The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1888-03-29
HENDERSON. n c., TIL URSDAY MARCH 20, 1888.
All the ceremonies attending the obse

All the ceremonies attending the observ-
ance of Easter were at first very simple, but
in the carly part Of the Fourth century q de-
cided change was brought about by Con-
staEtine, who, naturally fond OF parade, sig
nalized his love Of display by celebrating this
festival with extraordinary pomp. At the
yigils instituted for Easter eve, when the
eeopie remained in the churches, hugo tapcrs
Of wax were burned; these wero however,
not confined to the churches, but were
placed all over the city. Easter Sunday was
observed with elaborate ceremonials, the
pope omciating ct mass with every imposing
accessory that could bo brought to bear in
that servicel
like theatres, and crowds pourel in to SEQ the
sepulchers which were erected representing
the whole scene Of our Savior's ento:nb,nent.
a general belief prevailed that the Lords
second coming would be ON Easter eve, there
fore the sepuichers were watched through tho
night until 8 o'clock in the morning, when
two of tho oldest monks would enter and take
out beautiful image Of the resurrection,
which was elevated before tho people during
the singing of the anthem, "Christus Rcsur-
gens" 1t was then carried to the high altar,
and procession being formed, u canopy OF
velvet was borne over it by ancient gentle
men. They proceeded round the exterior Of
the church by the light of torches, all sing
ing, rejoicing and praying, until coming
again to the hi gh altar it wes there placed to
remain until Ascension day. In many places
the monks personated all the characters con-
nected with tho event they celebrated, and
thus rendered the scene still more picturesque.
Many of the old customs of Esstertide still
lincer with us. The pcasantry in certain
portions of England and Scotland, up to q
very recent date, observed the absurd Gus
tom Of "lifting" or ''heaving," as it was
called.
On Easter Monday the men, carrying
chairs, went about insisting that all tho
women they met should take a seat and DO
lifted up three times. The performance was
accompanied with loud shouts, and the ex-
acting OF kiss for each one of tho liftcrs.
Tho accepted mode, as it seems, was for two
to lit. one on either side, and tho chair,
gayly decorated, TO be raised high above the
heads Of tho lIfters It is further related that
any preferring were allowed to pay o forfeit
OF monev, instead Of the kiss, before they
were let out.
On Tuesday the women took their turn,
and we read that SO anxious were they to dc
their full part in this ridiculous proceeding
that they were wont to guard every avenue
to the town and stop every passenger, pedcs
trian, equestrian or vehicular. It was G
crude Imagination that could see any repro
sentation in this to the resurrection Of oul
Savior. But as such 1t was intended.
Not only were the women allowed a shars
In tho sport Of "heaving" or lifting" but
they had their own football match in O quiet
sort OF a way. The good. and healthful prac
tfce of archery was not forgotten at thu
Shrore Tuesday and Easter Monday meet
ines; tho reward for the best shot was pro
vidcd, in many localities, not by the guilds
but by tho bridegrooms of the community.
Tho custom Of distributing tho "Pace" O
'Pasch' eggs, which was once almost uni
versal among Christians, is still observes
among children tho world over and by tn
peasantry in certain portions of the Oh
! World The boys play with these hard boile'