The Portland daily press., 1881-04-16
GOOD FRIDAY.
A Plea for It's Common Observance.

The Christian Mirror this week quotes from
the communication, of our correspondent ''N'
concerning the observance of Good Friday
commends the article land makes some sug-
gestions which will, we apprehend,' commend
themselves to the favorable attention of our
church-going readers. The Mirror says:
We take the liberty of saying speaking for
own individual self only and not for the de-
nomination with which we are connected.
that we are in entire sympathy with the spirit
to-Ascension and Good Friday-are anniver-
saries of two Of the most memorable events IN
the history of salvation, events whose dare can
be determined, even better than Christmas,
with approximate certainty. They are events
which lhave no relation to any controyeIsy'
doctlinal or ecclesiastical; in regard to Awhlch,
so far as we recall, no occasion for dispute ever
arose in the annals of the church. If all patrl-
otto citizens, whatever their party designa-
lions, ought to unite in sich national COM
memorations as Independence Day; the BIRTH
rial Days, why should not all Christians-the
loving disciples and loyal subjects Of the Lord
unite with equal devoutness in remembering
the birth, passion, resurrection and ascensl on
of Him Of whose kingdom there shall be no
end?
We confess our qualification not only with
the suggestion itself of the writer, but Of the
mode in which he would have it carried into
effect. 'Why,' he asks, "should not all
Christian belieuers thus celebrate together
these great and precious facts OF our common
those who fully recognized each other as such
believers refused the outward tokens of their
faith and oneness in Christ, because OF differ
ences on some minor matters. Too long have
they allowed themselves in neglect or positive
violation of the Lords greatest and most afs
foot nd
"a fault thousand times more lamentable
than the omission to observe any, the most sa-
cred, commemorative days.
We know not precisely in what way this
most respected writer would propose to secure
the joint celebration he advocates. We VEN
ture to suggest possible ono which We think
would be very effective. Let all the evangeli-
cal congregations of this city, with their pas
tors, be invited to hold united service on the
next Good Friday. AS the occasion, doubtless,
let the largest church of the city-proba bly,
the Second Parish-be made the place of gath.
ering. Let the eldest pastor, say the Bishop OF
St. Luke's preside, and around him let the
other pastors and rectors, State ST., High ST.,
St. Stephens, Free st. Baptist, Pine st. Meth
odist, Casco ST. Free Baptist, Second Parish,
etc., ETC., be grouped in loving accord, as the
twelve at the last Supper reclined around the
Master Let prayer and singing and tender
exhortation-perhaps sermon or two-be en-
gagged in. And to crown the whole, let the
entire congregation OF believers celebrate
together, as was done on that first Good Friday
eve, the memorial Supper, at the hands, say,
of the venerable ex-pastor Of Second Parish,
the rector of ST.. Stephens and the beloved
soldier-pastor of Free St.-doing all in remem-
brance of Him. Could this be done, we
venture to say it would secure such an observ-
ance of this hallowed day as the world never
saw before. The mouths of many caviling
unbelievers would be stopped, and the inspir-
ing cry of the old martyr times be again
heard, "Behold how these Christians love one
another!" Will the honored correspondent of
the PRESS give his great influence to bring
about such a consummation? sstsls