The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1883-03-29
EASTER CUSTOMS.

III kAC W 40 0APROOC4
to dance for JOY as it dawned On Easter
morning. We can readily understand
this superstition, when every heart Is
rejoicing in the resurrection, and be-
lieving that all nature must take part
in the common glsdness. In many
parts of England. however, not only the
ignorant classes, but people Of culture
believed that the sun really danced in
the heavens on Easter day.
Upon this festival of rejoicing it was
customary for one Christian to address
another with the words, Christ is
risen," the answer coming back, "ChTist
is risen, indeed" or "He hath appeared
unto Simon" Even to-day in the
Greek church this interchange is still
kept up
Our Greek word EOstre, the name of
Saxon deity, whose festival was also
kept the same time, and Qster, which
signifies rising, makes Easter not only
in name but IN reality, the feast of the
resurrection.
II is called the "Queen OF festivals"
being one of the three most important
in the Christian year, and celebrated
with the utmost joy.
What is filter type OF the gladness of
the heart than beautiful flowers coming
at this time with modest beauty and
fragrance, as if to bring new joy into
the believers heart? Some flowers
seem to he express symbols OF the resor-
.ectiou. The lily. the crccus and the
snowdrop, in their purity and white
ness, the violet's beautiful blue, and the
rose, in its blushlng red, all usher in
the Easter morning. The modest win
tergreen comes too with her tiny flowers
OF white:
of which. 1t is told in stories old,
That these fair blossoms first
On that bleSt morn, that Easter morn,
Into white beauty burt
Perhaps. ali. welli We cannot tell,
II it be truly So
We but repeat the legend sweet,
And only this We knoK,
That in the prime CT Easter time
The ChPist's Sweet aowers bowl
Many curious customs have in all
ages been associated with Easter. Per.
haps Que of the most singular was the
playing of ball in the churches The
highest officials of the church partici-
patsd in them. While chant was sung,
the clergy Joined hands, dancing round
and round. Sometimes the ball was
tossed from the dean to one or even all
OF the chorisiers, the music playing TO
suit the sport. Then came refreshments.
In the 18Th century this game was abol-
ished by the churches, although 10 this
day, 1t is game among the people.
Another amusement, which was very
common, was the lifting at Easter
tide. Parties of eight or ten assembled
for the purpose, and then extOrted q
contribution. This was done out of
doors usually. A chair trimmed with
bright ribbons was carried through the
streets, the women persuading some man
~ Il. 80 5k,aSN M IN
fusing to let him down until he paid the
penalty.
Nothing is so conspicuous among the
Easter customs as the Paas eggs; and
| woe to the hen that refused to make her
contributions; she was forthwith COZ
| demned to death. These eggs, calored
| in various ways anu with inscriptions,
required much labor and skill.
The Tyrolese keep Easter with every
| festivity. They are not an unbelieving
| people. The resurrection of Christ Is,
| for Them, only the proof of revelation,
and greatly do they honor it. Bands OF
musicians traverse every valley, singing
| the beautiful Easter hymns, to their
guitars, calling the people out, who join
IN their chorus, and rejoice together in
brinmed Spanish hats are decorated
| with punches of flowers; crowds ol
children follow them, and, when night
comes on, bear lighted torches of the
pine-wood, which cast grotesQue shad'
ows over the whole landscape.
Although many foolish observancet
have vanished with the lapse of years
Easter Is now observed, with more OF
less rejoicing, all over the world.
How often was the question put by
man, IN the most advanced stages D
civilization, or in the twilight OF reveal
ton, ''if man die, shall-h live again y
No positive answer was ever given Il
that question, until He came, who pro
claimed himself to be the Resurrection
ana the Life" 81 am the Resurrection
and the Life: he that believeth in me
though he were dead, yet shall he live
and whatsoever Hvcth and belieyeth IL
mr., shall asyer die"