Sullivan republican. [volume] (Laporte, Pa.) 1883-1896, 1893-03-31
EASTER LOVh
Ancient and Modern Observances
of the Day.
A Curious Custom Which Pre-
walls In Paris.

name for April is Easter month. TAX
ing advantage of the coincidence of
the Christian festival in point of time
with that of the yearly feast in honor
of the Saxon goddess, the early mis-
sionaries gave Christian meaning to
The observance Of the day, but it has
ever retained its ancient name. Easter
was one time called the Christian
passover. because the Jewish passover
OCCURS about the same date, and early
converts from Judaism celebrated
Easter and the passover as one fes-
tival.
"The primitive Christians" we are
told, "when they met on this day,
saluted each other with the words,
Christ is arisen, to which answer
was made, Christ is arisen indeed,
and hath appeared unto Simon.'
This custom is still observed in the
Greek church.
"Indeed," to quote foreign writer,
call the ceremonies attending the OBJ
servance of Easter were at first ex-
ceedingly simple; but in the early
part of the fourth century a decided
change was brought about. Constan-
tine, naturally vain and fond of pa
rade, signalized his love Of display by
celebrating this festival with extra
ordinary pomp. Vigils, or night
watches, were instituted for Easter
Eve, at which the people remained in
the churches until midnight. The
tapers which it was customary TO burn
at this time did not satisfy His Ma
iesty, but huge pillars of wax were
used instead, and not only in the
churches. but all over the city, were
they placed so that their brilliancy at
night should far exceed the light of
day. Easter Sunday was observed
with most elaborate ceremonials, the
Pope officiating at mass, with every
imposing accessory that could be de.
vised."
Not kneeling in token of humility,
but standing erect with arms out
stretched and faces looking to heaven.
to express triumphant peace, the ea-ly
Christians prayed during the fifty
days between Easter and the Pente-
cost, and no songs but those of Joy
and gratitude were heard. Between
Easter and Pentecost the time was
considered the most auspicious in the
whole .ear for ove-making and mar
riages, aid thos, two holy days were
the best Oh which to baptize child
rem.
OF all the Easter customs, that of
coloring and making presents of eggs
seems the only distinctive one that has
found u place in our time and coun-
try.
On the first day of Easter week in
Paris, everybody presents every one
else with a present emblematical of an
egg, which is known as a Paschal egg
(oeufs des Paque.) Among a people
SO ingenious as the Parisians, an
opportunity of this sort is literally a
'God-send." Egg-shaped articles are
to be had of all conceivable, and some
inconceivable, forms and materials.
One would think The once imperial
eagle of France had summoned all The
birds of the air to come to Paris, build
their nests in shop windows, and there
deposit their eggs; for, go where you
will, you will see eggs, from the size
of caraway comfir, such as is found
in the nest of the hummiug-bird, to
one as large as bowl, or an ostrich's S
or emu's egg.
The shops are full of egg-shaped
boxes. the receptacles Of candy, jew
elry or toys. Here you have choco-
late eggs full of cream where tho yolk
should be, and again, ivory eggs,
within which is q scent-bottle. Pass
ing along are women with barrows,
crying, "Les oeufs, des oeufs." Upon
their barrows are piled in separate
heaps, white and colored eggs.
Some of the nests are beautiful
works of art Here ia stoat or wea-
sci stealthily climbing up tree 10
suck the eggs. while the parent bird is
represented with her feathers ruffled
in a threatening attitude, to drive
away the intruder. Here, again, a
cuckoo--a European cuckoo. our Amer
lean bird is above such tricks-has
turned out little chaffinch egg which
lies broken on the ground below,
hi al. Iao I.fk 4. O. O.