The Hot Springs star. (Hot Spings [Hot Springs], Dakota [Dakota Territory, i.e. S.D.]) 1886-189?, 1890-12-26

SANM forcfathers were
IL H~ but remnants of by
gone customs of va
rious nations.
The Jews, Chinese, Romans, and Mo-
h~ammedans, although differing as to the
time from which they rcckoncd the COM
mencement of the year, all regarded it
IS a day of especial interest. Says Abb
6ott: "The old Roman year began in
March, and on the first day of the year
the festival Ancylia was celebrated, when
the Salii, or priests of Mars, carried the
sacred shield in procession through tho
city, and the people spent the day in
feasting and rejoicing. The same sacred
ness was attached to the first day of the
year after the change took place in the
Roman calendar, which made January
the commencing month instead Of
March,
Pltny tells us that on the first of Janu-
cry people wished each other health and
prosperity and sent presents to each
other. 1t was accounted q public holi-
holiday, and games were celebrated in.
tho Campus Martius. Tho people gavc
themselves up to riotous excess and va
rfous kinds of heathen superstition. 1t
was to offer a counter influence, and to
protect Christians against its contagious
debauchery and superstition, that Chris
tfan assemblies were at last held on the
arst day of January.
Tho early disciples strovc to exhibit
IN their life the contrast between the
Christian and the heather temper, to
substitute aims for New Years gifts,
readings from Scripture for merry songs,
and fasts for riotous fcasting. This
principle was gradually adopted in the
practice of tile Western Church; and
three days of rcnitcncc and fasting were
opposed to the pagan celebration of
January, until the time of Cllrist's birth
being designated. when the festival of
Christ's circumcision was transferred to
this season.
In tho time of Numa Pompilius tho
day was dedicated to Janus, the double
faced deity. who faced the future, while
he looked back upon the past. The
Romans offered him a cake of siftcd
meal, with incense, salt and wine. The
Hindus call tho first day of the year the
day Of the Lord of Creation. 1t is sacred
to the God Of Wisdom, to whom they
sacrifice male kid and wild deer, while
they celebrate the festival with illumina-
eons and general rcjoicings.
Says one: aTlle Chinese begin their
year about the vernal equinox, and the
festival observed on tho occasion is one
Of the most splendid of their religious
feasts. All the people, including tho
Emperor, mingle in free and unrcstrained
Intercourse, and unite in thanksgiving
for mercies received, as we'll as in pray
era for q genial season and an abundant
crop. In Japan the day is spent in FEAST
Ing and visiting"
Among the ancient Persians prisoners
were liberated and offenders forgiven,
end thus the Persian New Year some
what resembled the sabbatical year Of
the Jews. The sFeast of Trumpets" is
another ceremony kept in continuance
By many, especially the Jews. and
thought appropriate for tho beginning
Of their New Year.
The old Romans considered It peculiar
y lucky to begin any new enterprise or
TO enter upon any new office upon New
Years Day. All the mechanics began
something of their art or trade. and men
Of letters did the same, as to book, poem,
etc. And the consuls, though chosen
before, took tho chair and entered upon
their duties this day. After the govern
ment was in tho hands of the cmpcrors,
the consuls, oil in new clothes, marchedo on
New Years Day to the Capitol, attended
BY . crowd, whore two white bulls. "
before yoked, wcrc sacrificed to Jupiter
C~apitolinus. A great deal of incense and
other perfumes was spent in the temple.
The Flamens, together with the consuls,
during the religious solemnity, offered
their vows for the prosperity of tho em-
pire; and, the emperor having taken on
oath Of allegiance and confirmed all pub
lie acts done by him during the preceding
yesr, festivities took place among all
classes, and lasted several days. It was
. time Of universal rejoicing, when pres
ents were exchanged and differences
E~econclled.
The Druids also sacrificed two white
bulls, and ct the same time the ceremony
q cutting the mistletoe wss performed.
0as Of the priests. clothed in white.