The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-04-11
OLD CLOTHES WERE WORN
THE RAIN KEPT TUE NEW ONES
INDOORS.
SERMONS APPROPRIATE FOR THE DAY
interesting Services in All the Churches of the
City---Superb Musical Programmes
Were Rendered by All
the Choirs.

Splendor never before heard of, and only
an hour in dim church i'll which to
enjoy it.
That is the typical American Easter.
There were music and prayer in Raj
eigh Yesterday to celebrate the great
Christian Festival. but the fashion and
glitter were conspicuous by their alb
sencc Nature is not always accommo-
she was positively unkind. Though it
rained but little. it would not shine
Threatening clouds hung in the skies all
day. with now and then Il heavy drizZlc
to give desolate look to the streets,
and dampen the ardor of any over-ven
turesome Easter bonnet.
Proud Beauty, with waiting finery
peeped often through the curtainad win
dows, scowling impatiently at the clouds
that refused to go away, but were all
the while being REINFORCED by Il brisk
northwest wind. And so the day was
robbed of its usual brilliant setting-the.
smart gowns that are to fix the fashion
for the coming season, and the brilliant
creations of the milliner's art
But the fact that they had to wear
their old clothes. did not keep people
from church 1t was a day of church
going as it should have been. In the
Episcopal and Catholic churches servi
ces began at s O'clock with morning
prayers: at $50 O'Clock Sunday school,
ut IL o'clock regular services and cele-
bration of the Holy Communion. Dur
ing the afternoon special Sunday school
exercises were held at many of the
churches. and there was preaching at
chapels and mission stations Last
night at clock, regular services were
held at all the churches.
1t was pre-eminently a day of music.
Sacred music-anthems, lie Deums, glo-
lias. chants and hymDs-music that goes
deeper into the soul than all else, save
love.
1t was music that takes one out of one S
self and worldly things. The song Of
the Risen Christ was everywhere. And,
as one listened he forgot even the glori-
GUS voice, telling of the love which pass
eth all understanding, and thought only
of the theme.
Now, it is one sweet voice, soft and
waiting, scarce louder than the hushed
breathing of the listeners. Now the
wondrores throats burst forth into one
great chorus of praise and rejoicing:
GLORY, glory to God in the Highest"
How the voices burn with very fierce
ness of feeling and rise in crescendo as
if they would reach beyond the limit of
human understanding and tell all the
world the universal story of Jesus and
his love.
1t is at the Sacred Heart Catholic
church and Farmers magnificent mass
in Is. Flat is being sung. But whatever
the church the same style and character
of music is sung ON Easter Every
where it was music with Il glad. sweet
pathos in it--smiles of joy mingled with
tears Of gratitude.
They cease for an instant-these
wondrous song voices. The silenca is
broken by muttered prayer.
Now. the benediction is said, the peo-
pie are gone, the church is silent. The
sermon has played but Il secondary part
in it all, and perhaps it is well. The
music has stirred souls long ago harden
cd to sermon and lecture. The message
has gone TO the heart on wings Of mel
ody and there it lives and burns.
SACRED HEART CHURCH.
The sermon by Father Prendergast,
at the Church of the Sacred Heart, was
appropriate to the day. He spoke of the
Importance of the Easter anniversary III
religious history. just 1898 years ago,
he said. the Christ not only rose from
the grave after a burial of three days,
but. He founded the Catholic church.
From that day to this it has been
the great world-church. Mighty works
has it done in all generations. Lit has
fostered learning, promoted art, INSPIRED
architecture, preserved knowledge ana
taught men of all ages and chimes and
tongues to fear God and keep his com
mandments. It's charity has been as
broad as the world, and it's faith has
been established in every country. For
these reasons it is especially appropriate
for Catholics to celebrate the anniyer-
sary Of the resurrection Of the Son Of
God.
in its preservation of knowledge. pro-
motion of learning and Christian teach
ings. the Catholic church has been the
great power in civilizing the world. In
addition to this it has been the one
great and effective liberator of man
kind from political bondage. | know, at
first thought, this will be disputed by
UIIiNs Dul IL IL true. anu LU-uuA, vi lIt
twenty-four republics in the world,
twenty-one are Catholic countries. 1t
was this church and her teachings that
have taught the people until they are
able TO rule themselves. When she has
befriended monarch's and helped them
hold their throne. it was because she
did not consider the people sufficiently
advanced to govern themselves.
This is not only the anniversary of
the resurrection of Christ and the es-
Establishment of his church, but it is also
the resurrection of Nature. To-day she
puts off her winter garb and dons her
Spring clothes, showing us thereby that
Nature, in all her moods has II lesson
for us-eyer pointing us upward to the
God who created all things"
The musical programme at the regular
service, included the Kyrie Gloria, Gre
do, Sanctus, Agnus Del and Dona Nobis,
of Farmers magnificent mass in Il Flat.
Soloists: Sopranos-Mrs. G. NJ. Busbee,