The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1898-04-06


resurrection of Christ, but with the
season of the year when the
earth pours forth its freshest blossoms
and the revivification of naturc-the
springing forth of life in the spring.
It is from this that the Easter egg
custom springs, and centuries ago,
even before the birth Of Christ, color
ed eggs were given and received by
the celebrants of the feast. The egg
for all time has been regarded as
symbolical Of the spring, when the
earth receives from nature its new life.
Not only the ancient Hebrews, but
the ancient Persians, employed the
colored eggs in their celebrations of
the feast Of the solar new year, in
March.
With the Hebrews the festival was
called Pasch, and the name still lives,
with slight alterations, among many
nations. The French call the festi-
val Paques; the Dutch term il Pas
chen; the Danes Paaske, and the
Swedes Pask. In the early days of
Christianity the influence of tho jew
ish Pasch upon the holy day commem-
Grating the Staying of Christ and his
resurrection was such that it created
many bitter dissensions between the
western and the eastern churches.
Finally the discussions assumed such
threatening aspect that Polycrntes,
bishop of Ephesus, appealed to Victor,
bishop Of Rome, asking for n general
council to decide the much. yexed
question.
Accordingly, councils met in all the
countries, as we'll as ut Rome, but,
alas, for visions of harmony, they
could not agree. They finally decided
to recognize the day as their respec-
tive, fathers before them had done, and
no sect should censure the other for o
difference of opinion.
Many warm and even bitter discus
sions still continued on the subject Of
Easter celebrations, and it finally led
to the great emperor, Constantine, in
325, issuing an order for the dispute
to be settled by the council of Nice.
It was the momentous theme Of the
day. In obedience to royal command,
318 bishops and some 1000 inferior
clerics assembled at Nice in Bithynia.
The first sessions met in the church,
and as the council continued its work
the place Of meeting was transferred
to the imperial palace, where special
apartments were reserved for this
august body. The main trouble was
between the Jewish Christians and the
Gentle Christians.
On the 14th day Of the first lunar
month the Jews observed with all the
solemnity and regard for the Mosaic
law the Feast of the Passover; thus
they celebrated the death of Christ Us
represented by the Paschal Lamb.
The first Sabbath after the 14th day
of the March moon the Gentle Chris
tians celebrated with joyous religious
services the resurrection Of Christ.
Neither sect would recognize the
others festive day, and the council OF
Nice was greatly perplexed as how
best to please all parties.
After continuing their debates, pro
and con, for several months, the
ecclesiastical dignitaries announced
that the bitterly waged war Of dispute
was settled. Easter day was for al
time to be the first Sabbath i'm
mediately following the fourteenth
day of the March moon. By thii
arrangement the world may celebrat'
Easter, justly called the Queen Q
Festivals" as early as March %, ant
again it may not arrive until April 25
when nearly the entire earth is fragran