Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1896-04-03
OUR S0CIALWO

(All items of social interest viii be gladly
noted in these columns IL sent to Mrs.
George c. Ball, Nineteenth street, between
Tenth and Eleventh avenues, South High
lands. Telephone 9SS)
This is Good Friday, and in the solemn
stiffness all nature gazes in alteration up
on the silent victim who hung upon the
cross on the heights of Calvary The
deepening shadows gathered in the tenn
pie on that first Good Friday, and far out
upon the plains the cedars of Lebanon
sent out upon the wings of the wind their
aromatic odors, for the darkness was SO
dense that tree and shrub, bird and beast
felt that night had already come, al
though it was yet the day. The graves
gave up their dead the veil of the tenn
pie was rent in twain, and the greatest
tragedy in the history of the human race
was enacted centuries ago just on the sub
urbs of opulent Jerusalem. Today MEM
keep in remembrance the divine lessons
taught by the crucifixion. In the halls
of revelry the hush has fallen, and even
the marts of trade are stilled by legal
enactments, which proclaim this an holy
day the world over. The schools are
closed, and he little ones learn that on
this day, Good Friday. the Savior of men
was crucified for their sakes in Golgotha,
while men reviled and spat upon Him.
These children are also learning that
no longer is He who was sacrificed for
us centuries ago among Indicators
despised and forsaken He is now a King
indeed, to whom all Christendom comes
on this day in prayer and humiliat on.
While we recall his agony we know that
He is now the conqueror who hath put
all things under his feet" and that there
Is not a civilized nation on the globe
which does not yield him worship and
honor on this Good Friday.
Into all our lives comes the dark Good
Fridays, which mark the crucifixion of
our own lives and hearts. In every soul
which is worth the saving are Golgothas,
where have been nailed to a cross many
of our dearest desires and ambitions.
Into many life at times have crept the
black, overpowering darkness, and from
the graves of dead hopes and aspirations
have come the skeletons, who mock
ed at us in their grave clothes. In the
beautiful temple of life the veil has been
rent in twain on these dismal days of
crucifixion and despair, and the greedy,
gaping earth has opened and swallowed
what made earth bright and glorious!
Yes, there have been Good Fridays In
many of our lives. my friends. when the
very world seemed to reel and rock and
the angels hid their faces behind their
wings But there have been Casters
also. casters when we rose above the
great stones which held us down In the
dust and when the despair and gloom
disappeared In the glory of the fulfill
ment Of Gods promises Through the
sorrow of today we can look to the
brightness of Casters dawn. Instead of
the dirges and the miseries of this day
there shall come the songs of angels and
of men proclaiming Christ is risen from
the dead"
At all the Episcopal and Catholic
churches of our city and of the world
very solemn services will be held today
in commemoration of the crucifxion of
our Lord
Last night, Maunday Thursday night,
at St. Mary son the-Highlands the ser
vices were especially impressive and
beautiful. The entire body of the church
was in darkness save where the light
came from the chancel. On the altar
burned the candles, seven in each can
dlestick, figurative of the seven early
churches. Above the altar glowed the
cross, formed of many gas jets, and
thrown in relief were the brass cross and
other beautiful memorials that adorn the
massive, richly carved oak altar. The
vested choir on either side of the chancel,
the devoted rector, Rev. o. p. FitZsimons,
the great congregation, over which set
tied a solemn stiffness, and the sobbing
notes of the organ made up picture not
to be forgotten in our busy lives. But
above and beyond all else was the indi-
cation that brotherly love and sympathy
were uniting the Christians of our city,
for representatives of many other
churches were present, assisted in the
services and received the holy commun-
ion.
A writer in an exchange gives these
novel and pretty suggestions:
AS number of dinner luncheons and
hill nj nC a hnir 10 cd
Easter tide, hints for appropriate table
decorat ions are at present timely.
For a childrens party unique center
piece for the table will be the traditional
rabbit peeping out from his shell, placed
in a basket full of brightly decorated
eggs. To the handle Of the basket, with
a broad satin ribbon, tie a bunch of
spring blossoms. The large egg-shells
in which the rabbit stands may be form
ed from pasteboard decorated with flow
ers. The small eggs in the basket sur
rounding the rabbit should be arranged
on moss if it can be procured. if not, on
crinkled, mossy-looking tissue paper
A more artistic ornament is a white
dove spreading it's wings over a basket
of frosted eggs About the basket is
twined a flowing vine of branch and a
soft bow of white silk is tied to one side
of the handle. The glistening eggs should
be placed in a nest Of fresh green moss
or smilax.
IL IL 10 Iot utSlidDic 10 pan LOT an
Easter party for the children, an Easter
dinner for the older friends will be an en-
joyable feature amidst the general glad
ness and music of the Easter time OF
course If 1t was given on Sunday it would
only be to the family or few intimate
friends. But If it is desired to give it to
a larger party it would not be inappro-
pirate on any day of Easter week
If invitations are sent they should be
written on an egg-shaped card or the
outline of an egg should be drawn on a
square card and the invitation written
within the oval.
The decorations for such dinner will
be one of the important factors The ma
perry should be pure white, as well as the
dinner service. In the center of the ia
BILE may be placed set piece of flow
ers arranged in the shape of a butter
fly with spread wings. The form for this
could be bought of florist or made at
small expense by a timer. The size of
this piece must be governed by the size of
the table. 1t should certainly be / foot
across and feet or more in width will be
better.
In some places the piece could be made
of wild flowers, but usually 1T is too
rlx in, fHa 40 f~ox