Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1882-04-19
Easter Customs.


In earlier times the sun was supposed to
dance for Joy as it dawned on Easter morn
ing. We can readily understand this super
stition, when every heart is rel j,icing in the
resurrection, and believing that all nature
must take part in the common gladness. In
many parts of New England however, not
only the ignorant classes, but people of cul-
ture, believed that the sun really danced in
the heavens on E,ster day. Upon this fes-
tival of rejoicing it was customary for one
Christian to address another with the words,
"Christ is risen," the answer coming back,
Christ is risen, indeed" or " He hath ap-
peared unto Simon" Even to-day in the
Greek church this interchange is yet kept
up. Our Greek word, EOstre, the name of a
Saxon deity, whose festival was also kept at
the same time, and Oster, which signifies
rising, makes Easter not only in name but in
reality, the feast of the resurrection. 1t is
called the "Queen of festivals being one
of the three most important in the Christian
wear and celebrated with the utmost Joy
What is filter type of the gladness of the
heart than beautiful fllwers coming at this
time with modest beauty and fragrance, as
if to bring new Joy into the believers heart
Some flowers seem to be express symbols OF
the resurrection. The lily, the crocus and
the snowdrop, in their purity and whiteness
the violets beautiful blue, and the rose, il
its blushing red, all usher in the Easter
morning The modest wintergreen comes
too with her tiny flowers OF white
OF which, 1t is told in stories DID,
That these fair blossoms first
On that best morn, that Easter morn,
| Into white beauty, burst
Perhaps, ah WE'LL We cannot tell
II II be truly So
We but repeat the legend sweet
And only this we know,
| That in the prime OF Easter-time,
| The Christ's sweet flowers blowl
Many curious customs have in all age
been associated with Easter. Perhaps ON
of the most singular was the playing of bal
in the churches. The highest officials o
the church participated in them. While
chant was sung the clergy Joined hands
ball was tossed from the dean TO one or evei
all of the choristers, the music playing h
suit the sport. Then came refreshments
In the eighteenth century this game wa
abolished by the churches, although to thi
day it is a game among the people. Anothe
amusement, which was very common, wa
the lifting, at Easter-tide. Parties of eigh
or ten assembled for the purpose and the
extorted contribution. This was done ou
of doors usually. A chair trimmed wit
bright ribbons was carried through tn
streets, the women persuading some man t
enter the chair, and when once in refusin
to let him down until he paid the penalt,
Nothing is 80 conspicuous among the Easte
customs as the Paas eggs, and woe TO tn
: hen that refused to made her contributions
she was forthwith condemned TO deatl
These eggs colored in various ways an
with inscriptions, required much labor an
skill. The Tyrolese keep Easter with ever
, festiyity. They are not an unbelievin
I people. The resurrection of Christ is, fC
them, only the proof of revelation, an
| greatly do they honor it. Bands of mi
( sicians traverse every valley, singing ii
= beautiful Easter hymns, to their guitar
calling the people out, who join in their CHI