Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1897-10-10
A STRANGE CUSTOM.
The Scoureing of Judas in the Flor
 entine Church.

Two men one evening were stro1ling through the winding streets of the an- cient town of Florence. One of them was native of the old Tuscan city, the other an American. They entered a plaza, or square, surrounded by porti- eos. On every side were statues or busts of the old rulers of Florence, and on the walls of the blue and white bas- reliefs of the Robbias and some fres- eoes by the great masters, covered now with glass to preserve them. Hoyt, the American, paused before them. "Of course this is marvellous art" he said; but, do you know, there is something childish to me in the ineessant repe- tition here of religious subjects. I do not want to see the torture of some mar tyr at every turni l can read of it and then put it out of my mind"
 "Ah, certainly" cried the Italian, his eager eyes and face talking as earnest ly as his tongue; 'but you forget that ancient pictures and statues were the books of the poor. They told the story of the life of Christ and His follow wers to those who could not read. You will understand our art and our customs better if you keep that in mind By the way, can show you singular cus- tom which is praeticed only in this church in Florence. and only upon this day of the year."
 The day was Good Friday. Since dawn deVout Italians had crowded all the churches, but now the tide of peo- pie set into this one, splendid in an- cient frescoes and noble ehapels.
 "It is the Church of the Annunziata,' ; said the Florentine "They sing the 'Tenebra' here tonight"
 The church, from the high altar to the farthest portico, was a solid mass of human beings, dimly seen, for all lights had been put out except 12 great | candles which burned around the cru cifix.
 AS the story of the day was chanted one after another of these lights went out and the darkness deepened into night. But one remained, typical of Him who hung upon the cross-the Light of the World.
 t'This was the way" whispered the Italian, ''in which the story of the cross was told to those who could not read {"
 The chanting ceased. The vast kneel- ing crowd prayed silently, many with sobs and tears. When the last light | iickered the women's faces grew pale. They prayed in agony, as if they could, even now. hinder the death of Jesus.
 The point of light grew dinner and went out Then-silence.
 The next moment the night was filled with furious clamor, tempest of | heavy blows. Every man and woman was armed with a whip and was beat ing the ground or wall in frenzy of rage.
 Hoyt caught his friend by the arm. "Haye they gone mad?" he shouted What is it ?"
 "They are scourging Judas. The early converts, when Christ was first preached here, took this way to show their horror of the death of Jesus, and the ceremony has been kept up in this church ever sinee-though it is no cere- mony to them; it is real" he added. as | they went out Dooh at thde olu peas ant wrapped in a goatskin coat beating the wall Tt is no wall to him. It is the back of Judas that he strikes"
 q understand" said the American ''He is learning his lesson as no book would teach him. After all, we cannot understand the art or literature or the life of any man unless we try to see with his eyes, think for time with his brain and feel with his heart. v Youths 1 Companion.