The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1903-04-12

NOW the blood of the lsasah OF God
would deliver them from their own de-
stroytny Weaknesses. AS in the past
they had rejoieed over their escape
from the bond of Egypt 50 now they
exulted in their freedom from the ex-
ternal chains of sin. They exhibited
their 10y 10 the surrounding world.
Their houses were decorated with
greens and blossoms and their persons
adorned with fresh garments, In glad
tones they lttertd new greeting,
Christ is risen. indeed" or And hath
appeared unto simon
Customs typical OF the Resurrection
were copied from neighhoring eoan-
tries. The Persians had long exchang-
Cd eggs in spriustine, as a symbol ot
recreation. The Christians adopted
this method. but modified It, They
dyed their eggs red to signify that
while there was a recreation, indeed,
il was secured only through the BLOOD
Of the Lamb, To-day, When we ex-
charge eggs of all eolors. all sizes aud
with all sorts of wonders hidden in
them. we have lost sight of their sig
nifieance to the first Christians.
When the missionaries of the Cross
advanced to the countries of northern
Europe. they found that here the peo-
Pile had a joyful feast day about the
time of the Resurrection, in honor of
Eostra, the goddess of springtime.
When they converted these nations.
they stil kept the festival, interpret-
ing ii to be now in honor Of the God
Of all seasons. However. we still have
remembrance of the pagan goddess,
Eostra, in our English title, Easter.
Throughout the early Christian world
Easter was the greatest feast in the
calendar, and il soon came to be called
THE Great Day" 1t still holds a
unique sovereignty, for upon its time
depend the dates of all the movable
feasts OF the church year.
The exact date of Easter made a
schism in the early church. The
churches in Asia Minor commemorat ID
the Resurrection on the 1ith of Nissan.
the Jewish Paschal, no matter on
waat day of the week this occurred. |
While the church of Europe celebrat-
ed the feast as near the 14th of Nissan
as possible, but always on Sunday, |
because they said Christ had risen on
a Sunday. For two centuries the faith ,
ers Of the church argued the question,
and then, at the council of Nice in 325, |
they compromised. 1t was decided, |
first, that the 21st of March should !
be accounted the vernal equinox; sec
ond. that the full moon happening
upon, or next after. the 21st of March |
should be taken for the full moon of |
Nisan; third, that the Lords day next |
following the full moon should be
Easter day; fourth, that If the full |
moon be on a Sunday, Easter day
should be the Sunday after. 1t is very
probable that few of us of this genera
ton have known that Easter can never
occur during the period of Luna's
greatest brilliahcy.
Even If we had no exact date, We
would probably feel the inspiration the
old pagans cherished. With the story
Of the Great Sacrifice for our sakes. !
added to the instructive joyousness Of
the spring we seem to acquire a new
dignity. Our hearts tell us
that if We are worth saving our lives
must be worth living, and with genuine
cheerfulness we welcome this gladsome
season when nature bursts forth afresh I
to accompany the resurrection of the
soul. ul.--katherine Chandler.
TO CURE A COLD IN ONE DAY