The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1894-03-22

With this week thu Lenten season ls
ended and Sunday will be day OF re-
ioiclng throughout the Christian
world. This week 10 known as Holy
week and is particularly observed in
the Catholic and many OF the Protes-
tant Episcopal churches. Thursday is
called Holy Thursday. sometimes
styled Maundy or Mandy Thursday.
In tho Catholic Church IL is one of the
most impressive days OF the religious
calendar. Friday. called Good Friday,
Is great day that marks the sorrow
fal eyentg OF a suffering Saviour. Hs
sentence by Plate to be cruciiied, Hs
death aud His burial In the tomb.
Easter day this YET falls on one of ils
ear lest dates. March 25th.
1t never can occur earlier than March
22d, nor later than April 25, but may
come on these DAYS and on any day
between them. Next to Christmas.
Easter 10 the most pleasurable holiday
OF the year. Like the former II cele-
brates one of the two INC st important
events In the history OF the Christian
world, and as dispenser OF Joys and
toys to the girls aud boys. it is grow
ing more like Christmas as the years
roll by. 1t Is the anniversary OF the
Lords resurrection from the dead.
From the earliest period OF Christian
ity down to the present day. 1t has al.
ways been celebrated by believers with
the greatest Joy. In olden times. II
was a custom for Christians to salute
each other on the resurrection morn
ing or morning Of this day by exclaim-
ing, Christ Is risen ~ the answer
would be- in reply, Christ lie risen in
deed -
One OF the most interesting features
Is the way the day lie observed by re-
llglous people. by decorating their
places of worship with flowers. and
the music on the occasion Is truly
OF joyous character SO betting this
great festival. Well does the writer
know whom boy that, with ot1er
boys, we would pick eggs, and In or
der to be successful would have q
couple OF hard ones dyed in logwood.
or calico. aud were thus beautifully
with rough picture or
knife. by the gentleman who was also
an expert In handling a waddle just
as we'll. when needed.
Also for several weeks ahead OF
Easter we would lay by each day an
egg or two, and on Easter morning
would steal away with the eggs, to
the Indian Shelter on our fathers
farm. and there wonld be sometimes
as many as three dozen other boys
and young men, who had eggs. salt,
pepper, butter and the necessary ar
ticles to cook the eggs in. When they
were cooked the boys would pitch In
and help themselves for once. have
seen the egg shells piled up into
steeple, which would be at the bottom
as big around as five half peck bask.
at nd ri t0h Of hof
way for any one who might come that
way to see. This day to our mind
was one of the greatest days of our
boyhood. In these, our days, East
Is somewhat different.
In the first place. four weeks before
Easter, the shop windows are artistl-
cally dressed with beautiful offerings.
You can have. II you wish, the sugar
oggs, or the chocolate babies kiokiI 9
their heels through the shells, choco
late eggs with any name OH them that
YOU wish; with these many other togr,
some of which are very costly
The good old customs We are glad to
say still live. Toys can or may change
but human nature never. The boys
will lea, shop window full of toys
to "pick eggs" with companion, and
soon try to break Billy Brown or Isaac ,
Crowthers eggsaud II successful take
them. Easter in the city Ia not al
to the children there, and
4 you want to Ind real enjoyment.
you will find IL in the country, as the
lay Ii looked forward to for weeks
ihead. when the mothers will make
or the little ones all the necessary ar
for the occasion; especial
y egg doll babies are made. and eggs
IRE rolled down a hill.
In the country Easter liz still Easter.
)ut inthe city, 1t has become nearly like
In Rome the Easter eggs
ire taken to the parish priest, who
,lesses and sprinklss them with holy
water. and the nuns afterward paint
md sell them. They must be placed
IN the table with the flowers and 9TH
IT decorations, and eaten as the first
course of the Easter dinner. Easter
llways takes place on the first Sunday
lfter full moon, after the 2lst of
March. The word Easter Ia found
but once in the blb.o. .. -." "...