The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1885-04-05
EASTER EXERCISES.
SKETCH OF To-DAYs ORIGIN
How II In Observed in Certain Christian
Communities and What the Pre-
granme Is At st. Matthew
Cathedral and Elsewhere,

To-day, al. over Inc world, the rising
Of the Sun is heralded by the 'Aueluiss
Of the iGithtul believers in Christ,
Among the historic churches OF Christ
endom the festival mas, from the earliest
dsys, been celebrated with great re
io.ciug and unusually magnificent ser
vices. CGmmemsrating ~ il does tie
resurrection of the Lord, which forms
the seal Gnd guarantee of the Christian
hope and lies At the basis of Christian
worship and life, it has long been
named the queen OF festivals. end
Sround its observance have gathered
many quaint and teaching GUS
toms. The term Easter il SAID hy some
10 be derived fr0m the ne ue OF a pagan
GODDESS of Eostre or Ostera, whose festi
val occurred about the time OF the yer.
psl equinox, and was celebrated with
many sacrifices 20 enSpre good
harvest. 1t is said that the Christian
festival of theresurrectiOn always han
pening nearly at the same time the
name was transferred To it. A more sat
istaetery origin of the term both philo-
logically end re igiously derives it from
the old IeutOnie word "wjstan" to rise
and 'Wi~tand" the resurrection.
A difference OF opinion regarding the
time of observing the feast was the
cause Of the division OF the eastern and
western branches OF the church. The
former observed the anniversary.
namely, the third day after the 18th OF
the Jewish month Nissan, irrespective of
the day OF the week on which it hap
pened to fall. Tue latter pre.erring to
keep it on the first day of the week as
the day actually consecrated by tbs res
direction, observed IL on the first
anniversary. The Council OF Nice
in 325, A. D., suthoritstively settled in
favor Of the western practice, and the
four rules drawn upon that occasion are
still the law for determining Easter
Day:
/. The Dist Of March must be taken
az the day of the verngl equinox.
2. The full MOON occurring on or next
after the Dist of March * 10 he taken
for the full moon Of the month Nissan.
0. The next Lords Day AFTER that full
moon isEaster Day.
4. IT The full moon falls on a Sunday
the next Sunday Is Easter Ddy.
The date of Easter regulates thar OF
all the mOyeable tessts aud fasts
throughout the year,
Among oriental Christians the day Is
called "Lsmpra' (the Bright Day), and
from midnight Easter Eve until day.
light the CHURCHES are brilliantly illu-
minated ana services are celebrated
vita great spleudor and magnificent
ritual, In Russia II is cusioms,.g for
each 10 light a candle and carry It
through the streets, greetleg fiends
and passers by with the ejaculation
Chris. has risen to which the response
sgiy,n the Lord is risen, indeed In
England there was pretty custom, re-
Gently revived there and iutroGud6d "a
some parishes here, that the choir "a
the rising OF the suu, should sing carols
under the window Of the rector and
the wrdens OF tho parish. The inter-
change Of gifts, more especially OF cards
and the presentation Of eggs dyed in
brilliant cOlurS, is Of later date, The Or.
gin Of the last named custom is UNI
known, but AZ least the eggs symbolic
the lie hidden from view, yelled In t.
ert matter A beautiful aud Touching
habit is that Of hanging Coral emblems
IN the church IN memory of those who
have gone to thtir rest and in token of
faith IN the reunion after the resurrec-
ton at the last day which shall put an
end to all parting,
dral will be unusually impressive. The
chancel Is beautifully decorated with
tl'wers, which, 10y the way, are objected
" in some diOCusts and placed In tbs
same category with crosses, colOr0d
slOes and stained windows. But they
certainly form the most appropriate and
expressive adorument for the season.
The music, o. which n programme Is
attached. win be rendered 10y the choir
OF men aud boys, assisted by two Ia lies.
The bishop will preach and afterwards
admit to the holy Eucharist Ivy the sol
emn rite OF confirmation q good class OF
candidates. In the afternoon at 1880
tho ChilGron's festival will take place,
when prizes, etc, will be distributed.
The sacrament Of Baptism will also DO
administered to such infants IS may be
presented.
Following Is the order Of services at
ST. Matthew's cathedral:
At 1880 a. m, early celebration; l0:SU
a m, morning prayer, confirmation aud
second celebration; 1880 p. M Sunday
school festival.
Morning Services Professional hymn
(Nu l2i), Coronation; Christ our Pass
over OnsteUd of Venite), L. z, Wheat;
GloriaS, selected; re Deum, +. H..
Thomas; Jubiiate, |. V. Flagler; Hymn
(No. I'D, Shepherds; Responses (No.
S0l. MoudAls-uhu; Gluris 1lbi (No. 3 ~
Hymn (No. l0I), 81. Albiuus; sermon by
the Bishop; Gloria, Anon; C0rhrma
ton Hymn (NO. 237), Olivel; Coulirma-
ton; 0hertory Anthem-Hynln 0S Hol-
den and Wilson; Presentation Of Aims
no. 390); Sanctus (NO. 1927, Camidge;
Communion Hymn (No. 2O0 Sieboth
Gloria in EScelsis, Hunt; occasional
Hymn mo. 4S5) L. 10. Roe