The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1908-04-20

Easter. the glad feast OF hope. com
memorating the resurrection OF Christ
the most important event in mans re
demptieu, the foundation Of Christian
faith, and the basis of Christian hope
was celebrated yesterday with joyous
acclaim and much splendor in the Chris
tan churches of Washington.
The sun, wrapped in somber mantle Of
fog and clouds on the vigil of the feast
appeared all respondent and with new
fires at Casters dawn, and In the ra
diant sun the Christian finds ever Z
pledge of hope
The churches were decorated with
flowers and palms. principal among which
was the symbol of purity. the lily. Ser
mons were delivered at all the churches.
At st. Patrick's Church.
Elaborate ceremonies were held at st
Patrick's Catholic Church. At II O'Clock
solemn high mass was sung. Father VIII
lam J. Carroll was celebrant, Rev Mr.
Carrico was deacon, and Rev. Mr.. Muir
ply was subdeacon. Both assistants
are from Holy Cross College. Alberi
~NA'tt- a. was 4AleatEi VI NFtfftltAlE1s
Beethoven's mass. with full orchestra,
was sung by the choir Armand Gum.
pFeeht was the leader; Mrs Annie Grant
Fugitt. soloist; Mrs. Esther Gumprecht
,OntTalto; n D. Hensey, tenor. ana T
A. Murray, bass. The concluding mum
Der BY the choir was the chorus. I'm
told. Ye Portals"
Magnificent floral decorations covered
the altar and the chancel interior Lilies
palms, smilax, and ferns. interspersed
with myriads OF lighted candles. were
prettily arranged on the altar The con
gregatiOn was one of the largest ever
seen at St. Patricks Hundreds were
unable 10 gain admission. many stand
ing outside the doors during the serv-
ICES.
DR., William T. Russell, pastor,
preached the\ sermon, taking for his
text the words Of st. Paul: "He has
risen as He said"
Father RusseITs Sermon.
Or. Russell's sermon was an argument
in favor OF the resurrection. based on
the testimony of the apostles. He said:
To deny the resurrection we must prove that the
apostles were either deceived OF decriTeTs. If We
lake the first suupostiou, that they were deceived
Il is because the facts they nauate Rere too palpa-
be to be placed in the category of events likely 70
nislead common sense and ordinary intelligence
We cannot suppose they we're deceivers unless
Ee assert they lied 20 themselves and the world
But men who taught the highest morality. who
preached and practiced every virtue. who revealed
their can shortcomings with singular candor, and
who would deTlTe 50 little reward fT0l such in.
position, cannot be accused Of such deception.
Erna & Hk.H aafa1. a..
have had the cd5Tsga Ia DO 80. Had they desired
to deceive aud had they possessed the courage ueceS
sary 10 carry on 50 moustr0us deception IL would
have been impossible to do 50. because I'VE cannot
conceive how SO many persons could band together
suffer together. and die to maintain lie. when nc
earthly reward could be expected frm their crime
The earliest enemies Of Christianity asserted that
the apostles stole away the body Of jesus while the
guards slept For al time the argument Of Celsls
and Julian the apCstate most astute men and burn
ing With hatred Of Christianity must be regarded
as a bulwark Of unbelief The most ancient and
strongest argument against the resurrection is based
% the testimony Of the guards placed around the
seUIlcher by the Roman governor who sW0re that
the event which they swore TO occurred while tley
we're asleep We cannot believe. without accepting
greater mysteries than the resurrection itself thar
the apostles either deceived OF were deceiyers
r. then. hearts swell to-day with a JOY and e1-
ultatiQn not bOm Of earth; II our h0pss rise HeaF-
onward on stronger suTer wings, there is for
a departed friend relative and when grief over
Whems US religion whispers: Ny child look up
ward! And 10, at the touch Of faith the dark
veil is parted and hope presents to us or gorided
Redeemer. while the instinct Of life wndying within
Us reechoes the chant Of the angelic choir: He has
risen as be said Aleluia.
Yes know that nv Redeemer liYeth % grave.
where Is thy victory. death where Is tly sting!''
For he hath risen as lie said. Alielai&l
Solemn vespers we're sung at 80 o'clock
by Father Carroll assisted by Fathers
Michigan and O'COnnor. Father Albert
Smith. Of the Apostolic Mission House.
preached on the joys and consultations
OF Easter The choir sang the harmon
ICED plain chant.
AS at the morning services, the church
was crowded, and the eloquent words of
Father Smith received the closest at
tention.
In all the other Catholic churches the
feast was duly celebrated. The churches
were beautifully decorated. and the ser
mons were on the resurrection and the
lessons It taught.
In st. A1Oysius' Church.
The services In St Aloysius Church
including the celebration of solemn pom
tifcal high mass in communication OF
the Feast of the Resurrection. the in
staIlatioh OF the new sanctuary choir.
and the hlessing of its members bv his
exceIIency Dionlede Falconio. the apos-
tolic delegate-a feature OF the ceremony
which will ever be remembered by all
who witnessed It as one of the most
important events in the history of that
church.
A memorable scene was also enacted at
the close of the mass, when the papal
benediction was given by his exceIency
Mgr. Falconio.
The delegate stood before the high
altar. st either side the deacons OF honor,
Rev Father John B. Pittar, s. J., and
Rev Father John B. Kelleher. S. J.. and
before him the celebrant. Rev. Father
Henry A. Leary, S. J., the deacon. Rev.
Father William D. Kean. S. J.. and the
subdeac0n OF the mass, Rev. Richard i.
O'Brien, S. jail vested in cloth of gold:
near by the archpTiest, Mgr. Cheretti,
and 40 the right Of the delegate. Rev
James A Byrne S. J.. director of the
ehoTisteTs and acolytes. In the sanctuary
knelt 100 white-robed altar boys, while the
striking features of rich cOlorings in the
impressive scene were enhanced by the
soft lights from myriads Of wax tapers
on the high altar In the back ground
richly adorned with Easter blooms.
From the -alcove to the right OF the
sanctuary the new choristers chanted the
responses as the apostolic delegate ad-