The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1882-04-26
Written for The Florida AgrlcultuTist.
Holy Week i'm Panama.
BY HELEN HARCOURT.
Continued from page 1907

During the few days intervening
between Palm Sunday and Holy
Thursday, the army Of bells in the
city are allowed comparative rest,
at least they are rung no more than
usual. But at early dawn on Holy
Thursday, the whole company OF
bells again set out on their mission
OF torment, and until seven o'clock
preached deafness to the populace,
when they suddenly held their tong
ues, to speak no more for several
days 10 come. All day long the mar.
row cobble paved streets We're thron>
ged with church-goers no sooner
was one service ended than another
commenced, the worshippers being
notified OF the same, by little, bare
headed, ragged boys, who were sent
forth to traverse the city, Gathering
as they passed along two trunk or
coffin handles, affixed to a short
board, one upon either side, holding
this odd "call to church" by one end
and twirling it back and forth, din
was created which was not unworthy
of successorship to the terrible bells.
At length the grand service of the
day drew near, a service OF three
JSa iS,z ss San 4 ssHiIeers6i Ss7e
cg Aedral pro tenpore) was once
more thronged as on Palm Sunday.
Again the Bishop, clad IN the same
gorgeous vestments, entered theldoors,
again the people followed, again a
company of soldiers marched after,
and the plaza was deserted, until, the
service over, the molly congregation
emerged again. The troops marched
away to the barracks, all but squad
of twenty, who returned into the
church, the first attachment of
guard TO be there maintained until
Saturday evening. Rather an odd
proceeding, is it not? but here is the
explanation: Inside the church to
the right of the altar, is square en-
closure, its front formed ola series of
broad white steps, each one brilliant
ly lighted by candles, while from the
noble old arch overhead, hangs gilt.
tering star; now pass TO one side,
and looking through a thin gauze
drapery, you can distinguish wax>
en- figure, laid out as one dead. This
is the "Sepulchre Of our Saviour"
and the troops we have seen enter the
church, represent the Roman soldiers
who were detailed TO keep guard
over it. And just here, we must
note strange anamoly, rauachron>
ism, Tor call it what you Willy by
which the Roman Catholics OF Pan
anna, consider that our Saviour was
cruc fed on the afternoon of Holy
Thursday and rose on the afternoon
OF saturday, thus anticipating 10y a
whole day these momentous events
as observed by the entire christian
world, elsewhere.
In the evening we set forth on a
visit to the different churches, that of
SAM Mercedes being the first on our
list. We were early, and compara>
lively few worshippers assembled, SO
that the vast, tiled floor and lofty
arched ceiling impressed one with a
sense of drearIness-a cold, norther~
ly blast would have seemed more
fitting accompaniment than the soft,
warm breeze which occasionally
stirred the glittering robes of the
saints looking down at us from their
lofty inches.
On the lett of the door as we ell.
tered, stood au ordinary, rough, wood
en- table half draped in white ana
upon it half dozen lighted candles
and small image of the Virgin, with
paper robes aud gil. paper crown,