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About Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922 | View Entire Issue (April 8, 1906)
I THE OMAIIA ILLUSTRATED BEE. Aprfl . lOOrt. Omaha Pulpits and Some Noted Men Who Have Filled Them )t ft V IT I.' V - - L -U '1 ll L..aj - i i" 1 i i!a JO M ; ! - -s t. BT. PHILOMENA'S PULPIT-CANOPY OF FULPIT BEEN AT LETT, IN ALTAR RECESS. PULPIT AT BT. JOHN'S STANDS LN FRONT OF TITD ATTAR RBCES3. MONO Protestant churchoo ,now!i- days the word "pulpit" has about aa milch literal truth applied to to clcslastlcn.1 architecture as the -word "quill" haa to' the equip ment of ,tha writer In theae piping times of typewriting machines and fountain pens. . Webster's requirement that It be "an ele vated place" la met. but the picture accom panying the definition la not. About the only edifices where the pulpit resembling the factorial lines can be found are- the Cafhollo and Episcopal churches. These show, also, why a certain wild-flower was dubbed "Jack-ln-the-Pulpit." There la a little elevated round or many aldud box near 'the center or to the side of the altar, am) approached by a flight of steps, some times straight and sometimes winding. Otie thinks of Savanarola preaching from thl lnd of pulpit, and os a matter of fact It Is probable that he did and It could ' be proven. But In the modern Protestant churah no provision Is msda ' for the reality ef this striking symbol. Be hind the chancel rail is an "elevated place," upon which Is a bible stand, backed by one or more chairs of the con ventional forlorn and unpleasant tyne. The preacher stands t the side or behind his bthle- stand. The sense of Isolation snd remoteness that comes from a position In the tiny car above the multitude and standing out clear-chiseled amid the stained glsss and the arches snd, plllsrs, . Is lost. The new-wsy la more mttr of tact; more safe and convenient for the preacher perhaps, but It dfes not hn.Tn!e wita the artistic and Imaginative spirit. Two Real PnlpHs In Omaha. ' The ; two pulpits that look like pulpits In Omaha that have probably held more eminent divines than any other are those In St. Phllomena's cathedral and at Trinity oatkedral. In the last decade the old Cathollo cathedral on Ninth street has lost-Mite eclat that once surrounded It when the town was not so big and the building not so old. . That was before the lofty spire got wobbly and had to be pulled doWh." But St. Phllomena's Is still the..' cathedral and when Bishop Bcannell' preaches It la there he speaks. .Meanwhile the new and much more, magnificent ca . thedro.1 Is being built, far removed geo graphically from the eld one and the latter languishes more and more from Its pristine glory 'as the days ro by. It'-was In St. Phllomena's pulpit that ..Jllln i t t it MM muu Mil;; 1 S a r r 7 1 i. 1 fHli 5' PULPIT OF" THE FIRST METHODIST CHURCH IN FRONT OF THE GREAT ORGAN. vo, - ; lillJ.lllh.t., i l!lijiijllJjj?jlll j ! fill I v -If- PtTtiPIT OF THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, WITH ITS BACKGROUND OF PIPE ORGAN. Archbishop Ryan of Philadelphia preached the funeral sermon of Bishop 0"Connor, the first prelate of the Nebraska, diocese,- one ' day In early June. 1890. The archbishop, who had been a great friend of the de ceased, came all the way from Philadelphia to officiate. Some time before he had been In Omaha and delivered several lecturos from' the same pulpit, one of them being on "The Philosophy of Religion." ' Along about US77 Rev. George. Conroy, ablegate to Canada, preached several times In the cathedral. Archbishop Glennon of St. Louts, whose recent criticism of Indis criminate theater going caused much dis cussion, and other well known prelates have graced this preaching box with their presence and eloquence. The old-timers remember well the eloquence of Father D. I. McDermott, then the pastor and' now of Philadelphia, who along about 1879 preached a series of sensational sermons levelled at the "Molly Magutres" and secret societies. The church was packed to hear each one. Ttien there were the many mis sionary fathers they who' grow magnificent In the touching sincerity of their argument, who have talked from the pulpit year In and out. Trlaltr's Hoaored Host. The pulpit of Trinity cathedral has held PULPIT AT FIRST fXttfaBJOaAXXOXAIi CHURCH, A READING STAND IN FRONT OF CHOIR. Bishop Worthlngton was consecrate! In 1888. One of the early deans was Dean Garrett, considered one of the groRlest pulpit orators In the cnurch. who been me . bishop of Texas. Dean Mlllspaugh, who succeeded him. Is now bishop of northern Kansas, his talents laying more In organisa tion than In eloquence, however. lcnn