The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1866-03-30
Good Friday.

aB the DrLQ QSy Oh Luo udsO VI ~oSsA~
and resurrection are clearly marked by their rela-
ton to the feast of Passover. But even If there
were doubt in the date of these also, the ceebra-
ton Of Good Friday and Easter would not, there
fore, be less proper. We know that the followers
OF CALVIN have always discouraged the observance
of all these church festivals; snd mono more 30
than the Puritans OF New England. This was,
however, nothing more than rebound from the
abuses and superstitions into which the obserV-
ance OF all holidays had fallen, about the time OF
the Reformation. And while tho Catholic Church.
perhaps, has too many festivals, the Oalvinists,
we believe, err on the other side, by discounte-
nancing them altogether.
The annual commemoration of the Crucixlon
is eminently proper, and cannot but be beneficial,
to the Christian. We observe the anniVersary OF
the death OF those we love, as it returns year by
year; how much more ought we to pay this honor
to Him, who suffered death for us all;-who died,
after suffering the most intense physical and men
tai agony,-borne down with the weight OF the
sins of whole world,-the sins OF centuries gone,
and OF the ages yet to come.
Good Friday is observed both in Catholic and
Protestant Churches with great solemnity, as
MES are OF very imposing character, and both
the deyout and the curious repair thither from
distant parts of Europe and America, to witness
the splendor Of the ritual. The churches are
draped in black; the bells are mufaed; the dolor-
GUS Mserere moves all eyes to tears, varying only
in minor points, according to the peculiar customs
Of the place.
A most curious custom prevails in some parts
OF Catholic Germany, during Lent. The church
bells land NO church there is without them), are
supposed to have gone to Rome; they do not call
to prayers, as is their wont. substitute is re-
auired, and furnished In the form OF crowds OF
boys, going through the different streets OF a
town or village, at certain hours OF the day and
night, calling people to prayers with wooden
rattles and cappers OF various sizes and descrip-
tions. During Passion Week the calls to the
sanctuary arc 30 frequent, that the "rattlers'
never get of the street at all The bells are sup
posed TO get back ON Saturday just in time to
greet in the glorious Easter morn in merry Joy
GUS peel In some parts Of Germany the rattling
is confined to Holy Week, and not extended all
through Lent. The boys, from the ages OF SIX TO
fifteen, go from house to house, during the latter
part OF Passion Week, and levy contributions OF
eggs from the pious, good-natured housekeepers,
BY way of reward for their rafting labors. These
oval presents arc stored up for 0stereser, and a
boy, who is good beggar, has his six dozen or
more Easter eggs, and can ''tip' with all comers.
Sometimes, of course, two factions OF rattlers,-
geographical parties,-up-towners and down.
towners-get each other by the hair or shirt
collars and ply the rattles freely, on each others
heads. We have not ungrequenty seen severe
battles among these village Hampdens.
AS Good Friday has very generally been OBJ
served by the community Of Charleston hereto
fore, our readers will not expect any paper to.
morrow,-printers being great sticklers for old
customs. Our typos would not work on church
holiday for the world; not that they arc more re-.
ligious than other people, but they have great
and laudable reverence for old customs.
Easter.
The Church, fro an early period in it's history,
has observed the anniversary OF the Resurrection
of our Saviour with joyful solemnity. The event
commemorated is well calculated to awaken feel
ings of gratitude and e1ultation in every heart.
The Resurrection is the keystone OF the scheme OF
Redemption-the crowning glory Of the Christian
system. It marks the completion OF Chrises
mission on earth, and the ample fu fllment OF all
the Messianic prophecies.
There are, moreover, circumstances OF an ex-
trinsic nature, that unto in making Easter SCR
son of cheerulness and iestivity. TIE closing OF
Lent,-tho emerging of the Church from long
season of fasting and mourning, onco more to as
sumo the garb OF joyousuess-cannot but throw
an air OF brightness over the feast. All nature
seems In sympathy With the rejoicing Christian,
and at this time shakes off tho wintry torpor,
LAYS by her solnbre garments, and arrays herself
in all the beauty and soft, lovely tiuts OF early
youth. The seed, buried in the earth through the
dreary winter months. has germinated, and bursts
forth into leaf and flower, gladdening the eye,
and rejoicing the heart with promise Of the lus-
ciois fruit.
The forests and tho fields, late 70 bloak, bare
and uniuviting, now burst forth in vernal bloom,
each day adding to their loveliness. Beneath the
spreading oaks and the sombre melancholy pine,
spring UP nnumerable towers,-the modest daisy
mngng it's purple tint with the various shades
Of green, in which it stands embosomed All Ma
turc comes forth, clothed in the gsrb Of spotlcss
youth anu Innocence fit bride Of Easter, fit en-
blem Of that new lifu that glorious second birth,
on which the Resurrection of Chris. has placed tho
seal.
IN the early days Of the Church, tho observance
OF Easter was characterized bv greater festi7ity
than even Christmas and 30 it is still in several
OF the countries of Europe. On Sunday the
Churches aro adorned with flowers; lilies and
others, eiuhlematic OF purity. At Christmas they
were decked with the dark strong leafed holly and
its red berries, typ!fging tho thorny crown and