The times., 1899-04-02

pate resulted IN no little bitter feeling
and the old plan was left unchanged. If
the fuli moon falls upon Sunday, Easter
Is celebrated upon the Sunday following.
The Old Heather Custom.
For many centuries the old heather Gus
tom of making merry at Eastertide was
carried out. and while the Christian
Church asked that all mankind rejoice at
this festival. the rejoicing was carried to
the very limit by the people In the
twelfth century the day was known as the
Sunday of JOY" The people gave them
selves up to thorough pleasure Fairs were
held everywhere and sports, gaming places.
dances, and exhibitions of acrobats and
Wlld beasts always reaped rich harvest
some OF the early historians relate that
even the churches were turned into pIaces
OF merrymaking and that the clergy in
dulged in much buffoonry on this day
Pantomime plays and jssts were given from
the pulpits so that the congregations might
be merry and joyful. The reform movement
or the sixteenth century ended these cele-
hrations and the joys OF the services were
toned down TO music and religious services
Easter is always Synonymous with eggs
! Colored eggs, plain eggs. and cooked eggs
The custom which caused eggs to become A
part of Easter festivities dates back to the
twelfth century. Today the eggs have no
religious meaning, but in the early days
oil token and talisman the eggs were con-
sidered emblematic of the resurrection
and future life Few modern homes are
without gaudy colored Easter eggs and
eggs in every style form the menu for the
Easter breakfast
OF late years the real Significance of
Easter has almost become secondary mat
ter to the fact that upon that day the STYLES
OF worldly raiment change, and woe betide
Inc man or woman who fails TO appear in
new ana gorgeous apparel upon Easter
day. 1t is the great show day of the year
Styles may come and STYLES NAV 90 but
Easter raiment is ever an unwritten law
as firm as those OF the Medes and Persians.
The ThronEs Of worshipers.
Today the great throngs who will attend
the services and later promenade will pre-
sent a gorgeous picture. 1t is the day of
color, of beauty of style, and to MANY
Easter is the day of the year as is the first
day OF January 10 the Philadelphia New
Year Shooter. Spring is not spring until
Easter, and the new season is ushered in
with pomp and rustic.
And the Church outdoes herself at Easter
to receive the great newly-dressed throngs
All will be bright and joyous and glowing
Flowers will deck altar and puIpit. To-
programmes will be rendered in all of the
local churches. Great choirs will chant
and soar, organs and orchestras will peal
forth the joys Of the day; bells will chime
forth the risen Lord. the new clad throngs
Will glisten and offer incense. and the har-
mony of il all will be Easter.
Festival of Music.
The Easter musical festival this year will
probably be-the most extensive that has
been held in this city. The churches are
all vying with one another in the quality
and volume of the music rendered TODAY
and are making strenuous efforts to pay
for the apparent negligence of late years
Even In the houses of worship of the most
conservative denominations where other
than orthodox music is seldom heard the
masters sre being given a chance and the
result will undoubtedly be very satisfac-