The Portland daily press., 1896-04-06

The musical service began with Fade
rewski's Melodie in b, on the organ, 1ol-
lowed by "Light of Lights Enlighten
Thou Our Raster Morning. and "Christ
the Lord is Risen Today" by the choir;
also sweet response after the prayer
composed by our popular Portland musl-
cian, Hermann Kotzschmar. The organ
offertoire was An Indian Tale. by Lowe,
and the postlude Fanfare by Lemmens.
Miss Minnie A. Plummer was the or
ganist and directed the music
FIRST PARISH CHURCH.
The floral decorations in this church
were simple and beautiful. They We're
nearly all white and green. The pulpit
was garlanded with ferns and oallalilies,
| The font was filed with daybreak pinks.
| On each music rest in the choir, and at
the side of the organ were large bouquets
OF DALLAS and ferns. A large green Cross
at the back of the pulpit was banded
with lilies. Among the memorials were
lilies in memory of Mrs. Jose, Mr.. and
Miss Butler, DIR. Nichols, DR.. Gilman,
ex-Mayor Mcclellan, Mrs. Emery and
others. A basket of primroses for DR..
Hill. basket of violets for Mr.. Thomas, a
beautiful bouquet of annunciation lilies
for Mr.. William A. Allen, crosses for the
Clapp family, roses for Mrs. Allen, lilies
for Mr.. Phineas Fox Varnum, and many
others.
Mr.. Perkins preached scholarly SER
| mon upon a text from Job 1892. he
music was of high order. In the after
noon the Sunday schools of the Preble
Chapel and First Parish had an Easter
service. consisting of carols and respon-
siye readings. Mrs. Horgan sang beau
tiful Raster song in her usual sympa-
thetic manner. Plants were then dis
tributed to all Of the scholars.
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH.
| The floral decorations at the First Bap-
fist church consisted of large cluster of
Easter lilies. The special organ selec-
tions were finely rendered by the organ :
list. Mr.. Harry 7. Johnson. The Scrip
ture reading and hymns had direct refer
enoe to Easter. The pastor, Rev. W. S.
Ayres took his text, Ephesians list, 1920,
making his topic, "The Hope of Our
Calling" The central thought of the
discourse was he greater power of the
resurrection, as compared with the oruoi-
fxion of Christ, inasmuch as it was the
proof OF his divinity. The sermon was
of great interest and power. The COM
munion service followed, and was more
than usually solemn and impressive. The
evening prayer service was made of spe-
cial interest by selected readings bearing
upon the appearances of Christ to II is
disciples and others after His resurrection.
ST. LAWRENCE STREET CHURCH.
A large audience was in attendance
The floral decorations were very simple,
consisting of Easter lilies and ferns
which covered the table before the desk.
There was one memorials beautiful bou-
quet of white flowers, mostly roses in
memory of the late Susan r. Gerrish, the
much lamented wife of Mr.. John j. Ger.
IRISH, the treasurer of the church.
An appropriate and inspiring Easter
anthem, with grand old resurrection
hymns were finely rendered by the church
OAOIi dhQC1 ulO NlIOOUlOll VI MT. pTduk
W, Shaw, the church chorister. The
text of Rev. Mr.. Wright's Easter sermon
was Cor. V, 6. ave are confident, and
willing rather to be absent from the body
and to be present with the Lord" The
! theme was "The influence of faith in the
resurrection onssPaul's character and min
istry." 1t was the mainspirng of the
Apostles loyalty, ardency and efficiency
as preacher and worker. 1t was the
unfailing soul CO of his devotion and sacri-
| fees. 1t sustained him amid all adyeTsi-
ties and sorrows. 1t inspired his longing
with his risen Lord. If tine church had
a stronger grasp upon the historical fact
and grand significance Of Christ's ressur-
rection it would be more joyous, powerful
and prosperous church
| A large audience gathered to enjoy the
Easter exsorises of the Sunday school at
80 in the evening, the church choir lead
ing the service of song. Easter was day
Of comfort and hope to the St. Lawrence
street people among whom there have
been recent and sad bereavements.
| CONGRESS SQUARE.
The usual immense Easter congregation
was present yesterday morning. Quite
number stood during the services. The
pastor, Rev. DR.. Blanchard preached a
sermon on "The Universalist's Joy in
Easter" To the Uniyersilist comes the
fullest JOY in his faith in immortality.
The doctrines of endless punishment and
humiliation for the wicked were passed
in review. They We're not arraigned, but
explained. Pictures were drawn of di-
vided universe, some in endless bliss and
some in endless woe. Surely to such as
hold this faith there must bs a cloud on
Easter. The annihilation of the vast
multitudes bafore Christ was considered
and Of all those who however great as
scholar, artist or statesman would have
no future, IL they were not saved by
Christ. Surely to such as hold this faith,
there must be cloud on Easter.
The doctrine of final holiness and hap
piness for all mankind was then dwelt
l