Gardner, who served as such from 18S6 to 1894, preached many times from the Trinity pulpit. It Is said of him that he was one of the moat universally loved men that ever lived in Omaha. From time to time the most famous dignitaries of the Ameri can church have pleaded with congregations in the name of Christ from the Trinity pulpit. It Is rich in associations and memo ries. Rev. Cyrus Townsend Brady, now famous as a writer of fiction and setm historical - tales, was curate at Trinity nearly twenty years ago. First Methodist's Pailplt. Pulpit eloquence has been an accepted thing at the First Methodist church for years back down to the present day. From 18H to 189S the pulpit there was filled by Rev. Frank Crane, brilliant, original and Invariably securing large audiences by what he had to say and (he way he said' It. From 1896 to 1899 was Rev. John Mc-Quold, the only pastor of the church mho 'has been honored by a memorial tablet there in. Later came the scholar I and pulpit orator. Rev. A. C. Hirst, who left Omaha to take charge of the old historic Cen tenary church of Chicago. Congregational Preachers of ftote. Twenty years ago the fame and eloquence ' of the Rev. Wlllard Scott drew largo crowds to St. Mary's Avenue Congrega tional church and the pulpit there has known many gifted tongues besides his. At the First Presbyterian church Rev. W. J. Harsha, esteemed one of the finest preachers of the sect, occupied the pulpit for soma time. Recollections of the re markable power of speech possessed by Dr. Joseph T. Duryea, who came from Boston to the First Congregational church In 1889 and remained about four years, are still Uvely. Omaha, pulpits have had their share of the more marked genius and talent in x- , pounding the word of God. To try to catalogue the great evange lists who have filled local pulpits would entail an Immense amount of labor. . ; ' ii i i ii a. ii i m ii I.,, i..,-,...,,,,.,.., .,., j ; ii Ph a L .. ... lit Ul HI f? i fc fV m if? :!V rl It .! m i - . ' u . ... j ; ;t , . ' - v . . Tt , V . PULPIT AT TRINITY CATTTflJDHAti IB LOCATED AT. TI'E LEFT AND IN FRONT- OF 'THE ALTAR. . . many clergymen out of ' the ' ordinary bo cause of various characteristics. The pulpit stands to the left of the altar and Is plain and unpretentious. Rev. BUhop Clarkson, first ruler of -the diocese, who Is never mentioned by those who knew him except In words of admiration, did not live long to preach In the -cathedral he bad built. Lilies for Eastertide-Whence They Come and How They Are Grown ONSIDER the lilies of the field. how. they grow; they , toll not, neither -do they spin;, and yot- I say unto you that even Solomon In all his glory was not arrayed like 'one of these.". These words of Jesus In III Sermon on the Mount would not be needed to call the attention of people to the lily at this age and' at this season of the year. Perhaps the 'ethical . .point Jesus wished to make when He talked of the Illy la not recalled to the minds of all when they see the flower, unless the preacher mentions It In his Easter sermon, but the aesthetlo sense Is aroused always, and the beautiful and the good are very kindred. But chlefeat thing of all. the lily, which has been taken as an emblem of the day on which Christ arose front the dead, brings thoughts of Him who preached the Ser mon on the , Mount. The florist considers the Illy, you may be sure, and considers It well, but 'from a standpoint of finance more than any othe He Considers just as assiduously the vio let, the tulip, the hyacinth, the daffodil and . s, doaen other beautiful blossoms. During, the last two days of this week, he will require In his shop several times the ticua) force, from seven fp ten extra elerks txtlng needed; and d silvery boy ( gajore. ' The florist "wtl bo Just about as busy as tt Is poMlUe tor any nan to be. Thousands upon thousands of . potted -plants and bunches of' cut fluwers will be sold front bis shops, and In addition he Is the one who will be called upon to make arrange ments for the elaborate church decora tions Sunday. ' Easter Lilies tu Great Demaad. this -season, Just as they were laat year Easter lilies will be In greatest demand and the year before and ten years ago. No flower Is so popular as an emblem of purity, nor so In keeping with the senti ment of the season. Though It Is hoped that no family will have to get along with out Its lilies this year, the flowers, at least those of the finest quality, are not quite -so plentiful as lost spring. A year ago Easter was a' week? later and the lilies were fresh, healthy and at the height of their splendor,' having been allowed their own time for perfect development. This