EASTER CHURCH DECORATIONS.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2498, 10 April 1882, Page 4

EASTER CHURCH DECORATIONS.

As is customary with the Anglican Ohurohi a on Easter Day, they were decorated, and special services held. At the Cathedral the decorations were chaste and artistic. Celebrations of the Holy Communion t ook place at 7,8, and 11 a.m The north aisle was appropriated to the volunteers, who mustered in good force, headed by the Oamaru band. The preacher in the morning was the Bishop, and in the evening the Dean. The services were in Stainer in I! flat, the anthem in the morning being “This is the day 1 ' (Sewell), evening, “Blessed be the Hod and Father ” (S 8. Wesley). The hymns were the ordinary Easter processional.

The Easfcor decorations at the Church of St. Michael and All Angels, although not so elaborate os at times when the festive season falls later in the year, when the autumn flowers are available in larger quantities, was very effective. Around the chancel arch ran the words, “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, heaven and earth are full of Thy glory.” The columns were specially wreathed, as also were the church pillars. The choir stalls were decorated with flowers, and so, too, was the pulpit. The font was also nicely ornamented. The Bev. Walter Harper officiated at all the servioea of the day, which were well attended.

The Church of St. Luke’s was very prettily decorated for the great festival. Over the Communion table the letters H.O. appeared on either side of the gilt cross ; whilst the words “ Christ is risen ” were shown in white letters on a scarlet groued. The choristers’ stalls and chancel gasaliers wore nicely festooned with flowers and foiiage. The chancel pillars and also the pillars of the nave were spirally twined. Above the chancel entrance the words, “ Christ, our passover, is sacrificed for us, let ns therefore keep the feast ” were displayed. The pulpit and font were moat appropriately decorated. Along the wall of the ohnroh ran the inscription, “ I am He that Hvoth. and was dead, and behold I am alive for evermore, amen, and have the keys of hell and of death.” “It ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth at the right hand ef God.” At the main entrance, the sentence ‘‘Death is si.allowed up in victory” was nicely traced in laurel leaves, and the sacred monogram IHB was shown on a scarlet cloth in gold letters. The whole display was very effective. The services of the day wore fully choral; celebration of the Holy Communion at 7 and 8.30 ; Morning Prayer at 11, followed by the third celebration of the Eucharist. A service was held for children in the afternoon, followed by evensong at 6 30 p.m. The Bev. E. A. Lingard officiated at all the services.

The decorations at St, John’s Church were very attractive. The eastern window was ornamented with a cross wreathed with evergreens, and showing a crown and star illuminated. The decorations on the pulpit wore chiefly floral. On the centre shield was an ornamental cross, and the letters I.H. S. in crystal, and above a very pretty crown, the flowers used being chiefly geraniums, dahlias, and chrysanthemums, relieved here and there with toi-coi and holly. The leotern was also prettily decorated, and the chancel rails were spaced with appropriate emblems and monograms. The font, which was decorated exclusively with growing ferns, was perhaps the most attractive feature in the decorations. In the centre were two small tree ferns, and underneath a number of choice ferns in pots, including an excellent specimen of the Todea enparba, the general effect being very pretty indeed. Other parts of the church were appropriately decorated with flowers and evergreens. The Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Merivale, was very nioaly decorated for the festival. The font was ornamented with evergreens and geraniums, the pillars and chancel arohos bearing evergreens interspersed with dahlias. The choir stalls and lectern were prettily decorated, and on the walls were several sacred monograms, ornaments, &c. The services were fully choral at matins and evensong, the incumbent the Eev. T. Fiavell, officiating at both. The processional hymns were 13 and 351, the Psalms being to Mercer’s setting, the Te Damn Dyke’s service, and the anthem “ They have taken away my Lord,” In the evening the Magnificat and “ Nunc Dimittis ” were to Garrett’s setting, the Hymns Nos. 302 and 153, and the responses festal.

At Avorside the decorations were exceedingly pretty, the choir stalls, leotern, and chancel arches being decorated with evergreen* and flowers. The font especially looked very pretty, and the mottoes were very artistically done. -There was an early celebration of the Holy Communion, and the services throughout the day were fully choral. The incumbent, the Bev. Mr Pasooe, preached morning and evening.