The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-04-04
A HOLIDAY OF CHRISTENDOM
The Origin of the Holiday and Its OBJ
seryance by Various Churches.
The Musical Programme Arranged by Many
of the City Churches for Use ct Their
Services To-Morrow.

peculiar rites the celebration being most signif-
cant in the Roman Catholic, Protestant Epsco-
pal, Lutheran and Greek churches In the Roman
Catholic churches high mass is celebrated, and
the host is adored with the greatest reverence.
Both Catholic and Protestants might be held
from it to particular attention to the cir
cumstances attending its form and substance.
The ''host, derived from the Latin word 'hostia,'
meaning victim, is a consecrated wafer Of circu-
lar form of paste of flour and water. On the
night before his execution the Savior took bread
and blessing it. divided it among his missionaries
and the bread he took was such is used by
the Jews during the passover week IN the pres
sent time ard was unleavaned Easter, the an
niversary OF Jesus Christs resurrection
from the dead is in this country second
only to Christmas as a religious festival. From
the earliest period of Christianity down to the
present it has always been celebrated by be-
levers with the greatest JOY. In primitive
times it was usual for Christians to salute each
other by cxclaiming Christ is risen," or HE
hath appeared unto Simon which custom is
stB retained in the Greek Church. The COM
mon name o. this festival in the East the
Paschai feast. because kept at the same time as
the Paseha, or Jewish passover, and in some
measure succeeding to it. Our own name,
Easter. is derived, some suppose from
Foster, the name OF the Saxon deity, whose
feast was celebrated every year, in the spring,
at the time as the Christian festival the
name being retained when the character of the
feast vas changed. Others suppose the name
comes from Oster which signifies risen" IT
the latter supposition be correct, Easter is in
name, as well as In reality the feast OF the res
direction.
Easter has nearly as many strange customs
attending it in tho odd corners of civilization
Christmas has. The custom Of distributing eggs
to adult men and women still continues in other
countries, chiefly in Russia and countries domi-
mated by the Greek Church. In America the eggs
are eolored and distributed among the children in
households of Christians of every creed. and
with non Christians, and the distribution has no
more significance as connected with the festival,
than the explosion OF shooting crackers has to
do with the religious celebration of Christmas.
At Rome previous to the year 1870 Easter
was celebrated at St Peters by the Pope. each
year, with imposing ceremonies. Since that
time, owing to the anomalous position of the
papacy, no religious services have been held in
st. Peters, the services of the day being con-
Quoted by the Pope in the Sistine chapel AS
celebrated sixteen years ago. the day was
'ushered in by the firing Of cannon from the
Castle of St. Angelo, and at o'clock car
Tiages with ladies and gentlemen began to move
towards St Peters That magnificent basilca
was richly decorated for the occasion, the affairs
were ornamehted and the lights round the tomb
and figure Of st. Peter were blessed after their
temporary extinction. According to usage the
Pope oficiated this day himself in st. Peters,
and did it with every imposing accessory that
could be devised From the Vatican he was
borne into the church under circumstances of
the utmost splendor. Sitting in the sedia gesta
storia la large chair his veStments bazed with
gold while on his head he wore the tiara or
triple crown, which signifies spiritual power and
temporal power, and the union of both. Beside
him were borne large fans composed of ostrich
Feathers in which set the eyelke parts of
peacocks' feathers to signify the eyes or vigi-
lance of the church. Over him was borne silk
canopy richly fringed The, chair in
shoulders Of dozen or more clericals.
After officiating at mass at the altar, the Pope
was, with some ceremony, to the sound of music,
borne back through the crowded church, where
he assembled to a balcony over the central door
way. There. rising from his chair of state, and
surrounded by his officers, he pronounced ben
edcton.
Some of the Easter customs have happily
passed away. Among these may be mentioned
an amusement that prevailed on Easter day in
france, particularly at Paris, the same city that
to-day produces thousands of beings who call
themselves men to howl down one poor, little,
Nnfriended American opera singer. This anluse
ment was the stoning of Jews in Lent, carried
on in a desultory way during the penitental sea-
son, but with great activity on Easter.
IL THE CITY CHURCHES.
Most Of the various churches in this city, to-
morrow, will not only observe Easter by special
services, but they will be handsomely decorated
with plants and flowers, while the music, in
many cases several weeks in preparation, will
be of the excellence BETTING the occasion.
At the Mayflower Church, the organ will be
presided over by Professor Ginnz Mr. Andrew
Smith will lead the congregational singing.
The Fourth Presbyter Church will have
appropriate music especially selected for the
occasion by Miss Sue Ketcham, the organist.
No special music has been prepared at the
Central Christian Church, but as the choir is
one of the best in the city, no doubt there will
Zoe an interesting musical programme Prof
Ora Pearson has had charge of the choir during
the year. Dir. Henry Rodgers acts as orgauist.
At Christ Church, which will present an un-
usually fine floral appearance and an interesting
service, the chief music will be the tie Deum,"
in e fiat, by Barrett; the introt, Now is Christ
Risen, by Allen; the kyries, by Calkins. and
the offertory by Monk This musical service is
rendered by a surpliced male choir.
The Plymouth Church has gone to consider
able expense for special flcral service on
Easter. The church will be beautifully deco
rated with handsome floral designs. A fine pro
gramme upon the great organ will be rendered
by Professor W. H. Clarke. Mrs. Enrique Mil
Ter will sing the opening voluntary
Al Central -ayenue church the audience room
will be handsomely decorated, and special serv-
ices conducted under the auspices of the Sun.
day school. In the morning Rev. DIR. Marine
will preach Easter sermon. and at night
floral and musical exercise, called THE Easter
Cross will be given by tie children. The pastor
evil make Il brief address.
At Memorial Presbyterian Church a chorus of
twenty five voices will render some fine music.
The especially selected numbers will be Thayer's
Banctus Holy, holy" and an Easter anthem.
''Chrlst the Lord" BY Emerson. T. w. S.
Belcher is the musical director and Miss Emily
Mcdonald the organist Miss Jessie Bigelow will
Sing the solos this occasion.
At ST. Josephs Catholic Church the following
music viii be given in the morning Yeni
Creator. arranged TO the air Of the Russian