Easter At The Churches

Large Attendance it Spite of the Rain
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FINE DECORATIONS
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Specially Prepared Music for the Sunday was Highly Appreciated
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     The service at First Baptist church Sunday night was deeply interesting and impressive. The double quartet had certainly done some fine work in preparing "The Story of the Cross," and they sung it with fine expression and power. Their voices blended beautifully. The closing anthem was a magnificent conclusion to the whole service. Eight persons were baptized--James Howell, Mrs. J. C. Thorpe, James A. Gucker, Miss Lillian Tibbets, DeForest Kellogg, Harry Cole, Arthur Cole and Geo. McCracken. The Easter decorations were elaborate and very attractive.
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     In spite of the inclement weather a very good congregation assembled at Trinity Lutheran church on Easter morning and the services were very impressive. There was no sermon, but the choir rendered some choice selections of Easter music. One child was baptized, twelve new members added to the church and the sacrament of the Lord's Supper administered. The pastor announced that those who intended to unite with the church but could not be present, would be received next Sunday morning. 
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     The service at the Unitarian church Sunday morning was largely attended in spite of the rain. The church was beautifully decorated with Easter lilies, jonquils, marguerites and palms, by the King's Daughters. The beautiful memorial window, the gift of Mrs. Frances Lillie, in memory of her infant son, was wreathed in smilax by loving friends who wished to show their appreciation of Mrs. Lillie's gift. The window is not only an exquisite work of art, but also an inspiration to many worshippers who assemble in the church. Excellent Easter music was rendered by the choir, under the direction of Miss Marian Smith, organist, assisted by Messrs. Carl Smith and Wiest, Mrs. George Key, the Misses Perrine, Coffey, George, French and Albert Long, violinists, and Mr. Quackenbush, clarinet. 
     A short sermon was preached by Rev. Dr. Crooker on "Easter." Some of his beautiful sentiments were in part as follows:
     "It is the festival of the life of joy, the festival of immortal joy and of immortal hope. Tearful as the day may be without, yet it brings to us the promise of that glorious day which is to come. The life of God is unfolding all about us. If we will but open our eyes and hearts, we will see and feel the glad and joyous presence of the God within us. Risen with Christ- not as something that must exist here and now, not as a future mystery but as a present spiritual attainment, an organic memory, the upreaching of creation through heredity, the past stretches the canvas; the present paints. It is the past that strings the vocal chords; the present sings its songs of joy and life."
     After the sermon, the following persons united with the church: Mrs. Spencer, Mr. Jordon, Miss Jordon, Miss Flynn, Mrs. Stevens.
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     The Sunday school of the Unitarian church had a special Easter service Sunday, consisting of Easter songs and recitations, at the close of which each child was presented with a flower, bouquets of jonquils.
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     Notwithstanding the bad weather, St. Thomas' church was crowded at the 10:30 service Sunday morning. Haydn's Imperial Mass was rendered and the choir was in excellent form. At the offertory "I am He that Liveth," baritone solo and chorus, was sung in a beautiful manner.
     The church was very handsomely and elaborately decorated with roses, carnations, tulips and palms, while the electric lights over the main altar made it a fitting scene for the celebrating of so beautiful a festival--that of the Resurrection.
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     Owing to lack of time and space some of the Easter services were omitted in yesterday's Argus.
     Both the early morning service and the regular morning service in St. Andrew's Episcopal service were very largely attended. The musical programs, particularly at the regular service, were very fine. The vested choir of 36 boys, under the leadership of Prof. Reuben Kempf, did unusually good work.The boys were very kindly remembered by a generous Easter offering. 
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     The musical program at the morning service in the Congregational church was especially arranged for the occasion. An extra number of the regular program was given as an offertory. Miss Leda Stimpson sang a soprano solo with violin obligato by Miss Katharine Lindenschmitt.
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     The children of the Bethlehem Evangelical church gave an excellent program at 6:30 p. m. It was opened by Schaeberle's orchestra with a very pleasing piece. The little ones sang nicely. Sunday School Superintendent Gauss told the children the history of the origin of the Easter egg.