The New York herald., 1868-06-01
Pentecost or Whitsunti,,e.

Yesterday was celebrated in the Catholic and
Episcopal churches the festival of Whitsunday,
answering in its chronological occurrence to the
Jewish festival of PentecOst Pentecost was one
of the three great festivals Of the Jewish dispense
ion, and known among the Jews as the 'least of
weeks" because Of its commemoration seven wee Ks
after the Passover Its later designation given it by
Greek and Latin writer's signifies simply the ffteth
day. this answering likewise to the order of its cee-
bration after the Passover. II is further called by
the Jews Shebous and was celebrated as such in all
the temples and synagogues OF Israel in this city on
Wednesday last. In the Christian Church PentecOs is
marked In all liturgca services as cOmmemOra-
tive of the descent of the Holy Ghost upon the Apos
ties and The commencement Of their diviney ap-
pointed mission for the conversion of the world Tie
great event Is thus referred to in the sacred text:
"And when the day of Pentecost was fully they
were all with one accord in one place. And sud
ing mighty wind, and it filed all the house where
they were sitting. And there appeared unto
sat upon each of them. And they were all
filled with the Holy Ghost, and began TO speak
ance." Peter, 1t further states thereupon preached
to those who were around and who were amazed at
hearing men, all of them Galieans. speaking to each
in his own tongue, although they gathered from
many different nations, speaking divers languages,
and cried out that the Apostles were fun of new
wine.p IL Is also related that three thousand
then baptized. Much conflict exists among CON-
mentaors respecting the nature of the gilt conferred
upon the Apostes-whether they were immediately
endowed with knowledge of the different
languages then spoken whether their own
tongue was miracuously made ineligible TO
the multitude whomsoever they addressed and
some even contend that their utterances were
OF no known tongue, but divnely inspired, 80 that
all who heard would understand In the early ages
the festival was favorite season for administering
baptism, and as they who sought this rite-cate-
chunlens they were caled-appeared robed in white
as symbol OF the spiritual purity gained in the
sacrament, the day was called White Sunday or Whit
Sunday There was special proprlety in this desig
nation yesterday, the day being particularly marked
q white one In being the hrst fine sunday within
period whereof the memory of man runneth not TO
the contrary" clear sky, with but short in
terval OF couded ob5curty and soft summer breezes
invited to church those whose devotion becomes
chilled by duer weather, and hence the various
temples Of worship throughout this city and Brook
yn were well attended, the ladies' avaing them
selves with ardor OF the opportunity afforded for the
display OF the latest styles and gentlemen of the
light afforded in cscOrtng them. In the Catholic
churches the usual solemn services were held the
festival being commemorated In the "Introt,n
"Ofertoryn and Preface" and by the reading OF
special Collects" Reference was also made in the
several sermons preached %. the different churches
from the gospel Of the day TO the institution of the
festival. In the Episcopal churches special collects
were likewise read, and at both the music gave eX-
preston TO the devotion of the faithful and the great
miracle OF the day.