The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1885-04-02
Good Friday and Easter.

OdJ' LILO oOIOAAA A0csoe Va OOO0 Il "A
day, which from the earliest ages has
been held in remembrance of the
death of Christ, and the joyous fes-
tiyal of Easter to commemorate his
resurrection, are extending glowing
influence in our country. Let US
take review of some of the old time
observances:
The term Good Friday is compare
lively of recent origin. The Saxons
called it Long Friday on account of
the long religious ceremonies of the
day; the word Holy was substituted,
which is now given to the entire week
in which it occurs, and in modern
times the appellation Good took its
place.
In England it is only one of two
days, Christmas being the other,
when the shops are all closed, and
business is wholly suspended. In
Rome solemn ceremonies are observ-
ed in all the churches; but shops,
public offices, public galleries, places
of business, are open as usual; while
in Presbyterian Scotland Roman
Catholics shut their shops and alb
stain from all business.
Between sorrow and JOY is but a
single day. The forty days of Lent
having passed, the darkened Catholic
churches lay aside the emblems of
mourning and death with which Good
Friday has clothed them, and bright
sunlight, joyous music, and beautiful
flowers take their place. All over
Christendom Easter Day is celebrat-
ed with peculiar rites of Joy and
gladness.
From the earliest period of Chris
tianity Easter was considered the
queen of festivals. The primitive
Christians saluted each other on the
morning of that day with the greet
ing: "Christ is risen;" and the return
salutation was: ''Christ is risen in
| deed"
In the East it was kept at the same
time as the Jewish Passover, and
hence called the Paschal Feast. I'm
like other festivals, it has not fixed
day. and in old times it was celebrat-
ed on different days, the difference
arising in this manner: The churches
of Asia Minor, among whom were
many Jews, kept upon the 14th of
Nissan, the month corresponding to
our March or April. The churches
Of the west kept it on the Sunday
following, as Christ rose on Sunday.
For time this difference was tolerat-
ed, but at length disputes arose, and
about one hundred and fifty years
after Christ, the Bishop of Rome en-
deavored to compel the Eastern
churches to conform to the Western
practice. This caused strife which
lasted more than century. At
length the Emperor Constantine clos
ed the controversy by having q canon
passed in the Ecumencial Council;
that everywhere Easter should be
observed on the same day, and the
rule was adopted which is given in
the prayer-book: easter day is al.
ways the first Sunday after the full
moon which happens upon or next
after the 21st of March, and if the full
moon happens ona Sunday, Easter is
the Sunday after" By this rule the
earliest possible day upon which
Easter can happen is the 22d Of
March. In 1918 it fell upon that day
and will not again until the year
1885. The latest possible day is
the 25th of April
The ancient custom of Easter eggs
sent as presents between friends,
still prevails in our own times, and
the beauty of their adornment in.
creases every year.
Good Friday and Easter! From