Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1909-04-27
LOS ANGELES EASTER SERVICE.
Practices at Two Kinds Of Churches
Described.

Cloremona, Cal. April Is, 1909.
Easter in this land of flowers is
certainly to be remembered; their
profusion is limited only by the time
and the ingenuity of the decorator.
In our own church here the principal
factor was the Bankshea rose, q
climber with handsome foliage and
clusters of small, white blossoms, in
their glory now; this was draped In
every available place around the in
evitable lilies. Huge cornucopias
made from the stumps Of palm
branches, filled with flowers hung at
each pillar which supported the gal
lery and in the pews were beautiful
boutouniers Of roses for each wor-
shipper. Nv &gGfis-i!R ~ h$'
was with friend in Los Angeles
and attended very beautiful and in
spring service at the House of Truth.
heard Miss Wilson, favorite D." Bis
marcker, sing and afterwards shook
hands with her, Mrs. Beardsley and
Mr.. and Mrs. Pye. ,.. N SS.s
We had gone early to 9 neighAoftng
church hoping to ee its decorations,
but the doors were locked and
throngs were being turned away. We
went there afterwards and heard the
closing music; standing, as did many
others. ~
The light streamed in softened rad
lance through the costly windows and
over the 10000 snowy lilies used in
symbol of the resurrection morn,
over white gowns of the shorus and
orchestra, supplemented by the grand
organ in proclaiming His praises;
over the easy. richly cushioned pews
only partially filed by the worshipers
Who had rented them and 80 paid for
the whole performance; but where
was he? and where the poor who
heard Him gladly? The whole thing
seemed caustic comment on cur
rent conventional Christianity.
A treat long to be treasured I'M
mind was the communion service in
another church at p. m. Here pews
are free and a systematic effort made
to welcome and interest outsiders
with the result that a large proper
ton of the 1900 members were left
out In the cold at the morning ser
vice but found g1adder pleasure I'm
sitting at their Lords table that at
ternoon when forty-four more com
were added to their mum.
her, S@s
After the new members were well
coined by the old, still standing, the
invitation was extended to all those
who were members of the other
or wished to be clsssed |
among the followers of Our Lord |
Jesus Christ, to rise with us and
enter into the pledge of fellowship.
The quartette, perhaps the best in
the city, sang that simple and me-
lodious hymn Though Yours Sins Be
us Scarlet" and were only heard |
again in the closing response; all par
taking with the other communicated
During the passing of bread and vine
the organ $breathed soft stanza of |
Abide With Me-" CT something sim
liar, and the great congregation, with
out AN accompaniment, my FAITH
Looks Up TO Thee"
After the service I went up to shake
hands with the kpastor "a friend OIL
many years, standing. and was intro
ducved to Judge Wilbur, who holds
much the same unique position in Los
Angeles as that held by Judge Find
gey in Denver. The Judge was just
saying II have not attended an +Eas-
ter morning service for years but
someone must look after the outsid-t
ers." He was at an overflow meet
Ing. He and his pastor, with their
various humanitarian projects stand
Tor what Is vital in the churchanity
81 the city. today.
Z KATHERINE vi KING. /
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