St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1895-04-08
THESE ALL KNOW
Just Why the Day of Observing
Easter Varies.

Just Why the Day of Observing
Easter Varies. =
Strange as it may appear, there are
few people clearly understand why the
date of Easter Is regulated by the
phases of the moon. They all enjoy
blind faith that Easter comes and is
observed at the proper time. AS rule
they know it is the end Of Lent, and it
makes little difference to them whether
the moon or some other Iuminary fixes
the date. They know it is an occasion
for the display of swell head-gear, an
occasion for fine music and special
services in the churches, but they don't
know how or why the date of this OBJ
Servance varies, inasmuch as it is the
commemoration of an event which oc-
CURED on a date we'll known in his
tory. To show, however, that there
are few people in st. Paul who Know
why the date varies, the GLOBE has
collected few short interviews on the
Subject.
Now for instance there is Tom Prem
dergast, walking encyclopedia, who,
Immediately upon being questioned,
gave clear and succinct explanation.
1T was a way they had of doing
things in the ancient days." he said
thoughtfully. They never did any
thing definitely. They were careless
and let things slip along as they
pleased. Accordingly they gave Easter
free rein, and 1t has become SO I'M
certain and so changing in it's dates
that it is Hkened unto the moon, hence
the idea that the moon regulates the
date"
Herman Oppenheim, who has i'm
bibed much of the spirit of his sur
roundings, also gave an intelligent
view of the subject.
''The date varies,' said he, "for the
reason that there is nothing certain
about it; it is not steady. In olden
days it was observed with the regu-
larity of clockwork. Americans, how
ever. have very little respect for reg
ularity and custom. They are always
in such hurry that they very often
overlook important things. hence East
er sometimes comes earlier and some
times later
81 am surprised said City Treas
urer Wagner, chat Easter should get
mixed up in it's dates. However, that is
q failing to which we can all plead
guilty If the moon desires to regulate
the time don't see any tangible reason
why we should interfere"
eff it is a fact" said Mayor Smith,
that the phases Of the moon regulate
the date of Easter, L am sure l can see
no reason why should be called upon
to take any hand in the matter. The
moon is an article that 1 have never
been able to reach, nor do 1 imagine
that any process of law or form of
writ can be made effective up there.
1t was my impression that the day was
regulated by the calendar, but if it Is
the moon, why all right, let it go at
that"
Now [ understood" said Marshal
O'Connor, that there was a dispute
over the date, and that the twelve dis
ciples were divided on the subject. So
in order to satisfy everybody they re-
solved on twelve dates, the festival to
be observed on each one alternately
and so on e.sss
But by far the most logical opinion
was delivered by Jim Nugent.
"The date varies,' said he, because
there is no way of holding it down. 1t
will vary. There's no question about
that. We know it to be a fact. So
therefore, say, if you can't hold it
down, blow your opinions on the sub
ject and tend to your business.
These opinions are given merely to
show that St Paul is not devoid of
people who are posted on chronological
events.