The San Francisco call., 1898-04-11
DEVOTIONS BY THE MAS0NS Templars Hold Solemn Services in Honor
 of Easter.
First Congregational Church the Scene of the Cere-
 monies.
A Similar Ceremony Observed il Trinity Presbyterian Church
 on Capp Street.

One of the most impressive religious demonstrations in commemoratlon Of Easter was observed at the First Congre- gational Church last evening by the Knights Templar of California Command cry No. l.
 The interior of the Mason-street edif1ce was one blaze of light and the ceremony for grandeur and solemnity was such as is seldom seen outside the Masonic Chapel. The order of services was well defined and included. in addition to the usual chanting of hymns and the recital of prayer, several eloquent addresses by prominent prelates.
 At the first burst of melody from the great organ the outer doors leading rom the street to the interior Of the church were thrown wide on their hinges and the
 Knights clad in the full insignia of their order, filed into the church in solemn and dignified procession, marching to their place of honor immediately in front of the chancel rail. At a word from the Eminent Commander rustic of spangles and the swish of cross belts were heard, and the Sir Knights had assumed an attitude of attention and awaited partic- lpatlon in the ceremony in honor Of the ascension of the Redeemer. The services were opened by the pastor of the church, Rev. G. C. Adams.
 From the commencement to the last Woiu uttered III the long ueNOllOHdl eAeT- ciSes they were most deVout and inspiring.
 One Of the most striking features of the service was the oral confession of the Knights on pended knee before the min lster. The prayer beseeching forgiveness In substance was as follows:
 Loving and merciful Father; we humbly con- ress our sins before Thee we have often trans from tender shepherd; we have done those things 1fll that we should not have done; we have lett undone those things that we should have done. but Thou art loving Father; Thou art all compassion; thy tender mercies are over all. Forgive us, then, sins, Lord, and may we live with Thee in glad submission to thy will.
 At the conclusion of the ceremony the word of command was given and the devout knights formed in martial array. They marched out into Post street and thence to the Masonic Temple, where they
 The sermon of the evening was deliv cred by the Rev George C. Adams upon the text of Christ the First Fruits of Smith, prelate for the commandery, was also in attendance and delivered short address.
 The music was of exceptional merit, being rendered by the choir of the church, consisting of the following sing CTS: Soprano, Mrs B. E. Paxton con- D. Mayer; basso, J. F. Fleming. The or gan accompaniment was rendered by s. D. Mayer, who also assisted as director of the choir.
 The principal officers of the command cry present were: Commander John P. Fraser, Generalissimo Charles H. Wilson and Captain-General Frank Titus. The decorations in the church were elaborate and magnificent. In the center of the great organ was an enormous cross con- posed entirely of white Bermuda lilies. Surrounding the reading desk and hiding 1t from view was a mass of pink roses, entwined in delicate streamers of smilay. To the left of the chancel rail was the American Stars and Stripes, while on the extreme right were erected the colors of the Masonic order.
 The services at Trinity Presbyterian Church last night were made doubly memorable by the attendance, in body, of Golden Gate Commandery No. 16, Knights Templar. AS the Sir Knights en- tered the edifice the organ burst into mel ody, playing prelude, during which the Sir Knights were seated in front of the chancel. The services of the evening opened with responsive exercises, fol- lowed by an invocation, during which all Sir Knights remained standing. It closed with all chanting the Lords Prayer with bowed heads. After responding to the Easter psalm a Scripture lesson was read by Sir Knight Alexander N. Carson. pastor of the church. who also delivered an impressive sermon appropriate to the occasion. The music. which was rendered by a quartet, was especially good.