Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1883-03-23
Good Friday.

To-day is Good Friday, sacred as the
commemoration of the crucfxion Of our
Lord. This day was kept as day of spe-
cial prayer and mourning from very ear
ly period.
That it was observed as a day of rigid fast
and of solemn and melancholy ceremonial,
we learn from Eusebius, who also tells that
when Christianity was established in the
Empire, Constantine forbade the holding Of
law courts, markets and other public pro-
ceedings upon this day. In the Roman
Catholic Church the services OF this day are
very peculiar. Instead OF the ordinary
mass, ii consists OF what is called the Mass
of the Presanctifed, the sacred host not be-
ing consecrated on Good Friday, but re-
served from the preceding day. The priest
and attendants are robed in BLACK,
in token of mourning. The altar
Is stripped of its ornaments; the kiss OF
peace is omitted in detestation of the kiss
of the traitor Judas; the priest recites
long series of prayers for all classes, orders
and ranks in the church, and also for those
outside her pale.
In the Episcopal church Good Friday is
also celebrated with special solemnity.
Anciently, a sermon was preached at st.
Pauls cross, London, on the afternoon OF
this day, at which the aldermen and the
Lord Mayor attended. The practice OF eat
ing upon this day cross buns (cakes with a
cross impressed upon them is a relic OF
the Roman Catholic times, but it has lost
all its religious significance. In England
and Ireland Good Friday is by law a
holiday and all business is suspended, but
in Scotland and America the day meets
with no peculiar attention except from
members of the Episcopal and Roman Cath
Ole communions.
AT THE CATHEDRAL TO-DAY
there will be services morning, afternoon
and night. At . A. NJ. Bishop Kahn will
otficate. After the Lessons and the read
ing OF the Passion as recorded by st. John,
the cross is uncovered and venerated, fol-
lowed by procession OF the Blessed Sacra-
ment from the Repository to the High
Altar, where mass OF the PreSanctitied Is
said.
At 2:3O p. NJ. there will be the devotion
of the Stations of the Cross, and at 1880 p.
N. Rev. Father McElligott will preach a
sermon on the Passion, the Lamentations
will also be sung, and the usual night
prayers recited by Rt. Rev. Bishop Kahn.
The Feast or Purim.
Yesterday began the Hebrew Feast Of
Purim, which in contradistinctiOn to the
Christian day, is one of great rejoicing and
merriment. The season commentaries the
saving Of the Jews by the supplication o.
Esther. This beautiful story is familiar to
all. Hannah, the favorite of King Ahasu e.
rus, had obtained permission to extermlate
The Jews. Esther, Drawing the death which
follows the displeasure of the King, ven
lures unbidden into the royal presence, but
is kindly received. She invites the King
and Hannah to feast, where she discloses
Humans treachery and saves her people.
Hannah is hung on the gallows he has pre-
pared for Mordecsi.
THE PSRIM BALL.
The Hebrews gave grand ball. last
night, at Arion Hall, in honor of the Feast
of Purim. This was the second annual
ball of the sc. S. T." and was grant, full
dress affair. Messrs. Lou Schwabacker, Lee
Bser, NJ. Horkheimer, ALI. Rheinstrom,
Lou Seidenbacb, and Z. Buchanan COM
posed the committee in charge. +. Buck
man was master of ceremonies, and Messrs.
l.. Schwabacker, ALI. Rheinstrom, Nal.
GutmaR and Lou Seidenbach were assist
ants.
The music was furnished by the Opera
House Orchestra. Mr.. Osborne furnished
the supper and viii Enter presided over
the liquid refreshments
Our Hebrew friends certainly know how
to enjoy themselves, as this ball most eff
fectively proved.