Bridgeton pioneer., 1897-04-22
EASTER SERVICES.
Stately Palms, Fragrant Lilies and Other
Costly Plants, Vie With Humber
Blossoms in Typifying


the Resurrection.
Every sermon preached in this city
Sunday, was presented from platform
banked with beautiful flowers. Easter
gladness was typified in the happy,
bright, beautiful decorations. Surround
ed by these delights of nature came the
thoughts founded upon the subjects
chosen by the learned divines, who teach
the glad truth. such subjects being the
source of strong sermons as these
Proofs of Resurrection" "Easter
Gladness," "The Empty Tomb" mo
Resurrection, no Christianity" "a Live
Jesus or Dead Jesus" "Victory," ""The
Transfgured Valley" 1.-THE Power Of
the Resurrection, and many others, all
tending toward the glad anniversary of a
Savior's resurrection from the tomb.
1t was the crowning festival of the
year, day when the whole world feel an
exultant gladness, day when the bells
of every church ring out peal of hope
and joy, when the works of the great
masters of song sweled from every choir,
and peal from the deep toned organs
day in short which is the day of the
resurrection.
Sunday was the day which bears in
its bosom a great memory and tran
scendent hope. For forty days the world
has been passing through the shade of
Lent The hill of Calvary, with the cross
that crowned it, has been presented to the
gaze of millions Of mourners, and now
the gloom is dispersed, "the fearful
glimmer of the languid dawn" has given
place to the splendor of the morning sun
light, the dew falls upon the flowers in a
rich mans garden, shafts of rosy light
pierce an open and empty tomb, and they
who seek their dead Master hear the
words that fill them with surprise and
joy: ''He is not here; He is risen."
In keeping with all this gladness was
the beautiful floral decorations. The
churches were flower gardens, the pull.
pits, altars and chancels blossomed forth
in all the splendor of Easter luxurious.
ness. The sweet fragrance of lilies
hyacinths and hydrangeas mingled with
the odor of incense, and joyous Easte,
songs foated on an air that was heavy
with the perfume of flowers.
From the great church to the humble
meeting house the beautiful custom O
| decorating the places of worship will
flowers was observed. On no other day O
the year are they so abundant, so fresh anC
SO effective in bringing sunshine and joy
| 1t is impossible to particularize in des.
cribing the result of the artistic decora.
tive effort. There were no special de
signs, just profusion of harmonizing
| effects from the flower gardens of nature
that banked before the eyes delightful
inspiring splendor, that impressed every
beholder with the joyousness of the
occasion.
The effect of the decorations was
greatly frightened by the bright,
beautiful costumes and millinery in
the pews. All these dainty, bewitch-
ing conceits, like the proud ferns and
modest blossoms, were kissed by the
glad sun beams, and became superb liv.
ing picture of the goodness of the
bountiful giver. whose resurrection from
the tomb was this glad day celebrated.
Large were the congregations, inspir-
ing were the sermons, gladdening were
the decorations, tunetul was the melody
of the choir, and satisfying were the i'm
pressions of the devout attendant at these
happiest of services.