The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1879-11-05
ALL SAINTS DAY.
ORIGIN OF THE FESTIVAL.
INSTITUTED BY POPE BONIFACE w.

INSTITUTED BY POPE BONlFACE ~ t
RELIGIOUS OBSERVANCE OF THE DAY..
CROWDS VISIT THE CEMETERY.
NOTES BY OUR REPoR-
TER, ETC.
The festival which, as every one
knows. occurs on November the first,
has been observed in the Eastern
churches since the fourth century.
In the Roman Catholic church it is
set apart in honor of all the angels
and saints of heaven. 1t was institu'
ted by Pope Boniface ", in the early
part of the seventh century, on the
occasion of the d~edicating of the
Pantheon, Ia temple built by Marcus
Ayrippa, 2e B. c., in honor OF Jupl-
ter, the avenger) to the worship OF
the true God, under the invocation
Of the Virgin Mary, and all the saints
Until recent years, the day was but
little recognized in this country, out
side of the great cities. 1t is wor
thy of note that the custom OF visit
ing cemeteries and strewing flowers
{ on the graves, is of German origin,
and in that country it is done on All
Souls Day, or November End. In
what way the customs of the one
, day in this country has been trans
!. ferred to the other, we can not say,
f nor, indeed, is it a matter of much
l moment, the religious sanctity and
!, solemn rites with which it is still
invested, are none the less beautiful.
The weather, for several years past,
on that day, has been uniformly dis
agreeable, so much so, that we look
forward to clouded skies and biting
winds as a part of the bill of fare
specially reserved for the occasion
Though the whole of the week the
various Cemeteries in Pineville, were
visited by numerous persons, who
d performed the work of clearing away
the weeds and grass, and of restor
N ing, as far as possible, the diversit!
n of tombs, monuments and other me
~ MORALS of departed relatives ant
friends. Greater interest was mani
it tested in this work of love, this year
~ than ever before, and on Saturda;
a the crowds of all sexes and of ever,
a. age, including many who reside at
distance, attested their religious ser
timents, and the sacred character
the occasion which had surrounde
them. Inside the grounds of til
several Cemeteries, there were br
few graves neglected, and floral dec
r~ations, in great %profusion, caugf
the eye at every turn. AS we gaze
IT. upon the almost silent throng, bea
u ing their contributions Of flowers al
wreaths, and marked the intent ar
sympathetic devotion, we felt til
fond remembrance can do much to
~leyiate the terrors which alright u
and which, after all, are more imae
49, nary than real. Yet, who is the
I'LL that has not felt that pain, sufferln
'h- and even death, are less to be dread
zen than the appalling horrors of t
yawning grave which engulfs US.
The confidence in Gods grace viii
na' inspired King David, may nerve I
I'd for: "Yea, though I walk through t
10 valley of the shadow of death, l "
rty fear no evil; for Thou art with n
Thy rod and Thy staff they comf'
re me-" Sill, we snudder when we
me fleet that unto this must we come
~ last.
Tie "The thing that has been, it
le" that which shall be; and that VIII
ing is done, is that which shall be don
Ter Many of the crowd fingered wit
:. the grounds until the deepen:
shades of approaching night g
oso' a weird and spectral aspect to
tee' figures as they departed.
a To many we doubt not that
rage spiritual reunions Of the day, m
'Sn' ere it's return, have been transforr
oms into communings beyond the g.
well river, towards whose margin an
none Vulnerable caravan is struggling,
0oks which, like the mythical fountain
olo the Nile, is shrouded in gloom
perpetual darkness.
TaS 4 ~o~~~~-0~~
gain, "A fine lot Of 10 Karat al a RIa12 :
Is, if A'hss' "s""
ides, -THE river is actually a fal
The still, though it is fully six I'M
llcan lower than the lowest water mar
1872. and in thu shape of naviga
have 10 for worse than ever known.