National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-04-04
EASTER.
THE FAST OF LENT.

The forty days Just passed have been observed
By millions Of Christians throughout Che world
| as season OF fasting, humiliation, and prayer.
Doubtless many, Ike the naughty Pharisee OF
old, have apparently kept the fast, giving Hbe-
rally Of their wealth, bosstIng that they are not
as other men, yet TO these Lent has brought no
spiritual benefit. On the other hand, many hsve
observed such degree Of sbstinence as is essen
tial to . development OF sesfsscrincs and the
highest standsrd Of spirituality.
The former class have sought only the praise OF
men; while the latter, rejecting the tssteless
fruit Of mortal Immortality, have satisfied the
hunger Of their souls by heart-searching exsmi-
nation and communion with God II is because
men do not realize that they hsve spiritual
nature requiring KS appropriate food just az their
physical does that life is so full of trials, disap
pointments and failures. Ignoring the fact that
they are inherently related to the 1nhnite, they
plunge into excesses OF every kind, and exhibit
BY their intempersnce and sensuslity abundant
evidence that earth does not cannot, meet tho de-
mands Of their spiritual life. The lower animals
have no such vices, because their hunger purely
physical; but the sozl Of man, cut OF from its
legitimate nourishment, flies to the body Sor sus-
tenance, and after exhausting insulted nature
still remains unsatis6ed.
In view Of this two-fold character Of man. the
Church Catholic in all ages has required the
faithful to devote certain days throughout the
year to meditation, fasting, and prayer, but more
especially to observe the forty days Of Lent as
absolutely essential to spirituality.
HOLY DAYS OF FEAsTIEG.
As the Advent season is o preparation for
Christmas, Lent leads US to consider the suffer-
ings and death Of Christ, in order that we may
the better sppreciatethe glorious feast Of Easter
as Q foretaste Of the blessed Immortality secured
through the resurrection Of the Incarnste God.
| The joys Of Easter are thus intensified, because
Of victory over personal sins and doubts, whereby
the true soldier Of the Croes Is encouraged to
press on, ever remembering how he who hung on
Calvary has declared that ito him that overcom-
eth Will grant to sit with me IN my throne, even
as also overcame and am set down with my
Father in his throne" Rev. II, q.
1t is manifest from several references in the
New Testament, as well as the universal practice
in the second century, that this Easter festival
was introduced during
THE APOSTOLIC AGE,
since Christ crucihed, risen and living in his
| Church, was the one absorbing thought Of early
Christians. Easter formerly included fifteen
days, and was regarded as the greatest Of all fes
tivals or as Saint Chrysostom styles It, 'the de.
sirable festival Of our salvation" While all
Christians everywhere agreed as to the fact that
Easter should be highly esteemed, yet about the
year 100 disputes arose as to the particular time
when 1t was to be observed, some keeping the
| Christian st the same time as the Jewish Pass
over, only substituting the Holy Eucharist for
the paschal lamb, which was on the frst full
moon Of the spring, from the 14th to the 2lst Of
the month Nissan, whatever day Of the week that
happened to fall upon, while
THE WESTERN CHURCH
deferred It to the Sunday after the first full
The controversy was finally settled by the Coun-
ell Of Nice, A. d. SIS, which decreed that Easter
lah0v ha aha and Nha 1or
throughout the world, namely, upon the Sunday
falling upon the first new moon after the vernal
equinox, and always after the Jewish Passover.
/ No matter ct what particular time celebrated
It was ever regarded as o season of great JOY. In
the year ss7 It became usual throughout the en-
plre to grant general release to all prisoners al
Easter, except those whose crimes were Of q mos
objectionable nature. One imperial cdict state!
that sin honor Of the paschal festival which w
celebrate from the bottom Of our heart, we oper
the prisons TO all that lie bound In chains, only
excepting such as guilty of sacrilege, treason
robbing Of graves, etc."
SEASON OF cLEMENcY AND B8NEvoLENcE.
The exercise Of generosity and pardon however
were not restricted to those In authority. PrIvat
individuals not only manifested their charity to
ward one another and in acts Of uberality to tn
poor, but also sought proper expression for thei
Hoy in the manumission Of their slaves; and tina
there might be no impeachment cast in the way Q
of those thus inclined, the law provided that a.
though other legal processes should cease durin
the Easter festival, yet whatever was requisite
be done for the freedom Of slaves was allowed, O
: being in accordance with the spirit of the sacre
season. These acts Of piety and devotion wer
not confined to one day, but extended through tn
: entire week following Easter, and were accom-
panied BY religious services, preaching, and tn
daily celebration Of the Holy Communion. Tit
white robes placed on the neophytes at their bsp
tism on Easter were worn until the Sunday after
and then returned to the church, the new convert
being then admitted to all the rights and priv
leges Of other Christians.
RELIGIOUS oBsERvANcEs.
!, To many these historical references to tn
, usages of past ages have perhaps but little in
tsrest; yet to the majority of Christians the seq
son Is precious feast, wherein the Identical mu
sic is used and joyful hosannas sung which hav
gladdened the hearts Of millions of our race 70
centuries, and tomorrow all who name the nam
of Christ in the Church Catholic are expected I
participate in the adorable sacrifice Of the altar
where our paschal lamb is offered as . memoria
) before God, In accordance with that dying com
mand, "Do this in remembrance Of me-" He VIII
would appreciate the beauty and significance @
these annual festivals and fasts illustrating tn
life Of Christ, must draw near by faith and ente
the Church OF God. She stands like q gran
cathedral, with divinely- pictured windows, de
signed by artistic hands. Looking listlessly upo
her from without cue sees no beauty, nor can b
imagine any; but standing within, every ray o
light reveals Q harmony of unspeaksble grandeur
'Christ, our passover, is sacrificed for US; there
fore let Us keep the feast" Cor, Wis.
THE CHIMES-EASTER SUNDAY.
J MI Widdows has arranged the following az
p-opriats selection Of music to be played on tn
Metropolitan NJ. E. church chimes tomorrow
, easter SundAyO commencing at 1o:l5 o'clock q
m: "Changes on Eight Bells;' Easter hymn
"Christ the Lord is risen to-dsy-hallelujah !;
, Recit and aria, But thou didst not leave-Mes
siah !" aria, "Iknow that my Redeemer liveth
and SHOW beautiful are the feet-Messlsh !;
, "Joy to the world-Antioch; :" aria, with We,
. dure clsd-Creation;" "Sound the led timbrel;
"Gloria in eIcelsls-chart No. 3 and Do1ology
; PROGRAMME FOR EASTER SUNDAY.
The following is tho order Ct exercises in Chris
church, Georget2wp, D. O.: Voluntary, "oh
praise God in his holiness" DR.. H. Perabeau
Easter anthem, "Christ our passover" Lloyd
Gloria Pstri, banks, Mosenthal, Thomas; T
! Deum, No. 7, Eb, Dudley Buck; Jubilste Dec
Mercadante; Gloria Tibi, Gunter; hymns, Haydn
Greatorex; ofertory, Baumbaeh.