Semi=weekly graphic., 1898-04-06
AN IMPORTANT FESTIVAL IN THE JEWISH CALENDAR TO BE UsHERED IN
 WEDNESDAY.
It is in cOmmsmoration of the Pass ing Over of the Israelites by
 the Destroyers

the Feast of the Passover, which, in the Christian dispensation, has been replaced by Easter, the queen of fes- tivals, which falls almost contempo- with the Passover, CT ex- actly speaking, during the Pass oyer.
 In most ancient times, prior to the exodus of the Hebrews from Egypt, feast was observed at about the same time of year as this feast of tbe Passover: that is, in the spring, says the Arkansas Democrat. This early festival was in the nature of thanksgiving, by which the har- vest opened. No one tasted the grain until the first sheaf had been presented to Jehovah. Then all made haste to enjoy the blessings by partaking of unleavened cakes, not waiting to go through the pro- cess of leaveaing the bread.
 At later date, namely, at the exodus, a new significance was add ed to this annual spring festival by it's associations with the events lead- ing up to the exodus. According to the Old Testament narrative the Jews in Egypt were commanded to go forth into the wilderness and sacrifice to Jehovah. Pharaoh will not allow them to do so. The Egyp- tians are punished for their hard heartedness by sundry plaques. At last Jehovah stays the first born in every Egyptian household. On the night when the destroyer passes through the land the houses of the Israelites are passed over, the blood of a lamb having been sprinkled up- OF the door to mark the habitations of Israel. The next day Pharaoh consents to the departure of the children of Israel on their journey through the wilderness to the land of promise. The Egyptians, fearing that the presence of the Israelites in their midst will bring further de. struction, hurry them off so that the dough of their trouqhs has not time to rise, and they eat unleavened bread.
 In eommemoration of the passing over the Israelites by the destroyer and their subsequent speedy deliver ance from Egyptian bondage, the Feast of the Passover, as observed from that time, was instituted By the divine command, in commence ration of their deliverance from the Egyptians on this date, the children of Israel were commanded to keep this feast on that date throughout all generations, by consecrating the first-born of men and cattle to Jeho- yah, the children of men being re- deemed and the cattle sacrificed.
 Minute directions for the observ- ance of the feast are given in the Old Tes lament writings, and the Hebrews have continued to keep the feast with joy and gladness through succeeding generations.
 Although, of course, the sacrificial features of the feast have been done away.with in modern times, the Feast of the Passover is observed by the Jews everywhere, both of the reform ed and orthodox branches of Juda- ism.
 One of the laws governing the ob- servance of the feast is that no leav- ened bread shall be eaten during the seven days following the evening when the passover, i. e., the paschal lamb. is slain and parsaken of in the Jewish households. Hence the feast is called also the Feast of the Un- leavened Bread, or rather the week following the passover proper is so designated, and is usually included ln the Feast of the Passover.
 Wednesday, therefore, being the