The Portland daily press., 1896-04-06
EASTER.
A Typical April Day Marks the Cele-
bratiOn.

The Churches Beautifully Decorated For
the Observation-Disclosures Music Heard at
Many Places of Worship-The Sermons
Were All Appropriate to the Day.
Easter Sunday proved typical April
day. There were smiles and tears /;
smiles when occasional sunbeans bright
ened the streets, and striking through
the stained glass windows of the church
es rested in bars of gold on the carpeted
floors, or lightened chancel and pulpit
with their bIilliancy, or tears when the
clouds gathered and drops of rain or fly
ing snow flakes, filled the air and mols-
tened the pavements. The air was an
April air too, and while it was not real
cold, there was the chill of early spring
to be felt. Almost every man or woman.
or child, wore boutonniere or corsage
bouquet, If only single PINK ana some
of themore adventurous women displayed
Easter toilets and the men spring styles.
The churches generally took more or
less notice of the day as one of Christian
festival, especially the Roman, the Epis-
copaI and the Unitarian and Universalist.
The Methodists do not observe Easter
deliberately, reserving their celebration
for Children's day in June. Special mus
ioal programmes. which were published
inSaturday's PRESS were rendered in an
admirable manner by the excellent oholrs
that had been rehearsing for some time
past. A brief idea of the celebration in
the various churches follows:
ST. PAUL'S.
St. Paul's on Easter day was beautiful
" decorated with Florida palms and
lilies. The chancel from the pews seemed
a very bower of flowers. Between the
windows of the ohancel hung purple
GROSS overlaid wit palms 1t was one
of the most effective designs ever seen at
St Paul's and attracted general atten-
ton. Large congregations filled the
church at morning and evening services.
A generous Offering for parish purposes
attested the interest Of the people in par
ish affairs. The choir deserves special
praise for the manner in which the music
was sung. Mr.. Lombard, the organist
and Mr.. Wengren, chorister, deserve great
credit for the taste displayed by them in
the selections played and sung. The &c.
tor presented the resurrection of Christ
as humanity's hope for time and eternity.
ST. STEPHENS.
AElarge congregation attended the Eas
ter morning, service at ST. Stephens, and
listened attentively to the eloquent SER
mon delivered by Rev. DR.. Dalton, who
took for his text, ''He is not here, He
is risen."
The music By the double quartette add
ed much to the impressiyeness of the
beautiful Easter service.
The church was very prettily decorated
with potted plants and flowers, and me-
mortal offerings. large GROSS of ferns
and Easter lilies occupied the space over
the chanoel rail, the pulpit and reading
desk were decorated with numerous flow
ers. and these memorials pieces were
placed in the windows: James Bailey,
anchor; Helen T. Bailey, cross; George
81. Starr, Gala lilies; George II. Church.
basket of roses, George Willard True.
Easter lilies; Eliphalet Greedy Spring,
basket of azalias; John Evans, bouquet
of roses; Margaret Durham, azalias.
PEAKS ISLAND CHRUCH.
No special observance was made of
Easter Sunday at the Methodist church
on the island on account of the great
series Of revival services that are being
held by the noted evangelist Rev. MIR.
Buffam. At the morning service instead
of preaching by Rev. Mr.. Smith the reg
ular pastor, Rev. Mr.. Buffam preached q
very able and eloquent sermon, taking
for his text the words in the 25th chapter
of St. Matthew, Saith verse. The rever-
end gentleman was evidently at his best,
and handled his subject in powerful
manner. a large congregation listened
to the discourse. Mr.. Buffam has been
on the island nearly three weeks, and has
done vast amount of work, and has met
with good results. He intends to stay q
short time longer. He has made many
friends here who will wish him success
wherever he goes
HIGH STREET.
The decorations were almost entirely
composed of palms and Easter lilies, ar
tistioslly grouped about the pulpit with
English Jews each side. The communion
table was pare, but the desk was adorned
with roses and asparagus vine. Behind
all, in memory of the late Mr.. j. B.
Brown, was large cross with such deli
cacy OF effect that it seemed yelled. The
music with organ, orchestra and choir
gave fine blending of tone. The post
lude from Mozart's twelfth mass was
magnificent, the large audience remain
ing until it was ended. The sermon by
essNsasSsneSgs.NeSrSa,s;cG sosssSsnsS