The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1904-04-05

rays struggled through the overcast
.kes. but not often enough or long
enough 10 encourage the fair sex 10 don
their Easter array. In consequence there
were few Easter hats to be seen and win
ter WRAPS were not uncomfortable. "a
il To make up for the deprivation In the
way Of wearing apparel, many maids
and matrons appeared With proinslOn
of flowers. which gave a touch OF spring
TO an almost wintry day. Niolets pre-
dominated, but there were roses anu EAR
nations in profusion.
AT THE CHURCHES
ST. GEORGES.
The general observance OF Easter 10
the Episcopal aud Catholic churches, in-
Gliding the special musical programs,
never fails 10 attract large congregations
to the churches of those denominations.
AtSt Georges the building was filled
from front to rear with An interested
congregation The music had been pre-
pared especially for the occasion, and
was exauisitely rendered by full choir.
The ofiertory was beautifully sung, and
the music taken altogether was laultless.
MIR Smith, the rector, preached strong
sermon, which was attentiyely Listened
TO. All the world said the speaker, Ia
still asking the question "a it was asked
by the world in the ages gone by, Who
Is This?" and the answer comes As IL dld
then, This ia Jesus, the Prophet OF
Nazareth. of Galilee. ~ In these words
the rector found his text. He spoke OF
the life of Jesus and touched on the i'm
mortality of the soul, illustrating the
faith man should have in such immortal
ity by the blind faith which leads even
the unciyiized Indian to believe that the
dead warrior will find new HE In the
Happy Hunting Grounds. - The chancei
and altar Of the church were beautifully
decorated. Easter lilies covering the
altar. while palms and lilies composed
the chancel decoration. At night chill
drens festival was held and again large
congregation was present The Offering
at the morning service was Tor Diocesan
Missions and amounted 10 about 500
TRINITY.
Easter began with IA celebration OF the
Holy Communion at Z o'clock. This was
followed by a second celebration, fully
choral, with a sermon by the rector
Rev. II n. Barber. The music was eK
ceedingly well rendered, and the anthem
Why seek We the living among the
dead? He is not here, but is risen was
beautiful. and was the chOir's best oiier
ing to the risen Christ
The church in it's iestal garb was ex
ceedingly chaste, anu made every body TO
feel that new life had come into il. The
altar. and indeed the whole chancel was
a mass of flowers, all speaking OF the cen
trial teaching OF the day-the R'surrec
ton. The rector took as his text St
Paul'a words-"li there be no resurrec-
ton OF the dead, then il Christ not risen.
He said that friends and enemies alike
made sure of the death OF Christ before
His burial. n lie rose not, then His dead
body must have been in existence and
hence might have been found. II so lound
the resurrection was untrue; but, search
A. they might. His enemies could not
produce the dead Chrst II Christ be not
risen. then worlds trend Of thought
and character has been changed by
myth. AMI the whole Christian world lies
under "A charge Of imposition; then Easter
day. throughout the ages, and every
Sunday, a. a memorial of the resurrec
ton. spsaks Of ialsehOOd, aud the
change brought about Is a miracle as
great almost AZ the resurrection itseli.
70 the Christian who believes 10 the In
carnati0n there is 10 difficulty. for the
One who performed the one could by the
same Almighty power accomplish the
other.
At4p m the childrens service was
held. The Sunday school gives evidence
OF growth. and prizes were given to
eleven who attained to the required
marks for attendance and lessons The
rector distributed cards TO all the chill
iren present At this service one infant
and two adults were baptized The OF
fering at this service was $40.
At 5 O'Clock evening prayer was said
and again the rector preached TO very
large congregation. All through the
day the congregations were large The
offerings throughout the day amounted
20 over $500
st. MARY's CATHO-lC.
Special services were held at ST Mary {
Catholic church Sunday. There were
two masses, the first being at 1870, the
second at 1890. At the first macs there
was an exceptionally large attendance
aud most OF the congregation received
Holy Communion. For the second mass
special music had been prepared and all
the hymns were well rendered. The main
and side affairs were beautifully decorated
with lilies and cut flowers, and In the
sanctuary were many palms.
Father Coleman preached on the resurrec-
ton, taking as his text the words OF the
Psalmist; "l'his is the day which the
Lord hath made. let US be glad and re-
ioice therein" He pointed out the great
lesson We are to learn from the resurrec-
ton. Christ rising from the dead dieth
now no more; death shall have no more
over Him." so that we would
initiate His resurrection, we also must
rise in such a manner from the death OF
sin as 10 die no more by returning to our
sins: but TO reckon ourselves hence Tor
ward to be dead to Elm, but alive TO God,
in Christ Jesus our Lord" This then lie
the great lesson we must learn from the
resurrection Of Christ. We must rise
with Him, so rs to continue forever to
live with Him and to return no more to
the dominion OF death.
Baptist.
At the Baptist church the pastor, Rev.
R. A. Williams. preached In the morning,
and Rev. VIM. Melville, Of the Methodist
Conference, preached at night. TIE
special music for each service was very
fine and much enjoyed. The qnsrtette
In the morning and the solo at night by
Mas Matte d Quinn were well rendered
and highly cOmplimented.
OTHER CHURCHES.
Regular services were held at the Pres
byterian and Christian churches, with
lama n noreOationa in attendance