Introductory.

THE First Church of Dorchester, Mass., was formed in Plymouth, England, and sailed March 20 (O.S.), 1630, for America it was established in Dorchester, June 6, 1630. It was the second church planted in the Massachusetts Colony, the third in New England, and through annexation becomes the oldest church in Boston. The anniversary of the gathering in England was observed on the 28th of March, the Sunday, according to the present reckoning, nearest to the date of the departure from England.

The celebration fell on Easter Sunday. The weather was anything but propitious. A snow-storm mingled with rain, which began the previous night, continued during most of the day. Considering the inclement weather, the attendance was unexpectedly large. Besides the regular attendants of the First Church, there were many from the neighboring churches of Dorchester, and representatives from Roxbury, Cambridge, Milton, Newton, and adjacent towns.

The pulpit was tastefully decorated with ivies, roses, ferns, and callas. Potted plants were skilfully arranged below. A basket of fresh trailing arbutus from the shores of the Potomac gave a spring charm to the wintry day. Over the doors leading to the vestry were the figures "1630 — 1880" in evergreen.

The music was furnished by the organist of the church,

Henry W. Edes, and the regular choir,― Mrs. H. F. Knowles, soprano; Mrs. Thomas Drake, contralto; Allen A. Brown, tenor; W. L. Vinal, basso.

Appropriate exercises were held in the Sunday-school, preceding the services in the church. Addresses were made by the pastor; the superintendent, George W. Fox; Richard C. Humphreys and Edward Payson Jackson.

The order of services for the day may be seen from the following programme :

Hymn.

TUNE: America." Words by Rev. JOHN PIERPONT.

Gone are those great and good,
Who here in peril stood

And raised their hymn.

Peace to the reverend dead!
The light that on their head
The passing years have shed
Shall ne'er grow dim.

Ye temples, that to God
Rise where our fathers trod,
Guard well your trust,—
The faith that dared the sea,
The truth that made them free,
Their cherished purity,

Their garnered dust.

Thou high and holy One,

Whose care for sire and son

All nature fills,—

While day shall break and close,

While night her crescent shows,

Oh, let thy light repose

On these, our hills!

Sermon.

By the Pastor, Rev. S. J. BARROWS.

"The Genesis and Exodus of the First Church."

And his elect with joy
Observe for ever more,

Out of the cru - el

land where they Had lived in great annoy. And faith-ful ly 0 bey his laws, Praise ye the Lord there for.

Welcome by the Pastor.

Music.

"God is a Spirit,"

W. Sterndale Bennett.

Addresses.

His Thy

will

I

praise thy name, And bless Thee day by tate up on thy works, Most won-der- ful 0

day. Great is the Lord most worthy praise, Lord. And they shall of thy power and of

greatness none can reach, From race to race they shall thy works Praise, and thy power preach. fear-ful acts de clare; And I to publish all abroad, Thy great-ness will not spare.

.

Addresses.

Psalm 100.

Words and music as used in 1630. TUNE: "Old Hundred."

All people that on earth do dwell

Sing to the Lord with cheerful voice:
Him serve with fear, his praise forth tell,
Come ye before him and rejoice.

The Lord ye know is God indeed;
Without our aid, he did us make.
We are his flock, he doth us feed,
And for his sheep he doth us take.

Communion Service.

Conducted by Rev. JOHN H. MORISON, D.D.