St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-12-02
BLACK FRIDAY.

"Why is Friday the black day of the
week? Is the superstition concerning
Friday of pagan origin?" asks a CORE
spondent. 1t is not. The superstition
is entirely Christian in its origin, and
has particular reference to Friday as
the day Crist was crucified. Away back
in the middle ages-the exact time is
unknown-there grew up notion that
one day of the week must be given
black eye. Certain manuscripts of an
interesting character belonging to that
period now exist in European libraries
which show that there was vigorous
discussion of the matter in the
middle ages; and one, at least,
discloses the prevailing reasons why
Friday was singled out as the black
day Of the week. In the Paris library
is an old manuscript of Irish origin
which contains complete bill Of indict-
ment against Friday. and gives the rea-
sons why it should be regarded as
black, unlucky day. We quote from
the manuscript: "'Twas on Friday
that ADAM sinned and was chased from
Paradise; that CHRIST was crucified;
that CAIN killed ABEL; that ETIENNE
was stoned; that the innocentS were
killed by HEROD, 24,000 of them, be-
cause of CHRIST; that PETER was cru
Gifted and PAUL decapitated; that
10 HIN the Baptist's head was cut off;
that the children Of Israel were chased
across the Red sea; that marriage was
first consummated; that LAMECHs took
two wives; that heaven will close and
hell will open; that all but one-seyenth
of the fruits of the earth and the light Of
the sun and moon were taken away;
that briers and venomous plants issued
from the ground; that the confusion of
tongues occurred; that the tower of
BABEL was begun; that the plaques
came to the king of Egypt"
1t is not much wonder that after this
revelation of horrible things that hap
pened on Friday the people of that age
should have come to look upon the day
with superStitious awe. The source OF
these assertions concerning Friday was
the Jewish Taimud and other Jewish
writings; the fathers of the church have
perpetuated the legends, and thus they
come down to US as sacred traditions.
The Talmud tells us that ADAM was
created on Friday, sinned and was
driven from Paradise on Friday, was
married on Friday, his children were all
born on Friday, CAIN killed ABEL on
Friday; and, taken altogether, Friday
was quite an unluclly day for the father
of the human race.
The superstition concerning Friday is
confined to Christians, because it is the
Meslem's Sabbath, and the Brahmins
regard it as the iuckieSt day Of the
week. 1t is recorded that the M0gul
emperor AURUNGZEBE said: ''Oh, that
my death may happen on Friday. for
blessed is he who dieth on that day."
Even in Christian lands the supersti-
tons concerning Friday vary great
deal. In Germany and Scotland Friday
is considered a lucky day to wed, while
in all other European countries mar
riages consummated on this day
Of the week are sure to be un-
happy ones. In Lancashire it is
thought bad day to win bride. On
one CHlng Tie people vi itil SuIISildl
countries agree-that Friday is an un-
lucky day to begin voyage OF to COM
mence with any new business under
taking. In the North of England it is
regarded as lucky day to put on a new
suit of clothes, but it forebodes dire
full disaster to sing Oh Friday. In
North Germany it is thought that
witches obtain power over person who
goes unwashed on Friday. In Holland
it is believed that you will never have
the toothache if you trim your nails on
that day. A Dutch wife will obtain
ring that is made frem rusty nails, lay
it upon the Gospels on Friday and say a
pater noster. BY wearing such ring
she thinks she will always have power
over hel husband. In America the day
is regarded with less superstition than
in other Christian lands, and for good
reasons. 1t was on Friday that CoLUM-
BUS discovered America, the Pilgrims
landed the same day. and WASHINGTON
was born On Friday. Thus it has been
more of a lucky than all unlucky day
for this country.