Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1888-11-10

ALL SAINTS AND ALL SOULS
Thursday, l, was All Saints Day. This
is religious festival of early insutu-
ton, it having been observed in the
Eastern churches ever since the fourth
century. In the West it was institu-
ted by Pope Boniface H., in the be-
ginning of the seventh century, on the
occasion of dedicating the Pantheon,
temple built by Marcus Agrippi, 50
B. c., in honor of Jupiter the Avenger,
to the worship of the true God, under
the invocation of the Virgin Mary and
all the saints. Yet, it was only in the
ninth century that this feast became
general.
1t is now held on the 1st of Novem-
Der by the Roman Catholic, Protes-
tant Episcopal and Lutheran Church
es, which, it is we'll known, are more
ritualistic in their services than other
denominations. In Europe, All
Saints Day is mostly the occasion of
holiday for schools. In German it is
called Auer Heiligesl Tag; in French,
Tbttssdiyts. In countries where people
are often christened after saints and
apostles-France, Italy and Spain for
instance-the name "Toussaint is
often used. Among the more conspic-
uous men who were christened Tous-
saint was the negro slave who, during
the time of frances first consul, Ma
poleon Bonaparte, took such gallant
part in the slave uprisings at Breda,
near Cape st. Francois, Hayti. His
full name was Francois Dominique
Toussaint, and, although he became
eminent as general, and even receiv-
ed a high Office at the hands of the
French Directorie, his best deed on
record is the saving of his master and
benefactor. Mr.. Bayou, rs well as
the latter's family, from the hands of
the bloodthirsty negro slaves, at the
beginning of their instruction. He
was afterwards imprisoned in France,
where he died from ill-treatment, in
April, 1902.
The days Immediately preceding
and following All Saints Day are also
observed as religious festivals. The
former is Hallow Eve, the latter is
called All Souls. Hallow Eve, Octo-
Der 3lst, is, in Christian countries,
often the occasion of certain popular
usages, such as the performance of
SpcliS ny yOuuS pCOpiC W olSSONSA
their future partners for life, and GER
tain fireside revelries, as cracking nuts
and ducking for apples. Hallow Eve
is thought to be night when witches,
devils and other misunderstanding
beings are all abroad on their baneful
midnight errand. Dickens, in his
Pickwick papers, gives a charming
description of such fireside revelries.
which, though in this case held on
Christmas Eve, are very similar to
those still observed by many people
throughout Europe at Hallow Eve.
And Burns poem, Halloween, !"
gives graphic description of the SUI
perstitious customs and beliefs of the
Scottish peasantry concerning this
festival.
All Souls, the day after All Saints,
Is set apart by the Catholic Church for
the commemoration of all the faithful
departed, for whom the mass of re-
QUEEN is then said, and the Office OF
the dead recited. In Germany, both
Catholic and Protestant, visit the
graveyards on this day, and not only
strew flowers on the graves of their
friends, but often spend great part
OF the day among the beautiful walks
and f1owerbeds with which grave.
yards 10 Germany mostly abound.