The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-04-06

what mockcry this service might he in the
hands Of less godly minister.
As VIC left the cathedral could begin 10
realize the forlorn hopeessness and helplessness
of Christ's friends on that first Good Friday
| The revelation OF Faster Sunday seemed outside
| human possibility But the real Faster, thank
God. was not outside divine possibility. There
was note in Gospel and Collect, not like the
gladness Of Christmas hut az much greater as is
eternal life greater than earthly life 4 Know
That My Redccmcr Livcth' and the Ilaelujah
Chorus never sounded more victorious.
The bishop OF Wells preached, and I confess
10 notng his full, white lawn sleeves confined
at the wrists with black ribbon, and the peculiar
form Of the bishops chair while listening to his
| evangelical deliverances. In cathedral there
is much in the rcredos and rauted roof to at
tract attention. Then Easter suggests its own
train OF thought. Evidently the preacher anti.
cipatcd these of mental distraction and did
not attempt to compete with them.
The deans house, with the Tudor roses in the
main columns and window facings lit was built
by Edward w, and its wainscotings OF oak Gt
was restored by Sir Christopher Wren), secured
a part OF the cathedral and the day. In my
chamber were engravings Of many of the Masters
OF Rugby school, including the santed Arnold,
who said: 't is not necessary that this should
he large school. but it is necessary that it
should be a school OF Christian gentlemen"
The last in this gallery was the portrait of my
host. the present dean Of Wells. who preached at
evening prayer a rather more stimulating sermon
than we heard in the morning. After tea the
sun came out. 1t shone on the yellow primroses
in the garden borders, and on the stone roses in
the walls and seemed to set all the Easter SOL
emnity into the past, Is easily as the butler
had changed an ecclesiastical dignitary into
cordial English host by lifting the deans gown
and hood from of his masters shoulders Tile
serious part Of Faster over. And Monday!
The railroads felt the holiday tide. All regular
trains in the United Kingdom were converted
into excursion trains, and carried AIRY and
'Ariet out OF the towns into the country.
Mothers OF large families led their docks into
the cathedral as they would have done into
merry go, round This was the largest free show
in the vicinity. The dean had lent me the
trifornm keys, and I climbed up the narrow
stairs and stood looking down on the mass Of
people below, wondering what it all meant to
them, especially to sleepy little creatures who
must have been aroused at O'Clock that morn
ing
The dreamlkc beauty Of the palace gardens
WAS invaded by youngsters who clambered on the
ruins. climbed the trees and threw papers into
the shrubbery and arbow. They frightened the
ducks in the moat and left the cathedral pre-
cincts only when there were no more vsndalisns
TO be committed. The streets were full OF happy
lovers buying souvenirs marked "A Present from
Wells" In the afternoon football game gained
their attention and their shillings.
The next day the town was quiet. The Wis.
itors had gone back to shop or kitchen in Bath
or Bristol, the local places of business were open
and life had returned to its normal routine. Good
Friday and Easter seemed to have beer, forgotten
But the memory Of the Three Hour Service and
OF the Easter anthems remain like a benedictior,
which is today an inspiration.
Elizabeth Wilson.
Chicago