The western sentinel. [volume] (Winston-Salem, N.C.) 1887-1926, 1897-04-22
EASTER IN OLD SALEM
A BEAUTIFUL CELEBRATION BY
THE MORAVIANS.
The Early Morning Service at Church
and in the Graveyard Attended by
at Least Six Thousand-Ordler
of March Graves Decorated.

and in the Graveyard Attended by
at Least Six Thousand-Order
of March-G Graves Decorated.
Pleasant weather is necessity for
the full enjoyment Of a Moravian
Easter celebration. This year the
most interested visitor or member
could not have wished for better
weather than was given. The theI-
mometer registered little lower ear
ly in the morning than was comfort
able, but an additional wrap or an
overcoat made it all right and the
bright Easter sun soon restored
warmth to the earth.
The entire week had been observed
in the old Home Church with interest
and success, and the many friends and
visitors who visit Winston Salem at
this time had arrived, and all was
ready for the celebration Of Easter
Day itself.
Soon after the midnight hour, the
company of musicians, who announced
to the congregation that the resur-
rection morn was near at hand, began
their rounds. 1t Is very sweet and
impressive feeling to hear these soft
and musical tones in the darkness OF
the early morning, as the band Of mu-
sicians pass from one point to another
IN the town. A little while before
day the old church bell that has done
service for now hundred years was
rung, and visitors and friends began
Assem- bling from all parts of the
towns.
The service began at 5 O'Clock in
front of the Moravian church The
throng that assembled was large
enough to fill the church three or four
times over, and hence it was necessary
to hold it front of the building. The
service was conducted by Bishop
Rondthaler, who began the exercises
with the words of the Easter Litany,
1.-THE Lord has risen, the Lord has
risen indeed"
After this portion at the church
was finished the procession moved ST.
lently and reverently through the
beautiful Cedar Avenue to the flower
decked graveyard The order of
March was as follows: First the
musicians and the church choir.
Then the Home and, chapel Sunday
schools. These were followed By the
pupils Of Salem Female Academy and
the Davis Cadets After that the
congregation and friends. No one
was admitted into the Avenue till the
procession had reached the graveyard,
and thus the procession with rever-
emily moving thousands formed a
scene still more impressive than
usual.
The immense company arranged it,
self around the squares OF the regu-
larly laid out buryiug ground and
when all were in, the service of song
aud OF praise concluded this sunrise
meeting. The sun arose in all it's
splen, lor as the service progressed, and
not only for those who were present
for the first time was the occasion an
Interesting and impressive one, but
for those who are connected with the
church and have attended these Eas-
ter meetings from childhood, they are
still filed with joy and pleasure.
1t is diff TO say how many were
present at this early morning service,
but 1t is probable that the number
was not less than 5000 and 1t is posi-
BILE that it was nearer 5000 than the
first number given
At eleven O'Clock the Moravian
Home church was flied to it's utmost
capacity. Bishop Rondthaler deliv-
words, THE Lord is risen" The
platform of the pulpit was Hastily and
appropriately decorated. The music
was unusually fine and inspiring.
During the day thousands visited
the graveyard and admired the beau
tfful floral decorations. In the even
ing another immense congregation
gathered in the church, when the &C
count of the resurrection was read.
This closed very happy and beauti-
full Easter season.