year the flowers will be of the very best. In Cases where the florist allowed Nature to take Its course, for the warm weather of the last few days has brought the plants out wonderfully. If the last week had been continually cold and cloudy the prospects would be poor for any large amount of fine lilies. The reason that lilies will be fewer than a year ago Is that some of the florists put their plants In cold places during the warm periods of January and February,' fearing . the high temperature would cause them to blossom before spring, and the lilies received such a set back that they are now behind the sea son, being not so easy to force as tulips. Of course, forcing will bring them out, but such a quick growth as will be necessary will leave the blooms soft and lacking In vigor and freshness. But here is the best thing or this sea son, especially for the girl who "Just loves'' Violets. There will be a fair, sup ply of violets this year, where last season only a few bunches were to be had at fancy prices, the flowers having bloomed and faded before the advent of Easter. The new Easter gown may surely have its proper complement this seaaon. Violets will not be cheap, however many of them there are, because there Is such a large demand for them In all parts -of the country. Even If Omaha had a surplus of violets, whloh she haa not, .a ready market could be found for them elsewhere. Muoh to the regret of my lady beautiful there are few double violets any more disease has done away with them. -4- Soaar of the Violet Heard. Other so-called spring flowers are here In abundance daffodils, tulips, lilies of the valley, hyacinths, narcissus and margu erites. All are fresh and healthy and can be had at the same figures aa in former years. Tulips and hyacinths are popular. Murlllo tulips, white, and delicately tinted with pink, have made their appearance and the beautiful Dutch and Roman hyacinths will be shown. Hydrangeas will be fairly plentiful. One cfthe most exquisite thing on the .1 r ! 1 "v v 71 V - ; - r. - - - " - - .V i r . - a 7 ",i. 'i i " n-- , '' v.. ' " V Vaster ijijk3 all ready for market. floral market Is the white lilac, and it is extremely scarce. The price can only be mentioned under the breath. ' Genista In Favor Again. The beautiful, golden, feathery genista, a flower of the sweet pea family, has come Into favor again from the days of twenty or thirty years ago, when It rivalled the lily In popularity. Two years ago a few were offered by Omaha florists, and they met with such demand that last year sev eral times as many were grown. This year the shops were well provided. The plants are more expensive than the Easter lily, ranging from $1 to S5, while the lily may be bought from 60 cents to 92.50. Probably the most expensive flowers that can be obtained are the' American beauty roses. Easter prices have not been named yet, but the flowers usually sell at 9t to til a doaen at Easter time. Carnations are the cheapest flowers, as well aa very popular ones, selling at 60 cents to 91 a doxen. Potted Plants Plentiful. Potted plants are bought very much for Easier gifts, many preferring to give these aa more lasting remembrances than cut flowers, which are pretty for a day and then wither. The lilies, hydrangeas, cine rarias, hyacinths, daisies and asaleas are old in pots. The florists are making little bankets of the blooming plants, often sev eral varieties in one basket, and selling them In place of cut flowers. The baskets are very simple little wooden or . pulp things and not very - handsome in them selves, but when properly trimmed with grasses or' tissue paper. and filled with the growing plants they become things of beauty. I .mud ef the Kaster Lily. The sunshine 'seems brighter, the breexe balmier, the sea bluer In the land of the Easter lily than in any other land." Perhaps this Is because the beauty of Bermuda dawnln- upon one soon after .leaving the cheerless north, makes by contrast an un usually vivid impression. To have le.'t city streets, swept by cold and desolating winds, or country homes surrounded by bleak, brown fields, and then suddenly, after a short two days' trip by water, to arrive at a fairy Island, where all Is wtrmth and brightness, where duxaling effects of light and shade, of green meadows and gay flowers entrance the eye and charm the senses, is to feel one's self Indeed transported to another realm. It is like living a chapter of the Arabian Nights. After one has experienced the sensuous delight of life on this semi-tropical Island one never sees ah Easter Illy without an inner vision arising of wmte roads flecked with the sunlight which fallB through high, arching trees, of