Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-04-04
SERVICES AT THE CATHEDRAL
An Immense Congregation, FINE SER
mon, and beautiful Music

ii An immense Congregation, fihe s'i-
IA mon, and beautiful Music
81 Pontincal high mass was celebrated at
81 St. Peters Cathedral BY Right rev. a.
81 Van De Vyver Bishop Of Richmond Inc
81 church was filed to overlooking, and the
81 services were most impressive. The
a scene within the sanctuary where Bishop,
81 deacon sub-deacon assistant priests. and
Isl an army Of acolytes moved in festival
"A robes before the great altar, bedecked
4 with flowers and numberiess lights was
indeed beautiful. At the conclusion of
mass the Bishop impaired the papal bene-
dictOn, after which, in a few words he
Il wished the congregation every Easter
blessing
The music was, as previously an
nOunced, of high order. kallawoda's
,lassical, but at the same time deVo-
i0nal mass was rendered by the choir,
with organ and orchestral accompani-
ments. with fine effect and decided snap
The ensemble singing of the choir was
n excellent. Professor Munson, Of Boston,
\ .endered "The Palms as a professional
with telling effect, and in 1t the rich
tones of his cultivated voice were heard
10 advantage. Mr.. II. w. Geger, the
new organist Of the Cathedral should
feel justly proud Of his first Easter music
IN Richmond
FATHER WAITRESS SERMON.
The sermon OF the day was delivered by
Rev. Father Waters. He said:
Ny dear brethren, let us rejoice and
be glad, this is the day which the Lord
hath made" The world is ringing with
gladnCss. Our hearts are overlooking with
Joy. Tho hours of sorrow are past; the
awful night is gone. The glorious day has
come. The sun has risen in the east like
a giant rejoicing TO run his course. and
over US sheds new light. A mighty sound
has gone forth TO the ends Of the earth,
and is heard by every people. 1t is the
first note Of the archangel's trumpet. 1t
has shaken the very foundations Of Hea-
i Ven. Ii has burst the bonds of death and
loosed the captive Saviour An angel of
God has rolled back the stone from the
tomb, and in exulting tones proclaimed:
you seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was
CIuCiied. He is risen; He is not here Be
hold the place where they laid Him"
Why do we rejoice to-day? Is it be-
cause spring has returned with its Ver-
Cant fields and Towering trees? Is il be-
cause winter has passed, and nature, re-
leased from its icy clasp bursts forth in
freshness and beauty? Is It because our
spirits long pent up now feel the breath
of gentle spring and bound forward TO
greet and welcome her?
Ah no, But why do we rejoice to-day?
Noi ON the plains OF this world but far
| up in the mountains of God is the source
s that happiness which flows into our
souls on this Easter morn. on this day
tao Son of Man in dazzling splendor
aWoke from the sleep OF death. The seed
of Divine Truth falling into the ground.
died. wherefore the barren earth buds
forth to-day in unwonted loneliness.
During four thousand years ignorance.
superstition and Indifference had chilled
mems hearts. The world had grown cold.
4F 81 IaI al. r,ftrt,,
But to-day the warm sunshine Of Gods
favor returns and mets mans frozen
heart TO tears Of ardent love. New Vir-
tues implanted in his soul spring up and
bear richest fruits of holiness. This is
the sprngtime Of Gods eternal year. On
shis day our Christian feelings and SEN
tlments urge us forward TO meet our
risen Lord, and with Him celebrate in
songs Of loudest praise His glorious !
triumph over sin and death and he'll.
CAUSE OF EASTER JOY.
Christ is risen. This is the cause of our |
Easter joy. Are We glad when a friend |
comes home from a foreign land? Are |
We glad when some dear relative, pros |
uated 10y sickness, gives sings Of return
ing health? All! would not many a broken |
heart be GLAD once more ii some !
departed friend could rise from the shades
Of death and be himself again? But
joy felt BY Mary Magdaene and the
apostles when Jesus stood before them
ou that first Easter morn and said:
Peace bc 10 you? lie was numbered |
| among the dead but Is come 10 life again.
4ney were sorrOwful at His death; they
tl'td over His loss. But now their
sadness IS turned into JOY. and their joy
'9 man can take from them"
IAeie s no fact In history more clearly
t@olshed than the resurrection of Jesus
N-4Al The testimony adduced in proof
w De- conclusive 10 every unbiased mind
-", Witnesses who testified so IL were
lo' 'hs cupes Of credulity. They did not
t''e until it was impossible TO doubt
1l1 once convinced OF its truth they
were ready 10 die in its defence. In
"a ana persecution and afiliction this
SERIOUS fact WAS their strength and con-
'al.1n They were willing 20 suffer
.+ Christ and TO be Inundated in the
-l because they were certain to rise
",,a Him 10 everlasting life.
why should we not rejoice to-day? II
- iAe anniversary Of Gods victory over
.' powers OF darkness. Ii Is the dawn
. new era. IL is the beginning and
cause Of spiritual union with God. IL
', angels, al His lOwly birth, sang round
s.aDe OF Bethlehem, must not the
OF Heaven ring to-day with loud
iNAas 90 The Son Of DAVID? Who,
human flesh, celebrates His triumph
,''.s ln Heaven and men on earth. like
-,'Aale chOiTs cry out 10 each other in
c.'l. ms oi praise. and in sweetest unison
'-"Ni the glad Allelua
FOUNDATION OF RELIGION.
iAe resurrection OF our Lord IS the
J'.ua.on Of our holy religion. BY II we
sSoW mat He is God and worthy OF our
f. TX 3uon IL is the groundwork of our ,
r'.h upon which rests the Church. that
csie OF God not made with hands. IF !
ys.-l pc not risen. then IS our preaching +,
A., ana your faith Is vain Yea. and we
o. 'V4Ad false witnesses Of God" But Z
ss,.. the certainty OF His resurrection
an az our christian hope. "As in Adam | '
s ~, o'e. 50 also In Christ an shall ne made ,
"' He is the first fruits OF them =