The Republican journal., 1903-04-16
EASTER IN THE CHURCHES.

EASTER IN THE CHUkCdES.
Sermons and Music Appropriate to the Day.
Easter Sunday dawned bright and fair
and clear skies prevailed during the day
ana evening. The services at all the
churches were largely attended. Inc bap-
tist ana Congregational Societies OF Chris
tian EndeavOr and the Methodist EpW0rth
League held early morning services; Easter
sermons were given in the forenoon with
special music and decorations at all the
churches; the Knights Templars attended
services at the Universalst church in the
afternoon; special Easter service was held
in the Baptist church, and concert at the
Methodist in the evening.
At the Universalist church the foundation
color of the decorations was white, with
white drapery on the pulpit and tables and
white fur mats on the pulpit steps and plat
form. The white altar cloth bore the words
"Our Redeemer Liveth" in letters of gold.
A drapery curtain of white, dotted with
sprlgs OF green, hung across the top of the
arch above the pulpit. Easter lilies, palms,
maiden-hair ferns, begonias, azaleas, ge-
raniums and hyacinths were arranged in an
artistic manner on and around the pulpit
The forenoon services were as announced
in The Journal last week. The sermon by
the pastor, Rev. A. A. Smith, was from
Acts II 13, on "The Faith that Looks
Through Death The choir was Messrs
N. G. Pettingill and Ralph Fl. Mosher,
Misses Marion Wells and Emma Skay, with
Mrs. Herbert F. Drinkwater a. the organ.
Thirty-One Sir Knights of Palestine Com
mandery Knights Templar marched from
the Asylum in Masonic Temple to the Uni
versalist church at go p. NJ, and were seat
ed in the centre of the house. A large con-
gregatiOn was present. The decorations
were the same as in the morning with the
addition of the banner of Palestine Com
mandery, which stood at the right of the
platform. The order of service was as an
nOunced in The journal last week. The
pastor, Rev. Ashley A. Smith, who is also
Prelate of Palestine COmmandery, gave an
interesting sermon from Isaiah IS, on
"KnighthOod and its Modern Meaning" :"
Knowing the inside workings of the Order,
he was able to speak with confidence and
accuracy. Mr.. Smith first quoted the IA
mlliar passage from Burke on the deca-
dence of chivalry, and argued that the de
cline of outward customs does not imply
the decay of true chivalry. He cited va
riOus instances of true chivalry among men
who bore not the arms or insignia of knight
hood, among them the Hebrew prophets,
the early disciples of the Saviour, the Re-
formers of the days of Luther, and the
modern Christian workers. Men are now
as sensible to chivalry as when the knights
made plgrimages to Jerusalem to rescue
the tomb of the Saviour from the Saracen
and the Turk. God accepts men, not by the
outward dress, but by the heart All meet
on the common level of brotherly love. II
unites even the most diverse creedS. The
sword of the Knight of the Red Cross, the
Knight of the Temple or the Knight of
Malta is bathed in the sunlight of Heaven.
Zerubbabel, when he rebuilded Solomon s
Temple, spoke the principles of true knight
hood. The resurrection is the basis Of all
true knighthood. Mr.. Smith closed with a
quotation from Robert Morris, embodying
the principles OF knighthood in its truest
sense. The memorial service was in honor
of Sir knight Oscar W. Limeburner, men,
ber of Palestine Commandery, who died
since the last Easter service.
White sprayed with green prevailed in the
decorations of the Unitarian church. The
pulpit, communion table and light pedes-
tals were draped with white and sprays of
asparagus, Easter lilies in pots, and tulips,
narcissus and jonquils in vases were taste
fully arranged about the pulpit. A white
dove was suspended at the rear above the
pulpit Owing to severe colds MessrS.
Brooks and White were unable to sing and
the solos were: "The Day is Ended
Bartlett, by Harry Park of Stockton
Springs; and "In Heavenly Love Abiding -
Emerson, by Edward Thorndike. The text
of the sermon, by the pastor, Rev. Harry
Lutz, was "Truly this man was son of
God" The remainder of the service was as
announced last week.
The decorations at the North Church
were simple and graceful arrangement of
Easter lilies, daisies, palms, ferns, pinks,
tulips, roses, hyacinths, and azaleas. The
sermon by the pastor, Rev. Geo. S. Mills,
was from Philippians 3:l0, on "The Power
of Christ's resurrection" The music was as
follows:
Voluntary in b flat Flayler
Anthem, 1.-The Magdalene,'' Warren
Song, "Resurrection' Holden
Mr. Parker.
Carol, "Gladly sing,'' Macy
Chorus
Postlude, "Easter March," Flayler
The decorations at the Baptist church