long orchards of bananas, of quaint little snowy houses dotting the green sloping hlUslilea, and, most beautiful of all, the wide gardens of glorious Easter lilies, their white blooms making one mass Of loveliness and fragrance. These gardens vary In slse, some com 1 prising several acres, while others are but small patches of ground close by the little home of some native black, who helps out his modest Income by raising and selling a few Easter lilies. And here In the small patch, as In the largo cardan, the dark faces help unoonaoloiisly to fo'rni a color sceme of contrast, a. they bend low over the spotless white of the lilies. The plants are set out, all nlcel7 ar ranged In rows, and carefully tended until, the time for shipment, or for their sale to Bermudlan residents who have not gardens of their own, or to the large hotels, to be used for the tables, and to decorate the private rooms of visitors to Bermuda. Fields of Blossoms. The lilies commence to blossom some weeks before Easter, and white patches begin to appear scattered here and there over the green lily field, but It la not until April that the beds appear one unbroken stretch of gorgeous bloom. Shipment to the north starts before this period sets In and as early as the third week in March the lilies begin their Journey to less sunny climes. Each bud Is Jealously guarded and wrapped tenderly In the sofeat cotton wool; for these delicate, harbingers of Easter Joy, of spring's promises, of sweet ness and beauty, must not be chilled to freeslng on the way nor bruised by awk ward handling. The majority of the plants are sent to northern florists, but many boxes of buds are sent to private Individ uals, friends , of those who reside or are visiting. In Bermuda.. , For one who merely sees an Easter lily for Its brief season of life In the north no conception can be formed of the plcturo presented by this flower In the- Bermuda islands,, where vast fields of white blos soms appear to reach out unendingly. This brilliant effect is heightened by tho dazzling light of a southern sun against a bright blue sky. Many Bermudlans make the raising of Easter lilies their chief source of Income. It should be a profitable business, consider ing the large demand . from the north. Other natives Incline toward the cultiva tion of the more humble onion or potato. . Self-Sapporting People. The population of Bermuda Is over 60 per cent negroes. These people, on the whole, appear to be better educated and to have more refinement of manner than those of the' United 8tates. All of them Htm to be engaged In some kind of work. No tieggars exist on the islands. This fact Is remarkable, In view of a climate which easily might foster laziness. No tramps wander along the highways, nor are alma ever. asked, even In the towns. .Sometimes It happens that as your carriage drives paat a little .black, boy or girl will run out from a native house by the roadside and throw Into your lap a bunch of nar cissus or roses, for which he or she ex pects you to throw them a penny or six pence, but this Is not beggary. The Ber mudlans are Justly proud of the fact that none of them need or do ask for help. They are all self-supporting. Each native has his little or big banana orchard, onion, potato or lily field. And the oleanders! Whole hedges of them, here and there, a mile or so In 'length, bordering either side of the road and adding their brilliant quota to the al ready magnificent coloring of Bermuda. Rivalling the oleanders in brightness, one soon comes to a huge bush of hibiscus, or. In native dialect, "match-me-tf-you-can," the unequalled crimson flowers standing out In proud beauty against their back grouiid of shiny green leaves. Among these bright-hued flowers, flitting from tree to tree and buah to buah, there come frequent glimpses of the exquisitely tinted red and blue birds, peculiar to those Islands. It Is all too Ideal to seem real. It Is aa a dream come true. There are two marked Impressions which every stranger In Bermuda receives. These are the unaccountable blueness of, the surrounding water and the serene quiet of the Islands. For the water no adjectives are strong enough or Intense enough to tell how wonderful It Is how bluo. how green, how opalescent. No - paints are vivid enough to portray Its colors on canvas. It is hopeless to expect anyone ever to guess at Its beauty. It must be seen and then seen again' and again, and alwaya with new wonder that anything could be so alluring, so intox icating, so perfect In its loveliness, before one can begin to appreciate this most marvellous water. r ' " - ! i -4- , ,' : r V ''' X V V COAXING TUG FLOWERS FOR H ASTER BLOOMS.