Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1883-03-24
EASTER SUNDAY.
THE ORIGIN Of ITS OBHERVANCE
CUSTOMS OF THE EARLY
CHRIkTIANS.

IO-fnOrrOW Lne SHTlsbldu CAuAcH
throughout the world will celebrate the
resurrection of Jesus Christ. The nara
tive of His betrayal, His trial before
Pontius PLATE, His condemnation and
death upon the Cross, with all the other
scenes leading to this grand event, are
well and faithfully told by the Holy
Evangelists.
He had told His disciples that He
would rise again, still there Is little
doubt but what the statement was re-
ceived with great deal of incred Hltty.
He had died the most shameful death,
and His body had been placed in the tomb
with guard of Roman Soldiers 10 pre-
vent its being stolen by the disciples.
The seventh day of the week, observed
az the Jewish Sabbath, had passed, and
early on the morn of the first day of
the new week Mary Magdalene, who
had SO much cause to love the Master,
visited the tomb with Mary, the mother
of James, to annoint the body with
spices. What was their surprise when
they reached the sepulchre to find the
great stone which had closed the opening
rolled away, and the tomb empty.
They entered the tomb, and on the
right side saw two young men sitting
clothed in long white garments, while
on the floor laid the linen clothes in
which he had been buried. The women
were attrighted, but the young men
told them not to be afraid, and asked
them why they sought the living among
the dead they also told them THAI He
was risen, as He had told them Hs
xunulI ri 10 on tho ri dav
The women had entered the tomb be-
fore sunrise, and tradition says that as
they emerged the sun rose brightly
in the East, casting its refulgent light
upon the earth, and in its bright rays
and warming beams beautiful robin
red breast, that had perched near the
entrance to the sepulchre, warbled forth
his notes and sang the first song Of
praise to the Risen Lord.
The term Easter is probably derived
from the Saxon festival of Etstre,
which the SaxOns of old were won't to
celebrate about the same seasoi at
which the Jewish Passover was OBJ
served. In the ancient church the
Easter festivities were continued for
eight days, but were afterwards limited
to three days, and then to two. 1t was
then observed as a time of admins
tering the rite of baptism, and dis
pensing aims to the poor and NEEDY,
who were even feasted in the churches.
The courts of justice were closed, and
slaves frequently received their liberty
at this season of rejoicing.
The people having passed through the
austerities of Lent gave themselves up
to enjoyment, and the day was popu-
larly known rs the Sunday OF JOY"
From the earliest time Easter has al
ways been observed as a season of great
Joy, aud in some countries the custom
is still observed of saluting each other
with the Easter kiss, and exclaiming
{" He is risen," to which the one saluted
replies, He is risen, indeed
A controversy arose in the second
century on the proper time for the cele-
bration of the festival, which was final
ly decided by the Council of Nice in the
wear 325, which decreed that it should
be celebrated on the first Sunday after
the fourteenth day of the full moon, in
the first Jewish month.
This was observed until the GregOrian
Calendar was introduced, when it was
whether casters should continue
to he movable, or whether fixed Sun
day, after the 2lst of March, should not
be adopted. 1t was however decided,
in Difference to the ancient custom, to
adhere to the method of determination
by the moon. The rule now is, that
Easter Day is always the first Sunday
after the full moon which happens
upon or next after the 2lst Of March;
and if the full moon happens upon
the next Sunday is observed as
Easter Day. This year the moon fulls
OH the 23d, consequently Sunday, the
25th, is Easter.
One of the most characteristic rites OF
Easter is the use of colored eggs, which
originated among the early Christians
is Mesopotomia, where eggs were coiored
red in memory of the blood of Christ
shed at the time of his crucitixiOn. In
Italy the eggs are sent on Easter eve to
the church, where they are blessed by
prayers, the sign of the cross and
sprinkling with holy water.
In Germany,instead of eggs at Easter,
IN emblematic picture is often presen-
ted. One of these now in the British
Museum represents three hens uphold
ng !, basket, in which are placed three
eggs Ornamented with illustrative em-
blems of the Resurrection, the centre
,gg bearing Agnus Del, with chalice
Faith, while the other two
eggs have the emhle1ns of Hope and
Charity, and underneath are the follow
ng lines in German:
All good things are three,
hal |
Faith and Hope together with Charity.
Never lose from the heart
Faith to the Church; Hope In God
And love Him to thy death.
Probably from this German custom
If presenting pictures originated that
If sending the now popular Easter
ards, many of which are very hand
ome. and Ornamented with the richest
lesigns.
The egg, however, seems to Dc tne
most proper emblem to be used in OBJ
erving this greatest of all events that
las transpired since the creation. Chris
ians in all countries have used it from
ime immelnorial as an emblem Of the
and containing as 1t does
he elements of future life, it certainly
GEMS that nothing more appropriate
ould be selected. Viewing 1t in this
light it becomes the emblem of one OF
he most mysterious, 4 lorious and com
orting tenets of the Christian faith,
nd the custom Is too beautiful and too
igniticant to fall into disuse.
In these days ysofeducatiun, refinement
nd progress, it would be ridiculous to
olow many of the customs OF the
.ncient Church, still it is well to respect