen having in charge the floral decora-
tons of the church exhibited commend
appreciated. The pulpit, altar rail and choir
gal cry were bright with potted plants,
Easter lilies and palms, while at the right
of the pulpit stood large cross of ever
greens starred with Easter lilies. The
music Included an anthem, Welcome,
Happy Morning." with solos by Mrs. w. A.
Briggs and II d. Hopkins, and the anthem,
"Christ Our Passover" in which the solos
by Miss Kate Smith and G. H. Shipman
were pleasing features. Rev. DIR. Norman
a NIa fray
the words, " l am the resurrection and the
life" He said, in part: " 1t is not true that
we know any more in the nineteenth GEN.
tury than men did in the first century OF
the life beyond the grave, but every year
we assemble here at our Easter service that
immortality takes on more and more i'm
portant interest because we are nearer
and still nearer that line which shall
open before us the realities OF that i'm
mortality. Another reason why every year
we more and more should prize the knowl.
edge of imm ortality is that almost every
person has lost some loved one. 1t may be
the grave of some little child we desire to
stand over as in some spiritual presence and
hear our Savior say, am the resurrection
and the lfe.' These are the words spoken
to the weeping Martha lamenting over the
grave of Lazarus, and he who spoke them
is him self in a few days to die. 1t is true
that men like Blackstone, the founder of
English law, Justice Story, who wrote more
law books than any other man in this coun-
try or England, say that tried by the rules
of legal evidence, there is no historical fact
more thoroughly proven than that OF the
resurrection of Christ and Of Lazarus.
There are two resurrections promised by
Christ to his people. One is the resurrec.
ton from sin as a habit or condition, and
there is another that follows upon this,
which is the renova ion of the body and the
union of both soul and body in the everlast
ing glory and happiness of God. 1t is true
there was belief among the Jews OF the
resurrection of the dead. The Old Tesla
ment does not declare this truth in words
/ am not sure there are any passages which
imply it. But when We come to the New
Testament we find it was the belief of t1e
Jews of consciousness after death, as shown
by Marthas reply, Jesus, Lord, know he
shall rise at the last day." Dr. Seaver's
discourse throughout abounded in familiar
illustrations, and was punctuated by elo-
quent passages that held the closest atten
ton of his hearers.
CHRIST CHURCH.
Easter lilies and smilax on the altar, lilies
covering lectern and pulpit, the choir gal.
lery bank of tulips, pink and white aza-
las on either side of the chancel, and
stately palms in profusion, made bright and
fragrant the interior of the edifice, while
outside the gloom was 80 dense that it was
necessary to light nearly all the gas burn
ers. The music was in charge of III. III
Scribner, who was able to be at his post for
the first time since his protracted illness
The following were rendered: Easter An.
Them" Schilling; "Te Deum in D." Buck
"Jubilate in A." Haven; Hymn ill.,
Mozart; Hymn 49," tune, Webb >"
Communion in e" Camidge. Rev. A. N
marks words found in John Xxx: II, A" But
Mary stood without at the sepulchre weep
ing; and as she wept she stopped dowr
and looked into the sepulchre," Mr.. Lewis
said it is the glory OF woman that she never
forsakes those she loves, even when all
things are dark. The apostles believed the
Savior died and that everything was lost
but one faithful disciple ling sred by his
grave when all others had left. She re
manned, IMPLYING her love for the Savior
and wept because she could not find his
body. She was not the first nor the las
who here stood outside the sepulchre weep
ing. 1t was naturalf or her to weep, He
Master was dead, and his sacred body, a
she supposed, had been stolen. She real
lied, as never before, the loss she had sus
tanned But she had failed to understand
the promise that in three days he SHOULD
rise again, and knew not that the event ha'
already taken place. The speaker then ten
derly referred to the death of our love-
ones, and enforced the thought that the:
have only gone on before. Shall we know
each other in that bright world? Our atfeC
tons were planted in our hearts by CO.
himself. Is it probable that the most blessed
part OF our earthly life is to be blotted GU
by death? Would it be just? Would it b
merciful? Would it be right? The Scrip
lures are not silent ON this subject. The
tell us of sitting together in heavenl.
places" of being risen together" and 0
Sitting at the right hand of God" surel.
indicating that in the life beyond the grav
we must and shall know and recognize GU
loved ones. To those who have been al
hicted l would say,
LET us be patient, these severe Affections
Not from the ground arise;
But oftentimes celestial benedictons
Assume this dark disguise"
We may not, cannot. see, with our morts
vision, why our dear ones are taken froI
us, but, blessed be God, we wait, like Mar
and, like hers, our eyes shall be opened
The choral service for the children too
place at four o'clock, The evening servic
was omitted. A choice collection OF roses
standing near the altar, were placed theI
as memorial offering.
CHURCH OF THE MESSIAH.
Beautiful Gala lilies, sent from Csliforni
by Mrs. W. G. Andrews, shed their perfum
through the house and caused the sileI
tbapLo ~ tho Whola onnurapation In IN M