The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-03-29
Good Friday.

CONTEMPLATION OF THE CRUCIFIxIoN.
Good Friday-which, by the way, seems at first
thought something like msnomer--is of those
which challenge the respect and veneration Of
all the nnumcrabe sects reposing within the bosom OF
Christianity Catholics, Epscopaians, Unitarians, Luz
therans Presbyterans, Methodists Universalists-a
Christian persussions, in fsct-recognse the soomnity
Of a day which calls to mind the crucaxion of the
Saviour Of men, and acknowledge the proprety Of sig
nalzing II by peculiar devotons and ceremonies. How
the prefix good came to be applied to the day instead
OF bad, or mournul or bloody, which might
slider more appropriate involved In considerable doubt
but the most rational and satisfactory explanation that
the term applied merely because by the great
event of that day Ohe crucflxion) mans redemption
was Accomplishments very good and desirable result be-
yond cavI However, others hold that tho name comes
from the Jews, who considered very good day,
much ~ witnessed the death OF Him whom they
gardea AS basphemer ana mpostor.
IN the Roman Catholic churches the ceremonies on Good
Friday the most mournfu and solemn Of the whole
year 1t is the only day on which there is
ton Of tho Eucharist and offered up Mass
livery thing in the Office recalls the passion OF Christ and
bids the shipper TO contemplate the Son OF God cruel
fed. Such lessons and tracts contain predictions Of
savour's coming and Of his mmolation read,
likewise the verdcatiou Of those prophecies related in
the history OF the passion by St. John. The priests and
their assis appear clothed in black vesments and
the affairs shorn of all ornamentaton with view 10
present everything in the most mournful aspect.
The most striking feature Of tho Catholic ceremonies
consists in the veneraton the alteration Of the cross
a custom which emily dates back far Christianity IT,
SELF Priests and people knee thrice before the cross and
then kiss token of their alteration of our Saviour
After this ceremony the host oonsecrated Holy
Thursday is brought back the altar from place Of
teup wi md In nriaat
receives the sacrament after which the vespers
the day previous sung This terminates the office
Of Good Friday.
In the Episcopaian churches special service s set
apart for this day The selection Of tho psalms be read
during what is technically termed "the prayers Of
the most "peatenta character and the gloria a after
each s read instead Of being chanted The lessons
also taken from the prophecies relative the savours
death and the funlment recorded by the Evangelist
St. John. Ths organ kept Theoretically sealed and II,
during the service, there any singing at ALL II is with
out musical accompaniment and the words selected
from the pentsntia psalms Of David sermon In gene
rally preached from relative TO the death Of
the Redecmer
In England and other European countries custom has
long existed Of keeping the day holy by nearly general
suspension Of business tho devout attending divine
vice. Another custom also exists Of living for break
fest a number Of buns which cross is impressed
These generally served up hot and many child looks
forward with pleasure for his shot bunsD Many
poor person few extra the sale Of these
huns and the following doggerel be hoard throughout
the quiet streets OF large cities during the carly hours OF
The morning
One-a -penny buns,
Two a-penny buns,
Ore penny, twoa.penny
Hot cross buns.
When Good Friday comes
oil IN
With her one a-penny, two a.penny
Hot cross buns.
This simple custom Of eating buns this auspicous
cay doubtless npresscs the event upon the minds Of the
rising generation with sufficient force that when they
get much older they reverence the day with due
soiemnity.