The New York herald., 1878-03-06
ASH WEDNESDAY,.

Ash Wednesday this morning ushers In the season
o! Lent that long fast OF forty days, during which the
members of the great Christian family expected,
in n degree Commensurate with their weak human
organizations, TO emulate tho example set them by
their Redoemer in tho Garden OF Gehscmanc by fast
ing, praying and penitencc. Ash Wednesday Is called
by the fathers Of the Roman Catholic Church tho
"begnning of fast" It is also called 1.-The day oil
ashes," or, more properly speaking, ash day. in allu
sion TO the custom of sprinklng the head with
ashes. This ceremony, however, Is not prac-
tised In the Episcopal church. which
only besides tho Roman Catholic and Greek
churches that bonors tho day at all, while IN the
attor is observed as ovent OF tho greatest sig
niacance. OF the many impressive ceremoni los that
abound the rituals OF these two churches there arc
but worry iew findceo, any ut ALL that nrc moro i'm
pressivo and AT the time better calculated TO 1
the bchoidcr with proper estimate OF his own insg
nincance and the inevitablencss OF his ultimate
luton than the ceremony OF The gprnkling OF the
ashes. IL is performed In this wisc:-The faithful
take their places before the altar Taii and they
knce hrst having mentally confessed their SINS aud
recied the act OF contron for them the priest dps
his thumb In s0mo ushcs that have been prepared or
the purpose and with them makes the sign OF tho
cross upon the forehead OF each. While 90 ng no
repeats the Impressive words-"Remcmbcr man that
thou art dust and that unto dust thou shalt RETURN
This ceremony Is not 50 solemn nor SO Inspiring
as those oil Good Friday.
In the dinorent Roman Catholic and Episcopal
churches OF this city to-day the usual impressive ser
vices oil Ash Wednesday will be performed.
shrovc Tuesday yesterday Is name gwen In allu-
20 Of the faithful Scns shvea or soop - 10 es
fesson that day In order to onter upon penl.
tentia OF Lent IN proper spirit. u tho OLD
countries tho evoning--known as pancake nights
regarded one OF the joliest occasions year,
and Is celebrated by the young people win q
zest Intensified by the knowledge that mcrrynak ng
will be out Of the question for the six following weeks
The odd name given TO the night is IN ailusion TO
curious observance. Parties gather at the houses
of. friends and neighbors aud feast upon sweet
pancakes cooked for the occasion. large dish or
butter figures upon tho middle OF tho table, and
la It's golden depths Is concealed ring. Whoever
IS happy to secure II Ia hts her portion Is by
tradition regarded az Kcly to enter the married state
at early day. 1p ireland the old customs and OBJ
scrvances are carried out with much enthusiasm.
Young men drive about In wagons and capture
young women OF their acquaintance, carrying Them
10 ths houses OF mutual friends 1he damscls arc
then supposed to be In durancc vile upon the skeg
Rocks and walt TO be rescued by tnor lovers who
20 about IN search OF thom. In spite OF tho awful
risk oil being thus carried on by bold corsairs, II Is
said The damsels display great courage anu venture
out vi doors In manner really reckless. Notwith-
standing the irolc and fun sometimes rather Wild
nothing indccorous ever occurs and the young people
awake the next morning prepared 10 enter upon the
season OF self denial