The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1875-04-07
EASTER

fasteF ~ regarded by the InflsllhH
churches generailyas the Queen OF Festi-
vals; but In the United States, we think
that Christmas is more generally observed
~ a Time OF festivity. The name OF this
festiya. isderived as some think. from the
Saxon OTTER TO rise,' while others main
tam that II is named after tile Saxon god
dess Eastor, who IN pagan tines was wor-
Ishepped at this season. Owing to Its
heathenish name. the superstitious pracr
tlces, and bacchanalian revellies that
were indulged In by many during its cons
tinuancc, this great festival has gradually
gone into disrepute among Puritans and
others who contend for strict religious dis.
clpIine but Il stiIl retains q strong hold
upon the masses oi the people IN all Chris.
tian lands. fsfff5
II would astonish the Christian people
Of modern times, II they knew how Eas-
ter was celebrated by their forefathers,
not only by thosewho were called men
oftlie world but by church menibcrs'
IN England and Ireland some very
curi,ns customs prevailed at this season
during the middle ages. The : Sepulchrc
Show was perhaps the most remarkable
Of all There was an ancient tradition
that the second coming Of Christ would
occur upon the eve ofthis festival, and
hence arose the ceremony ofmaking and
watching the sepulchre. which continued
IN England until the reformation. Al
the period TO which we refer the only
theatres for the popnlace was thechdrches,
while tile monks were the chef actors, 20
that At Easter. plays were prepared either
for popular amusement or for edifcation.
These were en- ntirely offs religious character
and illustrated soma event III the history
Of tie founder Of the Christians faith. One
OF tho most imposing spectacles must
have been IN Those churches where the
Resurrection at the Sepulchre' was per-
formed. the .drumdtis oersonac being
monks, clothed In habiliments suited TO
he character they assumed. The lights,
at the sepulchre show formed no trivial
part Of the attraction. One massive taper,
called the Easchal. was lighted In each
church. That At Westminster Abbey, In
1857, weighed three hundred pounds !:
tllnt at Durham Cathedral was made Of
pure wax, squared In shape, andextended
10 within liaifa dozen feet Of the roof.
Every church In London had sepui-
chrc.'
England and other European countries
the use Of eggs at Easter was almost uni-
versal. custom which still prevails to a
large extent Ia Cheshire andstaiiord.
shire children would beg eggs for their
Easter dinner. They used 70 sing a few
sIauzas OF a song. ak for an egg, bscon, !,
cheese, or an apple orany good Thing that
will make Us merry, ending with, aud |
pray sou. good dame. an Easter egg
Tnis practice extended 10 Russia Ac-
curding 70 the Abbo d'Auleroche, IN his
(. JonrlIsy to siberia, aroutine ofexteisiye
visiting Is adopted. An egg Is given and
exchanged at each visit. J. People he
observes, 90 10 each others houses In the
morning. aud Introduce themselves by
Swing, Christ has risen.' The reply Is.
! Yes lie has risen.' They then erl-
brace. give each other eggs, and drink a
great deal OF brandyr
This practice OF distributing egss ~
Easter may be traced u the philosophy OF
the Egyptian, Persians, and other heaiilrn
nations. Who regarded ala egg " an
emblem .. the universe. With thoughtiul
CnrIsvians. IL was highly significant
.yn.bol, as Il retains within itseif the elc-
,ncnls Of future life, aud 4 therefore az
.,nblr,n og Uie resurrection of christ.
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