New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-10
IT THE LATER FEAST.


:: IS curious 70 conjecture what would have been
the symbol OF Easter rejoicing in the word
o: flowers had Christianity first spread 20
ire southern instead q re northern hemi-
sphere OF the world. The season IS for us 50
,nseparably connected with the rejuvenating Of
nature the budding and blossom!ng Of tree and
plant that II difficult 70 realize that in oihsr
lands far away ,he days bring autumn
fading leaf and decaying bloom. The Australian
now approaching each day nearer 20 the winter
.olsttce Of that lattude-must celebrate the Easter
festival with the ripe harvest sheaves and the
fruits and flowers Of the mature season q The
wear II would seem that the hope and expectation
implied in the dawn OF spring must be eliminated
from the spirit OF a feast held In a land that Is
wreathed in dying foliage
But Easter rejoicings came first 70 the flower
decked North. and the springtiue festivals Of the
snc;ents. mystical always. easily merged. as
the new faith grew into the religious celebrations
0. tie Christian Church.
o. all the flowers which unfold their petals 20
the first warm airs o. the advancing year. none
seem 50 beautifully appropriate 10 the religious
sentimen, Of the hour as the Lily which mas
come 20 be known as the Easter lily. Roman
mythology gives beautiful legend OF the origin o;
this perfect nower. and doubtless the connection
4: always had IN the mind OF the religious world
with purity Of thought and aspiration caused Il -
be adopted BY the earlier masters Of art. VINO
placed II in the hands Of the saints and angels OF
their pictured works For 10 art We owe his frst
Of the times permitted lttle OF eaoora-
ton OF form IN the simple r.traI OF the cary
demand the expression OF inner thought by these
The lily. once known as the Persian Beauty
but changed the legend goes. from yellow 70 white
known s aa 6 a. the 1se' neaT T de- dec Marie eaed BY
Dante the Lily Of the Arno." by Iasso m;
stands pr--erninenily the type OF Easter nope and
Joy In rs earliest sss9cia'on ~ Tfe
70 tbs Virgin and the Angel OF the Annunciauon
~ re- as ing go % The wondering
Mary. A sceDtre is often seen in these pictures
changed TO the pure white lily
The beautiful idea expressed by Longfenow con-
Sol .: peace sa,s .''Y "'''1 seem 'i-''" " .
Gates Of brass cannot withstand
ono touch OF that magic wand"
BY degrees the symbols OF these TWO festivals
sssSer ana ne Annunciat,on cane TO DC ,ia nnT
20 near together But not lilies alone are favored
lowers FOR this season, when Joy ana nope anG
ssnd material world. All flowers springing into
o.9orn after tins dark sad days Of winter are typl-
IN. da:godA used 20 be called the Lent-iily, and
Lenien days. but stii bearing the promise of the
~ ,o come One oid legend makes the crown t o.
,scod-drops that fell 10 earth from the saviour
@ s P0 aS qa 542 passion h9 2SgT aE1
N the centre the figure Of the cross aad the latter
.c'ed on the dying Christ. within this flower
,oya folds are held also the thy limitations Of the
Nails. the pillar Q. the cross tho crown OF thorns.
va the golden glory % halo SUCH as is ever
p,tured a5Ou. the sacred head.
IN later years the Of flowers OF every sort has
ys.ome A universal custom and the rose has no
.,ss prominent place than he lily - the ex-
.sced Messiah uas. by the sages and saints or o!d:
orderly called THE Rose os Sharon. The Lily or
sne valley" may the two blooms be alike now
1sso IN the cerenOntals Of these latter days.
.Vnar khayyam writing from his Persian land
. :. MOWERS connected the resurrection OF Christ
wiz the renewal Of the blossoming-time and the