The Yale expositor., 1902-03-28
Term Easter is Of
German Origin.

Our term Easter Is OF German orr.
gin. but the name by which the festi-
val Is designated from the beginning
is the Paschal. name derived from
the Hebrew: II commentaries the de.
liverance of the Jews from Egyptian
bondage when the destroying angel
spared the iirstborn OF the Hebrew be-
cause their doors were marked by the
blood OF the Paschal lamb.
The Easter festivaI rs the greatest
In the Christian calendar; Il is the
climax OF the events in the life OF
cur divine Lord-his birth. his labors.
HIS miracles. his betrayal the bitter.
ness OF his agony at Gethsemane. and
his cruel death on Calvary all culmi-
mated In the victory we commemorate
on this glorious day.
The church has always held that
the miraculous deliyerance OF the He.
brew people from Egyptian bondage
was the type and figure OF the far
greater deliverance which would fol-
low when Christ, our Pasch. as ST.
Paul says. would be sacrificed and by
his blood would save us from eternal
death.
The Christian PasCh was instituted
on that night when our Savior. Jesus
Christ. surrounded by his disciples AZ
the Last Supper which he held with
them, gave them under the form OF
bread and wine his body and his blood
TO drink. There is nothing I'm all the
gospels get forth In language more
unequivocal than this fact The church
has always taught. as he himself de.
clared. that our divine Lord Is truly
and really present. under the forms
oil bread and wine. consecrated by the
words uttered by himself. and spoken
by those authorized by him 10 use
them.
II Is true that he suffered and died
that all men might be saved. yet we
know. from his own words and the
teachings OF his apostles. that many
may not be saved because they will
not make the necessary effort and sac.
rifice-"Many are called but few cho.
sen" Faith alone in the redeeming
sacrifice will not bring salvation: the
mere fact that we believe in the divin-
ity OF Christ. in the teaching OF Christ.
in the redemption purchased for us
by the death OF Christ will not bring
US salvation unless we ourselves do
our part 10 make ourselves worthy
thereof. IL Is not enough TO have
faith; we must also labor. II have
fought the good fight. have kept the
faith" st. Paul says: he did not con.
slider IL enough 20 have the faith only
1t must be accompanied by good
work.
The church. therefore. celebrates this
day with more of Joy and gladness and
ceremony than any other In commem-
Grafton of the institution OF that Chris
tan Pasch which means so much TO
humanity! for millions OF her chill.
dren. under her guidance and direc.
ton. through PRAYER and repentance.
and other penitential works are made
worthy TO participate in this divine
banquet. They are restored 10 the
friendship OF God and have earned for
themselves eternal life. for our Savior
has said: IF any man eat or this
bread he will live forever. and the
bread that ! will give is my flesh for
the life of the world" John VII
And she celebrates this day with
unusual Joy and gladness for the fur.
Their reason: That IL is the annIver.
sary OF that day on which the Founder
by HIS own inherent power raised him.
self from the dead. thus giving the
strongest possible proof OF his dIvin-
ity. and leaving TO us. who believe In
him and love him. a reason for the
faith that is IN us.