Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1898-07-29

Was Begun Wednesday EveninR--lh-
spiring Music. Rich Decorations, and
an Uplifting Service, Including Con-
nrmation and Address by the Bishop.
The Episcopal parish has completed the
first century Of existence, and the occasion
was celebrated last evening with due cere-
mony in the presence 81 a large NUMBER
of peoule. not only from this town, but
from various parts Of the state. The plans
for the celebration had been drawn up
many weeks ago, and preparations for the
event have been made on an elaborate
scale and were most successfully carried
out.
The musical part Of the program has, for
several weeks been under the direction OF
John II Williams and Harry Elliot, and
the singing at the services in Emmanuel
church last evening is ample proof Of their
efficient leadership. S. =. Whitney, the
organist and precentor Of the church OF
the Advent Of Boston arrived in town on
Tuesday, and at the rehearsal in the even
ing expressed the highest admiration for
the work Of the chorus, and his satisfac-
ton was proved by the fact that the must
cal program was sung only once under his
direction before last evening. The chorus
consisted Of about thirty voices.
decorated with flowers ferns and set pieces
by the chancel committee, and the elect
produced was artistic and pleasing.
A handsome souvenir program OF II
pages was issued under the direction of II.
+ Bancroft who devoted much time and
trouble toward making it as tasteful as
possible, and the result of his work reflects
much credit On the cover was printed
haf-tone picture of the front of the church,
from photograph taken by Frederick
Blake On the rear cover was printed
view of the church taken from the grave
ward in the rear by Herbert Bancroft,
above which illustration appeared the num-
bers "119Sn and below, "lS9S" in artistic
lettering done for the occasion by the
Lux Engraving company, who furnished
the plates for the pictures.
The services began at 1870 p. NJ, and
opened with the sentences, lords Prayer
and Versces, followed by Psalm CvII.
The first lesson was then read, taken from
| Samuel VII: ID This was followed by
"Magnifcat" by the chorus, under the di-
rection of the composer, 5. B. Whitney.
The second lesson was taken from Revela-
tons xI: 1-13, after which the chorus
chanted "Nunc Dmittis," the music Of
which was also written by Mr.. Whitney.
After the creed and collects, hymn 3I9
was sung, Come Gracious Spirit, Heaven
" Dove" Then followed the order Of CON
frmation, end hymn 345, "My Faith Looks
up TO Thee After this came the address
by the bishop, who took his text from Elk
odus III, Is: "And God said moreover unto
Moses, thus shalt thou say unto the children
of Israel, the Lord God of your fathers,
the God of Abraham, and the God Of
Isaac. and the God of Jacob hath sent me
unto you; this is my name forever and this
is my memorial unto all generations.
After few brief Introductory remarks,
the bishop offered few thoughts of spir'
itual life,' which were appropriate at the
time of this festival, He laid particular
stress upon the fact that we were all wor-
shipping the God of our fathers, the God
of Abraham, Isaac and of Jacob, and that
even as he helped them TO break away
from temptation and guided them through
the deep valleys Of sorrow, so will He aid
us now to overcome the obstacles that
seem TO battle US The God of our hap
tism, alcolution and confirmation, the God
of our past prayers and sacrifices, bids us
to look back upon what he has done for our
ancestors, and bids US to gather hope and
assurance from the past, and TO accept His
acts of the past as pledges for the future.
The bishop said that travel where we
may, it is the sense of association that i'm
presses us, and not the grandeur or state
illness. He urged us to cherish those things
that link US to the past, right back to the
very foundations of the Christian church
In closing he urged US to use all that God
gives, and to make the best of what we
have, and to turn everything to the best
advantage. The benediction followed, the
order of exercises lasting until about .
o'clock