The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1896-04-02
GLAD EASTER is HERE
The Season Of SackClOth and Ashes
Is at an End.
SOME OF THE EARLY EASTER CUSTOMS
Now she Bellies Don Their Most stun
ming Gowns-Coiored Eggs are
Now in season-They symbolize
Renewed Life.

| Cuuuhy VI yoy! Doniuita Rduull.
The joyous awakening OF nature from
the death OF winter becomes joy at the
rising Of the Son of Righteousness at
the resurrection of Christ from the
grave.
All the earth is aglow with new life !
The bursting of the buds. the csroling Of
the birds are natures greetings to our
risen Lord
The festival has been traced back to
the most primitive time, aud probably
derives its name from Eastre, Saxon
goddess. The returns OF this anniversary
were originally regulated by the calendar
of Judea, in which the months were con-
terminous with the revolutions of the
moon.
The resurrection took place just after
the Jewish feast Of the passover, which
was held on the l4th day of Nissan, the
first month of the year. In ancient times
the people saluted each other with the
Easter kiss and the exclamation, Surrexit
(He is risen y, to which the reply was
We're Surrexit. Gle is risen indeed A
beautiful custom still retained in the
Greek church.
Many of the popular observances con-
nected with Easter are of Pagan origin ;
in Russia, when salutations were ex-
changed, red eggs were given and Gagged
birds let loose, emblamatical of the liber-
ty consecrated by the Easter solemnities
Courts Of justice were closed, and aims
distributed among the poor.
Freedom was also given to the slaves
at that time, and the people generally
gave themselves up to enjoyment. In
the east the day is still known as the
bright Day"
The ancient churches were lighted on
Easter eve by great Paschal tspers, or
Easter candles, sometimes weighing three
hundred pounds.
One Of the most popular customs which
has been handed down to us is the Pasch
or Easter egg, symbolical of renewed
life.
Schwartze says it was customary among
the Parsees to distribute red eggs at their
spring festival.
In Germany. instead OF the Easter
egg, is presented print, in which three
hens are holding basket wherein are
three eggs.
In Vienna the Easter egg is composed
Of silver, mother-of-pearl, or bronze, and
filled with sweetmeats.
Formerly the Easter eggs were solemn
ly blessed by the priest, and if choicely
colored, afterward worn as an amulet.
Most of the old customs and supersti-
tions associated with the Easter festival
have fallen into dlsuse but as a religious
season its popularity is not likely to de-
crease.
In these latter days the heart is dulled
indeed which is not thrilled to the core
by the beautiful rites Of the day. The
God.given voices of men and women
alike fill the great churches with ALEU-
ishs and glad anthems.
One can almost hear the mighty rush
ing of the winged hosts of the redeemed
The tender sobbing Of the great organ
makes the heart weep tears of blood in
memory of our lost dear ones; then the
choir bursts into the glorious anthem,
"Our Lord is Risen We too Shall Rise"
and We feel our souls lifted out OF our
meagre bodies. The clouds above our
heads part and we see among the angelic
hosts the dearly beloved faces of our de-
parted all the WEAKNESS and suffering
wiped away, their faces besming with
ineffable peace.
They, too, have risenl Dull, indeed,
must be the heart which cannot respond
to this season. 1t is time for joy and
gladness.