If you're expecting a reporter to cover Easter services at your church this Sunday, chances are disappointment will result. But that was not the case in Chariton 130 years ago, when Easter fell on April 21, too.
It seems likely that The Chariton Democrat's editor relied on second-hand reports from most of the five congregations mentioned --- based on his degree of enthusiasm I'm betting he was at the Episcopal church, but it's unlikely we'll ever know for sure.
Nor is it clear why he failed to report on the doings at the two other churches then active in the city --- Swedish Lutheran and First Christian --- which must surely have observed Easter, too.
All of the congregations active in Chariton during 1889 remain, but none are located in the buildings their members occupied then. The Knights Templar, an affiliate of Freemasonry, have vanished.
But the flowers are still here --- and those interspersed here were blooming around town late Thursday afternoon. Here's The Democrat report, dated April 25, 1889:
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Appropriate Easter services were observed in most of the churches of this place Easter Sunday, April 21. It being the regular day for missionary services, the exercises at the Baptist Church were devoted to the missionary cause.
The Methodist, Catholic, Presbyterian and Episcopal churches were each beautifully decorated in commemoration of the resurrection of the Savior. They seemed to vie with each other in the beauty of the floral ornaments.
Rev. Austin, pastor of the M.E. Church, chose for his text the words, "What think ye of Christ?" Matt. 22-42; and dwelt on the human and divine nature of the Savior, and showed that because he was divine, the people expected the circumstances following his death to be more than ordinary. In the evening, regular Easter services were held, consisting of songs and recitations. The Sunday School collection of the day amounted to nearly $35.
At the Presbyterian Church, Rev. Atwood preached from a pulpit almost buried in beautiful and rare flowers, from the words, "Why seek ye the living among the dead?" He opened with a few simple words addressed to the children, and, then addressing himself to the older members of the congregation, told in a most interesting manner the story of the death and resurrection of Christ. The anthems by the choir were impressive, and all felt as they wended their way from the services that surely it was good for us to be there.
At St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, the Rev. F. Duncan Jaudon held the fort and preached a most impressive sermon from the text, "The Lord is risen indeed." A feature of this service was the presence of Immanuel Commandery, No. 50, Knights Templar, in full uniform. The latter part of the reverend gentleman's sermon in which he referred to the pilgrim warrior and pilgrim penitent, their years of battle and weary pilgrimage, was particularly striking and beautiful. The breadth and depth of these references were better understood by the Knights (and the rector who is one of them) than by other members of the congregation. A profusion of beautiful flowers surrounded the holy altar. The music of the episcopal service, always the sweetest praises on earth, were on this sacred occasion particularly sweet. It was all in all a very pleasant, profitable and happy occasion.
At the Catholic Church no pains were spared to beautify to the fullest extent the interior of the building. The decorations were elaborate and beautiful, a profusion of richly blooming flowers showing their bright colors and shedding their fragrance over all. Rev. Father Byer, of Lincoln, Neb., preached an eloquent and impressive sermon on the Resurrection. The Gregorian chant was very acceptably rendered by the choir, and Rev. Father Sheridan celebrated and sang the Mass.
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