The aegis & intelligencer., 1902-03-28
MOONS PHASES.
CLOSE OF LENT.

CLOSE OF LENT.
This is Good Friday, which is cele-
brated in commemoration of the
crucifxion of our Saviour. 1t is the
most solemn day in the church calen-
dar, and is observed by many per
sons of nearly every religious denomi-
nation. Of course it is we'll under
stood that this is not the exact ami
versary ofthis solemn occasion, which
is a small matter, so long as all
Christendom observes one particular
day of sorrow and meditation.
The story of His life and death is
familiar to all, yet no matter how
frequently it may be told, each time
some new and beautiful thought
which had not heretofore become ap-
parent, is revealed. AS each pain
has its joy in recompense, so the sad
day of the Crucifxion has the joy of
the Resurrection on the glorious
Easter Morn. We ought to learn a
lesson from this illustration. There
is a recompense for everything in
this world, there is no pleasure with
out its corresponding sorrow, and
no matter how deeply we may be
plunged in the depths ofdespair "each
cloud has its silver lining" AS the
women wept about our Saviour's
tomb, they felt that all in this life
had been lost to them, but while the
tears were still flowing, the dawn Of
the Resurrection was breaking, and
our Saviour came forth from the
tomb clad in an added radiance
The past forty days of the Lenten
season were set apart as a time for
fasting and prayer, as we'll as the
a cessation from our ordinary rounds
of pleasure. Those of us who have
spent the time in the manner in which
the church intended it, can look for
ward to Easter morning as the time
for casting aside sack-cloth and ashes,
and once more re-entering the world
with its rounds of healthful and in
vigorating pleasure. The soul and
body rested can with renewed
vigor again join in the ordinary
methods of living. 1t is to be hoped
that every person has devoted at
least some portion of this penitential
period to the uplifting of his moral
nature. 1t is a well-known principle
that neither physically nor morally
can we remain at a standstill, we
either must be growing stronger or
better day by day or else we are re-
trograding. If we feel that we have
done nothing towards trying to
better ourselves, then we may rest
assured that we are worse off than
six weeks ago when the season of
fasting and prayer began.
The celebration of Easter is OF an
cient origin. The day probably de-
rives its Teutonic name from a festi-
val of the goddess Ostara. In the
ancient church, the celebration of
Easter lasted eight days, after the
eleventh century, however, it was
limited to three, and in later days
generally to two. 1t was formerly
the favorite time for performing the
rite of baptism. The courts Of justice
were closed and aims distributed to
the poor and needy who were even
feasted in the churches. Slaves also
received their freedom, and as the
austerities of Lent were over, the
people gave themselves up to enjoy
ment, hence the day was called
DOMINICA GAUDn, Sunday ofjoy."
The celebration became of such a
farcical nature in which even the
clergy joined, that it brought forth
the Indignation of the Reformers, and
this church period is again celebrated
with proper respect.
Easter Sunday is looked upon by
the ladies as the proper time in which
to appear in their spring costume,
and we have no doubt but what some
of the Lenten period was devoted to
little worldly thought as to how
"my lady" should be hated and
gowned. We think, however, that
the most rigorous churchman should
be willing to overlook this slight
dereliction when we behold some of
the beauteous creations in which they
adorn themselves. 1t is but an ad-
ditional reason for making the day
one of good cheer.
WATTERSON ON ROOSEVELT.
Colonel Henry Watterson delivered