The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1875-01-30
cAHDLEMAs DAY.


the Wives Feast Day The name 0
CandleDas is evidently derived from thl
lights which were then distributed ant
carried about 10 procession.
In the first volume of Proclamations
remaining in the Archives of the Society
Of Antiquaries Of London, is preserved an
original one, printed in black letter, and
dated 26th February, 30 Hen. Viii.
"cOncernyng rites and ceremonies to b
used in due fourme in the Churche Of
Englande, in which we read as follows
-"0n Caudelmas Daye it shall be declar-
ed that the bearynge Of candels is done
in the memorie Of Christie, the spiritual
lyghte, when Simeon dyd prophecye, as it
is redde in the churche that daye.H The
same had been declared by decree Of
Conyocation.
In Herbert's Country Parson, London,
tells us, another old custom Che had been
speaking Of processions) there is, Of saying,
when light is brought in, God sends us
the light Of Heaveaj aud the parson likes
this very well. Light is a great blessing,
and as great as food, for which We give
thanks: and those that think this super
stitious, neither know superstition nor
themselves" This appears to be at this
time totally forgotten. In the ancient
calendar of the Romish Church, before
cited, | find the subsequent observations
on the I'd Of February, usually called
Candlemas Day
Torches are consecrated
Torches are given away for many days.
Pope Sergius, says Bacon, in his Re-
liques Of Rome, commanded that all the
people should go on procession upon
Candlemass Day, and carry candels about
with them brenning ia their hands in the
year Of our Lord 6s4.p How this candle
bearing on Candlemas Day came first up,
the author Of our English Festival de-
clareth in this manner :-aS aSomtyme. y
saith be, "whcn the Romaiaes by great
myght and royal power conquered all the
world, they were so proude, that they
forgat God, and made them divers gods
after their own lust And so among all
they had god that they called Mars, that
had been toforc notable knight in
battayle; and 40 they prayed to hym for
help, and for that they would speed the
better Of this knight, the people prayed
and did great worship to his mother, that
was called Februa, after which woman
much people have opinion that the moneth
February is called. Wherefore the second
dale Of thys moneth is Candlemass Day.
The Romaines this night went about the
city of Rome with torches and candles
brenning in worship Of this woman Februa,
for hope to have the more helpe and
suceoure Of her some Mars. Then there
was Pope that was called Sergius, and
this false s maumctry'i i,feuaas,pg5ls dSsKn- to
belief, he thought to undo this foule use
and custom, and turn it unto Gods wor-
ship and our Lady's, and gave command
ment that all Christian people should come
to church and offer up a candle brennyng,
in the worship that they did to this woman
Februa, and do worship to our Lady and
to her some our Lord Jesus Christ So
that now this feast is solemnly hallowed
thorowe all Christendome. And every
Christian man and woman Of covenable
age is bound to come to church and offer
up their candies, as though they were
bodily with our Lady, hopyng for this
reverence and worship, that they do to our
Ladye, to have great rewarde in heaven y
&c.
The following is from Herrick's Hes
perides;
CEREMONIES FoR c1sDLENAss EVE.
Down with the Rosemary and Bayes
Down with the llisleio;
Instead Of Holly, now up-raise
The grcener Box for show.
The Holly hitherto did sway,
Let Box now dominecre
Until the dancing Easter Day
OR Casters Eve appcare
Then youthful Box. which now hath grace
Your houses TO renew,
Grown old. surrender must his place
Unto the crisped Yew.
When Yew is out then Birch comes in.
And many flowers beside;
Both of fresh and fragrant kinne
To honour whitsontdc.
Green Rushes then, and sweetest Bents,
With cooler Oakcn boughs,
Come in for comely ornaments.
To re adom the house.
Thus times do shift; each thing his turne dos hold
New things succeed. as former things grow old
There are great many persons who act
as If they thought petty troubles were a
luxury; and they seem never to be satisfied
without them. They nurse their annoy
ances, and dandle them, as it were, on
| n 4 4. A.. I-s.s.